I didn't want to hijack Floobie's thread so thought i'd start my own! I mentioned in Floobs' that I think my FI is now going to send me on my first solo landaway to Duxford now I have Air Law sorted.
He and I have flown a number of dual trips to Duxford, therefore I should know the way and the slightly whacky Duxford procedures inside out (whacky because they are of course a FISO tower and i'm used to full ATC...) "you mean what, take off at my own discretion? That means my responsibility then doesn't it?!" Would you like to take the grass or the tarmac? And "join right base" eh, whats that? Oh and watch out for Duxford village, they don't like the noise.... then, "if you're taking off on 06, its a 3 mile climb out........" etc etc
This has me thinking...I have to remember Duxford procedures, on top of finding my way there and back (although my usual method is follow the A1, M11 and you can't go wrong ) ...then theres talking to Wittering (if they can be bothered to answer), Peterborough Conington and Cambridge ENR.......
Hmm, any tips from fellow studes, qualified pilots and FIs alike would be much appreciated!!
Thanks Iolanthe
Iolanthe "The Flying Curator" PPL Student Home Airfield: EGYD Exams Passed: Met; Air Law; Comms
I remember my first solo landaway almost with more affection than my first solo - you start to feel like a proper pilot (whatever one of those is!).
I think the key to "de-stressing" the whole thing is in preparation. Use things like Google Earth to study your likely approaches, and start thinking "if the wind is coming from xx then we'll be landing on yy, so I'd be coming in this way". Fly it in your head plenty of times and cover all of the options. Then, on the day, when you phone for PPR, they'll tell you which runway they're on and looking at the wind you'll probably get an idea if that is likely to change. Any runway will be fine because you're capable of this or your instructor wouldn't be sending you. If you really want to be double-prepared you could scribble a few notes for each option, but you won't end up looking at them, it just helps to have them there anyway!
It's not a bad idea to map out on a bit of paper who you'd be talking to and at which point, again, not to refer to in flight, just to get it clear in your own mind. Do make sure you have all of the frequencies written down somewhere to hand though, it is possible to instantly forget them under pressure. The funny thing is that as you arrive somewhere, it all kind of slots into place, and that's your training kicking in. If you do feel unsure, then tell someone, but you won't need to - everyone worries about it but it's just you getting to the best bits of your training!
Savour the flight, and let us know how you get on
Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination. Oscar Wilde
I also enjoyed my first solo land away far more than my first solo which was all about excitement and no small amount of fear. Solo land away you get time to appreciate what it is we're learning to do.
That said, there is no greater joy, or relief, than when you finally see that airfield you're flying to
Last edited by weirdfish on Sun Nov 04, 2012 12:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hmm, any tips from fellow studes, qualified pilots and FIs alike would be much appreciated!!
Thanks Iolanthe
Yep: Disabuse yourself of the notion that Duxford's procedures (or any other airfield that you may land at) are in any way ' whacky' , just because they don't fit in with the cossetted RAF way that you've been used to so far.
Oh yes: and don't confuse Cambridge for Duxford: plenty of professionals have over the years.
Your instructors, who I know you have already flown the route with, will have briefed you on what they expect.
It seems to me the most crucial thing is to establish / guess which direction Duxford is using before departure. If they are on 24 I'd plan to fly East of Cambridge ATZ, whilst if they are using 06 I'd plan to the West
Rob P
Forum Diversity & Equality Officer (unpaid)
"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." - George Orwell-
I was thinking the same as Rob. If you 'phone ahead you will know which runway is in use ( But be aware it could change in the short time you are in the air!!), and thus which way you should approach the aerodrome. I print out the aerodrome chart and if necessary mark on the circuit so I have it clear in my head which way I should be pointing.
The standard Duxford join is downwind and circuits for both runways are to the south. If you are joining from the north, give Duxford Info a call with about 8 miles to run.
If Duxford are on 24, this is a left-hand circuit. If you route via Royston (5 miles to the SW of Duxford), you will be nicely placed to join the circuit downwind.
If Duxford are on 06, this is a right-hand circuit. If you route via Sawston (4 miles to the north-east), you will be nicely placed to join the circuit downwind.
Something that helped me on my first landaway is to mark the runway direction on your chart with with each end having a line to the left or right showing circuit direction. So whichever direction you come in from, you can visualise the circuit with a quick glance of your chart
Even better is to hold up your pencil to the DI in the orientation of the runway: This immediately shows you its true orientation on the ground ahead which you will be looking for.
Many thanks for all your tips so far chaps, when it comes down to the planning i'll have the tips all listed!
Z - Yep, free museum entry, but thats rather too much like the day job!! And I have been there about five times this year with my FI! Don't know whether I could sit in their Harrier...we have a GR3 here at work though so I may ask the guys over at Rauceby lane nicely..... As to pics...hmm, I ahevn't yet worked out how to download onto this website.....
Flying Panda - Will certainly let you know how I get on!
Keef - Thanks, Will indeed let you know when i'm going to fly the trip...an unofficial forum fly out to Duxford...sounds good!
Iolanthe "The Flying Curator" PPL Student Home Airfield: EGYD Exams Passed: Met; Air Law; Comms
FLYER Exhibitions
Would you like to take the grass or the tarmac? And "join right base" eh, whats that? Oh and watch out for Duxford village, they don't like the noise.... then, "if you're taking off on 06, its a 3 mile climb out........" etc etc 
) ...then theres talking to Wittering (if they can be bothered to answer), Peterborough Conington and Cambridge ENR.......
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