Midden Zeeland was one of the destinations that we were not able to get to last year due to weather, so in an attempt to get there this year, it was decided to try for an early attempt.

Saturday 19^th was chosen which also coincided with the Andrewsfield over night fly out to Abbeville (France) to which Rob B and Peter (Twanky) W, were taking G-ASUD.

So the call went out to the others to purchase the appropriate charts and plot their routes to Holland.  The hot topic of discussion was whether to go straight across, over 80NM of North Sea or go via Dover to the French/Belgian coast with its shorter sea crossing.  As it turned out both routes were taken – but more of that later!  Since most of the Circus pilots are now in syndicates based at three airfields, co-ordinating start times has become more problematical than in the past but the results have still been achieved.

C172 --------- G-BXXK: Paul and Diarmuid , along with them were Darren and Nick as passengers.

Jabiru --------- G-JABU: Bob C and Steve R.

PA28R ------- G-VOID: Steve M and Richard.

Richard and I arrived at Andrewsfield and taxied to the pumps to uplift fuel for the trip.  Unfortunately we were unable to take on fuel at Stapleford as the fuel bill had not been paid the month before and the fuel card was blocked – what a great start to the day! especially as Steve M had selected the gear up lever a little to early when rotating at Stapleford – Richard reminded him that a positive rate of climb was beneficial before wheels up!

Richard finds credit at Andrewsfield. Bob and Steve tune in to that 40's swing.

Steve and Bob had planned the route earlier in the week and were almost ready to set off, when G-VOID arrived from Stapleford. The airfield was buzzing with excitement as pilots prepared their aircraft for the trip to Abbeville and as they donned life jackets people were shouting to each other over the noise of the engines.  “ see you there”….”what route are you taking?” We received some puzzled looks when we replied we are off to Holland.

The faint sound of Glen Miller music could be heard as the Jabiru departed while Richard and I filed our flight plan and awaited the allotted take off time.  This gave us an opportunity to catch up with Rob and Peter who were getting ready for Abbeville.

"We'll meet again" - The Dangerous Brothers. Southend Pier points the sane way.

But why the Glen Miller music? --- It seems that Belgium has a slight issue with PFA aircraft and wanted a months prior notification of any transit of their airspace and a fee for progressing the application to transit.  This really provided Bob C and Steve R only one route, straight across!  When pilots hear Glen Miller music it is a subliminal message warning of the issues associated with going over large expanses of water.  Steve R said that on the trip he had never studied the temperatures and pressures so much in his life!

In the C172, out of North Weald, Paul flew the outbound leg with Diarmuid; naving and doing the radio work.  Paul routed Southend – Manston and across the North Sea to the COA VOR in Holland and then along the coast a short ways until arriving at Midden Zeeland.

Europe! Ostende.

The view from XK. The red-dotted line on all the maps (the Dutch-Belgian border!).

Steve M took off from Andrewsfield and coasted out over Dover to KOK VOR (Koksijde, Belguim) and along the coast via Ostende and the COA VOR before heading to Midden Zeeland.  Over the sea, the weather was hazy and Steve M was glad we had chosen the shorter crossing.  The auto pilot was enabled and with wing leveller doing its job a more relaxed pilot flew to Europe.

The Belgian and Dutch ATC were relaxed and casual on the radio which made the transit of airspace a delight.  When joining the circuit, G-VOID was being chased by a twin in USAF markings (see pictures) but we got down swiftly enough preventing the twin from carrying out a go around.  When we taxied in we saw that the C172 and the Jabiru had arrived and the crews were sitting outside the restaurant enjoying the sunshine.  Bob and Steve R were wearing dry clothing so we assumed that they did not ditch and paddle across.

G-JABU waiting for the troupe to arrive. Midden Zeeland Tower.

The Circus. The twin.

We all ordered food, mostly steak and chips, while Steve R ordered a local speciality – a ham and cheese toasted sandwich!!  As we ate we watched the local aircraft come and go and the local skydiving club throwing people out of their jumpship (C182) several times.

Clowns assembled. Diarmuid (which way's home?)

Darren experiencing the delights of being a passenger. Nick appreciates Steve's diet.

All to soon it was time to kick the tyres and light the fires for the return Journey.  Richard flew G-VOID home to Stapleford and Diarmuid flew the C172 back to North Weald.  Both Aeroplanes following the Dutch/Belgian coast before heading to Dover.  The Jabiru headed straight across the North Sea.

David and Goliath. G-BXXK.

G-VOID. Making ready.

This trip was probably the least eventful trip we have organised but was one of the most stimulating.  When first looking at the Belgian/Dutch airspace the flying looks daunting but the ATC units could not have been more friendly and helpful.

Midden Zeeland itself is a great destination and worth another visit this year, especially as Shane, Simon, Peter and Rob could not come along this time.

[Text: Wingco]

[Photos: Bob, Diarmuid, Richard, Rob and Wingco, click here to see the them all]