Flying Lesson - Taking to the Skies for the First Time!

I know it's been a little quiet here and this flying lesson was a long time ago - the end of April in fact - but I thought I had to blog about it seeing as it fulfilled a bit of a lifelong dream for me....as well as being very cool and an amazing experience.



Cue standard 'first time flying' picture. In fact, I say flying, but as Alex Wade correctly points out in his blog Surf Nation about his trial flying experience - it's a actually really a case of driving. It's a very systematic experience, and without the terminology controlling the aircraft boils down to a 'steering wheel' and a 'speedo.' In fact, sometimes it feels a little bit like this. Being a bit of an aviation geek (ok, a proper aviation geek) I knew my FPM from my QNH, and it was a very self satisfying feeling to have an understanding of the aircraft and actually see some of the instruments and dials for real. Like they say, pilots are very techy people anyway but regardless of this the sensation of actually flying the plane was second to none.

The guys down at MSH Flight Training do an excellent job at Land's End. Glen, my instructor, also did an excellent job in ensuring I felt like I had control and was doing as much of the flying as I could for as long as possible. The taxi, takeoff and a lot of the turns were all Pilot in Command for me...and although I was happy he took over when it came to the landing, I didn't for once feel like he had cheated me out of actual flight time for myself. The fact I had probably chosen the best day of the year so far had added benefit for me...the wind was calm and the sky almost cloudless - a really wonderful view and an thrilling experience.

I would really recommend Land's End Airport even if you have a passing interest in aviation. Some of the types are pretty unique and the small scale operation brings in the Isles of Scilly Skybus flights with amazing regularity. (I happen to work for them in their booking office - so shamless plug there!) Everything for private pistons to the Turboprop DHC6 Otters and there and it can get excting during summer months. MSH Flight School are reasonably priced and offer some the best views money can buy of this amazing county. Certainly, the best place in the UK to learn how to fly!

New Geevor Mine Film on Vimeo

Last year I spent a few days at Geevor Tin Mine filming their Museum there and getting to know a little bit about what they do. They have some interesting 'as it was left' displays and some fascinating stories to tell about what is a very local and community based mine and heritage centre.

I filmed a short film while I was there and edited it a while ago. It's now on Vimeo and available to watch by following this link:

http://vimeo.com/25086926

It's not the most polished footage, but I have aimed to encapsulate a feeling at Geevor within the editing. If you like it - tell your friends!

Cheers for now

Event Cornwall Update

http://www.eventcornwall.co.uk/ 

Event Cornwall have not so long ago updated their site, and there are some fantastic things worth checking out if you have a spare minute or two. They have an extensive and imaginative portfolio and work with many different events to promote all that Cornwall has to offer.

Something that particularly caught my eye was their Outdoor Screening Season; where films are being shown in locations as diverse as hangers at Newquay Airport!

More info to be found here:

http://www.eventcornwall.co.uk/coming-soon/the-outdoor-screenings-season-2011/

What's On in Cornwall

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-12525949

Some interesting information here as to what's on in Cornwall. Activities range from events to galleries, theatre performances and music and showcase a lot of emerging talent down here in the South West. In addition, I think it's important to point out that it's also gaining more a more popular to host events and large scale activity based exhibitions and festivals down here - long may it continue!

Some Cornish dining ideas courtesy of this month's excellent Food Magazine.

Rejection of Scilly's Link

So, in some ways the inevitable has happened. The bid for upgrading the Penzance - St. Mary's link has been rejected - continuing claims from the powers that be that the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company need to find a more viable, cost effective way of transporting passengers and goods to the islands. Yes, this is a blow, but the people I feel sorry for are the people that are trying their hardest to literally force change into Cornwall.

For them this has been a flagship campaign; a campaign which has got media attention and the clear recognition from people that something really does have to change. The limitations caused by the ignorance and short sightedness of those in charge in Cornwall is plain for all to see - there is no way that the provisions given on the quay for the Scilly's link from Penzance are in any way adequate and the fiasco over Battery Rocks have left many bemused tourists. For them, it is inconceivable that development has been halted by such trivial matters, and working the Isles of Scilly Steamship Comany I sometimes feel that  I cannot necessarily give people the service that they expect and deserve - the facilities literally are not there. There is absolutely no way of solving this short term, but I feel that people need to be given something in return for paying for the most expensive passenger per mile journey in the world.

http://www.eventindustrynews.co.uk/2011/03/breathtaking-locations-in-cornwall-set-to-play-host-outdoor-cinema-screenings.html

This is good news! Missed out on the ones in St Ives which were happening last year - I think it's an absolutely ideal opportunity to get out and watch films without the thing that normally puts people off - staying inside!

Godrevy Images 29/03

Went down to the beach today and I was lucky enough to enjoy a lovely break in the clouds as evening drew in. I'm very much enjoying the increase daylight in the evening now - starting to feel a bit more like summer as the region begins to bustle with promise. I'm very much enjoying taking photos of Cornwall right now

Link to Picasa Albums

New Jacob Little Webpage focusing on Cornish web and photography

http//www.jclittlephotographs.co.uk

I've recently gone through a few web updates, but I have decided to settle on one which I think will be the best for showing my images of Cornwall and the photos of Cornwall and elsewhere which I have accumulated throughout the years. I have seperated my photography through three different catagories so far; country, coastal and urban...and I hope to develop more catagories as time goes on.

The site links my blogs, and will continue to concentrate on Cornish based web and creative graphic design - expanding to include links to my documentary and design work in future updates.

Martin Scorsese in Cornwall as Curator of Port Eliot Film Festival

It's recently been announced that legendary film director Martin Scorsese will be curating the Port Eliot Film Festival.

The surprise announcement came as hype for the festival builds and the appeal of small scale local based art ventures increases.

Scorsese will take a break from editing his first 3d film to curate the festival, and he is currently deliberating over a number of vintage classics which match the epic proportions and beauty of the landscape.

More can be read in this Guardian article