FlyerDavidUK

21st July 2013 solo

First solo in the TB20 with an RNAV approach thrown in

After completing differences training in the new TB20 share-o-plane at Gloucester, I wanted to make a short solo flight to consolidate what I’d learnt and become more comfortable in the pilot seat. With the aircraft free on Sunday afternoon, I booked a slot. Rich, one of the other part owners, happened to be at Gloucester airport and at short notice agreed to join me for the flight. I had planned

5th July 2013 DIfferences

TB20 difference training

Mandatory 5 hours differences training Having just bought into a share of a Socata Trinidad TB20, the next step was to complete 5 hours of dual instruction. This is a requirement of the insurance policy before any of the pilot owners is allowed to fly solo – even for those with >1000 hours and full Instrument Rating. But it’s also a very sensible approach – this is quite a powerful

1st July 2013 Other

O Happy Day! Buying into an aircraft share

They say the two happiest days of aircraft ownership are the day you buy and the day you sell. Well today sees me embark on the next stage of my aviation adventure, buying 1/5th share of a Socata Trinidad TB20 based at Gloucestershire Airport. This TB20 was the same one I’d flown as passenger in to Filton Airport on its last day. There are perhaps four main ways forward for

30th June 2013 Landaways

A windy day at Compton Abbas

After a few weeks without a flight, I was keen to find an opportunity to share a trip somewhere. Sadly, a planning day out with Andy wasn’t possible mainly due to a combination of both our work and social commitments. Instead, Dave offered me the chance to join him flying from Kemble into Pooley’s Open Day at Compton Abbas. He’d booked one of the club Warriors (G-ELUE) which looked great

21st June 2013 Licences

UK private aircraft avionic equipment requirements

Regulations are coming into force which require UK private aircraft to have improved radios, transponders and other equipment over the coming years. This is a summary of the key dates and capabilities for UK registered aircraft weighing less than 2 tonnes. Transponders Most (but not all) aircraft have a Mode C transponder that transmits a 4 digit squawk code and pressure altitude, allowing them to be seen and plotted by

1st June 2013 Landaways

Circumnavigating London – Kemble-Shoreham-Headcorn-Stapleford-Cranfield-Kemble

Kemble-Shoreham-Headcorn-Stapleford-Cranfield-Kemble Today Andy and I shared flights in the club Arrow from Kemble anticlockwise around London landing at Shoreham, Lashenden-Headcorn, Stapleford, Cranfield – all of which were new to me. A highlight of the day was a transit overhead Luton. Some of the new airfields were quite challenging, with up to five aircraft in the circuit at any time – not easy when you are unfamiliar with the landmarks and

19th May 2013 Landaways / solo

Bright but hazy trip to Swansea

To Rain or not to Rain Rain had been forecast for much of the weekend, but this changed in the previous evening’s forecast, and so I took the opportunity for a quick solo flight in the Arrow. The best weather appeared to be to the West, and the combination of that with a free landing voucher for Swansea firmed up the destination. I had been reading a flying book by

15th May 2013 Licences

LAPL – Light Aircraft Pilot Licence for NPPL pilots

The choice of NPPL and LAPL One of the potential upsides of the transition to EASA pilot licensing is the new LAPL or Light Aircraft Pilot Licence. A LAPL (Light Aircraft Pilot Licence) confers most of the privileges of a full PPL (Private Pilot Licence), but is less costly and slightly easier to obtain (30 vs 45 flight training hours required). The medical requirements are less restrictive, so that many

6th May 2013 Landaways

Sunshine in Salcombe

Bolt Head is a private airstrip close to Salcombe on the south coast. This 620 metre grass strip has been a long time ambition of mine to visit, and with the weather forecast promising sunshine on the May Bank Holiday, it seemed an ideal opportunity. I had called a few days before and spoke to one of the two resident pilots who now manage the airstrip on behalf of the

5th May 2013 Landaways

Abingdon Airshow

A Sunday Outing Once a year, Abingdon (an RAF airfield just south of Oxford) opens its doors to the public and hosts an airshow with plenty of stalls, attractions and excitement for the whole family. One of our club members runs a hospitality tent there, and offered a free landing and some free tickets through the club. Dave and I agreed to share a flight there in the Arrow, taking