Whirlybird's recent QXC description made me think this could be a fun topic.
I mean 150 miles solo, pre PPL is bound to provide some amusement. Certainly mine did.
Headcorn - Goodwood - Lydd - Headcorn
Weather was OK, but forecasted to deteriorate. The first interesting bit was cutting off a bit of Gatwick airspace by flying under it (1500'). Made more fun by the South Downs rising to 600 odd feet. So for a brief period you're doing a pretty low level nav.
No worries (but those dark clouds ahead were slightly concerning).
Switched to Goodwood ATC, and they are very, very busy; cloudbase down to 1300' and lowering, lot's of student's in the circuit, and to make it worse I couldn't see the airfield (combination of low level, hills in the way and a grass strip).
I was just about to call it a day, when there it was - dead ahead. I was told to do an overhead join (at 1300'?), and at the same time they reduced the circuit height.
I joined OK, but got told off for doing too tight a downward leg (didn't like the look of those hills on my left, that's why), I extended a bit to give me a breather for final and got told off for that too. Nervous as hell, I imitated a kangeroo on landing.
"That's it, I've failed", I said to myself as I trudged disconsolately to the control tower; but they signed me off as if nothing has happened, and were actually a pretty jolly bunch.
Next problem, how to get out of there. The westerly was picking up and the cloudbase was now marginal (1000'). As I had a cup of tea, I noticed a break in the growing clag. Didn't even stop to finish the cuppa, I was out of there like a bat out of hell. Literally galloped on the leg to Lydd, with the 25 knot wind bang on the tail, and the weather cleared enough to allow me to climb to 1500'. Perfect join at Lydd, and with no crosswind to speak of, I managed a greaser.
Strolled into the Control Tower, expecting plaudits on the perfect landing, but met Mr Grumpy, who said precisely nothing as he signed me off.
Honestly can't remember much about the Lydd/Headcorn leg (via Ashford). Local for me, so pretty easy, even at low level.
My instructor searched my face intently on arrival. I guess he had been nervous once he had seen how marginal the Wx had become. He admitted to checking in at both Goodwood and Lydd to see how I was.... I made out it was a stroll in the park!
