Early this morning it was looking like a fine spring day was going to be had…however by the time i check the weather online i was not sure if i would get to fly from a new airfield – White Waltham. This airfield is one of the oldest in the UK and i have met many pilots who trained here. I had arranged to meet Bruno who is one of West London Aero Club’s instructors. We met last year at Cranfield and become good friends. White Waltham is just on the edge of the London Control zone. 
We would be flying in a PA28 – Warrior. Last time i flew this type was back in Norwich August 2007. We took off at 1425 from rwy 21 and made a right turn towards the gas storage building i could see in Reading. Above 1000ft, and one confident of my position, called Farnborough Radar and asked for flight information. They were very good and made us aware of local traffic. Above me, to the sides of me i could see the big jets climbing from Heathrow. I flew locally getting my bearings for the key landmarks, such as Didcot, RAF Benson. The closer we got to Swindon the worse the clouds got. 
I decided to turn 180 and go back toward Reading. I flew around RAF Benson zone, turned north towards Wycombe, a tight pathway to avoid both airspace. Flew all the way to Alysbury, at which point i realised just how close we were to Cranfield. I could even see Milton Keynes. I met Catherine who owns the flying club and we got on very well. We arranged to hold an Smiling Wings day with Kids Company for early August. Catherine was also incredibly open minded and introduced me to Peter, their engineer. They will now help me to get some hand controls on their PA28 and Cessna 172 – yippee – it only takes me 35mins to drive to this club….
