More solo cx
What a fantastic day for flying. CAVOK and zero wind. Route planned for LBA->Humber Bridge->Carnaby->Scarborough->LBA.
This was my first completely solo expedition, once I was airside at LBA I was on my own. And the PA28 needed oil and fuel so I had to make to call to the agents.
A great start to the day as I was getting refuelled - the BBMF made a low flypast along R32. Cool. I wish I had had my camera.
Take off, and soon en-route. Switching to Church Fenton. It was busy today - must have been the weather. Heading for the Humber Bridge in near perfect conditions, as I crossed the M62 I switched to Humberside Radar (learning this R/T all the time as I go along!).
As there was no discernable wind I flew the heading as the track and was soon over the bridge - a spectacular site.
Routing 020 to Carnaby there was much traffic about - some of it not in contact so had to keep my eyes open as another aircraft passed below me on almost a similar track (probably 040) and headed out over the sea!
Turned at Carnaby, used in WWII as an emergency landing field for returning bombers, and north to Scarborough.
Flew over Scarborough - the sea and beaches looking fantastic in the sunshine. I turned back to Leeds at the north end of the town. I could see the Fylingdales radar and didn't want to encroach there - having heard Humberside asking a pilot if he knew he was in a danger zone earlier!
Route home to Leeds was routine until I came across gliders at Rufforth. Those things can move and climb! After getting visual with one I decided to give it a wide berth as I saw just how agile they are.
At the East of York I had been given clearance to enter the zone at Leeds so was well prepared as I arrived over Eccup. Instructed to join right base for R32 and report final.
After almost 1hr 50m at the controls I must have been feeling tired. My approach was very poor, I was going to request a go around but as LBA R32 is so long I decided to continue with the approach and touched down way down the runway, so far that I had to exit on Foxtrot (shame on me - those who know LBA will agree).
But another great solo nav in the book, and flying on days like this is so amazing - you just want to share the experience with everyone.