Scary but good experience

[NeilA]

I was on a flight out of Panshanger taking a colleague's son up for a flight. Vis was low but even worse into the sun. I knew I was a bit out of my league when I got up there so kept close the airfield by staying around Buntingford where I knew where I was. The wind was also strong from the east which meant I was being pushed towards Luton Zone over Stevenage so had to be careful.

We did a couple of bits and when I looked out for Buntingford it had gone! I headed back to where I thought it was and could not find it. My heart started to beat faster as it does in these situations. My passenger was not worried at this time because as far as he was concerned we were 'OK'.

I then made a few orbits and looked down so I could see where I was but I recognised nothing. I put in the BPK VOR 190 radial to get back to Panshanger but this didn't go as planned. I didn't pay enough attention to the instruments and ended up over a built up area which I knew wasn't right.

I then got headed east to get out assuming it was Stevenage but still didn't recognise it at this time. I then had another good look out but could not figure where I was. At this point I had a feeling run though my body that I had never had before, that was that I had no idea where I was! I new I was somewhere between Stevenage and Buntingford and that was all.

Again, I kept calm and thought things through quickly. I suddenly noticed the tunnels of Baldock bypass so had a good idea where I might be. I thought ok I am right next to Luton so called them up. I knew there frequencies off by heart because I regularly listen to them at home on the scanner.

I called Luton Approach and even though I had not done this for ages I reeled off all the info almost perfectly apart form my height. I didn't do a Pan just requested a position fix and QDM. I told them I was around Baldock area and he said 'Ah, that must have been you who just entered my zone'. At that point my heart dropped out the bottom of the plane. He was ok though that I called him up and was more than happy to help me find my way.

I requested a position fix and QDM to Panshanger. He was quite happy for me to come into the zone and follow the A1 down south. I came east a bit though. He gave me a good heading, left 5 degrees etc.. The vis was that bad, he said Panshanger is now in your 11 o'clock at 2 miles report in sight. I still could not see it until I got about over the airfield!! At that point I was so happy. My passenger was quite unfased as he had no real idea what was going on any way but he was calm!

To summarise, I kept myself calm as any pilot should. I considered my options and got myself back with Luton's help. I understand that maybe I should have stayed on the ground or called it off earlier. I call it a lesson learnt and I will be more careful in the future. In the landing I forgot a few things e.g. fuel pump and pretty much forgot how to land! I got down safely though.

I have to admit that when I got back down I got a buzz out of it.

[KNT754G]

I think you summarised it fairly well. You considered the options and took as logical, considered course of action.

With wonderful hindsight maybe an earlier call to Luton would have been a good plan, but at least you DID call them and ask for assistance.

Well done and glad all are fine at the end of the day.

[ROG]

You did the right things. Ideally you would have called appropriate zone with a "uncertain of position , request navigational assistance" earlier --but we can all be wise after the event. Also an apology for a cockup usually means that you are forgiven---never pays to argue with the ATC boys.
Presumably no GPS in plane otherwise you could get a fix from that. We have a garmin 150--bit old now but does the job--i would think that there are a few
"pre-owned" ones for sale out there.

[vintage ATCO]

Not sure if you have a transponder but if you had listened out on Luton Approach or Essex Radar and squawked 0013 they would have called you as soon as you crossed the CTR boundary.

[Adam]

Agree you handled the situation well - maybe it is time to buy a GPS it need not be expensive but if you do decide to do that dont keep it in your bag for an emergency have it on and working in that way it will be ready to assist immediately.

[NeilA]

Well my birthday is coming up so a GPS sounds like a good idea.

[leiafee]

I expect most of us have been "uncertain of position" at some point! Sounds like you handled it.

[Jim Jones]

My second post qualifying flight produced an uncertain of position due to poor slant viz on an otherwise lovely day. Should have turned back once airborne but was keen to fly somehere. Was using Humberside, had switched to destination and made contact but couldn't find the field!

Don't like that sinking feeling at all.

I wandered about for what felt like 5 mins, sinking feeling getting worse because I knew there was meatbombing underway to my east, and I thought I was probably east of intended track, so got back onto Humberside who calmly gave me vectors till 'in sight', which was almost in the overhead before I could see it.

As it turned out lesson learnt about pressing on regardless, and how good Humberside are when dealing with numpties

[NeilA]

Sounds just the same as what I felt like. Its a good experience that I am sure many pilots will experience at some point.

[vintage ATCO]

So, did you have a transponder? And mode C?

If I understand your narrative correctly you thought you may have been over Stevenage at one point so headed east but didn't actually call Luton until you identified the Baldock tunnel?

[NeilA]

Yeah had and used transponder with C at Luton's request.

I called Luton once I saw the Baldock tunnels.

[AndyR]

Were you using the transponder with Mode C before you spoke to Luton? Just wondering.

[nobby]

all Panshanger club aircraft are C equipped. but its a bit lacking in training of 0013 squawk, infact, during trials, I had to fell the FIs it was being trialed. :shock: coulda changed now tho.

Neil - GPS is a defo second check in the cock pit.

well handled all the same

[Timothy]

well handled all the same

Am I in a minority of one then?

[Adam]

[quote='Timothy']:scratch: Am I in a minority of one then?[/quote]

I think that depends on where on the experience scale you consider NeilA is if he is low houred (which I suspect is the case) tyhen he did OK if on the other hand he is a Sky God as you are then his performance was $hite - take your pick and perm any combination!