VFR flying in Kent on Battle of Britain Airshow weekend

As the RAF celebrated its 100th birthday, my new home base at Headcorn in Kent commemorated the 78th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with an airshow on Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July 2018. It was a massive celebration with food, drink and plenty of entertainment including displays of historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain era including Spitfires, Hurricanes, Tiger Moth, Harvard T6 and Dakota.

Knowing that these remarkable and historic aircraft would be arriving at Headcorn and practising their displays on Friday 29th June I booked out the Piper PA28-161 G-SEXX for the evening to take my father in law for a flight and try to have a look and get up close to some of the aircraft arriving for the airshow.

I really wasn’t disappointed! On my walk over to the PA28 to complete the pre-flight checks I asked those supervising if it would be possible to have a walk around the airfield and take a look at some of the aircraft. I was welcomed with open arms.

On my drive in to Headcorn I knew immediately that a Dakota had arrived. The road into the airfield crosses the final approach for runway 10 and the Dakota was seconds from touching down and it’s landing gear was far too close to the roof of my car than I was comfortable with.

So on my way to the PA28 the first aircraft I noticed and wanted to take a look at was the Dakota, probably the largest tail wheel aircraft I have ever seen! Then it was on to the Harvard T6, Hurricane and de Havilland Devon. What a privilige it was to get so close to these aircraft, I was truly honoured. I think my father in law was happy too as a retired photographer he appreciated this rare photo opportunity.

After this major distraction, I finally made it over to the PA28, completed the checks and refuelled the plane. Knowing that my father in law loves a photo opportunity, I planned a flight around some of the key points in Kent finishing with an orbit over his house before joining the circuit to land.

We departed from runway 10 to the east which placed us perfectly on track for our first waypoint at Ashford. On approaching Ashford the famous designer shopping outlet centre was clearly visible and it was here that I made contact with London Information who were extremely busy mainly working with aircraft returning from France.

Our next point of interest was Canterbury when we both immediately spotted the world famous Cathedral. We then continued north east and passed over the now disused airfield at Manston.

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Our route then took us east to the port of Ramsgate where we hugged the cost tracking round to Margate where the views were probably the most spectacular of the whole flight. Then it was on to Herne Bay and Whitstable where we left our coastal track and started to head back in land.

With the coast starting to leave us in the distance we passed over the town of Faversham, home to the brewery Shepherd Neame who create some of my favourite beers. As we were tracking south west the M20 motorway started to become visible in the distance which meant we were fast approaching Leeds Castle. I have visited the castle a number of times with my family and it is always a great sight from the sky.

After an orbit of Leeds Castle we made a quick visit towards Maidstone to spot both mine and my father in laws houses before heading back in the direction of Headcorn.

From about 5 miles away I had clearly spotted the airfield which can sometimes be quite difficult to fine until a lot closer. This time there were a mass of cars, tents, stalls and aircraft which made things a lot easier. I joined left hand downwind for runway 10.

I briefly thought that I might have to go around while I was on final approach as another aircraft decided to line up in front of me. After requesting that they expedite their departure the aircraft concerned made took off with enough time for me to land.

After a smooth touch down, I realised that I am still getting used to my new surroundings at Headcorn. I was asked by the Air/Ground operator to park the PA28 in an unfamiliar part of the airfield so that it was out of the way for the airshow starting the next morning. With some brief instructions I followed another aircraft heading to the same area and then shut down the engine.

A really enjoyable flight and a real honour to get so close to so many historic aircraft. The airshow was also amazing with some great displays.

Here are the pictures from the airshow weekend:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/pplvideodiary/photos/?tab=album&album_id=991590861023314

Credit to my father in law Roger Spencer for a number of the photos above. You can view more of his photos on his Flickr page

Watch the video on my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSYvkB0hB-g