On Thursday the 19th as a warm up to my Qualifying Cross-Country flight (QXC) myself and my instructor flew over to Manston, Kent International airport. This airport will be used as one of my QXC so it was a great way to see what the airport was like. This airport as per the name is a international airport, but not as many flights in or out as per the likes of Gatwick & Heathrow.
The Runway is one of the biggest runways I have been on before. The length is 2752 x 61m which is long enough for a Boeing 747 (Hench they have 5 there!!!) and the width is bigger then Gatwick, a difference of 15m! Doesn’t sound much but when you are in a Cessna 152 this can take minutes to get to the centre of the runway for Take off.
Once you are ready, your instructor will decide if it is time for you to make your Qualifying Cross Country flight. This is a requirement for issue of your PPL, comprising of a flight of at least 150 nautical miles with two intermediate stops, all on your own. For my flying school they use Manston and Southend Airport. For other flying schools I know they use Lydd and Southend etc. These airports to the East are easier then the likes of going west towards Bournemouth & Southampton as there is a lot of Radio calls and areas of Intense flying as there is 2 major international airports.
After the QXC it is time to revise and take out some more circuits and the other manoeuvres that you will have to demonstrate as part of your Skills Test, this is called higher air work and is part of your 5 hours solo hours.
While the test may seem daunting, it is nothing more than flying as if you were solo, first navigating and then carrying out manoeuvres as required by the examiner.
As long as you meet the required standards you will be then granted your PPL.
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