Date: 13/07/2013
Time: 12:40 - 13:00 (11:40 - 12:00 GMT) & 13:00 - 13:50 (12:00 - 12:50 GMT) & 15:10 - 15:40 (14:10 - 14:40 GMT) & 17:35 - 18:00 (16:35 - 17:00 GMT)
Aircraft: EuroFOX - G-UFOX
Completed G-UFOX Training
Having completed my first (single) solo circuit in the EuroFOX last night, I'm back for continuation of my training. It's really hot today, and Mac suggests that we go up together and complete 3 circuits that he is happy with, before releasing me solo again.
We take off on 03 (again) and complete a circuit with full stop landing. The heat gives a bit of thermals and as always we have the float on the downslope on 03. I then follow this with another circuit the same. I'm not sure whether Mac was particularly pleased with my flying (or just wanted to get back to his air-conditioned office), but after these two circuits he got out and I was off on my own again. I fly two full stop circuits, two touch and go's and finally two more full stops - all OK, so I stop for lunch.
Mac now signs me off and I'm finally free to fly my plane!
George is also at the airfield, and we decide to go off together for G-UFOXs first outflight (for us). I take the first go and take off on 03 and head north up to Hannington Mast. Then west to the A34 and then south along it. George had suggested going to Brimpton, but I said that I had thought of going to Chilbolton and that was where my mindset was. It was also a reasonably good runway direction for the wind. We go past Bullington Cross and then down to join overhead Chilbolton for runway 06. Keeping a good lookout, I turn final and line up on the runway. The gap in the hedge assists the approach and I put it down for a reasonable landing - phew!
We
park up and go to the caravan to sign in. We have a chat to the guy who runs
the airfield and discuss the flock of new hangars that have sprouted up. It's
good to see the airfield being improved, when not so very long ago, it was about
to be closed. Good stuff.
George
is going to take us home. We trundle down the runway and backtrack to the threshold
of 06. Throttle open and we are soon in the air and climbing. Whilst heading
towards Popham, we change to Popham frequency and hear Colin calling saying
that he was about to depart for Brimpton. We decide to change our plan and go
to Brimpton aswell and surprise them by getting there before them. OK, we didn't
have PPR but we should be OK if their radio is manned - which it was, so we
get PPR. We get up to the river Kennet and join base. We land and park up. In
the clubhouse it's too hot for tea, so I have a can of coke. Soon, Colin and
Jac turn up and we have a chat.
Unfortunately we can't stay too long as George has to get home. I have the homebound leg. After quick checks we get warmed and and take off on runway 07. It's only a short journey back and soon I join overhead at Popham and land. That's enough for today - and I'm very happy!
