New Plane!

Arrival of BAGX

On the 28th of May 2024 Phoenix Flight Training took delivery of a new PA28 training aircraft.

Trip down to Popham

With the purchase of any new plane comes the ferry flight to bring the aircraft to the new base of operations at Cumbernauld. The words ‘ferry flight’ always conjure up thoughts of the book Ferry Pilot by Kerry McCaule (great read) but this would be a lot shorter flight from Popham in southwest England back up to Cumbernauld, yet still long enough for it to be an adventure. We assembled at Cumbernauld airport at 0400 on the 28th of May, left our cars and went to Edinburgh airport to board an EasyJet flight down to Gatwick. The sleepy flight down to Gatwick was smooth and before we knew it we were on the train heading to Clapham Junction to get a train to Basingstoke where would we change again to head to Micheldever, the last train stop before the short walk to Popham airfield. Disembarking at Micheldever felt like getting off at Corrour with nothing around apart from the occasional sound of a small plane flying over. After 20-minute walk we arrived at Popham airfield which was quite busy with bank holiday traffic and family’s in for breakfast to watch the planes.

Busy Bank Holiday

While waiting on the owner we quickly did another weather check for our fuel stop along the route at Blackpool and calculated our new speeds based on the wind data. We were greeted by the now ex-owner of our new plane and went over to check the plane out. Immediately arriving at the plane we split up and prepared for departure. With me not flying the first leg I ran over the weight and balance data along with the performance data associated with taking off on a grass runway. This stage was crucial as the aircraft would be full of fuel and with a suitcase of paper work (literally) the PA28 would be close to max takeoff weight.

Preflight in Progress

Popham to Welshpool

Preflight done we started up, taxied for fuel then taxied to parking before checking out with the tower. One last check of times and weather and we started up, completed our power checks and made our way to the runway for takeoff. We made sure to taxi right to the end of the runway to maximise the run available and with the engine at full power the brakes were released and the aircraft charged down the runway. After getting airborne we made a shallow turn North and set course for Swindon, the first turning point on route. The first hour of the flight was very smooth with clear conditions and the plane running well and Gloucestershire coming into view. On changing on Gloucestershire to get a basic service all went quiet on the radio and after an uncomfortable wait we established we were having a radio problem, the decision was made to divert into Welshpool to sort the issue. After a tense arrival we shutdown and got out at Welshpool to be greeted by the Welsh countryside and very helpful and friendly airport staff. After technical issues sorted it was determined the intercom box was to blame so we decided to bypass it and although we could not communicate aside from shouting at each other it meant our radio’s were functional.  With fuel picked up we set ready for the final leg up to Cumbernauld.

Welshpool Home

The departure out of Welshpool was stunning and other than a zone transit through Liverpool the complex aspects of the flight were now behind us so we settled in for the 2 hour flight back up the west coast. After saying many thanks on the radio to Welshpool we transferred over to Hawarden to arrange a zone transit through the Liverpool zone. For a plane geek like me this was excellent as we got to fly over Hawarden airport which is the British home to the Airbus Beluga which transports airplane parts across the world. Transiting overhead we could see the massive oddly shaped hanger that is used to unload the Beluga and soon we had a clearance through Liverpool and we crossing the Mersey.

Hawarden Airport

Zone Transit

With Liverpool behind us we set course for Kendal and heading up through the Lake district and onto Lockerbie. Checking in with Scottish information was a welcome sound as the voice through our headsets reassured us that we were nearly home. Over Lockerbie the weather went all Scottish with some heavy showers that required avoiding before following the M74. The familiar sight of Tinto was welcoming and with Meikle Bin in the distance I pointed the nose at it knowing it would take me right overhead Cumbernauld.

Wash the Plane

Overhead Kendal

We arrived at about 1930 and the weather over Glasgow area was perfect. After a very smooth landing we taxied in to be greeted by some friendly faces that wanted to pour over the plane and geek out. Overall we were very tired but it had been a great trip.

Arrival at Cumbernauld

Photos at end