ATC confusion on approach

Headcorn to Lydd

What better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon at the end of June than a short land away flight for some light refreshments and some practice at an airfield with a full air traffic control service.

This time it was the turn of my father in law to take up the right hand seat in the Cessna 152 G-BNYL for the 15 minute hop over to Lydd on the south coast. The last time my father in law and I flew to Lydd it was quite an eventful trip and I was still flying from Biggin Hill back in 2014. We were in the Cessna 172 that picked up a problem on final approach when our left hand undercarriage started smoking and subsequently caught fire. The fire crews assisted us on the runway which temporarily closed the airfield. On the day the fire crew were excellent and dealt with the situation swiftly as well as the maintenance team who sorted out the aircraft in order for us to get it back to the hangar at Biggin Hill.

On arrival at Headcorn, the skies were mostly clear, visibility was great, there was only one problem. The coastal wind at Lydd which was forecast to get stronger throughout the afternoon but the direction was straight down runway 21 before we departed so didn’t anticipate too many problems.

We had to be careful when fuelling the Cessna 152 as full tanks would have taken us over the weight and balance limits for the aircraft. So had to double check that I didn’t fill the tanks more than 3/4.

We departed Headcorn from runway 28. It was a hot afternoon in a heavy aircraft which meant our climb was slow but got up to 2,000 feet where I levelled off. I changed frequency to Lydd approach and on approaching the town of Tenterden which is a preferred reporting point for Lydd, I contacted the approach frequency to obtain the airfield information and our join instructions.

As expected, runway 21 was in use but in the short time we had been in the air the wind had significantly picked up and the direction was no longer straight down the runway which meant the landing would be bit more challenging.

After reporting 4 miles to run, I was asked to report when overhead the airfield. Just before I approached the overhead I was informed of another aircraft, a Cherokee which had just taken off and was remaining in the circuit and was told to follow that aircraft. This is where the confusion with ATC started.

The Cherokee on its climb out was heading straight for that restricted area which sits inside Lydd’s ATZ. I was also concerned about our separation distance. The only way of avoiding the aircraft was to follow it into the restricted area which I knew I couldn’t do. I informed ATC that following the aircraft would take me into the restricted area that I do not have permission to enter. I was met with no response.

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I had to think quickly and thought my best option was to request an orbit in my current position to allow a greater separation distance which meant I could then continue on my planned track avoiding the restricted area. I am not entirely sure that ATC were fully aware of the situation but they allowed me to make one orbit while overhead the airfield.

On competing the orbit, I asked ATC for the position of the aircraft in front, just for my sanity to make sure he was well clear of me. I then proceeded to fly a normal circuit which takes you out to sea on the downwind leg.

I then reported when on final approach where I really had to battle against the wind and keep a close eye on my airspeed. With a few bumps, drops and sways I crabbed the aircraft in for what was actually quite a smooth landing.

We then vacated the runway and parked on the Charlie apron and then shut down the aircraft.

After paying our landing fee we both need a quick drink to cool down and a chocolate bar for an energy boost in the deserted cafe. We didn’t want to hang around for too long, as we quickly visited the outside area of the cafe to look towards the runway where it was clear from the windsock that the wind was definitely picking with the odd gust.

View the video on my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBUInDYxj1k