LAC-BLOG 2024
CLICK here for previous years
A Log of past events
Things aviation, around or in the Club or airport
Contributions/Photos/Discussions welcome
(Subject to scrutiny and Directors authorisation)
(Photo) Alan Webb – One of our founding members
22nd October 2024
First Solo flight
Many will know René as a member of the OPS team. Looking after the Club desk on a few days every week he’s been able to enjoy membership by learning to fly.
By choosing one of his non-duty days for training he was lucky enough, in an otherwise very wet Autumn, to pick a dry day with almost clear skies. After a few circuits his instructor hopped out and left René to complete his First Solo circuit.
Seen here with Instructor Clive, René receives his First Solo Certificate and congratulatury bottle of bubbly.
Well done René – we are all watching to see how you pick such good weather for your flights!
12th October 2024
First Solo
Richard Dyer came in today thinking there was not a chance of even flying, however a short period of blue skies allowed Instructor Dianne to send him on a very surprising first solo.
Seen here with Dianne receiving the usual Lydd Aero Club memorabilia of the event.
Well done Richard!
“Something you will never do again”
4th October 2024
First Solo flight
You always prepare yourself for your next lesson when arriving at Lydd Aero Club as a student. Today Kevin Liao was expecting to do more circuits when his instructor “hopped out” unexpectedly after a few circuits and sent Kevin off on his “First Solo”.
Clearly loving the experience Kevin is seen here with Instructor Andy with the usual congratulatory certificate and bubbly.
Well done Kevin – now for those ground exams?
13th September 2024
LAPL Qualifying Cross Country
Friday the 13th was not unlucky for John Renshaw who, today, completed the Qualifying Cross Country section of his Light Aicraft Pilot’s Licence (LAPL) in a Lydd Aero Club aircraft.
Seen here being congratulated by his Instructor, Andy. After a break in more than a week of rain John was able to complete the next stage in his LAPL training
A big “Well done” to John
from all at Lydd Aero Club
4th September 2024
First Solo flight
Thanks to Clive and René for photos
A major waypoint in any student pilot’s course is the First Solo. We all remember the day and particularly the flight. It’s the first time you’ve been in control without the Instructor sitting beside you. Not surprisingly, the plane climbs a lot faster without that extra weight
(no matter which instructor you’ve had!!) and the flight is over much sooner than you expect.
Seen here, a very jubilant Harrison Emery immediately after landing and later with Instructor Clive. The congratulatory bottle of bubbly will, of course!, be for Harrison’s parents because he is still under 18 years of age.
Well done from all at Lydd Aero Club
1st September 2024
Skills Test completed
The “Skills Test” is the final stage in obtaining your Private Pilot’s Licence.
Today was the turn of Brennan Dwyer, seen here with Examiner Bob receiving the usual Lydd Aero Club congratulatory bottle to mark the occasion.
Congratulations Brennan
from all at Lydd Aero Club
30th August 2024
The time it takes to achieve their Private Pilot’s licence (PPL) varies enormously and not always in the control of that student. One young student came to us in the school summer holidays, attended every day for their practical training and theory exams and obtained their PPL within FIVE WEEKS. Another mature student who spent most of his time commuting to the Channel Islands for their work took FIVE YEARS.
Today Richard Phipps by hard work and determination achieved his PPL somewhere in between these times, seen here receiving congratulations from Examiner Bob.
Well done Richard, now enjoy your flying!
22nd August 2024
UPDATE – Post LAC PPL Graduate
So what do you do after you obtain your PPL at Lydd Aero Club. One such pilot (Well known at the Club as “Avi”) is now working hard towards his ATPL qualifications as well as ferrying aircraft for various organisations to build his hours.
Seen here on a visit to the British Airways GLA centre last week through the Young Air Pilots (HCAP). Avi is obviously enjoying “post graduate PPL” experiences.
18th August 2024
A major achievement for many students working towards their Private Pilots Licence is the first time they fly the aircraft without an instructor sitting next to them.
Today was Harry Smythers turn to take that all important step. Seen here with Instructor Bob, Harry receives his First Solo Certificate.
Well done Harry, now onto the “more interesting flying”
8th August 2024
Skills Test completed
Like your driving test in a car. The “Skills Test” is the final stage in obtaining your Private Pilot’s Licence.
Today was the turn of Lewis Shepherd, seen here with Examiner Gary, and receiving the usual Lydd Aero Club congratulatory bottle to mark the occasion.
Congratulations
and Well Done! from all at Lydd Aero Club
27th July 2024
As another student joins the ranks of Licenced Private Pilot it was a good day for David D.
Taking advantage of the current brief spell of excellent flying weather David completed his Flying Skills Test.
Seen here with Examiner Bob. No doubt about to enjoy the usual congratulatory bubbly.
Congratulations David from all at
Lydd Aero Club
29th June 2024
Qualifying Cross Country
Like many students over the last winter/spring months, Brennan Dwyer was only able to complete his QXC today after having it cancelled numerous times due to weather.
Seen here with Instructor Andy, Brennan receives the usual congratulatory gift from Lydd Aero Club. Not long to that PPL now!
20th June 2024
Today saw Paul King complete his first solo circuit. Paul started several years ago with a Trial Lesson and keen to start then in 2014, but as time went by another couple of Trial Lessons with the last in 2017, kept up the enthusiasm. Starting “proper” lessons this year Paul quickly became sufficiently proficient to undertake his First Solo. Not wishing to waste the good weather he quickly adapted to the opposite runway to that on which he had done most of his training and, as his Instructor Dianne said, completed an excellent circuit.
Well done Paul, now the hard work begins!
14th June 2024
Another successful Course Completion
Less than a month after completing his Qualifying Cross Country test (See 15th May below) Tim Playfair has successfully completed the whole course to join the ranks with a Private Pilot’s Licence. Obviously excited with his achievement Tim clearly remembered his training with Instructor Bob Marchant.
Seen here with Examiner Bob it’s heartiest congratulations from all at Lydd Aero Club on a job well done.
6th June 2024
Richard Phipps today completed his Qualifying Cross Country flights as the next step in his pilot’s qualification.
It has been a long time coming, but anyone who has worked with Richard will know of his dogged determination confronted with the many adversities he has endured to get here. Starting out on the Cessna aircraft and then having to retrain on the Piper was only one of his many hurdles. At least the weather was kind to him for a change.
Hopefully today’s achievement will provide the impetus to complete the PPL course very soon.
Well done Richard, you deserve to get that PPL now.
Visiting Oostende, Belgium
3rd June 2024
On this visit we were surprised to be told by the Border Force office that no Declaration had been made and that any attempts to enter without a Declaration may attract an €800 fine. We were told we would be allowed to enter on this occasion and that we “must have completed the wrong form”.
The stop at Oostende was for lunch and to assist a smooth return border crossing for the return, 2 hours was spent at the restaurant completing another Online General Declaration for the outbound flight. (Many restaurants shut Mondays so check!) On completion of the online form a red message appeared that “An error had occurred”. There was no indication what the error was nor how it could be corrected.
On return to the Border Force officer at the airport we were told the Online General Declaration “does not work on a mobile device”. This was surprising since it allowed completion of the form but annoying because it did not warn, nor give any indication why it had been rejected.
Whilst trying to complete our Outbound Declaration we found the receipt for the inbound flight and were able to show the reference number to the BF officer. When he checked his computer it was agreed that we had correctly submitted the inbound Declaration.
Oostende – Runway 26
YES!! – That is 3km and parking is far end.
Clearly, this is a new system (started May 2024) and they are obviously having many problems with it. Perhaps this information may be of some assistance to other GA pilots visiting.
BEWARE that €800 fine for non-compliance
and – KEEP YOUR RECEIPT and REFERENCE NUMBER
Belgian GenDec form for completion at
www.generaldeclaration.be
2nd June 2024
Regular visitors to the Club will appreciate there have been a number of new faces on the OPS desk. Already a PPL student with the Club you may now see Jack Fagg on the desk assisting with operations.
Today Jack completed his Qualifying Cross Country which all Pilots will know is a major milestone in the route to your Private Pilot’s Licence. Seen here being congratulated by Instructor Dianne upon his completion
Keep up the good work Jack, you’ll soon see that PPL
25th May 2024
A major step in any student pilot’s course are the Qualifying Cross Country flights. The QXC consists of 3 flights, landing at two other airports and covering a distance of at least 150Nmiles. This was completed today by Lewis Shepherd.
Seen here with Instructor Dianne being congratulated on this (almost) final step in his practical flight training.
Well done Lewis, from all at Lydd Aero Club
19th May 2024
William Martin didn’t know when he arrived at the Club today that he would be going solo. Will had completed most of his training on Runway 21 but today with a change in the prevailing wind runway 03 was in use. (for those not aviation minded that is the opposite direction and requires a slightly different circuit due to Restricted Airspace nearby).
Will soon gained confidence with further instruction from Instructor Dianne and she reported that he did very well. A helping hand today was the perfect weather.
Congratulations from all at Lydd Aero Club
15th May 2024
After numerous delays due to inclement weather Tim Playfair finally completed his Qualifying Cross Country flights today.
Receiving congratulations from his Instructor Bob, It must have seem a long time coming to achieve this important stage in Tim’s quest for his Pilot’s Licence.
12th May 2024
Taking advantage of the latest very brief spell of excellent weather is Thai Deekes completing his First Solo.
Joined here with his Instructor Andy and a Certificate to mark the occasion that most pilot’s never forget
Well done Thai.
Not long to that PPL?
9th May 2024
John Renshaw has taken up flight training again after a break of 20 something years and today completed his first solo in all that time. We are always told you can’t do your “First Solo” twice, but perhaps we can all understand John’s delight on his achievement today.
Seen here with his current Instructor Dianne and clearly pleased with how the solo flight went.
Well done John! Now the work really begins.
29th April 2024
18th April 2024
An introduction to Aerobility
Lydd Aero Club Instructors were introduced to Aerobility flying today. Here, in the comfort of the clubroom they were shown how to use the hoist which may be necessary for some students on this course. The instructors later undertook training in the use off the hand controller in Aerobility’s own aircraft.
Later in the day our first client, Anne-Marie took the first Aerobility flight with the Club.
14th April 2024
Another student completes their Qualifying Cross Country flight test. The QXC is a flight of not less that 150Nmiles with three landings, two of which at alternative airports, often this will be Southend and Shoreham. The qualifier this time is David Doe who, like many this year has been seriously delayed by the incessant poor weather. Seen here with Instructor Andy, David now needs to complete his flying hours and the final Skills Test.
Well done David. Not long to that PPL!
24th March 2024
Only a few weeks after completing his Qualifying Cross Country, Josh Knell has gone on to complete both his Thoeretical Exams and his final Practical Skills Test to join the ranks of Private Pilot.
Seen here with examiner Gary, looking justifiably pleased after the test, Josh gave thanks for all the support and training from instructor Dianne and the rest of the Lydd Aero Club team.
Another “Well done Josh” on the successful completion of your PPL course leading to your Private Pilots Licence.
1st February 2024
Starting the month off well! On one of the loveliest weather days for some time Phil Astell completed his Skills Test to join the ranks of Private Pilot.
Seen here with Examiner Bob, Phil receiving the usual congratulations on a job well done.
Congratulations Phil on the successful completion of your pilot training.
6th January 2024
First for 2024!
As the whole country sinks under endless flooding one budding pilot took to the skies to complete his Qualifying Cross Country test. This is a flight of at least 150 Nautical Miles with 2 landings at different airports and return to Lydd.
Seen here being congratulated on the latest stage in Josh Knell’s training for his PPL is Instructor Dianne.