Netherthorpe to Isle of Wight (Bembridge) 8-4-2013

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

Hello everyone!

 

Last Sunday (4th August) I flew myself and mum down to Bembridge on the Isle of Wight for a nice day out. This was my first "long range" (if you can call it that) flight after the receipt of my PPL in February this year.

 

We were to be taking G-PHUN, a trusty C-150 Aerobat that I have had the pleasure of flying frequently over the past few years. The Aerobat version of the C-150 features a more powerful 130HP engine (as opposed to the standard 100HP engine), a higher maximum useful load, and increased g loading limits. The only downside of course, being a C-150, is the cramped cockpit.

 

 

Our initial first leg involved us flying down to Enstone in oxfordshire to refuel.

 

 

We would be using Long Eaton and the Daventry (DTY) VOR as waypoints.

 

We took off from Netherthorpe at 0915 with the weather cloudy but suitable. Temperature was around 15 degrees Celsius.

 

Flying south with the M1 on our side:

 

 

 

Yours truly:

 

 

 

 

 

East Midlands, having granted us a zone transit:

 

 

 

A lowering cloud base forced us to descend to 2000ft instead of the planned 2500ft. We also encountered some light rain heading into Oxfordshire, nothing too taxing!

 

 

We landed at Enstone at 1025, dlightly ahead of schedule. 

 

 

We waited in the clubhouse whilst a marshal uplifted 38.5 litres of fuel into our trusty Aerobat, costing a mere £81.20. A full tank in an Aerobat costs around £200. Who said flying was expensive...

 

G-PHUN on the left:

 

 

Enstone Office:

 

 

Our second leg took us from Enstone to Bembridge on the Isle of Wight:

 

 

We were back in the air by 1045 on the way to Bembridge.

 

One of the first points of interest on leg 2 was the infamous temporary restricted airspace near Buckleberry Wood, the home to Kate Middleton and heir to the throne. Indeed, Air Traffic Control reminded us of this and even termed it "Kate Middleton's Airspace". Somewhere in this photograph lies Buckleberry Wood:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charts & Yoke:

 

 

View of the cockpit. By this point we had tuned 114.35 into the NAV1 radio and were tracking the 176 radial outbound from the CPT (Compton) VOR: 

 

 

Engine gauges:

 

 

Tail view:

 

Getting closer:

 

 

By now, we had finally reached Portsmouth. Whilst talking to Solent radar I noticed that suddenly they had stopped responding to my radio transmissions. A further 10 calls went unanswered, and I had to assume we had radio failure. I squawked 7600, and upon receiving no acknowledgement from Solent radar, we changed to Goodwood (Chichester 122.45).

 

Spinnaker Tower:

 

 

Goodwood identified us as carrier wave only (essentially, the radio was transmitting fine but my voice was not being modulated onto the carrier wave). We then proceeded to communicate with Goodwood using the Speechless Code. By this point we were over the water and I decided to continue to Bembridge, but we'd be landing "blind" (ie without any radio calls).

 

 

Over the water, IoW on the left!

 

 

 

Bembridge in sight:

 

 

 

 

Bembridge Harbour:

 

 

Bembridge Airport (runway is off to the right of the photo):

 

 

Safely down at Bembridge! I can't even begin to explain what is wrong with my pose in this photograph:

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting for our taxi to arrive:

 

 

 

Arrival at the Beach Hut Cafe, where we'd be having lunch. What a beautiful view and fantastic weather!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me on the phone to the "tech department" (haha) regarding the radio problem. A decision was made to refuel at Goodwood (Chichester) airport on the return leg rather than Enstone again, so that any radio problems could be fixed if the problem persisted:

 

 

 

Seagull:

 

 

Lunch:

 

 

 

30 degrees Celsius at Bembridge, what a contrast to the mainland:

 

 

 

 

 

A Dolphin sculpture, crafted from a tree that fell during a 2012 storm:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulus clouds formed by onshore sea breezes, essentially a mini cold front is formed at every coast during the daytime in summer, and when the air is moist enough Cumulus clouds can form through coastal convection:

 

 

 

Waiting for our taxi back to the airport:

 

 

Back at the airport:

 

 

Cirrus:

 

 

By this point the radio had somewhat fixed itself... When we arrived back at the aircraft we were still getting readability 1 through one headset, yet readability 5 through the other... The decision was made to push on back to Goodwood.

 

Leg 3, as previously mentioned, not our initial plan:

 

 

We refuelled at Goodwood (Chichester), one of the friendliest and professional airports I have ever had the pleasure of visiting:

 

 

The cheapest fuel outside of the channel islands!

 

Leg 4 saw us returning to Netherthorpe, potentially hitting some bad weather up North:

 

 

 

 

 

Another view from the helm:

 

Engine working hard:

 

Beautiful altocumulus cloud, last few sightings of clear blue skies as we head north:

 

 

Cloud base clearly lowered:

 

Pilot + "Co-Pilot":

 

Wing view:

 

 

 

Popham airfield as we fly over it:

 

Witney, with Duckington Lake in lower central:

 

Barford St John Disused:

 

Leicester:

 

East Mids again:

 

Nonetheless we landed back safely at Netherthorpe 1.7 hours later, at 1745!

 

This was a fantastic experience and has certainly boosted my confidence of flying further despite the aforementioned radio failure.

 

Thanks very much for viewing and I have you have enjoyed these photographs.

 

Cheers,

 

Jack

 

 

 

 

[brett 2,315]

That was a great series of pic's(afew didn't show) of your adventure. I would normally say flight but with the radio failure I upped it to adventure.  It was cool to see RW pic's of the sights I only get to see in the sim. Looked like you had a great time, the lunch shot made me hungry, plus you had a beautiful day for flying. Good thing there are not more famous people around or you would have to use twice the fuel to zigzag the restricted airspace's.

I think I need to go back through my lessons because I forgot about the Speechless Code  . Glad to see you getting a long flight in, must have been good for the soul. Thanks for sharing your day.    

[britfrog 180]

did you have matching headsets ? this type of radio failure is commonly down to non matching sets and it creates static which if you unplug and replug the headsets the problem goes away for a while , hence they worked after being on the ground.

I am surprised you went through east midlands zone rather than around it but I would have used exactly the same route elsewhere inc skirting soton zone.

I have been many times to bembridge and the propellor inn a friend of mine owns a flying school at Sandown. I think one of the last times at bembridge was when we had the huge balbo of aircraft for the queens celebrations some years ago along with the spithead review Bembridge was the turning point for over 100 a/c I will have to dig out the pics some time from the attic.

Now go and get your night rating

[needles 1,013]

Jack, what can I say?

You have progressed to a level I can only dream about and am totally jealous.

I know the green eyed monster isn't a very nice trait but I can't help it.

You've done brilliantly mate, so well done to you.

You certainly did your mum proud.

Fancy that, taking Mother out for lunch and flying her there too. Excellent stuff.

 

Two points to note though...

That pose needs some serious work done on it. The shorts I can just about cope with but the pansy pose doesn't do you justice. What will the lads in your band think of it?

Secondly - Your mum looks more like your older sister than your mother.

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

@Britfrog; Indeed we were using mismatched headseats, maybe something to consider for the future.

 

@Brian; Thanks very much for the kind words Brian! Indeed that pose is somewhat embarrassing, god knows how I even pulled off that horrible stature. Oh well.

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Great shots there Jack!

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

Cheers Kieran.

[britfrog 180]

@Britfrog; Indeed we were using mismatched headseats, maybe something to consider for the future.

 

@Brian; Thanks very much for the kind words Brian! Indeed that pose is somewhat embarrassing, god knows how I even pulled off that horrible stature. Oh well.

 

there is no doubt that DC's  are the top name for headsets but they are also the top name for causing problems, as they pull too much power out of the 2 sides of the radio leaving little for a second set especially if they are not dc's.

my advice is get 2 pairs of less expensive , dare I say happy shopper headsets like peltor or telex , ok you buy 2 sets , but you are guaranteed that they will both work  and the radio as well otherwise you will find that you will need to unplug the second set periodically to get radio reception, oh shit they are not green!! dont let this brand shit get hold of you there are many brands out there but from my experience dc's cause the most problems despite being the most popular.

 

Hey its all a learning curve and i have  a few years more than you, sadly back at the flying club where the majority are strutting around as airline pilots--- not,    you rarely get helpful advice but feel free , to ask me any questions , yeah I knew it all too at your age , or so i thought, , because  i was once in your situ, so if you want to ask any questions even if you feel a prat for asking them, go ahead ,because from my experience  most flying schools are full of tossers who are only there gaining hours to go professional and they have no time for low hour pilots learning the game.

Bravo for this flight to the iow I fully understand what it meant to you especially with mum onboard, -- yeah what a rush!

Your next flight is to go really abroad! plan a flight to le touquet, or calais  or preferably Deauville or Amiens, i can aim you at the good restaurants etc, I will only be too happy to help and besides I know what it was like to fly on a shoestring.

however if you want to be taken seriously bin the shorts they are naff!!

all the best

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

Hi Britfrog,

 

I don't usually face the problems of discrimination through experience since I spend a very large amount of my time reading books which has furthered my knowledge in the subject further than most (if I dare say so!). Personally my "specialist" subject is Meteorology, having been my passion for many years now.

 

I went flying with my neighbor a few months back and he has a Peltor headset. If I'm honest I didn't really notice much difference, and considering the radio worked most of the flight and the headset works fine on other aircraft I'm inclined to source the fault to something else... Maybe an accidentally flicked switched that worked its way back into place... I'm just glad everything turned out ok.

 

In terms of flying club attitudes I know exactly what you mean. After we got back to Netherthorpe, despite knowing full well that we'd suffered from radio failure, a representative of the club went, "don't you think you were chancing it with the weather?". Firstly, I do not only find that offensive on a fundamental level (since he didn't care regarding our failure), but I also find it extremely offensive given my experience in Meteorology. Furthermore, I not only have recorded observational evidence from weather stations across the UK, but also have Brize/East Mids ATC to vouch that the weather was NIL with 15Km visilibility. (Essentially they had thought I had made a poor decision regarding weather, newcomer PPL, bla bla bla...). It annoys me sometimes. Just look at the photos . I've certainly noticed a change of tone in my club since I received my licence.

 

Regarding transiting through East Mids, it's something I've done several times without problems. Also, I like the experience of working with controlled airspace since it strengthens your RT skills somewhat.

 

[Andrew Godden 943]

Jack,

 

Great commentary and pictorial, not to mention the opportunity and experience for adding flight hours.  I wouldn't pay too much heed to Brian's comments about the pose as he has learnt to toughen and man up recently and is keen to share his new found skills  .  I am more concerned about his unsolicited comments about your Mum, though - beware, but I know you know about Brian's reputation. 

 

Cheers

Andrew

[britfrog 180]

Hi Britfrog,

 

I don't usually face the problems of discrimination through experience since I spend a very large amount of my time reading books which has furthered my knowledge in the subject further than most (if I dare say so!). Personally my "specialist" subject is Meteorology, having been my passion for many years now.

 

I went flying with my neighbor a few months back and he has a Peltor headset. If I'm honest I didn't really notice much difference, and considering the radio worked most of the flight and the headset works fine on other aircraft I'm inclined to source the fault to something else... Maybe an accidentally flicked switched that worked its way back into place... I'm just glad everything turned out ok.

 

In terms of flying club attitudes I know exactly what you mean. After we got back to Netherthorpe, despite knowing full well that we'd suffered from radio failure, a representative of the club went, "don't you think you were chancing it with the weather?". Firstly, I do not only find that offensive on a fundamental level (since he didn't care regarding our failure), but I also find it extremely offensive given my experience in Meteorology. Furthermore, I not only have recorded observational evidence from weather stations across the UK, but also have Brize/East Mids ATC to vouch that the weather was NIL with 15Km visilibility. (Essentially they had thought I had made a poor decision regarding weather, newcomer PPL, bla bla bla...). It annoys me sometimes. Just look at the photos . I've certainly noticed a change of tone in my club since I received my licence.

 

Regarding transiting through East Mids, it's something I've done several times without problems. Also, I like the experience of working with controlled airspace since it strengthens your RT skills somewhat.

 

No matter where you fly or how you fly there will always be a finger wagger with a face that looks like they have just sucked a lemon.

 

for that reason I kept our azzie at Biggin but  used popham as a club, but even there one had people who disapproved of how i flew  but i couldnt care less , inevitably these were the guys that took 2 hours to plan a flight to a nearbye airfield that was 20 minutes flying away,

 

I think you idea of transitting EM a good one far too many pilots dont have the right radio parlance so quite commonly the atc will just say keep clear of controlled space whereas if you speak well with confidence doors fly open.

 

you have the right attitude just keep getting your arse in the air as much as possible 15 hours a year is nowhere near enough.

 

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

Jack,

 

Great commentary and pictorial, not to mention the opportunity and experience for adding flight hours.  I wouldn't pay too much heed to Brian's comments about the pose as he has learnt to toughen and man up recently and is keen to share his new found skills  .  I am more concerned about his unsolicited comments about your Mum, though - beware, but I know you know about Brian's reputation. 

 

Cheers

Andrew

 

Thanks for your kind words Andrew; one would hope for Brian's sake his comments refer to her youthfulness .

[needles 1,013]

 

Jack,

 

Great commentary and pictorial, not to mention the opportunity and experience for adding flight hours.  I wouldn't pay too much heed to Brian's comments about the pose as he has learnt to toughen and man up recently and is keen to share his new found skills  .  I am more concerned about his unsolicited comments about your Mum, though - beware, but I know you know about Brian's reputation. 

 

Cheers

Andrew

 

Thanks for your kind words Andrew; one would hope for Brian's sake his comments refer to her youthfulness .

 

 

Hey Jack, Take no notice of that brash antipodean. He wouldn't know a compliment if it bit him in the ar*e.

I was indeed as you say, referring to your mums youthful looks and I was certainly not being disrespectful in any way, shape or form.

 

On another note, take no notice of the arrogance of other members of your local flying club. We know you would never take flight if you thought for a moment that it would be unwise to do so.

Enjoy your flying career mate.

Regards to both your mum and dad.

[stu7708 244]

Great set of shots there Jack.

 

But I must ask, since it looks by the flight plan like you passed pretty close to where Joe lives, where's the paparazzi shot of him sunbathing in his backyard??

 

Must say I'm a bit envious of you, getting a PPL is something I would love to be able to do, but sadly never been able to afford. Tried to get a license for flying Hot Air Balloon back when I was 16-17, but had to give it up after two training flights due to lack of funding..

[mutley 4,498]

Hi Jack

Thanks for such a brilliant insight into your longest flight yet.

Even given the radio failure, the permanent smile on your face gave it away that you were really enjoying it.

I was listening out for you on Sunday morning before our fly in and thought I recognised your voice, accent and precise RT, the pilot was leaving Southampton radar for Southampton approach but that was 09:30 BST so it could not have been you. 

I think you must have passed to the east of Bishops Waltham to avoid the BWFZ, nice to see it on your map though.

Cheers,

 

Joe

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

Thanks Mikael, I agree funding is a problem. I believe in total that this flight cost £450, that's including fuel, aircraft hire, etc, etc.

 

Hi Jack

Thanks for such a brilliant insight into your longest flight yet.

Even given the radio failure, the permanent smile on your face gave it away that you were really enjoying it.

I was listening out for you on Sunday morning before our fly in and thought I recognised your voice, accent and precise RT, the pilot was leaving Southampton radar for Southampton approach but that was 09:30 BST so it could not have been you. 

I think you must have passed to the east of Bishops Waltham to avoid the BWFZ, nice to see it on your map though.

Cheers,

 

Joe

 

Thanks for the kind words Joe. Indeed that couldn't have been us, we were passing over the Solent zone at around 11:45. We routed slightly to the East of the zone after I found out we had radio failure; flying without a radio in controlled airspace obviously being a no go.

 

 

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

 

 

Jack,

 

Great commentary and pictorial, not to mention the opportunity and experience for adding flight hours.  I wouldn't pay too much heed to Brian's comments about the pose as he has learnt to toughen and man up recently and is keen to share his new found skills  .  I am more concerned about his unsolicited comments about your Mum, though - beware, but I know you know about Brian's reputation. 

 

Cheers

Andrew

 

Thanks for your kind words Andrew; one would hope for Brian's sake his comments refer to her youthfulness .

 

 

Hey Jack, Take no notice of that brash antipodean. He wouldn't know a compliment if it bit him in the ar*e.

I was indeed as you say, referring to your mums youthful looks and I was certainly not being disrespectful in any way, shape or form.

 

On another note, take no notice of the arrogance of other members of your local flying club. We know you would never take flight if you thought for a moment that it would be unwise to do so.

Enjoy your flying career mate.

Regards to both your mum and dad.

 

Haha no worries Brian, I can assure you she has read the replies to this thread and her reception of your comment was most positive .

[brett 2,315]

I finally got to see the "Pose" image and have to say that your bravery posting it was right up there with Alan posting his own picture in the Caption the Picture thread.

 

Does it really cost that much for a days flight, wow. I make that around $700 American, nice chunk of change. Do you plan on just doing this for pleasure or are you going to keep on going with more certifications? You seem like a natural at it.

[mutley 4,498]

Jack, any chance of you popping into Cosford for the FS show on the 19th Oct for a visit? It would be great to catch up with you and Martin :-) 

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

I finally got to see the "Pose" image and have to say that your bravery posting it was right up there with Alan posting his own picture in the Caption the Picture thread.

 

Does it really cost that much for a days flight, wow. I make that around $700 American, nice chunk of change. Do you plan on just doing this for pleasure or are you going to keep on going with more certifications? You seem like a natural at it.

 

Hi Brett,

 

The intention is to keep going with certification. Apparently too many PPL holders let it lapse due to boredom, and unfortunately I have a mind that likes to always be doing something (hence when I'm not flying I'm reading about airframes/instruments/meteorology). More certification = more of a challenge and so I think it's a natural route really.

 

With the 4.5 hours from the Isle of Wight flight I've gained enough hours to start training for the Instrument Rating (Restricted), or by it's old UK name the IMC Rating. I hope to achieve this, alongside my night rating, within a year. From thereon it's ATPLs and CPLs, maybe an Instructor Rating, who knows. I also intend to study Physics at University... Fun times!

 

Jack, any chance of you popping into Cosford for the FS show on the 19th Oct for a visit? It would be great to catch up with you and Martin :-) 

 

Hi Joe, we'd love to go, see you there!

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

I have just noticed I appear to be standing on my toes in said photograph... Could this get any worse?????

[brett 2,315]

Just blame it on the burrito you had for lunch.

 

Sounds like a plan, the mind is a terrible thing to waste. Best of luck to ya.

[needles 1,013]

I have just noticed I appear to be standing on my toes in said photograph... Could this get any worse?????

I didn't want to mention that bit Jack.  

Definitely a pansy pose mate. Get it sorted for the next photo call.

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

Just found a few more photos of the final leg that didn't upload to PB first time round for some reason.

 

Leg 4 - Goodwood (Chichester) to Netherthorpe

 

Another view from the helm:

 

Engine working hard:

 

Beautiful altocumulus cloud, last few sightings of clear blue skies as we head north:

 

 

Cloud base clearly lowered:

 

Pilot + "Co-Pilot":

 

Wing view:

 

 

 

Popham airfield as we fly over it:

 

Witney, with Duckington Lake in lower central:

 

Barford St John Disused:

 

Leicester:

 

East Mids again:

 

 

[needles 1,013]

Well done Jack. Was looking forward to another wayward pose at the end. How disappointing.