PA28 flight Biggin Hill to Blackpool UK - maximum weight

[@JakeSpeed1000]

Great video. I'm been flying about twenty-five years and am instrument rated here in the colonies. This video shows how any pilot can get discombobulated when becoming too fixated on something like the max weight climb out. You handled it well and the remembered the golden rule, Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. First and foremost, "Fly the Plane". Which you did.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Scott Clark cheers Scott.

[@M5AXA]

Another interesting and enjoyable video Jon. It was interesting to see the impact of weight on you initial climb. This is something I have encountered in the simulator but clearly if I calculate wrong then its easy for me to start again. That said I recently watched a video of yours when you happened to mention that your flying interest started with a home simulator so I guess there is hope for me yet !

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+M5AXA the pic simulators are great...very realistic.

[@lugash4]

great day out by the looks of things thanks for posting

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+richard c pleasure Richard.

[@Gmmykk]

Nice one, I wish I saw the Facebook post earlier so I could come along :) congrats for the competition!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Michael.

[@teenflon]

Very fun video :) I used to have lessons at Blackpool with Westair next to hangar 3, but not been since the terminal was demolished. I noticed one of the three runways has also closed now!

[@KevDYAD]

Came here via the VATSIM forum where someone had recommended watching your videos.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Kev welcome!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Kev welcome!

[@MrPeterthepilot]

So I’m not alone in having bad days in the cockpit- something comforting about that! When I was a new PPL I started making notes on my Little Black Book. It contains a record of anything on a flight which I didn’t get quite right, from little lapses in airmanship up to real clangers (of which there have been mercifully few!). It’s good to read over from time to time to remind myself what not to do.....

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I like the idea of a little black book.

[@terryjkent]

Always enjoyable videos Jon thank you. We went to Liverpool from North Weald in our Commander last week and managed to get a zone clearance across Luton who were brilliant yet get anywhere near BHX and ask for any kind of service and you are greeted with a "Keep clear of controlled airspace, basic service" and what I mean by that is they will not speak to you again until you call to QSY, no squawk, nothing, in a busy little GA corridor between Birmingham and EMA where you really could do with some help, Manchester are the same we are nothing but a nuisance to them. Yet Essex Radar, and Luton Approach who must be just as busy are always very helpful. Anyway moan over, I loved the 'I learnt that from flying' moment with the flaps, loaded or light if I try and take-off without flap on the Commander you need the length of Heathrow to get airborne. :-)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+terryjkent thanks Terry. This is the first flight where I've had any issues with an ATC. So, that's good going. Generally I've had great service wherever I've been. You now have east Midlands LARS, remembet, so that should help you heading up there. For Birmingham, I told them that I had just entered IMC and asked if they could provide a service at my range. They just did it, and checked in with me periodically. So really pleased with that.

[@theflyingfool]

Well done that man! Winning the spot landing comp obviously put you in a better frame of mind for the return leg ;) I enjoyed your video very much thanks John!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Steve Roberts thanks Steve.

[@andydonaldson5593]

Interesting vid this John - thanks.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Andy Donaldson thanks Andy.

[@ajpdaniels]

Great stuff. I got a completely unfair telling off from ATC and it's surprising how much it unsettles you. Whatever you have done they really should remain courteous as upsetting people is what can lead to accidents or mistakes

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Anthony Daniels thanks Anthony.

[@airaction2257]

Love your videos, i'm only a Flight sim Pilot,i really enjoy your journeys & it feels like i'm in the cockpit with you,look forward to more flights & if your ever flying out from Leeds/Bradford Airport let me know & i'll see if i can get video of you taking off or landing, all the best :)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+airaction2257 thanks for the message. Glad you're enjoying the adventures.

[@Eructation1]

Very enjoyable video. I was expecting 'plane old Ben' meeting you in Blackpool 😄 I once flew Fairoaks to Liverpool, routing overhead Gloucester airport, skirting around towering cumulus. Amazing sight to be in smooth clear air so close to a vertical wall of bright white cloud.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Anthony. Ben was working. New video out soon, when Ben & I go on an adventure together.

[@nl0908]

Another great video Jon and well done on the competition.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you!

[@balancedaudio]

Great video Jon. Really enjoyed your self critical approach here. Thought you dealt with it all very well. Oh and congrats on the award!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Colin and Laura thanks for watching.

[@andersep68]

Watching from Denmark - will be going to Cambridge on Friday for the Duxford show on Saturday. This will be my first in British airspace - looking forward to it. Should have stopped by B.H. to say hello. :)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hope you have a nice trip! Thanks for watching.

[@dereksanders7905]

Great video! I started flight training 20 years ago but the expense got too much so had to give it up. Have to be content with flying a PC flight sim (FSX and X-Plane 11) now!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Derek Sanders it sure is not cheap.. flight sim is great though.

[@marct9845]

Great video, I bet a year ago you couldn't imagine yourself taking a plane at its max take off weight on such a long flight with such confidence, but look at you now! Well done Are you able to explain what happened with ATC?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Marc T thanks Marc. The confidence is growing, for sure. The issue with ATC was a combination of a misunderstanding and eagerness on my part. I won't say any more, because it wouldn't be fair in the controller, who no doubt will have their view on it all.

[@win0922]

Great video Jon. I recently took a PA-28 up at MTOW and the climb rate was awful and a little scary especially with gusty conditions!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yeah, probably will avoid it in future!

[@wrongway2001]

Very interesting video Jon, I really enjoyed it. A bit biased I suppose as I got my PPL at Blackpool back in 1988 flying Cherokee's. Quite a few changes there since I was learning.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for watching.

[@NickTsiatinis]

Great video once again. That vis didn't look too fun - especially on the way back! Congrats on the trophy :)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Nick.

Awesome vidd!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you!

[@davejones542]

I think the idea of one stage of flaps is you can take off at a slightly slower speed and then accelerate in the air and then retract it.

[@airlitex6488]

If you and Ben are flying tomorrow and you're looking for some free approaches call EGNO before you set off - they're PPR but don't charge for training circuits! Always a great service from them unlike the one you received travelling North. What was that all about?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Airlite X I think Ben knows that trick!

[@JodelFlyer]

Enjoyed the video as usual Jon. Well done on the spot landing award. Where was the aiming point in the end? We didn't get that far north but did the fly ins at Halfpenny Green and Turweston on the way back.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Jodel Flyer I still don't know where the TDZ was! Glad you had a nice trip too.

[@PIlot1701D]

You did a great job keeping your composure, and not pulling back too much in the climb. That was the first of your videos I ever watched and was scared for you for a few moments. It was reminding me of a safety training video over here. The Air Safety Institute has a video on a pilot that tried a heavy weight, full flap take off in a 150HP Cessna. Which is like your Warrior...a bit slow to climb on a good day. Great job of keeping your concentration on the fundamentals! If you want to watch that video, it is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4rUhGCgaNWIfrs Best Wishes and safe skies!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Charles. I'll take a look.

[@ALFOX58]

On the controller issue. Perhaps part of their training should include the human performance impact of forcing pilots, sometimes working under stressful situations, to start second guessing their own responses and actions. Advise perhaps, but if action isn't immediately required for safety purposes, deal with it later. Although the video of that moment was limited, you were obviously affected enough to include it.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I think the way I let it affect me is more of a learning point for me. I need to let this stuff go.

[@bluelights85]

Great video! I fly out of Liverpool so am familiar with the area - a very busy one at that! Just wondering if you got affected by the Hawarden RMZ?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+robcrossley hi, thanks. We had to comply, of course, and were in touch with Hawarden in good time.

[@terryjkent]

Yes you are right Jon it's just that sometimes it feels like you are just being a pain other times it feels like everyone's out to help you.

[@olliehouse9459]

Excellent video Sir! I'm just starting a flying channel based out of New York. One of my recent videos captures a flap malfunction. It's a like and subscription from me!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Ollie. I'll have a look at your vid.

[@RobOConnor108]

Did you file IFR for the way back, or can you self declare en route in Class G in the UK?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Robert O'Connor you don't need a flight plan for IFR in class G. I obtained a service from radar and told them I was IFR.

[@G8TIC]

Should have included the controller's audio!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Mike Tubby I don't think that would have been constructive, nor fair.

[@G8TIC]

I think that it would have been informative. I recall an occasion when flying from Filton to Leeds Bradford in a Seneca (PA34) with a filed flight plan and being called by a controller who told us to route direct. She got really quite upset with us when we declined and insisted that we stayed on the flight plan.

[@cortezcortez5177]

Are flying lessons in the UK any cheaper than here in the US? I'm guessing not.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I doubt it. We tax our fuel quite a lot more than you do I think.

[@Jonay1990]

About half the price for them for a gallon of AvGas than it is for us for a litre :(

[@rufatcine]

ENGİN SOUND PLEASE??

[@RoadRunnerLaser]

IMC conditions? That will be Instrument Meteorological Conditions conditions then, eh?? ;)

[@kieranjones241]

smart arse :)

[@danharrodian]

Thanks for a lovely video Jon. You should team up with Plane Old Ben in Blackpool some time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6DOpnqojLJ5lbc

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Funny you should say that......we're flying together tomorrow!

[@danharrodian]

I do fortune telling and 100% weather forecasts for a very moderate fee too :) Have a great time. Look forward to seeing the video.

[@airlitex6488]

If you and Ben are flying tomorrow and you're looking for some free approaches call EGNO before you set off - they're PPR but don't charge for training circuits! Always a great service from them unlike the one you received travelling North. What was that all about?