LAC-BLOG 2025
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
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Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance
Join us in supporting an incredible cause! Club member Lawrance Nichol will be running the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 6th to raise vital funds for Air Ambulance.
KSS is an independent charity. It costs over £20.4M a year to sustain their world-leading, cutting edge, innovative service and amazingly 88% is donated and raised by the people of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Your donation means KSS can continue to provide the best care at the worst of times for their patients, and stay at the forefront of pre-hospital critical care.
Every Donation is a step closer to helping reach the below targets:
£350 – could buy a bespoke medical kit bag carrying lifesaving equipment
£600 – could fuel the AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter to get to two people in urgent need.
£1,500 – could buy the equipment needed for an emergency blood transfusion.
For more info on the vital work of KSS, please visit aakss.org.uk
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20th March 2025
As the better weather continues more students (and their instructors!) take the opportunity to take to the skies.
Today one of our younger students had his final check before being sent out solo for the first time. This is an experience that no pilot ever forgets and which they can never repeat.
20th March was Elliot Taylor’s day to complete his first solo flight. Seen here with Instructor Dianne it is a big “Congratulations Elliott” from all at Lydd Aero Club
19th March 2025
A couple of decent weather days persuaded a number of students to take to the skies. Among those taking an important step in their PPL course was Luke Rudd.
Luke set off in the afternoon to complete his Qualifying Cross Country (QXC) by undertaking a flight of at least 150 Nautical miles with stops at two other airports. The stop at Shoreham proved a little difficult but a decision to “go around”, after the first attempt, proved to be the correct one and Luke completed this stop and went on to finish the whole QXC.
Seen here being congratulated by Instructor Clive, it’s a big “Well Done!!” to Luke.
6th March 2025
A short spell of excellent flying weather proved a good omen for student PPL Stanley Ku. Even with a very busy circuit, brought about by everyone taking advantage of the weather, Stanley completed an excellent circuit as the next stage in his PPL course.
Seen here with his Instructor Dianne receiving a congratulatory bottle and Certificate to mark the occasion.
Congratulations Stanley
from all at Lydd Aero Club
19th February 2025
Many pilots saw today as a lovely day weatherwise. However a brisk cross wind, albeit within training limits, should have proved difficult for most students.
This did not deter Jonjo Wylie who went out and without any problems completed his First Solo circuit. This is a major step in the PPL course.
Seen here with Instructor Clive, Jonjo, like many of our new students, needs a little extra headroom in the plane.
Congratulations Jonjo! A few more hours and written exams for that PPL
18th February 2025
The bitterly cold easterly winds did not stop John Renshaw taking Examiner Bob on an otherwise sunny day to carry out a Skills Test for the Light Aircraft Pilots Licence (LAPL).
Congratulation from all at Lydd Aero Club on successfully passing the final test for the LAPL.
Well done John
24th January 2025
Storm Éowyn, the fifth named storm of the season, had just passed. It had been caused by a powerful jet stream pushing low pressure towards Lydd. Weather like this usually means a write off for flying all day.
Not so for student Kelvin Liao. Taking to the air with Examiner Gary, Kelvin successfully satisfied the examiner that his flying skills were appropriate to award a “Pass” for his Private Pilot’s Licence.
Congratulations Kelvin in joining the ranks of PPL!
12th January 2025
Apart from the zero temperatures it was a very sunny day for a student to complete their Qualifying Cross Country. This is a major part of the PPL course and with his regular instructor absent through illness Chris Luton was lucky to have Instructor Dianne available to check him out and back in a few hours later.
Seen here with Dianne, Chris receives the customary bottle of bubble to celebrate (after any flying!! )
Well done Chris. Not long to that Pilot’s Licence.
12th January 2025
With morning temperatures as low as minus 10 many would have thought obtaining a qualifications towards a pilot’s licence would have been a non-starter.
However the sun shone today for student Alex Lomax who went out and completed his First Solo Flight.
Alex appeared to take everything in his stride and is seen here with Instructor Andy.
Well done Alex.
(Photos courtesy of Mum Lomax who no doubt took charge of the bubbly?)
4th January 2025
First for 2025!
Arriving on the first really frosty morning of the year, the first job of the day would be defrosting the aircraft before it can be flown.
After careful preparation, and a quick circuit or two with his instructor, Mindaugas Pipiras completed his first solo today with flying colours.
Seen here with Instructor Andy it looks like they are off to a good start in 2025.