Did my 2nd accompanied cross country on Monday. I wasn't expecting to, given that we were going to visit Bournemouth and Blackbushe, both with east-west runways, TAFs showing the wind as 160/17G28, but my instructor thought we'd give it a go. As it turned out, it was quite a nice trip. Out of Wycombe, to Pangbourne (West of Reading), through the Boscombe MATZ - I can't believe how complicated it all becomes when you have to start talking to more people! As we got closer to Bournemouth, over the New Forest I was too busy enjoying the scenary and suddenly discovered my instructor was tapping the HI and asking me where on earth I was going. Very professional ATC at Bournemouth brought me in for my first landing away amongst commercial traffic. I did wonder whether the £47 was really justified for landing, a marshaller telling me where to park (I could have worked it out for myself) and 25 minutes parking. However, we were soon taxying back to the western end of the airport for an easterly departure. I was really pleased with my take off (with the cross-wind still blowing strong) but soon found myself having lost the heading again. I failed to read back the much more detailed clearance I received from the Boscombe MATZ controller (I hadn't expected such a detailed one) but then had no trouble navigating to Blackbushe and talking to Farnborough (MATZ). The nice thing was that my wife brought the kids to see me at Blackbushe (my local airpfield) so my little boy was able to see what daddy keeps disappearing off to do with his (not so spare) time. Much better landing fee at Blackbushe £10 buys a landing and advice on where to park over the radio from Blackbushe Information! A quick cup of much needed coffee followed. Finally, a short hop via the Woodley NDB back to Wycombe and landing on runway 17 which, in all the time I've been flying there, I have never used. The Wycombe controller tried to confuse us by giving us a straight in approach when we were well south west of runway 17, but we got that sorted. Enormous fun - can't wait to terrorise my friends doing this. Hoping to to my first solo cross country on Monday.
With hindsight, I was left with several questions. If we learn all the standard phraseology for the radio exams, why do we then get told it's too much in practice and use less standard sentences? And why do ATC give so many non-standard answers? Not criticising - just curious as to why the procedures are not updated to reflect accepted practice.
Happy flying all.
HH