Adam Rahnavard, who is currently undergoing flight training for his Private Pilot’s Licence at Multiflight Flight Training Centre at Leeds Bradford International Airport, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK, has been keeping us up-to-date with his progress through this flight training blog. His latest PPL flight training has seen him complete his PPL solo cross country, which he says was without question the most enjoyable part of his PPL flight training to date. You can read all about this solo cross country flight here…
Adam says: “It had been a week since Paul and I had completed the cross country route dual so I was booked in regularly waiting for the next day where the weather was settled and clear enough across the north of England. Despite very sunny conditions there had been a lot of haze and visibility quite poor. The day finally arrived where the conditions were suitable to go ahead.
Before I went to check the aircraft out I was required to go through a detailed pre-flight brief in preparation. As my regular instructor Paul was on a few days leave this was down to Lee who kindly gave the time to go through things in detail. This is the key thing about flight training and Multiflight in that whilst most students do stay with the same instructor for continuity, when necessary the other instructors can step in to the breach and are always ready to help to keep the flight training going.
Lee explained the significance of the detailed brief given the importance of the flight. We went through everything from the weather at all locations, NOTAMs, route plan and contingency options. This was very re-assuring and I felt very ready for the flight. Lee was happy with everything and signed me out and allowed me to check the aircraft and set off when I was ready. I checked it out and started up ‘Delta Tango’ before requesting my departure clearance.
Cleared for take off on runway 32 I was ready to go and excited at the prospect. Before too long I steered on to a heading of 030, for Harrogate, as this would be the zone exit point and the start of my first leg up to Teeside airport. Once clear of the zone I moved frequencies to Leeming in anticipation of a MATZ penetration and a basic service either side. It was very busy so Leeming asked that I went to Linton for my basic service and came back to them upon reaching Ripon so I could get the MATZ penetration. Linton duly obliged and overhead Ripon I moved frequencies to Leeming, primarily as I would need permission to transit two RAF bases, both at Topcliffe and Leeming. The zone entry point for Teeside was Northallerton and as there was not much time upon reaching it to move from Leeming to Durham Radar and permission to enter controlled airspace. This was however very straightforward and I was given immediate clearance to enter the zone by Durham and told to position for a right base runway 05 join. Having been before it was fresh in my mind where I was going. I did have a second to ponder the fact that the pressure was now on, what I mean is the key parts of the solo x country nav is you are signed of by ATC as having made a decent communication, approach and landing at their airport. I did not dwell on this as I felt confident I was well planned and knew what was required. My landing was good and I was asked to taxi the light aircraft part of the airport and await being collected by pick up mini-bus. This is standard procedure at Durham Tees. After I had shut down I was picked up and taken to the ATC tower. This was really good as I had never been to an ATC tower before and it was good to see it all in action as well as being able to view my aircraft nicely parked on the apron. ATC signed me off as ‘good’ for both airmanship and landing which was pleasing. I booked out with them while I was there and was then taken back out to my aircraft: so far so good.
As the runway was again 05 I did have quite a way to taxi to the start of it but before too long was on my way down the runway for a right turn out. The exit point to depart via was the small village of Stokesley: not the easiest place to find but again having been before I was confident I could find it again and did do with a few minutes. Overhead Stokesley it was time to set heading for Humberside Airport with what would be the longest leg of 32 min and over 50miles. This part of North Yorks is fairly sparse but I did have features such as Castle Howard and Full Sutton Airfield to confirm I was on track which I was. Again, all was thankfully going to plan; the only thing being the airways were very busy and this became very apparent when I moved frequencies from Durham to Linton for a basic service down to Humberside. There was a lot of traffic about so I needed to concentrate even more.
I had a marker on my map two thirds of the way down to move frequencies to Humber in anticipation of my next test. Humberside on contact asked me to route in straight via Elsham Wolds and position down wind for a left hand runway 02 join. Visibility was good so I could see the airfield fairly quickly. It was a bit of a surprise though feeling the wind pick up as I went over the Humber estuary and obviously a bit nearer the North Sea. Without further a do I positioned on final and made a decent landing on runway 02. I taxied to the main apron and was asked to park behind one of the large helicopters. The set up is a little different at Humberside and after shutdown put on my high vis vest and walked around to the terminal building where one of the air traffic controllers came down and I was again signed off as ‘good’ for both airmanship and landing. I decided to have a break and a drink and quietly contemplated the fact I had achieved what I had set out for in terms of ATC sign off. There was still of course the small matter of getting back to Leeds.
Runway 02 was still in use so entering via ‘Bravo’ meant I was at the wrong end so was cleared to back track which means basically drive the aircraft all the way down the runway before turning round ready for take off. Cleared for take off with a left hand turn I set off back for Leeds, via Acaster Malbis disused airfield. Once over the Humber I moved frequencies from Humberside to Church Fenton as I again needed a basic service and a MATZ penetration over the RAF base to the North. This was granted and before long I was overhead Acaster Malbis and turning on to route back to Leeds via Eccup reservoir. I moved to Leeds radar upon crossing the A1 as I was clear of the MATZ and was given clearance to enter and position for left base runway 14. The runway had changed round while I was out. It was still very busy at Leeds so I was required to extend the downwind leg before turning in. Another good landing and I was soon taxiing back to Multiflight, mission completed.
I did not realise how tired I was now until I got out of the aircraft but I felt very proud with what I had achieved. With the solo x country now done the form I had signed by ATC just needed signing by Andy Todd, Multiflight’s Chief Flying Instructor (CFI). Fortunately he was there and signed it for me before placing the form on my file. This form with all the signatures on will need to go to the CAA as part of my eventual licence application to prove I completed it to the required standard.
The flight was without doubt the most enjoyable of my PPL flight training at the Multiflight Flight Training Centre and allowed me to bring everything together, proving to myself I really could fly and was developing good competence as a pilot. Not over yet though as the Skills test beckons. Next lesson is general handling revision and I still have 1hr 30mins solo left to do to take me up to 10hrs solo for the PPL. This will probably be after the mock test, and the final skills test if that is all ok.
Not far off now…..”