Little Trip to Islay

Hi,

Last Sunday I decided to venture over to Islay from Glasgow, in preperation of me going to Ireland :rolleyes:

Really nice evening and very nice flying conditions.

Got down to the club at 5.45 for a departure at 6.30, when I got there a few of the guys were just heading back home to have a beer in their garden. Their house is right below the route I’d be going, so I promised them a little wiggle of the wings as I passed.

Went out and preflighted the PA-38, didn’t have to add any fuel as she already had 17 Gal, but had to wear a Hi-Viz vest due to a new rule…

Jumped in and got her started up, all’s well, Mag check, run up and T&P’s are all good.

Contacted Ground and requested taxi, and was subsequently advised to taxi and hold at W1, where I received my clearance to leave the zone at Largs on a direct track to Islay, not above 3000ft in controlled airspace, VFR.

I switched to Tower and let them know what I want, which is to depart. I was advised to enter the short and hold at Y1, on trying to reach there I was asked if I could accept immediate departure due to a 757 on a 5 mile final. I accepted, received take off clearance, popped the landing light on, turned onto Runway 23, completed a final control check and added power, keeping the nose on the centre line. Full power and the speed is coming up, T&P’s are fine and we reach 55kts, pull back and climb. I get a climb of 70 kts, trim and start an early right turn, just incase the 757 has to Go-Around.

I continue to climb until reaching to 3000ft and level off. I give my wings a little wave as I pass over Houston, and think of the guys enjoying their Beer, but I bet I’m having a better time 😀

I stay with Tower as I’m running parallel to the climb out, until I get over Arran, where I then switch to Scottish Information, and let them know where I’m going, after 4 minutes I get passed to another frequency, but remain on Scottish.

I look out and see Campletown to my left, and to the right is Gigha. After Gigha I have a little bit of water to cross, so I climb to 4000ft.

I have a look at the Poolys and it advises to contact Islay at 10nm out and not above 3000ft, I know there will be no one there, but I still QSY to their station and advise of joining overhead for Runway 31. I have a good look out and see no one in the circuit so I join it and set up for a nice landing in Islay. I have to taxi in and leave some money in a box attached to the Tower, due to it being out of hours. Total flight time 50 minutes.

Can’t wait for Ireland.

dme