27th September was a lovely day and I’d planned a flight to the Isle Of Wight for some time. I’d been there before but that was on Fly UK, I’d landed at Sandown that time but decided to head for Bembridge for a change.
I departed Kemble at 1040 and set off towards Popham in Hampshire where I planned to drop in for tea and refuel to give me enough for the rest of the day.
1hr50 later I was engine off at Popham and enjoying tea and cake in the sunshine. it was a busy day and there was lots to watch.
Refuelled I departed around 1400 for a 1 hour flight to Bembridge. The weather was gorgeous and I took many photos of the docks at Portsmouth and the Solent as I tracked out to the island. (See the gallery).
Portsmouth Docks
Solent Approach air traffic controllers were helpful as always providing me with a Basic Service until I changed to Bembridge radio and started my descent. Its always nice to have someone to work when crossing water even if the engine doesnt know you are doing so !
Bembridge was a nice airfield, easy to find, clean and tidy, nice club house serving food and drinks.
View towards clubhouse at Bembridge
I stayed just 45 minutes as I planned to cirumnavigate the island before heading home and time was a little tight to hang around. It seems many were thinking the same as I was number 5 in the queue for departure ! A mix of spam cans and microlights.
The trip around the island was very worthwhile, it was nice to skim along offshore of the white cliffs and around the needles. (again see the pics)
Isle of Wight - The Needles
Bembridge to Kemble took 3 hours on the return, the wind was against me and ground speed down to 35/40 mph at times according the the GPS (good nav backup only!)
All in all a grand day out and I look forward to maybe flying down on a Friday and spending a day or two there exploring.
