PPL training - Solo navigation 2
| 5 minutes read, 868 wordsIt’s unusually cold outside now, but we also got clear skies! So with the longer opening hours today (being a Sunday), this was the perfect day for the second and final solo navigation/cross country flight! This time I had to do a full stop landing on two other airports.
In addition to this, I needed 3 hours of solo navigation time. So I spent the day yesterday planning a route from Karmøy to Sola followed by a long sightseeing route from Sola to Flesland.
![Daily inspection](di.jpg)
Two wings, one propeller, three wheels - CHECK
After preparing the airplane, and briefing with my instructor, I was ready! The weather was perfect, and I felt ready.
I was told to expedite backtrack, which was a first for me, and something I didn’t expect to hear on a solo flight. But I was happy to comply, and departed Karmøy shortly after.
![Enroute to ENZV](enroute-to-enzv.jpg)
First stop Sola
I’ve done the flight from Karmøy to Sola a couple times now, so the first leg was the easiest. There was a lot of activity in the beautiful weather today.
There was light direct crosswind, so I guess they just had to pick a runway to use. Luckily for me, it switched from 36 to 18 right before I was cleared to final.
Runway 18 is still the only runway I have used at Sola, so this meant I knew exactly how to taxi to the parking!
![Parked at ENZV](parked-enzv.jpg)
But I’m not going in that direction
From Sola the plan was to head east towards Lysefjorden, and then north, via some other fjords. So I was a bit surprised when I was cleared to leave the control zone via Flatholmen and Tungenes. In hindsight, I should probably have asked for a better routing while still on the ground.
Once I got airborne, and switched over to Approach, I let them know that I intended to head a bit further east first (just like my flightplan said). That did the trick, and I was also cleared to my requested altitude of 5500ft.
![Fjords](fjords.jpg)
Winds from the east usually means that we can expect turbulence, and sure enough, the closer I got to the mountains, the worse it got. So I decided I had seen enough of Lysefjorden and decided to turn north instead. Wise decision! No point in making it uncomfortable when I don’t have to.
![Lysefjorden](lysefjorden.jpg)
Lysefjorden
More fjords
The turbulence calmed down a bit when I got further north, so I managed to get close enough to the rest of the planned route without it being too uncomfortable.
![Wing view](sunny-wing-view.jpg)
The weather was still beautiful, and it felt awesome! I was in control. And I was the pilot in command!
![Approaching Ølensvåg](oelensvaag.jpg)
Approaching Ølensvåg
![Snow covered mountains](snow-covered-mountains.jpg)
Besides some issues maintaining altitude in the worst turbulence, I started realizing that I actually have gotten better at the things I have been struggling with all along. I’m actually capable of flying - what an amazing feeling!
![Happy pilot](happy-pilot.jpg)
The scenic route
Clear skies all the way made this a really scenic flight. Rosendal looked a lot better on this flight than it did the last time.
![Rosendal ahead](rosendal.jpg)
Calmer winds also made this part of the flight a lot more comfortable, and it almost felt like I was on top of the world!
![Wing view](wing-view.jpg)
Never thought I’d say this
I eventually got close enough to the control zone that I had to switch over to tower, and say something I never thought I would say:
Flesland Tower, Student Pilot Lima November Hotel Oscar Golf
Flesland is a large and “scary” airport. I never thought I would ever fly here solo. But here I was. All alone, suddenly on final for runway 35.
![Landing at ENBR](landing-enbr.jpg)
The last time I was here taxiing really stressed me. So I made sure to practice using Microsoft Flight Simulator before this trip, and that’s what saved me when I was told “Taxi to Bergen Aero Klubb”. I actually knew how to get there! Proves that preparation is key.
![Parked at ENBR](enbr.jpg)
I made it safely down to a suitable parking spot, and after a while I realized that I had forgot to turn of the landing lights. Ooops.
As a “Welcome to Bergen” I got a nice text message telling me to take a Corona test:
![SMS from Bergen](bergen-sms.jpg)
I decided to simply stay in the airplane instead, much safer!
Just one more detour
The last leg of the day was from Flesland and back to Karmøy, with a short detour over Bergen (just because I can).
![Holding at ENBR](holding-enbr.jpg)
After holding for an eternity, I was finally cleared for take-off, and set course straight for Bergen (got lucky with the runway).
I’ve never seen Bergen from the air before, so this was a nice bonus!
![Bergen](bergen.jpg)
Clear skies and smooth air
After Bergen I requested 5500 ft again and climbed up to smooth air for a very pleasant flight back home to Karmøy.
![Leaving Bergen](leaving-bergen.jpg)
I passed Stord well above Sørstokken TIZ, and was mostly alone for the remainder of my flight.
![Stord](stord.jpg)
I was cleared into Sola TMA 5000 ft or below as well, so I could do a shallow descent down towards Karmøy.
![Wing view](wing-view-snow.jpg)
Karmøy Tower cleared me directly to final, and shortly after I was safely back on the ground.
![Haugesund](haugesund.jpg)
Haugesund
And with that I have completed all the solo requirements!
![Back at ENHD](safely-back-at-enhd.jpg)