21 August 2021
From Paderborn-Lippstadt to Zwickau
The plan was to fly to Locarno this weekend to visit Maurits. But just like last month when we were also supposed to go to Locarno, the weather was again going to be bad starting Sunday. So we made it a nice day trip on Saturday, and Maurits was coming the next Thursday for a few days anyway. We visited Zwickau where we had not been yet.
We went to Paderborn on Friday night, and stayed for one night in the hotel at the airport. The next morning we had breakfast at 7:00, and then went to the hangars for the plane. We were the first to arrive at the club.
The weather was calm. Although runway 24 was in use, the tower asked us if we would like to depart from runway 06, which we accepted. After departure, we headed in the direction of Zwickau.
René turning the hangar carousel
Refueling the C182
En-route to Zwickau
Final runway 24 Zwickau
We approached Zwickau after a short flight of 1 hour and 10 minutes. After landing on runway 24, we taxied to the parking. We asked if there was a bus running to town, but it turned out there wasn't because of a road repair. But it was not far, and we walked to the old town in half an hour.
Zwickau
Zwickau is a city in Saxony. Its rich history includes being the birthplace of the 19th-century composer Robert Schumann and of a number of automotive makes. Horch and its junior companion brand Audi, which is now based in Ingolstadt, and the post-war East German small car Trabant, were founded here. Although none of those brands survives in Zwickau, Volkswagen, now the owner of Audi, has built a factory in town.
Zwickau sits beside and gives its name to the river Zwickauer Mulde, a tributary of the larger Mulde which in turn flows into the Elbe. For many centuries, its economy has largely been based on coal and silver mining, predating the industrial revolution by centuries, which is why the city retained a very medieval type old town.
On March 19, 1945, Zwickau experienced its worst bombing of the Second World War. Within a few hours, over 400 people lost their lives. On 17 April 1945, US troops entered the city. They withdrew on 30 June 1945 and handed Zwickau to the Soviet Red Army.
Tourist map of Zwickau
Sights of Zwickau
From Zwickau to Gera
After visiting the old town of Zwickau, we walked back to the airport. Since there was still time before take-offs were allowed again after 3 p.m. we cleaned the plane. There was no restaurant or dining facility at the airport.
A little after 3 p.m. we were in the air. We made a short flight to Gera. After we landed we could eat and drink something there before we moved on.
Veleda cleaning the plane at Zwickau
Left base runway 24 Gera-Leumnitz airport
René at Gera-Leumnitz airport
Veleda at Gera-Leumnitz airport
From Gera to Weimar
After we took off again, we flew on for fifteen minutes to Weimar. Weimar-Umpferstedt is a nice airfield, not far from the city. Bicycles are also available. We had been to Weimar before, but it is definitely worth going there again.
Take-off from Gera-Leumnitz airport
Weimar
To land on runway 10 Weimar airfield
Arrived at Weimar-Umpferstedt airfield
From Weimar to Paderborn-Lippstadt
After a coffee and a cake for Veleda, we headed back to Paderborn. After we landed we cleaned the plane and filled out the paperwork. We looked at the newly painted and equipped D-EJNG, and discussed with Wolfram and Andreas the new avionics of the aircraft they were still working on. Then we headed back home.
Veleda at Weimar-Umpferstedt airfield
Hann. Münden, confluence Fulda and Werra
Final runway 06 Paderborn-Lippstadt airport
C182 back in the hangar carousel