How to get to Avebury

This is a very simple flight and all the more fun for it! Assuming a westerly wind you will probably take off from R/W 24. You can continue the climb straight ahead and you should see the distinctive bend in the river and Henley-on-Thames straight ahead. Henley should probably be your initial navigational point for this short journey.
Once at your cruising height identify the CPT VOR and set up the DME associated with it. By now you should be just North of Reading which the CPT VOR and DME should confirm. As you get further from Wycombe Air Park, at the weekend it’s prudent to change frequency to Brize Radar for a Flight Service. In our case we got a flight information Service and continued towards the CPT beacon. Once you pass over the beacon (or slightly to the side) you should be tracking away from CPT and again this beacon will be a good confirmation of your position. The co-incident DME at Compton will also help you keep track of your progress.

Within a short time you will pass the disused airfield of Wittle and on a track of roughly 260 degrees you will cross the M4. Marlborough will soon appear ahead and is very distinctive, surrounded on all sides by greenery and with the widest high street in the UK. When you are at Marlborough, turn due West, but be watchful of micro-lights just to the West of Marlborough. Be on the look out for Silbury Hill and make sure that you do not fly into the Lyneham MATZ, which at Silbury hill is just 2-3 miles from the edge of the zone. Make sure to time you Westward leg from Marlborough so that you do not go further West than you need to if you miss Silbury Hill (which would be difficult). You may also get a reminder from Brize about remaining clear of the zone! When you reach Silbury Hill you can turn North and before you know it (about a mile) you’ll see Avebury with its standing stones ahead, or more likely right under the nose.

Travelling North from Silbury Hill again puts you on a course into the Lyneham zone. Do not go further North than Avebury and you’ll be clear of the zone. Once you’ve achieved your objective reverse your course, South to Silbury Hill and East towards Marlborough. From Marlborough track towards CPT. Once at Henley again join the Wycombe circuit as directed by ATC or take a more leisurely route round to Princes Risborough for a Right base join for R/W 24. The entire flight should take no more than 1.5 hours brakes off to brakes on.