Thread: Latest Flight & Getting Lost!

Well I had yet another interesting flight on Wednesday!

Decided with my new instructor, to do a route I haven't flown before to add a bit of variation and a challenge.

So the route was Wellesbourne, Worcester, Gloucester, Moreton-in-Marsh, Wellesbourne.

It avoided the Red Arrows transit route in the NOTAMS (as I had previously planned to go to Northampton again) and i've always wanted to fly down to Gloucester.

So we set off and the flight was pleasurable with winds only a gentle 5 knots. Sadly getting that info from Met Office had been a battle earlier in the day. They had scheduled downtime between 1pm and 5pm and I was due to fly at 6pm. The downtime never finished till almost 6pm, the people over the met office phone service were not that helpful.

Anyway, we get down as far as Gloucester, which was still open surprisingly as our ETA was 19:00. I think they were waiting for a military aircraft as we saw a low flying grey aircraft nearby.

The lady in the controller asked us to report at Moreton. So we set off and after 6-7 minutes somethings not looking right. My chart no longer equals what I see below, and this is my first time being unsure of my position. I mis-identified Moreton dis-used airfield for another area and we were actually over Bourton-On-The-Water / Stow.

It really tested my current skills and learnt some valuable lessons on what to do if I find myself in that position. I know my last resort would be 121.5 for a position fix but really dont want to bother those guys until i've exhausted all other methods.

GC HQ - Gloucestershire


Departing Wellesbourne

Those pictures and that route in particular reminds me of doing my PPL just a handfull of years ago, I cant wait to get some money behind me to start up flying light aircraft again.

As for the bit about bothering 121.5- it's what they are there for. Every time I fly the Airbus we listen out on box 2 with 121.5 tuned in, and almost daily someone is using it. Most people are unsure of frequencies and positions but if people were afraid to contact them then not only would they be uncurrent (the people working on the distress freq.) in actually helping lost people, it would also be a fairly pointless channel, as not everyday someone crashes or declares mayday- and if they did it would most likely be transmitted on the current frequency.

I think its wrong to have the attitude of "bothering" those guys as that freqency serves a purpose. I think its too easy to overlook the use of the frequency, especially when you are not fully confident in your flying. You may not want to appear defeated, weak or show 'bad aviation skills' due to getting lost in the first place, but contacting them if anything is great airmanship. You wont have to fill out paperwork, or you wont be told off, you will simply be saying "lend me a hand Im just unsure of where I am". Lets face it these guys will have their feet up in an office somewhere anyway, probably drinking tea with their feet up- give them something to do no matter how trivial your request may seem!

Cheers for the positive words, Hotdog!

When I do my solo nav, I will most certainly be ready to use this frequency as of course, straying into certain areas would be much worse than just calling 121. Just have to make sure its 121, and not 0121 otherwise in might get Brummie Barry's Chippy!

I have heard about using the QDM feature from some aerodromes as well, but there is obviously time between your request and when they get the old clunky kit warmed up and giving them a reading.

Originally Posted by Aviator|Chris

Cheers for the positive words, Hotdog!

When I do my solo nav, I will most certainly be ready to use this frequency as of course, straying into certain areas would be much worse than just calling 121. Just have to make sure its 121, and not 0121 otherwise in might get Brummie Barry's Chippy!

I have heard about using the QDM feature from some aerodromes as well, but there is obviously time between your request and when they get the old clunky kit warmed up and giving them a reading.

QDM feature is very helpful, 121.5 can give you bearings and distances to steer to a point of your choice, but also some towers (correct me if I'm wrong) have the needle that flicks around towards the transmition too which is quite handy! If in doubt, just speak out- that applies to everything in aviation

Have you done any solo navs yet?

Hi Hotdog,

No Solo Nav yet, hopefully very soon!

On a different note, my mate who I take flying every now and then was down at Wellesbourne today having lunch at the cafe during work. He was sat outside and it seems an aircraft was landing and somehow has come off the runway and crashed into the hedge / fence. Everybody seems ok, not sure about the aircraft.

Further to my mail above, the secretary at my club wrote back.

She reported that it was a student from our club flying one of the flagship aircraft (G-BSCY). Probably one of the nicest kitted our Warriors i've seen and the one that is nearly always fully booked.

Turns out a student was coming back from a Nav to Rugby and had problems landing, the aircraft veered off the runway. Nobody was injured, just shaken. The aircraft has gone out of service for a few months. At least everybody is ok thats the main thing!

Oops. The last thing your confidence needs as a student or any time for that matter. Like you say though at least he walked away

Indeed! I suppose it depends on your personality on whether you are a "get back on and ride" or a "never-again" person. For this you have no control I guess.

I know the situation on my first solo would have been too much for certain people. If I hadn't had a taste of crosswind landings in previous flights, I would have been stuck in the circuit.

Due to my friend reporting one wing lifting, I guess the landing might have been a slight crosswind and a gust may have caused the incident.

Im glad to hear people got out OK. I think you have to have the "get up and go" kind of attitude with aviation, because everyone, no matter how experienced you are has a bad day and makes a mistake. I occasionally have firm landings in the Airbus, I had multiple bad days on my flying lessons and even the most experienced captains still mess up. If you dont have the get up and go attitude then you will struggle with aviation in my opinion, because you never stop learning and part of learning is making mistakes... just dont make veering off the runways a habit though

Haha not so much a backtrack but a shortcut back to the terminal! 8o)

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