Thread: Nav Ex to Northampton & Silverstone

Well it was another nice evening for flying last night!

On the ground we completed our instrument checks, but as we left the circuit the D.I. went tech. We had a bit of a play around with it - the card rotated manually but it looked as though the gyro had packed up. So the entire flight was on the compass which made for an extra challenge that I enjoyed!

We headed out towards Northampton, then headed south for Silverstone and making a diversion for the Radar Site near Turweston, overhead Upper Hayford we turned back towards Wellesbourne.

We came back into the circuit at Wellesbourne and made our way to Final. Wind was straight down the runway but the ridge at the end of Rwy36 was pushing up some serious air! At full flap (all those whove flown a C172 will know its like barn doors hanging down) we still had the nose pushed down. Halfway down Final the wind direction moved slightly out to the right and it turned into a crosswind landing! A lot going on there!

Overall it was a very enjoyable flight - going to do some solo circuits next to build more confidence!

Nice to see you're making good progress Chris

Hi Paul,

Indeed, I am happy with the progress but have been debating for a while now about discontinuing my flying.

Unfortunatly it takes a huge chunk out of my wage each month, but I really enjoy flying with this instructor and its only due to him that I went solo and are actually now navigating from A-to-B. I was stuck in a bit of a rutt beforehand.

It all depends if I get a salary increase before the year is out, as I cant afford to fly more than once a month which is hopeless for training as I still need to do many exams as well.

It doesn't look like its going to get any cheaper anytime soon.

I have a friend with a licence so I could always take flights with him when i get the bug, and really would like to save the money to take my partner away to somewhere like America as i've been a few times but she hasn't.

I'm at 27 hours now so still quite a way to go!

Guess we'll just have to wait and see!

I know how you feel Chris but it would be a real shame. Could you not switch to the NPPL or maybe finish it in the States when you go with your partner? I was speaking to someone recently about the joys of microlights (the ones that look like aircraft not the hang gliders with propellers) and apparently they're faster than Cessnas and as cheap as motorbikes! I might look in to them myself!