Short VFR flight from Headcorn to Lydd
One of the things I have really missed since moving base from Biggin Hill to Headcorn, is the full air traffic control service and the process and procedures that go with it. A concern I had when I moved to Headcorn is that all of the training I had previously done around these procedures would end up being forgotten.
Wednesday 1st August was another perfect day for flying and wanted to land away somewhere I could practice all of these procedures. So after finishing work I planned a short 15 minute flight direct to Lydd with my dad who loves coming along for these trips and is already a familiar face from some of my previous YouTube videos.
I choose Lydd not only because it is a short distance from Headcorn and with the late afternoon flight many other airfields would be closing by the time I got there. Biggin Hill was another option but these days they are not hugely accommodating to light aircraft especially if you are not based there. The main reason was also to reflect back on my time training for my PPL, I visited Lydd a number of times and it was a stop on my qualifying cross country. I have always loved the approach and views going out to sea for runway 21 and realised that it had actually been over 3 years since I last visited the airfield.
I booked the Cessna 172 G-ATWJ for the trip. Although WJ is not the newest or most powerful of aircraft, I absolutely love flying her and she is comfortable and reliable. We already had enough fuel for the trip, so no further delays in having to top up the tanks, so after completing the pre-flight checks and hooking up all of the cameras we we’re good to go.
We took off from runway 28 and with a left hand circuit in use we departed the circuit on the crosswind leg heading south east towards Lydd.
As it was only a short flight there was no need to speak with Farnborough Radar on the radio, so we changed directly to Lydd Approach. The approach procedure for aircraft joining from the north it to make first contact when in the vicinity of Tenterden, which is 12 miles from the Lydd overhead, but only 5 miles south of Headcorn.
On first contact we were given a conspicuity squawk and asked to report with 4 miles to run to the airfield. On reaching 4 miles we were the only aircraft joining the circuit and were asked to report when overhead the airfield.
As per the approach guidelines in AIP, we approached the overhead at 1,500 feet on the QNH as the airfield is at sea level and descended to circuit height of 1,000 feet on the cross wind leg.
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Due to the danger areas around Dungeness a sharp left turn is needed on the crosswind leg to cut part of the corner of the circuit. The downwind leg takes you out to sea and is my favourite part of the approach. After slowing the aircraft down for final approach we were cleared to land on runway 21 and the wheels touched down smoothly on the centre line.
We taxied to the apron and parked the plan, but it would only be a short stop for a quick drink and a snack as the airfield was due to close 45 minutes later.
It was only a short flight and we didn’t hang around for long, but I really enjoyed the flight especially when I got to think back to my training days and the previous trips I had made to Lydd.
Watch the video on my YouTube channel: