Well, today was great - and I just have to tell you all!
I passed my PPL several weeks back, and the license arrived 2 weeks ago. Yesterday afternoon was my first chance to go flying, and I just took myself out for an hour and a half or so i the local area, which was fine.
But today was MUCH more fun! Myself and a mate of mine also from BAFC and also low hours PPL (but with more than me!) had planned to head off to Caernarfon, together with a young friend of ours who is currently staying with us and wanted to see a bit of the UK from the air before returing to Australia. However, the wx this morning was not very encouraging to the north, and not real great to the south either.
Anyway, we decided to plan for Sandown, IoW. Our route was to have been Wycombe -> Blackbushe -> Liphook -> Sandown, but the actuals at Heathrow and Farnborough were not at all encouraging - 1000' to 1200', +SHRA, CB etc. However, we could see that things were better further south at Southampton, Bournemouth and IoW with 2500' base and good vis away from the showers.
After a chat with one of the instructors, we decided to head off via a slightly different route, which I was able to hot-plan from the RH seat while Adrian flew the first leg. We just headed for CPT VOR and then tracked a radial south in the direction of Bournemouth. This kept us away from the ominously dark skies in the Farnborough direction. Great FIS from Farnborough was provided, usefully pointing ot several conflicts for us. It was excellent having one of us doin gthe radio and Nav, leaving the other to enjoy the flying
By the time we transited the zone at Bournemouth, we could see clear blue skies ahead to the island. We coasted out over Lymington, and then followed the western and southern coast of the island around to Sandown. We made some lovely steep turns over the Needles - with blue skies and sparkling seas, it was a joy to behold!
Sandown was a joy to behold! Bathed in sunshine, the ample grass strip welcomed us. Paid our fees in the tower, then walked over to the excellent Specialist FTO on the north side which had been recommended to us, where we had a lovely but simple (beans/spuds/tea etc.) lunch sitting on the sundeck in glorious warmth! We could see the forbidding black skies and towering CB to the north - this served to make us feel even happier and all the more priveleged to be relaxing in the sun on this lovely island! Particularly as we thought of those left behind us in the heavy showers and grey skies to the north...
After an hour or so we decided to head back. My turn to fly
We turned to the north and then tracked towards Goodwood, and then followed their 360 radial back up over Farnborough to Reading (WCO). The wx by now was much improved - a few showers, but nothing which presented a problem. Vis. was OK the whole time.
The wx continued to improve, and we were just having too much fun, so we decided to extend the journey by a bit by tracking along the M4 down to Swindon, then back overhead Oxford (good service from Brize - ever so quiet!) and then overhead my house (near the BNN VOR), and finally back to Wycombe for a pleasantly gently landing on the 35 grass rwy.
And after parking, a well earned pint was enjoyed by all
So what's the point of this long post? Well, nothing really - other than to record this great day out - and only my second flight since getting the PPL. Many more please!
Andy
P.S. Flying with another pilot is great! Reduces the workload and increases the fun!