A Cold Front Clears The Air

Hopes were high for a flight today but dawn brought low cloud and poor visibility. However, a look at the meterological information predicted that the cold front causing all the problem weather would clear through Barton around 12 o'clock. And that's what happened, so a quick flight was on the cards.

Steve had taken the helicopter home yesterday and was stuck until the weather improved enough for him to make the 25 minute flight back to Barton. I was there raring to go and thought I'd go for a flight before Steve arrived at the airfield. I prepared the aircraft, adding some oil and fuel and just planned to fly wherever the urge took me. There was a nice headwind blowing down Barton's runway 27 right and for once the surface was firm and looked good.

I took off and turned right heading 040 towards the edge of the Manchester Control Zone which is easily spotted by a tower next to a small lake and where the M62 motorway heads off over the penines past Rochdale. I climbed to 1900 feet which is just below the base of controlled airspace in the area north of Barton and headed over towards the penines. I turned left and climbed to 3400 feet heading towards Winter Hill which was clearly defined ahead. I was just under the base of scattered clouds and enjoying myself very much, although it is odd not having someone next to me to talk to.

I could see the coast over towards Southport and headed out there just doing some turns and general handling to get the feel of the plane again. I descended to 2500 feet and reversed course towards Chorley before coming down to 1800 feet in preparation for a return to Barton. Passing The Reebok stadium I was listening to Barton on the radio and discovered the surface wind had increased from a gentle 10 knots down the slot to 330 15 gusting 24knots. It was variable in direction and should not prove to be a problem, it's just that a gusting crosswind can be tricky.

Surprisingly, the Barton circuit was empty and so I joined on a right base for 27 right and although there was some turbulance on final approach, it was not too bad and I made a good landing, even being congratulated by air traffic. That's never happened before, I was half expecting someone to score it out of ten but no further critique was offered.

I had a sandwich in the club house (turkey and stuffing with salad) and then watched Steve's approach in the Enstrom in the gusting wind. A nice approach and a good landing was made, he's pretty good in that machine!

He said the turbulence was high and as the wind was still gusting across the runway we decided against another flight and went for a drink and a chat. We are planning to fly to the London Air Show at Earls Court next Saturday with the train or a car as backup. As usual we are at the mercy of the weather.