Pre-flight checks done...at Goodwood, first stop-Wycomvbe Air Park
Well, the post title is self explanatory, finally got round to flying a 160nm route landing away at two other aerodromes, talk on six different radio frequencies (not at the same time!), getting my cross country certificate signed, coming back £30 lighter (landing fees) and flying back to base where I had well and truly completed my solo cross-country flight! It was a truly fantastic experience, and one which I felt I learnt a heck of a lot!
Landed... tower at Wycombe Air Park
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As my instructor said, you learn an awful amount when flying solo! I felt well prepared and I was pleased that my flight planning was a success- where I look at the forecasted winds before the flight, in the morning and calculate the required heading to fly. Imagine trying to fly due west in a straight line with a strong northerly wind blowing against the side of your aircraft. Over time, the aircraft would be blown off course, towards the south, your original westerly heading would be affected and your intended destination might be somewhere to the north...not what we want! The effect of wind on an aircraft's path is called drift. In order to compensate for drift the aircraft in this instance would make a heading slightly into the northerly wind. By doing this, the aeroplane will be maintaining its intended track because the nose is pointed slightly into wind and therefore is less affected by drift. Imagine trying to swim across a fast flowing river, from one side to the other-you would swim slightly into the current to avoid being swept off your intended track...otherwise you might never get to reach the river bank on the other side! To cut along story short, I felt rewarded that the amount of heading correction I planned was pretty much spot on-the aeroplane followed the intended line scribbled on my chart and I arrived at my waypoints at the correct estimated times.That is the marvel of the trusty flight computer (pictured above).
Cant remember the name of this place...
Considering I had not flown in 5 weeks prior to the cross-country, I think I did a good job, there are things I will remember for next time, things I need to polish up, and things that were a jolly good job done! I found flying into Wycombe Air Park quite a challenge(my first port of call), especially as its always busy and it is air traffic controlled, but nonetheless a challenge is always good, and its a really interesting, friendly airfield. On departure from Wycombe I had to climb to 3000ft, change frequencies( from Wycombe Tower to Benson Radar) in a short amount of time-I did not want to enter the RAF Benson Military Air Traffic Zone (MATZ) before I had passed my request to transit their zone. Alot of things happened at once-leaving Wycombe frequency, continue climbing and observing their strict noise abatement procedures ( by not flying where I would annoy someone lounging in their garden by the drone of the engine) and contacting Benson Radar. But as always, I remember the first and most important priority-fly the aeroplane. Just before entering the runway at Wycombe, it suddenly dawned on me that I was flying totally alone, a fantastic feeling which is hard to explain-but in simple terms I felt proud that I, myself had got this aircraft from one aerodrome to another- strange wording I know, but its those little thoughts that keep my smiling from solo flights. I wonder if this sense of feeling changes with more experience, are there any experienced pilots out there who still share that thought? I would be interested to know!
Last stop before home-Kemble Airport-a Folland Gnat, which used to belong The Red Arrow aerobatic display team which used to be based at Kemble Airport
Refuelling...probably the best flapjack around!
By the end of the day I felt exhausted but absolutely and utterly chuffed with my achievement. My first solo flight will always be the best in my amateur pilot's mind...no words can describe that, but the solo cross country comes a very close second! I would very much like to visit Kemble airport again in the future, again really interesting, great food and very friendly. Next stop...skills test!
