As is becoming customary there were 5 aircraft scheduled for the first overseas Circus mission of the year. Cherokees UD and TL, Cessnas DO and XK and the Arrow DH.

Circus members were, Richard, Steve M, Steve R, Rob, Nick, Peter, Shane and of course, Jane.

Usual luck for the flyouts with overcast cloudcover at an indeterminate base. This did not dampen our spirits and after the traditional coffee, chart and whiz-wheel session which now includes a range of exotic GPS programming we boosted our fashion icon status by donning the lifejackets.

Intrepid passengers model fashion wear

UD departed early with Steve R at the controls to collect Peter at Thurrock.

The rest of us filed flightplans and customs forms with Kate and prepared the aircraft.

As this was a continental adventure there were a number of welcome passengers and a navigation assistance for Jane in DO in the form of Ian who flys a Europa out of Rayne.

We all planned a similar route, through Southend overhead direct to Dover across the water to Cap Gris Nez and along the coast over Boulogne to Le Touquet.

Departures were led by the Cessnas, followed by the Arrow with lone pilot Rob in TL bringing up the rear.

The Arrow and GPS

Cloudbase was around 2000 feet and visibility was pretty good. After passing Southend Steve M and myself tuned to London information which provided a flight information service and usefully passed on Le Touquet information from a returning pilot. Surprisingly we were given Chatham QNH of 1008 against a local QNH of 1015 which I thought strange, but they are the experts! Some of the other Circus aircraft attempted to contact Manston unaware that the airfield and air-traffic control are currently closed. They did however have a communication with the coastguard helicopter in the area.

There'll be Pipers over ...

As Dover was passed and the faint outline of France was visible it was obvious that there was quite a low cloudmass over the approaching coastline. With the option to do a 180 and return in the back of our minds we decided to lose height and see if progress was possible. Luckily the cloud cover ended at the coast so we could navigate along the beaches towards the wind turbines at Boulogne at about 700 feet. We were aware that Le Touquet tower was unmanned and heard UD making blind calls for finals. One down, we were next in the Arrow flying a tight circuit up the estuary keeping clear of the higher ground inland and we were able to pick up the remaining 3 Circus aircraft on frequency – all had survived the Channel crossing. We heard a call from an Apache declaring finals as we were on right base but we were not visual with any other aircraft, Steve M set up for final approach and following the low-level flight along the coast the long tarmac looked most welcome. We parked and the Apache finally landed a good 4 or 5 minutes behind us – now that’s what I call a long final!

Putting the wind up unsuspecting pilots

Le Touquet

The remaining aircraft quickly joined us on the ground with a few comments that Jane had been seen orbiting inland over Boulogne.

UD, DH, XK and DO

Once the landing fees had been paid (or avoided – thanks Shane!) we looked for transport to the town. Outside the terminal they had obviously been expecting us because there was a real life Circus being prepared! The only problem that remained was that the 13 of us would not all fit in the 2 taxis available. Steve M gallantly offered to wait for the next one along with Jane, Ian and 2 of the Pax.

The rest of us were outside the restaurant for ages waiting for them to turn up, even calling Steve’s wife Lindsay to get his mobile number at which point the 5 of them rolled up on bicycles looking like the cast of Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five! Clearly no other taxi had arrived and the smooth French roads tempted then into some exercise!

The Famous Five arrive

The restaurant arranged 13 seats outside and the opportunity to sample French cuisine avoided by most who preferred omelette’s or steaks except Peter who was tempted by the ‘Crab Mayonnaise’. However he was not expecting the literal meal that arrived – a crab and mayonnaise – no preparation. We all drank copious amounts of Orangina – why can you not get it in the UK since everyone seems to drink it in preference to Coke etc. when going to France? And geared up for the return flight.

The gang!

The crab!

We headed through the town which was really busy – all the shops were open and crowds filled the streets. It took a while but we got taxis back to the airfield, passing a amazing array of Circus wildlife on the way, Lions, Tigers, Zebras, Camels even a Hippopotamus!

Le Hippo!

After filing flightplans we climbed aboard the aircraft and departed in turn. Cloudbase was still poor – despite non stop sunshine at Le Touquet and we levelled at about 800 feet. We called Lille approach to activate the flightplan and provide a flight information service. We were hoping for a lifting of the cloud as we coasted out but this was to no avail and a crossing was made at 800-1000 feet. We followed XK across the sea but at Dover we could not hold back any longer and opened the Arrow up, taking some pictures as we passed.

DH gets directions

DH passes by

Over the UK the weather was much improved and were we able to cruise at 3000 feet as we approached Southend. A few showers were visible to our left but none affected our progress.

Southend

A few minutes later and we were on the ground at Andrewsfield. A little while longer and the others returned including a sort of aborted landing/go-around/flypast type of thing by Nick in XK.

It has been a while since most of us had flown ‘over the water’ especially since the club flyout was abandoned due to weather so we all had a great time and sharpened our low-level flying experience.

Another excellent Flying Circus mission.

[Text: Richard]