+ London City Airport from the air!

TNU's Editor-in-Chief took a Saturday afternoon flight. We have a video too!

It has been a long time since the TNU’s Editor-in-Chief has been asked to take control of a two-seat aircraft. Once a PPL (retired on marriage), the previous occasion was with an Embraer Tucano in Brazil during the RAF evaluation of that aircraft as a trainer. Later assembled by Shorts in Belfast, it has come and gone, the last of 160 retired in 2019.

I transgress.

A friend who has part ownership of a light sport microlight, suggested I take a flight out of Damyns Hall Aerodrome, East London, an aeroclub flying field whose approach call is "Hornchurch Radio", in honour of the nearby site (now a housing estate) of the famous RAF base which defended London from the Nazis during the Battle of Britain.

Our “Pipsqueak” was powered by a Rotax 912 petrol engine. Just a week before, Gatwick Airport had announced the landing of the first ever electric flight into Gatwick as part of the VINCI Airports Network Elektro Tour. That Pipistrel, a Velis Electro, used hardly any runway.

Produced by Pipistrel in Ajdovščina (Slovenia), the aircraft is a modern composite low-cost design for basic training and unusually includes a full airframe emergency recovery parachute system as standard equipment. The cockpit is equipped with analogue and digital flight instruments and GPS, although a full glass cockpit and autopilot can be fitted. In 2022 the mighty Textron corporation, which includes Bell Helicopters and Cessna, became the owner of Pipistrel.

On a Saturday afternoon London City Airport is forced to close by the anti-airport Mayor, but this does allow for an overflight under the control of Heathrow Approach. We were to take in Brands Hatch, where the full GP circuit was being used, Tilbury Docks, with no cruise ships around, and the QE2 Bridge, inevitably jammed with traffic. At just under 90 knots the journey time was a shade under one hour.

Getting into the aircraft can best be described as a struggle, but like all good chauffeurs a step was provided by the pilot for access. No Range Rover extra fitting with this aircraft. I was strongly told to keep my feet away from the pedals. The stick was also taboo, although I did turn down an offer to take control at one stage. A headset was provided. The pilot went through all the checks and then made "blind" calls to inform anyone on frequency of our plans. A bumpy taxi to the runway, into wind followed, more checks, quick acceleration and at 50 knots, rotated and airborne.

It was very smooth as we flew over the large Jewish cemetery (Rainham) and made our way towards Southend, giving the easyJet base a miss and joining the Thames by the container port. Onwards towards Brands Hatch just in time to view a motorcycle race. Big crowds all around the track and a first time view of the former F1 Grand Prix circuit, last used as such in 1986 (won by Nigel Mansell). F1 safety was a problem, likewise the nearness of local housing. But it is OK for Club events plus F3.

And then back over the QE2 Bridge for an eastern entry to the Royal Docks. It has always amazed me how the 35,000-ton Mauritania 2 managed to squeeze into the King George V Dock in September 1939 prior to its only journey from London to New York. In 2012 two Fred Olsen cruise ships managed the same as they positioned to become accommodation vessels for the Olympics.

Flying south of the airport the Thames Barrier was the next landmark followed by circling the O2 Dome and then lining up for the airport over the latest City Hall. Why the current Mayor chose this site mystifies most. It is a very long way from Westminster, the seat of real power, and Sir Sadiq Kahn has no interest in the airport and is not a supporter having never visited! It is a good job that the real powerhouse of London lies with the Lord Mayor and the City. Khan has just nobbled the airport by further banning flights on Saturday afternoons, something the airline customers wanted. Staff have lost good overtime prospects too.

However, the shenanigans of the Mayor did allow our little Pipistrel to overfly the airport.

And back to Damyns Hall for a nice cup of tea in the Clubhouse.

Here is the video   https://youtu.be/KLTOAnnnlOo?si=rZQyudtx41zmL8N-


www.pipistrel-aircraft.com

www.damynshall.co.uk

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READERS' COMMENT

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Tim Procter, United Kingdom

Malcolm - fabulous video! It\'s your shorts that complement the Dam Busters perfectly.