Marc and Adrian had talked about going somewhere completely different a number of times early this year but never quite getting their act together. With the fair weather flying season coming to an end, shorter days and with LB flying so well, the pair decided on a flight to Wales as neither Adrian nor Marc had been there before. They research possible landing places and decided on EGFA West Wales/Aberporth. The airfield is a just over a 1 mile to coastal village of Aberporth. So perfect. Direct to EGFA from Little Gransden at 3000 avoids all controlled airspace so should be easy. Plan made called Aberporth for PPR. Unfortunately Adrian was told that EGFA is closed at weekends. 🙁

With their thinking hats back on again Marc suggested Cromer as he had not been there before.  Also Neil mentioned Cromer in his WhatApp report the day before.  As Adrian had been to Cromer before he wanted to also look at visiting other airfields in Norfolk and Suffolk. Adrian made another plan Little Gransden -> Shiphdam -> Cromer -> Beccles -> Great Oakley -> Little Gransden. Neither Marc or Adrian had been to Beccles or Great Oakley.  With PPR for Cromer, Beccles and Great Oakley we set off.

With new plan made, Marc and Adrian arranged to meet at Little Gransden airfield. Unfortunately as both of them had other tasks to do, it was late morning before they arrived. Adrian was there first so completed the walk round check and headed to the pumps to fill up. So many planes at Little Gransden these days so careful manoeuvring was required.

Marc arrive shortly after and with quick brief the pair agreed that Marc would fly the first leg. Departing LG at 12:50 local Marc climbed out of the circuit and headed north east to the first way point just north of the Mildenhall MATZ. This leg was surprisingly turbulent with considerable up drafts in places. A careful eye out for gliders was required. Tried calling Shiphdam but with no reply decided to give it a miss and head north towards the coast. LB broke over coast just west of Brakeney and headed east past Weybourne airfield, Sheringham and towards Cromer.

A call from a motorised glider joining was heard ahead of Marc’s call. With airfield information Marc descended dead-side to join downwind for 22 left-hand. After Marc entered the circuit the motorised glider decided to delay entering the circuit.

After an hour with welcome cuppa Adrian and Marc departed for the second leg. Adrian at the controls. After climbing out of the circuit they headed east over the coast then turned south past Great Yarmouth. Listening to Beccles Adrian requested straight in approach to 27

There was no parachute activity and the very helpful person on the radio gave Adrian clear instructions where to park. Talking to the radio operator Adrian found that much had been done to Beccles in the last year such that we wouldn’t have recognise it from previous year. Adrian was also told that if we come again in a year we won’t recognise it again. I guess they have big plans for Beccles. Great that some people/companies are investing in general aviation again.

Another cup of coffee in the cafe which had been recently done up and staff were extremely friendly. Both Marc and Adrian agreed that everybody they met a Beccles were very helpful and friendly. Well worth a visit.

The pair were soon on their way again for departing from 27.

Once airborne climbed and again headed to the coast. Adrian needs to get some practice in with shooting videos.

Heading south past Sizewell nuclear power station keeping just outside (above) the restricted area.

The pair continued south past Felixstowe and Harwich before heading west for an approach to 27. There are noise abatement areas so well advised to check Great Oakley airfield website and in particular https://www.greatoakleyairfield.co.uk/Images/Map_marked-up.pdf. Adrian had received a briefing and was told about a line of weeds across the runway which could look like a ditch on approach but that there was nothing to worry about. Marc landed and could have been stopped well short of the weeds and headed up the taxiway beside 22. Long taxi to parking area. As Adrian had paid landing fee online at Beccles there was only the sign in and sign out to do. There is a big modern hanger with an assortment of aircraft including a Harvard.

It wasn’t very busy put talking to a helpful lady Adrian found out that it was a short distance to the village of Great Oakley where there is a pub, cafe and shop. The lady said that visiting pilots can camp on the airfield. They charge £10 for overnight. Adrian would be flying the last leg and after a long taxi to 27 threshold we were soon accelerating and into the air before the line of weeds.

With the sun now getting low in the sky the visibility for the last leg wasn’t as good as the other legs. Adrian needs to add click “Go Flying” to his check list. As it was getting late in the day the early thermal activity had dropped so the flight was somewhat smoother. Near Cambridge Adrian called LG to find out if 28 was still being used. He had hoped if there wasn’t any circuit activity and with the light winds he could use 10 so as not to be landing into the sun. Unfortunately, they were still using 28 but Adrian reported that it wasn’t that bad and he had experienced worse. The pair landed around 18:10 local.

With the LB parked up and the paperwork complete Adrian and Marc headed for the pub. Marc and Adrian both agreed that it was a great afternoon flying with the highlight being Beccles. Definitely worth a visit.