VFR Flight from Biggin Hill to Oxford
Another airport on my list to visit was Oxford/Kidlington. Not just to visit somewhere new, but for the challenges of flying through the congested airspace around Farnborough and Oxford as well as transiting military airspace, something I have not done before and only simulated in my RT practical exam.
After having to cancel the trip the day before due to strong gusting winds and heavy rain, the weather cleared allowing us to fly on Friday 4th August 2017.
Graham a fellow Alouette pilot who previously joined me for a flight to Sandown, Isle of Wight was in the co-pilot seat again for the outbound flight from Biggin Hill.
Recently I have been flying the PA28 to try and gain a few more hours and knowledge in a different aircraft type. Satisfied with my last 6 flights it was time to get back in the Cessna 172 after realising that I had not flow G-BRAK at all this year.
As I had not visited Oxford airport before, I agreed with Graham that I would fly the outbound leg and he would be pilot in command for the return journey. When I called for PPR at Oxford, they also informed me that they had an offer on with their landing and touch and go fees, so I got permission to complete 2 circuits on arrival.
After completing all of the paperwork and pre-flight checks, we got on our way. Departing from runway 21 at Biggin Hill, we made a right turn after take off routing to the west. After passing the gliding site at Kenley we contacted Farnborough Radar (West) for a Basic Service and to get permission to enter the Farnborough ATZ if needed. In the end we didn’t need to and we transited through the narrow gap between the Farnborough, Blackbushe and Heathrow airspace.
Next up was 
a first for me, one one of the reasons I wanted to fly this route. A MATZ penetration (transiting military airspace). The most direct route for us was to pass through the Benson MATZ and I was surprised at how easy it was. As we reached Reading, we contacted Benson Zone on the radio and were cleared to fly directly through their overhead at a minimum altitude of 2,300 feet.
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On reaching the Benson zone boundary we were handed over to Oxford Radar who were a quite busy and instructed us to hold over Oxford city while they dealt with the congestion. After receiving permission to proceed and with the field in sight, we were handed over to the tower who gave us the details to join left hand downwind.
I must admit, my initial join and positioning wasn’t good and I was fully aware of this to which the controller amusingly informed me that I was flying quite a “loose circuit”.
After two touch and go landings (with much better positioning) but battling a nasty crosswind on final approach, the last of which was with a 20 knot gust, we landed. We parked on the grass area adjacent to the main apron just in time before the heavens opened, so we headed to the cafe to get some well deserved lunch.
Watch the video on my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2rSUeuKOco