Taking off from a short runway - PA28 - Redhill UK

[@michaelmiklosofficial]

It's important that this airfield gets saved

[@pnutspilot1907]

Hey Jon, thanks for the shout out at 20m 30s! 👍🏻 was great to see you that day, shame it was too late to have a chat! Next time give me a shout, or just ask if you have any questions about Redhill as I'm based there. It can be very daunting with the short runways, Gatwicks CTR, and the amount of traffic in & out, both fixed and rotary! Keep it up pal!! 💪🏻👍🏻

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks. Will do.

[@davep5829]

As a child, my Dad used to sometimes keep his plane in a field near Dover (when we lived in St Margarets) and when passing recently, I couldn't resist a nostalgic look... I never really considered it as a child, but looking back now it was bloody short and with very unforgiving trees at one end. Short field take off and landings were a regular thing for him, but not something I truly appreciated until I had done my own training. It certainly opens up lots of very interesting places to visit.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I'm pretty risk averse when it comes to aircraft performance (it can go wrong very easily). Credit to your dad for regularly flying short field. I need to do it on grass next.

[@davep5829]

He was a bit of a natural. He always planned well, but he never looked like he'd had to think much about it, if you know what I mean. I was lucky enough to learn at Manston where we not only did we have a main runway the size of a small country to practice on, but also a grass runway to learn on as well. Those were the days. By the way, I think you are worrying too much. You are flying an aged lump of metal through the air at 150 miles an hour. The pilots you need to worry about are the ones who aren't a bit nervous. All the time you are aware of your limitations and work to improve then you are a good pilot, in my view.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Dave. Maybe we'll see Manston open as an airport again some day. I kick myself that I never got Manston in my logbook.

[@HarryEast]

Jon, whether it’s flying or something else in our lives, we all doubt ourselves from time to time! We believe in you and love your content. Your responsible attitude and dedication to best practice should see you through when in moments of doubt! Practice and repetition will help you deal with your anxieties and only increase your confidence. Keep it up! Love what you’re doing. Always inspiring!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Harry. It was a combination of factors that made me feel that way. I was far more confident on the flight back.

[@HarryEast]

The Flying Reporter good to hear!

[@kevinchilton]

Great vid as always. Enjoy a few nerves now and again Jon, but never doubt your ability. Your library of videos show just how accomplished a pilot you have become, and as you can see from the amount of followers you have and by the number of comments you attract, people appear to be learning a lot from you.

[@larsbjart3996]

Had some time away from flying myself and got current again today so shared that same feeling, great video again and good that you share whats going on inside thank you.

[@TimKirkmt]

That gut feeling is only the same feeling you had before your first solo, or solo nav ex. It’s good that you get that as it means you are pushing your comfort zone. If I haven’t flown for two weeks I say to my wife I feel really rusty, and not feeling great. She says - Tim you’ve flown hundreds of hours you know you can do it. Just relax and it will all come back. And it does. Heard all about the GA situation at Biggin Hill being an ex member of met police flying club. All very sad news. Biggin Hill management think their decisions are all in the name of progress but it’s a bad decision. I’d like to think they’ll regret it but I don’t think they even know anything about the place, and how we all need to co- exist. Great video. Great chanell. Look forward to more. PS: when you feel tense take a long deep breath and the. Smile. Makes all the difference.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for the wisdom Tim.

[@julianpratt9616]

Another great video Jon, re the apprehension I cant add much to whats already been said, but your flying and airmanship always come across as totally professional and I get why you felt like you did. Reminds me of my Cross Country Qualifier for my PPL - places I had never been to including flying into Bournemouth airport. Sometimes I think that its days like this that helps us keep sharp as you question everything so much more. Bravo Jon and nice work again. JP

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Julian.

[@harpothehealer]

Love this channel a really enjoyable watch thanks

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you.

[@Emjaybe15]

Hi Jon, hope you got over your nervousness although you seemed quite cool. Many thanks for your vids there are really very informative. I havenever flown real world but am an avid desktop virtual pilot with well over 2000 hrs of VFR flying. But your clear and instructive vids help me to improve each time I fly. Warmest regards Michael.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for the message Michael.

[@deaconpaulsandersonocds4103]

Did well, particularly considering the crosswind at take off.

[@Petertronic]

Excellent video and flight, the different camera positions give wonderful views.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks. I try!

[@mikeellis7400]

It is really important to acknowledge that even for an experienced pilot such as yourself, a lay-off of just six-weeks can quickly see a noticeable deterioration in skills - not necessarily to the level that they are dangerous, but definitely to the point where confidence is easily eroded.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

You're absolutely right Mike. I try to fly at least twice a month...but this weather....

[@marcusreed2]

That really is a short runway!!!!!! You did nice work of it Jon, great video too :-) fly safe

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you Marcus.

[@clairedonovan654]

Love watching your adventures. Next time you come to Gloucester why not ask to taxi to The Flying Shack (other side of the airfield). You can be sure of a warm welcome and the cafe serves all day breakfast or a light lunch (as well as taking your landing fee!)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Claire. I really should.

[@WhiskeyAlphaPilot]

really strange watching this, as I'm due to fly to Ostend this week, and our plan B is Gloucester :-)

[@faiznaqvi]

Looking forward eagerly to your Bosnia flight. Always enjoy these long flights with multiple stops. Few come to mind. Your friend (and mine in a way) Stephan Drury's flight to Longreach. JP and Louis's world flight.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Absolutely. Matt Guthmiller too.

[@stuart_walsh]

I find myself asking "Can I really do this?" every so often during my training, usually when doing something new or messing something up! I think I'd much rather be questioning and nervous than taking stuff for granted. I hope that I'll be as keen to detail as you seem to be once I get my license. Also, loving the new vlog-style format :)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you Stuart.

[@davidwebber4589]

It’s hard building and maintaining confidence especially in our weather. Although I’ve had my license for about 4 years I only managed about 20 hours flying last year so still feel like a novice, particularly if flying into somewhere new. Seems like you do pretty well to me!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

This winter has been especially bad. Very few days that have worked with my diary.

[@keithdmiller]

Hey John, great that all ended OK, interesting I'd not even noticed the tarmac at Redhill!!!! and if you put a straight edge along it looks like it's actually slightly curved, nice one as usual sir.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you Keith.

[@PA28-pilot]

Hello Flying reporter, I also fly with a PA28 and we have many short runways here in Sweden. I do not know when you used the flaps but maybe you want to try the following. It's just an idea. We stop the aircraft at the beginning of the runway. Handbrake on, no flaps and full throttle and then the handbrake off .. We accelerate and at 45 knots we pull two stages flaps and also at 55 knots we lift. The advantage of starting without flaps is of course that you can accelerate quicker because you have less air resistance. And keep up with your great videos, they are very interesting

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks. I've heard of the technique...quite a few of my friends use this.

[@flybe146]

Of course, you are up to it you silly bugger, we all balloon at some time and you did today, but you sorted it with a bit of power I presume and all was well. As for Redhill well, I think you did great from that very shot runway, especially as you hadn't flown for six weeks so no problems at all.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks David. I'm a plonker sometimes.

[@stevecolwill9761]

Chin up Jon! All you need is ham, egg and chips and the world is right again. Jubbly! 👍

[@TheFlyingReporter]

You must’ve been right. Had a very confident flight back.

[@andy1514-g1q]

very nice. was that GCHQ on your port side before you turned onto final at 17:11?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

If it was, I couldn't possibly say! ;)

[@georgen9755]

hats off to aviation

[@stwright]

I find it’s really easy to have your flying confidence knocked; “is it safe? Am I safe?” Is a natural question when you’ve not been flying for a while. I had 14 weeks between flying til early March. Quite apart from the 90 day rule, I had an instructor take me through the various approach configurations just to get me back in to the swing of things. I still say the following; “if god had intended us to fly, he’d have bought us all 1st class tickets...”. Flying from somewhere new and checking the numbers for a short-field take off flex’s the old grey matter and that’s no bad thing. Now that you’ve done it, I hope you can re-assess your comfort levels and take the positives on to your Croatia/Bosnia trip. Well done Jon; a good introspective review and a good video.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Appreciate the support. Thank you.

[@jamie_the_pilot]

I have forgotten to switch on noise cancelling so many times! It makes a huge difference but easily done :)

[@jamie_the_pilot]

P.s - I think nerves are healthy. I’ve been having some doubts about my ability recently too - mostly due to a break in flying because of the weather. I guess I’d rather be cautious and safe than ignore the gut feelings :) Great video again, Jon. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Jamie.

[@bryce6604]

2 stages of flaps creates more drag than lift? Should it not have been 1 stage flaps, brakes, full power, static RPM with back pressure on yoke and release brakes for 50KIAS and rotate and climb at 55KIAS?

[@bryce6604]

Scratch that, POH says 25 degrees flaps

[@sollywa]

At approx. 1:03 min I seem to notice some fluid dripping from the wing. Is that normal?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

yes it is. I explain in the description. Just the fuel tank breather pipe. I'd just refuelled, and there was a bit of an overflow.

[@offshorefour7911]

Clacton next? 😃

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It’s within reach!

[@raybrown6992]

Well done Jon! Try EDXH next time 😉 All the best Ray

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Runway 33/15 looks doable.

[@raybrown6992]

The Flying Reporter No problem at all Jon! And it’s a very nice island 🌴 with lovely beaches just like EDWJ. For more information incase you do fly this way: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heligoland?wprov=sfti1maps.apple.com/?ll=54.182500,7.885278&q=Heligoland&_ext=EiQpj8L1KFwXS0Ax5eYjQoaKH0A5j8L1KFwXS0BB5eYjQoaKH0A%3D Best wishes Ray

[@horsing89]

Hi Jon, how come you changed from Franborough to Brize at that specific point. For example, was there a specific point or did you just know you were about to go outside of Farnborough's range for LARS?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi. It's a range thing. Brize gives a service within 40nm radius of Brize, and Newbury is roughly equidistant between Farnborough and Brize.

[@davejones542]

Great video, thanks for posting. dont understand why such an experienced pilot would be nervous - relax Jon - you have it under control ! By the way if you filed a plan to ostend did you complete uk GAR as well - in that case do you have to cancel both as a natter if interest ?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi Dave. Yes, I cancelled the Gar, although that wasn't as straightforward as I thought it would be. I phoned the 'emergency line' which says is to be used for this, but was told to email the NCU email address, which I did.

[@Mirandorl]

I guess knowing what they are likely to say helps, but by god some of those controllers are incomprehensible. The one at 13:38 sounds like popeye mumbling into a pillow. Does this get easier with time, or do the headphones maybe help a little? I would constantly be saying "say again". Also when you contact approach, you stated your altitude followed by "1017", is this an air pressure reference, or something else? Lastly, your nervousness did not show at all and you seemed wholly competent to me. You called out your landing speed, so that was all correct, but ballooned. Gust of wind maybe? I am just a sim pilot, learning a lot watching you! Thanks

[@TheFlyingReporter]

You get used to it. It's hard at first. 1017 is the current pressure setting my altimeter is set to.

[@Mirandorl]

@@TheFlyingReporter Thanks again!

[@sbhouchen]

I'm in the USA so I'm not completely familiar with your airport diagram and regulations. Why were 26L/R unavailable to you?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

The grass is unusable during the winter months due to waterlogging.

[@mikeyswingsacrossthesky2244]

I would look at this as a great positive, if you were a gun ho pilot you would have not questioned the short runway and what to do different to stay safe. Having these "doubts" and being nervous lets you question the current situation and ensures you make the correct decisions, Fly safe!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I hope you're right Mike.

[@mds3697]

In the description it says 600ft, I hope you mean meters? Anyway really cool

[@TheFlyingReporter]

ooh, thank you!

[@flyingweka]

That "balloon" looked tiny, and there was nothing wrong with the landing, how did it feel in the cockpit? Have you landed on the Redhill unlicensed/taxiway yet? That certainly focuses the mind somewhat, although its much easier than it used to be. The taxiway was recently widened quite a bit and the curve removed. Heres a Slingsby (not me) landing at Redhill, laning on th old Taxiway Charlie starts at 3:22: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXWyqISAoq10rrM and a Cirrus landing on 25: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYioiX6FnrOoqJI and the same guy landing on 07 which I always thought was the harder one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmHRf6WJYtOBoq8

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi. I landed on 07 last month. Piece of cake actually.

[@flyingweka]

Oh Good. I was more than very focused the first time I landed on 07, but you're right its OK now. Your videos are great, watching you fly around familar airspace and vocalising all those thoughts and concerns we have while flying is very refreshing. Keep up the good work!

[@birreboi]

Firstly, not a healthy looking meal ;-) They say nerves can sorta help you keep on your toes. I must admit though, I have watched and liked quite a few of your videos, but you always seem to be a bit nervous (I may be wrong of course!) Just relax a bit, your piloting skills seem fine to me and your obviously a careful pilot. (I have 125 hrs flight time, with about 25 hrs PIC, no full license yet).

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you.

[@B3N.1]

I live in cheltenham and take my kids to the aviator pub for a glass of coke and some chips to watch the planes they love it much more than watching me on xplane 11

[@p.a.f.mitasol8071]

So I take it ballooning coined the saying, flying by the seat of your pants 😂

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I don't know if it was a balloon that was the origin of the phrase, but it is a bit seat of the pants. But you have to avoid the temptation to push the control column forward. Either keep it neutral, pull back a bit to arrest the descent again, add power to arrest the descent, or go around.

[@forfengeligfaen]

"Free call" would be super annoying 🤪

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Par for the course.

[@Hendrik-Jan1111]

Great Vid as always !!! >> I would love classical or good jazz music on the videos.... not that the music you have is not ACE... just wondering how it would combine with flying, it would be so satisfying and original. :) Anybody out there agree?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I've used both, albeit sparingly, in the past. I agree, it's refreshing. Just changed music source, so will have to see if they have any.