Today I completed my PPL Qualifying cross country flight. I feel quite lucky, as it’s quite often that pilots wait several weeks to get the weather required to fly the required 150nm distance. But alas - it is done!
I departed Newcastle at 08:45z in GBRJV, and routed West towards Stagshaw VRP. I was advised that the Spadeadam danger zone was active, and so routed further South than my intended route. From there, it was a hazy journey to Carlisle - and then onwards to Silloth A/D. The visibility was quite good at altitude, but a complete cloud covering at around 4000ft, and a generally light misty atmosphere made it seem worse than it was. The ‘extension’ of the flight to Silloth was to ensure I had the necessary distance on the flight, and after the 20 minute flight from overhead Carlisle to Silloth and back, i’d officially been further than i’d ever flown before!
After a ‘Good’ landing and ‘Excellent’ airmanship (Air traffic control’s words, not mine!), I parked up on stand 2A at Carlisle and went inside the operations room to get my first signature and stamp of the day! The main objective of the cross country flight is to land at 2 other aerodromes than your base, and complete a flight of over 150 nautical miles. As just mentioned, at each aerodrome you get a small report from the controllers, detailing how well you did in your time under their control, which is sent to the aviation authority along with your application for a license.
At precisely 10:00z I departed Carlisle airport and routed East towards Hexham, once again tracking overhead the Tyne and Haltwhistle to avoid the danger area. Once overhead Hexham, I steered South East and routed past Derwent Reservoir, Consett and headed directly for the main zone entry reference point at Durham, the Sedgefield racecourse. I was given a clearance to enter the zone, and promptly looked for the prominent reservoir just North of Durham Tees Valley airport. The runway in use was 23, so the reservoir lined me up nicely for right base.
After an ‘Excellent’ landing, and ‘Excellent’ airmanship, I taxied to stand 13 and awaited the handling agent (Midwest) to take me to operations. I paid my landing fee of £24.00 (!!) and handling fee of £5, and then proceeded this time to Durham tower, to get my sheet signed. Once I stepped up into the actual tower, there was an eerie silence, only broken by the faint chatter of the two controllers on duty, and sliding of aircraft strips. With this signature, my certificate was complete, and it was time to jump back into the aircraft and head back home. The 15 minute leg back to Newcastle was rather uneventful, aside from a Canadian pilot navigating the ‘Hexham Gap’ and Newcastle Radar warning me of a ‘Pretty big plane’ which would be passing overhead my position. He however assured me it wouldn’t be less than 1000ft above me - which is always a nice thing to know!
The landing at Newcastle was quite smooth, with a 9 knot crosswind from the left, compensated for with a bit of crabbing. Expedited due to to traffic on final behind me, I vacated onto Foxtrot and the flying school apron, ending my cross country flight!
I feel quite at home with the local area from the skies now. When I first started my lessons, everything would (inevitable pun) fly by. Now i’ve become accustomed to spotting features and towns without even needing to think about it. It’s quite encouraging, knowing that in 12 or so flying hours time, i’ll be a qualified private pilot!
Cross Country Certificate
