Mikehotel152
17th Sep 2007, 10:56
Hello again. Some of you will remember my requests for advice on this trip. Thanks to everyone who contributed. Well, we're now back safe and sound and I thought I'd quickly post a thread of the experience.
The trip was from Stapleford, up the east of England to Newcastle, then west to Carlisle and up to Prestwick, followed by a week flying around the west coast of Scotland and then the return trip.
We left Stapleford in a borrowed Cessna 182P at about 1pm on Sunday 26th. Weather was okay, probably FEW3500, but a nasty headwind. My wife (acting as navigator) and I flew to Retford Gamston to refuel. Our routing was via Cambridge, Fenland and then into Retford. A quick stop to refuel and file a FP for the next leg to Prestwick.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6895-1.jpg
Cambridge
We skirted up the east side of the Pennines via Harrogate, Richmond and on to Derwent Water. Leeds Bradford, Durham and Newcastle ATSUs were all incredibly friendly and professional, handing us over without fuss and without prompting giving us great position fixes upon us providing a new sqwark. We flew at about 3000ft most of the way.
Despite my early trepidation about flying over/through the Pennines, the route from Hexham to Haltwhistle, then to Carlisle, was easy and picturesque. The VRPs are easily identifiable. Carlisle weren't as friendly as they might have been until I confirmed we would pass south abeam on our way out to the Solway Firth. Then we got a message through ATC. My friend in Prestwick had arranged aircraft parking with Prestwick Flying Club which meant we could arrive after 5pm and still avoid the ludicrously expensive post-5pm charges made by the Handlers at the airport.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6914.jpg
Solway Firth
I had initially planned a route up the valleys to Prestwick but the weather was good enough to go direct past Dumfries at about 3500ft. Plus, as we were running late, I wanted to get there quickly! Our C182p was chugging along at 150mph at full cruise speed but the headwind was slowing us down. But Scottish Information and Prestwick Approach were helpful and we got into Prestwick (after going around for a Ryanair 737 whose approach speed exceeded our own) at about 5:15pm. Stapleford to Prestwick in about 3.5 hours flying time despite the headwind.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6920.jpg
Galloway, just southeast of Prestwick airspace
Monday saw us flying up to Loch Lomond and then Loch Ness. Beautiful views throughout and we stayed in VMC (honest) despite the clouds at about 2500-3000ft. But vis was excellent on that day (and all week).
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6928.jpg
Loch Lomond
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6969.jpg
Loch Ness
We then turned back to Oban and landed at about 5pm where Paul refuelled the aircraft. Oban is an interesting airfield because it’s got great potential and we got the distinct impression that everyone was doing their utmost to increase (or recover?) its popularity. We felt that Oban should lose the ‘big airport’ mentality because it does put you off a little bit. The airfield is not busy enough to warrant the added hassle factor of having to park miles from the ‘terminal’ and be collected by a mini-bus (even if the service was quick and efficient). Paul and the rest of the chaps at Oban were very friendly throughout and gave us excellent advice on flying in the local conditions and on where to fly.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6974.jpg
Downwind at Oban
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/27082007223.jpg
Refuelling at Oban
In the end we stayed overnight at Oban in a friendly B&B called Rowans just across the entrance to the Loch opposite the airfield. The airfield mini-bus even gave as a lift across there. Again, great service.
On Tuesday morning we were driven back to the airfield by the owner of Rowan’s B&B after a delicious and exceedingly filling breakfast of numerous courses. The airfield was fairly quiet but we got the latest weather and notams from Paul and the chaps in the radio shack, plus some more good advice on flying to Glenforsa for lunch. The four of us then embarked, did our run ups and took off, heading across Loch Linnhe for the Sound of Mull. We flew northwest, over Tobermory, and then north to the Sound of Arisaig near Eigg where we admired a large group of canoeists bravely taking to the freezing cold water, before making our way back down south the Glenforsa.
We had stayed in contact with Oban throughout our trip and informed them of our intention to land at Glenforsa before switching to Safetycom to let any local traffic know our position in the circuit. For those who don’t know, Glenforsa’s circuits are over the sea, to the north of the strip, but we cunningly joined overhead and descended deadside which involved a fairly tight descending turning in the valley south of the strip. Perfectly safe, but it gave the passengers the heebie-jeebies! We then flew crosswind out to sea, downwind and then base back towards the hills east of the strip. All easy. You’ve got to concentrate on final but it’s all pretty easy and the strip is 700m long, so there’s loads of space. The strip itself was lovely and green, pretty flat, but the parking arrangements are more challenging. The ‘apron’ is quite small and on a fairly steep slope. Luckily there are loads of wooden chocks available. We were met by an incredibly friendly and funny chap, whose name escapes me but I’m sure is very well know because he’s a great character.
We had coffee and crisps at the quaint little hotel before enjoying the sight of a lovely float plane taking off and then wandering across the airstrip to the beach for a walk. I thoroughly recommend going to Glenforsa. It is set in the stunningly beautiful Sound of Mull and you won’t get a more friendly reception in my opinion. We were so enjoying it that we almost forgot that we had to get back to Prestwick around 5pm. Take off was easy in the 182, despite being 4 up with nearly full tanks. 20 degrees of flap saw us airborne and climbing away before passing the hotel which is about halfway down the strip. We had been asked to pass weather information at Glenforsa to the chaps at ObanAirport, which we did, before turning south to head home.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7031.jpg
After take off from Glenforsa heading east down the Sound of Mull
The flight back to Prestwick was very memorable for the views out to the west over the Sound of Jura
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7038.jpg
Sound of Jura
And then a short diversion over the Isle of Arran, where our passengers pointed out where they had walked up huge hills a few weeks before. Personally I felt that you got even better views by flying over the island, plus it was far less tiring! We then scooted across to Prestwick, joining downwind and landing between the ubiquitous blue and gold of Mr ‘buy your own uniforms’ O’Leary’s finest. Despite a short altercation with the Tower over our desire to park in Apron Pappa for the Flying Club rather than Apron Echo (“Do you have an airport plan?”), we parked up without hassle. A great mini-trip.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/28082007231.jpg
Unloading at Prestwick
Wednesday was our day off flying. A beautiful day nevertheless, which saw us driving to the ferry for the short crossing to Rothesay on Bute. We had an enjoyable day viewing MountStuart, where Stella McCartney was married, which has to be one of the most interesting stately homes I’ve ever seen.
The following day, being our last before the flight back south, was destined to be one of the most interesting. We chose to fly to Colonsay. The weather was fairly good, though cloud seemed to hang a little low out to sea, probably at about 3000ft and the wind was blowing 28kts down runway 31 at Prestwick. Our track out to Colonsay took us just north of Arran and then over Jura. The headwind was pretty strong, with the GPS showing us making only 87kts over the ground, and it took nearly an hour to get to Colonsay through broken cloud (It’s only 65 miles!). But it was very much worth it. The clouds parted nicely over the island and we made a call on safetycom to announce our arrival. Interestingly there was an aircraft taking off as we joined overhead but he/she wasn’t on safetycom which is odd because reception for Scottish Information was poor out there. In any case we descended deadside and flew the circuit over the small, rocky hills and sheep, before landing - with a bump or two – on the pristine new black 500m tarmac. There’s only space for 3 aircraft at a time at Colonsay but we were the only visitors.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7104.jpg
Parked up at Colonsay
We took our packed lunches and wandered across the eerily desolate pitch and putt golf course to find a spot for a picnic. There were people about, mainly around the beach, but it truly felt like you had landed on a deserted, though somewhat un-tropical, island. The rugged, unspoilt beauty takes your breath away, or was that the smell of rotting seaweed in the gale blowing in off the sea? Our walk took us over a bluff to a huddle of houses and, remarkably, the islands bookshop. We laughed at the thought of being shipwrecked on those rocky shores, seeing a light in a window, only to find copies of ‘Harry Potter’ and Colonsay tea towels stacked high in the windows (incidentally, we bought one of those icons of high civilisation – not Harry Potter of course, but a nice tea towel featuring jokes about Scottish customs…).
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7111.jpg
After take from Colonsay
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7110.jpg
Colonsay
Our take off from Colonsay was exciting, though ultimately easy, with the 182 lifting off after 300 metres into the howling gale. With the strong tailwind we raced back to Prestwick in half an hour. Approach must have thought they had a true thoroughbred on their radar screens. Again, landing was easy on Prestwick’s wide and long asphalt. I think Tower just sighed and watched us taxy without comment, knowing that shouting at us again wouldn’t ease their boredom.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7058.jpg
Prestwick Airport on downwind for 31
Friday was not a beautiful day. The weather was pants. A front had the affront to come through and rain on our departure plans, but not wishing to admit defeat we drove to Prestwick Airport, past it’s possibly ‘inappropriate’ (or are they just hilariously black-humoured up there?) slogan written in 20 foot high lettering on the Terminal building: ‘ Pure dead Brilliant’, to the Flying Club. The chaps at the Flying Club were incredibly hospitable throughout and I think they deserve as much positive publicity as possible. Cheap too (£10 for landing and overnight). The weather cleared enough for us to contemplate leaving and we took the aircraft round to the Flight Centre to be refuelled. By early afternoon it was good enough overhead to try a departure, so we did just that, reasoning that if the weather wasn’t as good as anticipated we could return to Prestwick.
Our final take off was good and we headed south to Turnberry VOR for a trip around the coast to Loch Ryan and Stranraer, where the cloud base got lower and lower until we were thinking that landing at a deserted Castle Kennedy might be sensible. However, the chinks of light and blue sky through to the east towards the Solway Firth, gave us encouragement and we kept going. The rest of the trip, non-stop to Stapleford, mirrored the flight up north, with ATC being helpful throughout and so very friendly. We got all necessary clearances, even enjoying overflying both RAF Connigsby and Mildenhall en route.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7139.jpg
Short final on return to Stapleford
We had a fantastic trip. Not bad for a new PPL! I've got 89 hours now. Bring on the next trip!
The trip was from Stapleford, up the east of England to Newcastle, then west to Carlisle and up to Prestwick, followed by a week flying around the west coast of Scotland and then the return trip.
We left Stapleford in a borrowed Cessna 182P at about 1pm on Sunday 26th. Weather was okay, probably FEW3500, but a nasty headwind. My wife (acting as navigator) and I flew to Retford Gamston to refuel. Our routing was via Cambridge, Fenland and then into Retford. A quick stop to refuel and file a FP for the next leg to Prestwick.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6895-1.jpg
Cambridge
We skirted up the east side of the Pennines via Harrogate, Richmond and on to Derwent Water. Leeds Bradford, Durham and Newcastle ATSUs were all incredibly friendly and professional, handing us over without fuss and without prompting giving us great position fixes upon us providing a new sqwark. We flew at about 3000ft most of the way.
Despite my early trepidation about flying over/through the Pennines, the route from Hexham to Haltwhistle, then to Carlisle, was easy and picturesque. The VRPs are easily identifiable. Carlisle weren't as friendly as they might have been until I confirmed we would pass south abeam on our way out to the Solway Firth. Then we got a message through ATC. My friend in Prestwick had arranged aircraft parking with Prestwick Flying Club which meant we could arrive after 5pm and still avoid the ludicrously expensive post-5pm charges made by the Handlers at the airport.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6914.jpg
Solway Firth
I had initially planned a route up the valleys to Prestwick but the weather was good enough to go direct past Dumfries at about 3500ft. Plus, as we were running late, I wanted to get there quickly! Our C182p was chugging along at 150mph at full cruise speed but the headwind was slowing us down. But Scottish Information and Prestwick Approach were helpful and we got into Prestwick (after going around for a Ryanair 737 whose approach speed exceeded our own) at about 5:15pm. Stapleford to Prestwick in about 3.5 hours flying time despite the headwind.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6920.jpg
Galloway, just southeast of Prestwick airspace
Monday saw us flying up to Loch Lomond and then Loch Ness. Beautiful views throughout and we stayed in VMC (honest) despite the clouds at about 2500-3000ft. But vis was excellent on that day (and all week).
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6928.jpg
Loch Lomond
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6969.jpg
Loch Ness
We then turned back to Oban and landed at about 5pm where Paul refuelled the aircraft. Oban is an interesting airfield because it’s got great potential and we got the distinct impression that everyone was doing their utmost to increase (or recover?) its popularity. We felt that Oban should lose the ‘big airport’ mentality because it does put you off a little bit. The airfield is not busy enough to warrant the added hassle factor of having to park miles from the ‘terminal’ and be collected by a mini-bus (even if the service was quick and efficient). Paul and the rest of the chaps at Oban were very friendly throughout and gave us excellent advice on flying in the local conditions and on where to fly.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN6974.jpg
Downwind at Oban
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/27082007223.jpg
Refuelling at Oban
In the end we stayed overnight at Oban in a friendly B&B called Rowans just across the entrance to the Loch opposite the airfield. The airfield mini-bus even gave as a lift across there. Again, great service.
On Tuesday morning we were driven back to the airfield by the owner of Rowan’s B&B after a delicious and exceedingly filling breakfast of numerous courses. The airfield was fairly quiet but we got the latest weather and notams from Paul and the chaps in the radio shack, plus some more good advice on flying to Glenforsa for lunch. The four of us then embarked, did our run ups and took off, heading across Loch Linnhe for the Sound of Mull. We flew northwest, over Tobermory, and then north to the Sound of Arisaig near Eigg where we admired a large group of canoeists bravely taking to the freezing cold water, before making our way back down south the Glenforsa.
We had stayed in contact with Oban throughout our trip and informed them of our intention to land at Glenforsa before switching to Safetycom to let any local traffic know our position in the circuit. For those who don’t know, Glenforsa’s circuits are over the sea, to the north of the strip, but we cunningly joined overhead and descended deadside which involved a fairly tight descending turning in the valley south of the strip. Perfectly safe, but it gave the passengers the heebie-jeebies! We then flew crosswind out to sea, downwind and then base back towards the hills east of the strip. All easy. You’ve got to concentrate on final but it’s all pretty easy and the strip is 700m long, so there’s loads of space. The strip itself was lovely and green, pretty flat, but the parking arrangements are more challenging. The ‘apron’ is quite small and on a fairly steep slope. Luckily there are loads of wooden chocks available. We were met by an incredibly friendly and funny chap, whose name escapes me but I’m sure is very well know because he’s a great character.
We had coffee and crisps at the quaint little hotel before enjoying the sight of a lovely float plane taking off and then wandering across the airstrip to the beach for a walk. I thoroughly recommend going to Glenforsa. It is set in the stunningly beautiful Sound of Mull and you won’t get a more friendly reception in my opinion. We were so enjoying it that we almost forgot that we had to get back to Prestwick around 5pm. Take off was easy in the 182, despite being 4 up with nearly full tanks. 20 degrees of flap saw us airborne and climbing away before passing the hotel which is about halfway down the strip. We had been asked to pass weather information at Glenforsa to the chaps at ObanAirport, which we did, before turning south to head home.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7031.jpg
After take off from Glenforsa heading east down the Sound of Mull
The flight back to Prestwick was very memorable for the views out to the west over the Sound of Jura
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7038.jpg
Sound of Jura
And then a short diversion over the Isle of Arran, where our passengers pointed out where they had walked up huge hills a few weeks before. Personally I felt that you got even better views by flying over the island, plus it was far less tiring! We then scooted across to Prestwick, joining downwind and landing between the ubiquitous blue and gold of Mr ‘buy your own uniforms’ O’Leary’s finest. Despite a short altercation with the Tower over our desire to park in Apron Pappa for the Flying Club rather than Apron Echo (“Do you have an airport plan?”), we parked up without hassle. A great mini-trip.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/28082007231.jpg
Unloading at Prestwick
Wednesday was our day off flying. A beautiful day nevertheless, which saw us driving to the ferry for the short crossing to Rothesay on Bute. We had an enjoyable day viewing MountStuart, where Stella McCartney was married, which has to be one of the most interesting stately homes I’ve ever seen.
The following day, being our last before the flight back south, was destined to be one of the most interesting. We chose to fly to Colonsay. The weather was fairly good, though cloud seemed to hang a little low out to sea, probably at about 3000ft and the wind was blowing 28kts down runway 31 at Prestwick. Our track out to Colonsay took us just north of Arran and then over Jura. The headwind was pretty strong, with the GPS showing us making only 87kts over the ground, and it took nearly an hour to get to Colonsay through broken cloud (It’s only 65 miles!). But it was very much worth it. The clouds parted nicely over the island and we made a call on safetycom to announce our arrival. Interestingly there was an aircraft taking off as we joined overhead but he/she wasn’t on safetycom which is odd because reception for Scottish Information was poor out there. In any case we descended deadside and flew the circuit over the small, rocky hills and sheep, before landing - with a bump or two – on the pristine new black 500m tarmac. There’s only space for 3 aircraft at a time at Colonsay but we were the only visitors.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7104.jpg
Parked up at Colonsay
We took our packed lunches and wandered across the eerily desolate pitch and putt golf course to find a spot for a picnic. There were people about, mainly around the beach, but it truly felt like you had landed on a deserted, though somewhat un-tropical, island. The rugged, unspoilt beauty takes your breath away, or was that the smell of rotting seaweed in the gale blowing in off the sea? Our walk took us over a bluff to a huddle of houses and, remarkably, the islands bookshop. We laughed at the thought of being shipwrecked on those rocky shores, seeing a light in a window, only to find copies of ‘Harry Potter’ and Colonsay tea towels stacked high in the windows (incidentally, we bought one of those icons of high civilisation – not Harry Potter of course, but a nice tea towel featuring jokes about Scottish customs…).
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7111.jpg
After take from Colonsay
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7110.jpg
Colonsay
Our take off from Colonsay was exciting, though ultimately easy, with the 182 lifting off after 300 metres into the howling gale. With the strong tailwind we raced back to Prestwick in half an hour. Approach must have thought they had a true thoroughbred on their radar screens. Again, landing was easy on Prestwick’s wide and long asphalt. I think Tower just sighed and watched us taxy without comment, knowing that shouting at us again wouldn’t ease their boredom.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7058.jpg
Prestwick Airport on downwind for 31
Friday was not a beautiful day. The weather was pants. A front had the affront to come through and rain on our departure plans, but not wishing to admit defeat we drove to Prestwick Airport, past it’s possibly ‘inappropriate’ (or are they just hilariously black-humoured up there?) slogan written in 20 foot high lettering on the Terminal building: ‘ Pure dead Brilliant’, to the Flying Club. The chaps at the Flying Club were incredibly hospitable throughout and I think they deserve as much positive publicity as possible. Cheap too (£10 for landing and overnight). The weather cleared enough for us to contemplate leaving and we took the aircraft round to the Flight Centre to be refuelled. By early afternoon it was good enough overhead to try a departure, so we did just that, reasoning that if the weather wasn’t as good as anticipated we could return to Prestwick.
Our final take off was good and we headed south to Turnberry VOR for a trip around the coast to Loch Ryan and Stranraer, where the cloud base got lower and lower until we were thinking that landing at a deserted Castle Kennedy might be sensible. However, the chinks of light and blue sky through to the east towards the Solway Firth, gave us encouragement and we kept going. The rest of the trip, non-stop to Stapleford, mirrored the flight up north, with ATC being helpful throughout and so very friendly. We got all necessary clearances, even enjoying overflying both RAF Connigsby and Mildenhall en route.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/tuhhodge/DSCN7139.jpg
Short final on return to Stapleford
We had a fantastic trip. Not bad for a new PPL! I've got 89 hours now. Bring on the next trip!