Fri May 27, 2016 10:05 pm
#1458408
Frustratingly , despite completing and submitting my NPPL paperwork at the beginning of this month, I'm still waiting for my actual licence to turn up. But I already have a queue of passngers / victims waiting in the wings, and I've really missed not being in the air over the last 8 or so weeks, so I drove over to Membury this morning & hired a plane.
I asked the CFI what he thought I should try on my first flight as a qualified pilot. He suggested that I hone my RT skills & tackle a flight to Enstone, via the Brize CTR! Initially I was apprehensive, but he knows me fairly well by now. All I need is a bit of a nudge to boost my confidence every now and then. So with the help of SkyDemon, I gave it a go.
My first call to the zone after being handed over by Brize radar wasn't particularly brilliant, and he acknowledged my request with a standby & remain outside due to traffic - which I duly complied with via a series of orbits.
I guess that helped the perception as I was soon cleared through via Witney, not below 3300.
The rest of the flight into Enstone went well. I did what I thought was a decent overhead join & had a lovely landing. It was only when I got into the clubhouse that I realised I'd left my wallet in the car. Very embarrassing. I got their bank details though, and transferred the fee online just now.
Coming back was more eventful. Having been cleared for transit not below 3300 (I was still climbing) I was concerned with some cloud up ahead. Remembering the multiple choice exam question about clearance putting me into IMC, I informed the controller & did a 180 before entering - although according to skydemon I had actually infringed by not very much. I apologised & was offered a new crossing clearance, not above 1200ft, via Burford and Farringdon. I was quite chuffed when I realised this would take me directly over the base itself, and as I turned over Burford to enter the zone, a c17 passed overhead, on the downwind. I wish I'd had my headmounted go-pro on and running because it was awesome to see.
After that I exited the zone & was handed over to Brize radar again, who advised I was back on a basic service & could climb at my discretion, which I did, back up to 2000ft. I was back in the circuit at Membury before I knew it. After landing I was absolutely buzzing.
So a big thank you to the Staff at Brize. They were very patient and professional. And very accommodating, especially since I was negative transponder & some of my calls weren't exactly professional...
Another thing that occurred to me after landing - I wasn't bothered at all by the turbulence. Probably because I had an absorbing task to focus on?
Also, Skydemon is flipping brilliant
I asked the CFI what he thought I should try on my first flight as a qualified pilot. He suggested that I hone my RT skills & tackle a flight to Enstone, via the Brize CTR! Initially I was apprehensive, but he knows me fairly well by now. All I need is a bit of a nudge to boost my confidence every now and then. So with the help of SkyDemon, I gave it a go.
My first call to the zone after being handed over by Brize radar wasn't particularly brilliant, and he acknowledged my request with a standby & remain outside due to traffic - which I duly complied with via a series of orbits.
I guess that helped the perception as I was soon cleared through via Witney, not below 3300.
The rest of the flight into Enstone went well. I did what I thought was a decent overhead join & had a lovely landing. It was only when I got into the clubhouse that I realised I'd left my wallet in the car. Very embarrassing. I got their bank details though, and transferred the fee online just now.
Coming back was more eventful. Having been cleared for transit not below 3300 (I was still climbing) I was concerned with some cloud up ahead. Remembering the multiple choice exam question about clearance putting me into IMC, I informed the controller & did a 180 before entering - although according to skydemon I had actually infringed by not very much. I apologised & was offered a new crossing clearance, not above 1200ft, via Burford and Farringdon. I was quite chuffed when I realised this would take me directly over the base itself, and as I turned over Burford to enter the zone, a c17 passed overhead, on the downwind. I wish I'd had my headmounted go-pro on and running because it was awesome to see.
After that I exited the zone & was handed over to Brize radar again, who advised I was back on a basic service & could climb at my discretion, which I did, back up to 2000ft. I was back in the circuit at Membury before I knew it. After landing I was absolutely buzzing.
So a big thank you to the Staff at Brize. They were very patient and professional. And very accommodating, especially since I was negative transponder & some of my calls weren't exactly professional...
Another thing that occurred to me after landing - I wasn't bothered at all by the turbulence. Probably because I had an absorbing task to focus on?
Also, Skydemon is flipping brilliant
FLYER Club Member
