Leaving the Circuit

The weather was looking a bit touch and go (no pun intended!) last week, but it cleared up enough to have a somewhat gusty but bright lesson. When I arrived the wind was all over the place and 10-15 knots - I swear it changed 180 degrees while I was watching. Friday's aircraft was Tango Echo, back from having a transponder fitted - at last! Only the air speed indicator to replace to get rid of the bleedin' MPH scale. The runway in use was 25.

Steve carried though on Barrie's briefing last week to leave the circuit, get the basic radar service from Farnborough, fly to Reading and then re-join Blackbushe. Slightly different RT from Steve, but the result was the same.

Blackbushe Information, G-TE changing to Farnborough 125 decimal 25

G-TE Roger

Farnborough Radar - G-BPTE, request Basic Service

G-BPTE, pass your message

G-BPTE, PA28, 2 POB
Blackbushe to Blackbushe via Reading
3 Miles from Blackbushe
2000 feet on QNH 1011
Request Basic Service

G-BPTE Squawk 0441, Farnborough QNH 1011, Basic Service

Squawk 0441 QNH 1011 Basic Service, G-BPTE

Rejoining:

Farnborough Radio - G-BPTE has Blackbushe in sight, request frequency change 122 decimal 3

G-BXWO Squawk 7000, 122 decimal 3

7000, 122 decimal 3 G-BXWO

Blackbushe Information G-BPTE is 5 miles North requesting rejoin information

G-BPTE Runway 07R QFE 1007 report downwind.

Runway 07R QFE 1007 report downwind, G-BXWO

The transponder was set 0447 (Blackbushe departures) before take-off. He also pointed out the DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) which showed the range from Blackbushe - so useful! DME Frequency was 116.20 MHz. We've also got to watch the Qnh settings as there is Class A restricted airspace at 2500ft in this area.

The first run was quite the most nerve racking thing I've done for a while - all the radio work! It was amazing to be flying over Reading on a clear day - from Green Park to the M4 / A329 motorway junction and the directly South back to Blackbushe for the re-join. Steve pointed out various landmarks and also that the Heathrow airspace at this level starts at Bracknell. Jamie in the tower commented on how quickly we came back. I was quite flustered and made several mistakes in the circuit - forgot the downwind checks for example. Steve pointed out that ideally we re-join so that we only have to turn left to join the circuit.

South East of Reading

I asked if we could go again and Steve arranged a low pass over the runway which we flew at 200ft. We were off again, Steve said he'd remain quiet unless I made any stupid mistakes. It all went fine until we had to re-join Blackbushe. Farnborough were very busy and I couldn't get a word in edge-ways. We were getting closer and closer to Blackbushe ATZ and Steve took control, flying us in a 360 until I'd done the radio work. We were about to infringe the Blackbushe airspace and I think his point was made.

Then it was my turn. The wind had dropped enough so that Steve was happy I could solo, so I was off on my own. I fluffed the first call to Farnborough "Student G-BPTE, Farnborough Radar" and I swear heard the Farnborough lady chuckle as she replied. Things were a bit quieter on the radio but there was a bunch of traffic to watch out for - an R22 on take-off and somebody else joined ahead of me. My approach was a bit off and I was on the verge of going around when things seemed to fall into place. However a gust of wind on landing meant a scrappy affair, landing on the right hand side of the runway and not straight.