Flying Families » Route Plan

Angelsey

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:55:47 +0000

The breadbasket of Wales in former times is the idyllic setting for your next vacation. The Isle of Anglesey is located off the northwest coast of Wales near the beautiful and scenic Snowdonia Mountain Range. Two picturesque bridges connect the isle to the mainland – the Menai Bridge and the Britannia Bridge. There are several thriving towns on the island and it boasts the village with the longest name – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch but is known by the name of Llanfair. The name was given to the village back in the nineteenth century to attract tourists to the area. Here you can purchase many small souvenirs related to the village name.

If you are interested in historic landmarks, you have to visit Beaumaris, one of the most scenic towns in all of Wales, where you will see one of the castles built by Edward 1 after he defeated the Welsh princes. The castle has a moat around it where boats could actually enter the moat directly from the sea. While in Beaumaris, you can visit historic pubs such as the 15^th century Old Bull’s Head and the Tudor Rose. It is the most symmetrical castle in England with four successive lines of fortification. The courthouse dates back to the 17^th century and is still used on occasion. The Victorian style houses and the half-timbered houses are truly a sight to behold.

On the north shore of Anglesey, you will find Cemlyn Bay, where you can spend a relaxing day at the beach. A wildlife sanctuary runs along a two mile stretch of this beach. If you would like to take a stroll, you can visit the picturesque stone quay or take a walk along the spectacular cliffs.

Have you ever wanted to get a view of Ireland? This is possible if you visit Holy Island, and you climb Holyhead Mountain. You will also see the Isle of Man, Cumbria, Snowdonia and Anglesey, itself. You will also be able to visit the Cruciform Church of St. Cybi that dates back to the 13^th century.

The beach at Penmon is very stony and not conducive to sunbathing, but children enjoy tossing the stones into the ocean or watching the waves roll ashore. The island boasts a seabird sanctuary on the remains of a Norman church. Just inland, you can visit Penmon Priory, an abbey that has lasted for well over a thousand years. You can see the Holy Well, which was the baptismal place of many saints.

Anglesey has been the seat of Celtic culture for many years and the residents pride themselves on their Druid heritage. Most of the people on the island speak Welsh. The scenery is one of small villages and farms where there are many varied activities you can partake of. Boating, birdwatching, golfing or just strolling along the coastal paths is very enjoyable.

The Museum of Childhood is a popular haunt for children and adults. There are 9 rooms, each with a different theme and browsing the exhibits will surely bring back memories. Some of the exhibits date back 150 years from teddy bears and toys to furniture.

The small towns and markets provide a delight to all shoppers. Many local crafts are form sale at the specialty stores and there are also gift stores at the popular tourist attractions. You can choose one of the many cottages available for rent, stay at a bed and breakfast or indulge yourself at a luxurious hotel.

Once you make up your mind to visit Anglesey and decide who to take with you, it is almost guaranteed that you will return many times.

http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/

http://www.wales-calling.com/guide/anglesey.htm

Why Visit Alderney?

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 02:07:46 +0000

Forty Seven miles from the UK and only eight miles off the coast of Normandy, Alderney is three and a half miles long and one and a half miles wide. The population of around 2400 lives mostly in the single town of St Annes. Seafood abounds and the annual seafood festival is well worth a visit.

As well as stretches of sand, Alderney is a haven of peace and tranquillity famous for its birds and plants which appear on the islands highly collectable stamps,. Most famous is the ‘blonde’ hedgehog, a beautiful animal with beady black eyes, creamy spines and a complete lack of fleas!

For pilots Alderney has another fascination. Although owing allegiance to the Crown, the island, like the other ‘Channel’ islands is outside the EU and provides an opportunity to ‘learn the ropes’ of international flight while using an English speaking, GA friendly airport.

{mosimage} Alderney airport was built in 1938 to serve all the Channel islands. Information about the airport and its facilities can be gained from the Airport Manager – Keith Webster: Tel +44 (0)1481 822624 – Fax +44 (0)1481 823005.

The history of Alderney is equally fascinating.. From Neolithic beginnings to the islands unusual association with the UK, Alderney has a unique history. In the last war German Occupiers forced all the islanders to abandon their homes, a situation which would have seen the demise of many communities. Alderney has risen again largely due to the determination of the 2000 plus residents and now, despite a high cost of living, enjoys a low tax environment which makes the island attractive as a tax haven.

Alderney Events.

Alderney is only a short ‘hop’ away across the channel and makes an easy day, or even lunch trip from the southern UK.

Regular Events

Each year Alderney stages three memorable events which are worth a visit.

1) The seafood Festival in May. Wonderfully fresh seafood cooked by experts and very reasonably priced.
2) The Alderney Fly-in in June each year is a chance for pilots to get together and enjoy the island.
3) The Alderney Air Races. Usually held in November, just before the long doldrums of winter these might represent a last opportunity to spread your wings.

For more details see the official Alderney web site at www.visitalderney.com

Why Visit Alderney?

If you love beaches, and especially if you have children, the island of Alderney may be the ideal destination for you. Surrounded by long spectacular stretches of sand, Alderney is one place where you can be sure that children are safe, and you’ll find nothing in the sand or rock pools that nature didn’t put there. Longis Bay, guarded by a wall left over from the German occupation of the island, is one of the safest. The wall provides protection from the northerly wind and the water is the warmest around the island.

How To Get To Cambridge

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:11:25 +0000

If you’ve read our articles about Cambidge we’re sure you’ll want to go there.
Getting to Cambridge is a breeze. We all have our own methods of getting from A to B, here, for what it’s worth is how I would approach the journey.

Departing Wycombe make your starting point the Stokenchurch mast, adjusting your course from 06/24 or 17/35 to arrive at the mast ready for your en-route segment, having departed the Wycombe area to the North. Track towards Aylesbury, taking care to avoid Halton and Aylesbury Thame. Aylesbury is quite easy to see but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have dialled in HEN (433.5) to make sure that it was to your right at all times. That should keep you on the straight and narrow. This Northerly route does take you quite close to some of Luton’s Class D airspace, which comes down to 2500 feet, so make sure your cruising level is below this and that you have the right pressure setting on your altimeter. This minor ‘gotcha’ is preferrable to following a route South of Luton because you’d be forced to ‘squeeze’ through the gap between Luton and Standstead. OK I know the gap is still 5 or 6 nm wide at its narrowest point, but then everybody else is going through this gap and at very similar heights! Best avoided if you have the choice.

On the run up to Cambridge turn right at Cranfield and use the CFD VOR as an additional guide and keep that dialled in with the appropriate heading. Incidentally as you pass Cranfield you should easily be able to see the VRP Stewartby Brickworks and the circular track that is a vehicle proving ground. Then route over Biggleswade. This town is quite distinctive with a curving road to the South West and a railway line straight through the middle of it. This will keep you away from Henlow and thread you nicely between Duxford and Little Gransden and Bourn. CAM NDB will also help to get you there without mis-hap.

Finally avoid the Laser site on the Western side of the Cambridge airfield, you wouldn’t want to be shot down by a Star Wars laser. The rest is joining and landing. The easy bit. Make sure you’ve called up before you leave for Cambridge and take careful note of the parking arrangements. Very methodical. Oh and make sure you have substantial readies for the Landing

and parking fees, currently (March 06) Landing for a 172/182 is £19.00 and overnight parking is £9.40

Make sure to check NOTAMs, weather, weight and balance and check with a flying instructor if in any doubt. Make sure all your frequencies are up to date and have as much pre-selected before setting off. As a diversion I’d select Duxford so make sure to have the airport sheets for Cambridge and Duxford (or your chosen alternative).

However you get there you’ll find Cambridge an interesting destination. Fly safely!

Alderney Events 2007

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:45:32 +0000

Alderney Seafood Festival: 10 – 20 May 2007
The annual Alderney Seafood Festival takes place from 10 to 20 May and is the island’s biggest culinary event, with Alderney’s chefs working extra hard to create exciting new recipes for the 10 day celebration of seafood. The finest mouth watering dishes are prepared and served in participating restaurants, with meals ranging from shellfish such as delicious lobster, crab and moules (mussels) to tasty fish dishes of sea bass, plaice, turbot and sole as well as many other seafood delicacies and a seafood special of the day, guaranteed to appeal to every taste.

Salon Culinaire : 23 May 2007

The Salon Culinaire is a highly competitive event where the island’s finest amateur and professional chefs compete for the best dish in any of the ten categories or indeed for the best dish in show. There is both a Junior and Senior section so anyone of any age can enter the competition. Spectators are also welcome. The Boat House (The Moorings) from 12 midday to 5pm.

Adventures on Dinosaur Island

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:36:17 +0000

To show how the views of the passenger and pilot are vastly different we present here a journey to Bembridge from the point of view of both.

The Pilot

I don’t like last minute changes! I like to plan things ahead of time. That way there are fewer surpises. But guess what! Even carefully developed plans have to be changed at the last minute.

Plan change 1. I had planned to take my son and friend to Bembridge to the dinosaur museum. Unfortunately the granted permission to take the friend was revoked the evening before. Single pilot operations are not to be trusted apparently. Ah well! Another marketing challenge. So it was a daughter instead of a son.

Plan change 2. The last stage of my planning is usually the personal briefing. What’s this! The Red Arrows in my path! And at the same time as I would be there! Another last minute change. The extra workload in changing the pilot log and uploading to my GPS and eyeballing the route all added to the time to leave.

Still, having learnt my lesson from the last trip to avoid the renter’s hurry up, I allocated an extra hour to my booking, which should allow plenty of time for a visit to the museum, a leisurely lunch and relaxed flight back (now avoiding those Red Arrows).

The weather was as good as could be expected. Light winds from the North, and no significant weather. Luckily I was recently re-familiarized with the 35 grass runway at Wycombe and was getting some ‘greasers’ in (can you have greasers on grass?)

The down-side, of course, with good weather is that everybody else is flying as well. There was even a queue at the pumps. A bit like real life? Soon after departing Wycombe with my passenger nicely ensconced (and now getting fairly blase about the passenger briefing “Of course I know not talk when air traffic control are talking”).

Changing frequency to Farnborough radar for the FIS was sensible (especially with the Red Arrows about – and everybody in the air). Then the problem for the day became clear. Farnborough were so busy that all I could hear from them was

“G-ABCD, standby BREAK BREAK, G-WACY Standby, BREAK BREAK, G-RGAP Standby”.

You get the picture. This poor air traffic controller was completely flooded with calls. I Stood by as requested and kept silent, patiently waiting my turn (See Figure 1 – Circling Reading). Did I dare squeeze past Farnborough with the Red Arrows squeezing everybody to the West into a small funnel of traffic without speaking to Farnborough? No way. I waited. And waited. And waited. And called again. Eventually Squawk assigned and 2,400 set I made it past Farnborough. A good lookout was of course mandatory here. No sign of the Red Arrows however.

My daughter seemed intrigued by all the football matches she managed to watch from above. I asked her who was winning.

“The red ones just scored”

At the end of her duty shift the Farnborough controller went of shift (and got many thanks from pilots, who couldn’t understand how she coped).

With Farnborough far behind and Bembridge beckoning we made a smooth right base approach to runway 30. Nearly made it without having to backtrack to the taxi way. Maybe next time.

The Isle of Wight is packed with attractions, but we just headed for one. The Dinosaur museum. OK it’s not the Natural History museum, but it has some good exhibits and is near to many other attractions, including a beach if you have the time.

The journey back was timed to avoid the Red Arrows in time (we would be nearest to their area after their show had finished) and in space (we were at least 10 nm from the zone designated for their use). The best part of the journey back was the sleeping passenger. This is the passenger who many moons ago inspired me to start Flying Families by screaming her head off on an abortive flight to Jersey and distracting me enough to get me into the London Zone. This very same person was sleeping like a baby, while I brought my Cessna steed gently back down to earth to sweetly kiss the grass.

“Oh have we arrived”.

“Yes, we sure have”

Dinosaur Island II

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:31:38 +0000

Last Sunday I went on another plane trip with my Dad, this time to the Isle of Wight. I had not been there before, but we have been taught about it at school. Lots of fossils and dinosaurs were discovered on the Isle of Wight, and so I was looking forward to seeing the dinosaur museum.

The trip was a little bit longer than an hour, and I think it’s definitely worth it. There was a great view of the sea from the aeroplane and I got to watch lots of football, again from the plane! Once again we were working against time as we had to get the plane back – we really needed to stay longer.

The museum is good, there a several good exhibits which are very informative. The downside is that some of the interactive stuff was broken and if you dared to put your hand in the holes they had gum stuck in them. Yuck! The gift shop is terrible unless you want to buy keychains or silly moving toys. There is some good art work in the gallery in the museum which is worth looking at. I bought dominos, that was how bad the gift shop was.

There is a lovely beach and many shops where you can buy ice creams and stuff. {mosimage}There are quite a few places to eat, if you like fast food, and at least one place that looks like it’s a posh restaurant next to the museum. Right next to the museum is a crazy golf and the day we were there there was also a carnival. There is a really nice gift shop with hats and china animals, and there are stands where you can get buckets and spades and basically all you need for a hot day on the beach. Refreshment places are everywhere, but be sure to take enough time so you won’t be rushed like we were!

St Malo

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:26:31 +0000

Once you have made that first international trip (probably to the Channel Islands) you can extend your rnage easily by taking in some of the fascinating destinations on the French coast. St Malo makes a great choice for a Flying Family as it provides a chance for the kids to practice their French while you enjoy the local resturants and all enjoy the ambience and history of this old fortress city which was once an independent republic.
St Malo is a small town (pop 50,000) situated at the mouth of the river Rance in Brittany. Orignally an island fortress, it commands the entrance to the river as well as the open sea. The fortress dates back to pre Roman times, but the towns heyday is more medieval and later when it became a home to the Corsairs who preyed on English and other ships in the Channel.

The City has a proud if scandalous history as a seafaring and pirate base and was home to Jacques Cartier, discoverer of Canada. The City was also the source of the original colonists of the Falkland Islands.

Things to See

The Aquarium (s)
the grand aquairum is one of the finest in France the aquairum of St Malo is round, giving unique views of the inhabitants! The Intra Muros Aquarium is also unique, this time for being built into the City walls! It contains thousands of fish varieties.

The Cathedral
Like much of the old town, the Cathdral suferred a great deal of damage during the Normandy landings in the second world war. Again like the old town, the citizens have laboured to restore it and the result is a Cathedral which is again justly famous for its Celtic feel.

Fort National
The 17th century fort which once defended the city from invaders. In later years the fort, which is jsut off shore, was used as a prison.

The Cape Horn Museum
A celebration of Maritime exploration this museum contains many exhibits relating to the seafaring, and especially to those explorers who managed to round Cape Horn without the use of modern technology.

The Ramparts
a great place to enjoy the old walled city and some excellent sea views. The bay has the highest tides in Europe, especially in spring.

What to eat

The speciality of the town is Oysters. St Malo has one of the largest concentrations of seafood restaurants in Europe. We’ve heard good things about Duchesse Anne, tel 0299408533
Tucked away in the ramparts at the Place Guy La Chambre entrance, Duchess Anne is the pretiest restaurant in St Malo and possibly also the best. The turbot Florentine is famous.
Also try the local speciality, Breton crêpes( pancakes) at Chez Gaby on rue Dinan.

How to Get There

Cross the Channel, fly west along the coast of Normandy and enjoy the sight of Mont Saint Michel from the air as you cross the border into Brittany and the beitiful walled city of St Malo.

Wycombe To Southend

admin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:50:02 +0000

Wycombe

Make sure to have Bovingdon dialled into your navigational aids and CHT at
Maple Cross will also be useful. LAM of course is essential for this trip
as is SND at Southend.
Start by eye-balling it to the Stokenchurch mast, waving goodbye to Wycombe,
“Departing your area to the North”
By the mast you should be trimmed and ready for the cruise phase of your
flight. Track eastward towards Bovingdon, keeping CHT pointing to your
right. Amersham and Chesham are really good landmarks as is the famous car
park at Amersham. Keep a look out for the NHBC head-quarters. When you pass

Potters Bar

Bovingdon, (take care not to pass right over this beacon, it’s a honey pot).
I’d suggest you pass it on the right. The M25 now becomes a easy line feature
to follow, and it’s going in the right direction. You can try talking to Elstree,
“Elstree Radio, G-BIPL, Cessna 172 at Bovingdon heading 100 degres, 2400 1013
request Basic Service”.
They might not be very interested but you might hear about some activity from
Elstree, it’s quite a busy airfield and most aircraft arrive and depart to the
North, just the area you’re going into.

Southend

Potters Bar Golf Course VRP
As you head towards Potters Bar keep an eye out for the Golf Course VRP. As
you pass Potters Bar keep the M25 clearly visible, keep it to the North of you
and you will not stray into Stanstead’s area. By now you should also have tuned

in LAM and be not far from it. The lakes are a great landmark, although the
water in them can make it very hazy on warm days. Give Stapleford a call, say
hello to G-OSFC (my first solo) and track towards Southend. Keep below the
London TMA (2500).

Southend
Southend has a very large runway and is reasonably easy to spot from a distance.
The NDB will keep you apprised of the distance to run. Give Southend a call at
Billericay.
“Southend Approach, G-BIPL, Cessna 172 from Wycombe to Southend at Billericay,
2100 1013, request joining instructions”.
I’d suggest an overhead join or straight in approach, but you’ll get any advice
you need from Southend. They’re very friendly there. Remember that big runways
can cause optical illusions for pilots used to small runways, so land carefully,
do not flare at 50 feet!
Welcome to Southend. Nice GA area, plenty of things to see 24H operation. What
more could you want?