Visiting my friend as surprise for her birthday, it was clear that there would be some time where I would have to entertain myself as she would be at work.
Well, what else to do but arrange for a flight over my old home country? I used to live in the South of the UK after my studies for 3 great years – probably an experience which added to my travelling bug later on.
Already the drive from Liss/Petersfield to the Flying School at Goodwood Chichester Airfield is worth the trip. Lovely little country roads going up, down, left and right through the soft landscape of the Southdowns. Arriving you feel transported back in time with the traditional Goodwood sign at the entrance and old cars and planes whereever you look.
Runways and flying facilities are located in the middle of the racetrack – so you will be seeing it all!
After a very friendly welcome and the ever so English cup of tea we head off to the toy of the day: G – HLOB a Cessna 172 with glass cockpit. Wow – this came as a surprise and as a first to me. Glass I had only seen from the back seat so far, and I do admit that my eyes traveled more often to the traditional instruments located on the right dashboard side than to the screens. I guess in the end this will be like driving a new car, you will get used to the changed setup, but don’t underestimate the change and how used one gets to traditional setups in the cockpit.
My safety pilot for the day is Joe. We agree quickly that I will not bother with the radio to have more time to enjoy the surrounding, however, setup and procedures are discussed during the relaxed flying parts for additional learning. But our route is easy anyway, only connecting to Goodwood and Southhampton on the way, not to any of the LARS areas covering the UK low areas via radio and about which I heard so much before (“Make sure you tell them what information you want exactly, otherwise you either do not hear them at all or they will drive you crazy with contacts!”).
So off we go, heading North towards Midhurst where we turn left to my old hometown Liss. Has the drive already been wonderful the area looks even better from the air. Big fields stretch over th
e hills and finally the dark clouds which jeopardized the adventure all morning long start to break and we watch a lovely sunshine display on the lush green. Liss with its big open ground nursery (my old workplace) has its own attraction. How neat and clean the fields look from 1.500 ft above. Following the A3 southwards we escape the actual NOTAMs due to Farnborough airshow which start only a bit further North
, next sightseeing stop are the Docklands of Portmouth with the Navi ships and the Portsmouth Spinnaker as landmark. From here it is only a short hop over the water to the Isle of Wight where again the mix of green fields, sandy coasts, Caribean blue waters and memories let emotions come up.
Isn’t my old home so stunning and beautiful?!
Heading westwards unfortunately the clouds pick up and get lower and lower. So when we finally reach the West end of the Isle where I hoped to do a 360 over the Needles chalk cliffs, we find ourselves on 800 ft and clouds still below which do not even allow a peak on this famous sight. However, in true chick’s spirit I just decide this means I have to come back soon for another round in the area!
Time to head back, this time along the South coast of the main land as clouds are moving in more and more from the sea. With a strong tailwind, we are abeam Goodwood in no time, but Joe convinces me that I can definitely not finish without a quick rounds over Arundel castle – and damn, he is right. On the ground, this castle from the 11th century seems pretty big and impressive, from the air it is simply stunning. The whole village around is it kept in the old style, so be ready for some weird feelings when you mix modern times in a plane with these traditional buildings in your view.
And then it is definitely time to return – unfortunately no Spittys taking off when we get close. I would have loved to meet them in the air, at least I watched some take offs earlier on already. Overflying the area and joining the circuit gives more great views and butterflies in the stomach, race circuit, grandstand and mansions…it all looks so English….and sooooo cool! After the landing Joe insists to fill up with fuel again, not really necessary as I find out, he just did not want me to miss the old fuel station which really has its own charme.
Conclusion of the day: the UK is an easy country to fly in (when you avoid complicated entry procedures arriving by car and simply renting a plane locally) and with its ever changing views of fields, woods, historic towns and coast line a beautiful experience both from the ground as from the sky!
