Cross channel check flight – Headcorn to Le Touquet

Since moving base to Headcorn around 2 years ago, one of the things I have been meaning to do for some time is to complete the clubs requirement to do a cross channel check flight. I wanted to get this done sooner rather than later so that I had the full freedom to fly into Europe for a few day trips when the better and warmer weather starts to arrive.

Given the recent appalling weather at the start of 2020, I wasn’t holding out much hope, but with a day booked off work and my instructor/examiner and the PA28 available, I thought I would hold the date. I am glad I did! Although the airfield was still very wet, it was operational and the wind was strong but still within limits. On top of that the cloud base was not a problem and the visibility was at 10km or more.

With the aircraft booked from 13:00, I got to the airfield early to do all of the paperwork. First the flight plan. I had already plotted the route the night before so it was just a matter of adding the timings and submitting it online. Next up it was the GAR form for UK Border Force on our return back to Headcorn.

With all of that complete, I gathered all of the aircraft documents as required and proceeded to check out the plane. With no problems there, we just needed some fuel and we were ready to go.

We departed from runway 28 with the aircraft configured for a short field take off and we were off the ground in no time at all.

We knew the first part of the flight would be busy, so on passing 1,000 feet and in a stable climb we changed frequency to London Information in order for them to activate our flight plan. Once they confirmed that this was done we changed to Lydd Approach for a Basic Service.

We reported when overhead the airfield at Lydd and then while coasting out they asked us to report 10 miles south east of the airfield.

As we started our channel crossing, we really noticed the tail wind taking effect and were getting speeds of up to 135 knots. This meant it took no time at all for us to reach 10 miles south east of Lydd. At this point we were asked to contact Le Touquet tower for our approach information.

Before contacting the tower, we listened to the ATIS information. If found the radio signal quite poor which meant it was quite difficult to completely understand the information given. So I made sure I had heard correctly but confirming the details with my instructor.

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We then contacted the tower who initially only gave us a squawk code. With no further communication and fast approaching the controlled airspace around the airfield, my instructor thought it would be a good idea to give the controller a gentle nudge. He came straight back and cleared us to join the circuit on the right hand downwind leg.

As we approached the French coast at Boulogne Harbour we made a right turn on track to Le Touquet. As our flight was on a Wednesday at the end of February, the circuit was very quiet, something that is most definitely very different in the spring and summer at the weekends.

We joined the right hand downwind leg with only a helicopter on short final to worry about. The approach got slightly more challenging as we turned onto final approach when the winds picked up and became quite turbulent. With a bit more concentration needed, the landing was actually reasonably smooth.

We then contacted the ground frequency and given that the airfield was almost empty, we were told to park the PA28 anywhere we like. So we shut down the aircraft and then proceeded to the French Border Force desks for our passports to be checked before heading to the restaurant for a quick drink and a debrief on the flight with my instructor.

It was only a short stop at Le Touquet and after our quick refreshment we spent the time until our flight plan could be activated discussing our plan for the return trip to Headcorn.

Watch the video on my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtgmvASEhIc