Wycombe To Southend

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

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.

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?