Le Touquet trip by Stapleford Flight Centre

Seven aircraft flew to Le Touquet at the start of May for Stapleford's first club fly-out of the season.

Superb weather conditions enabled 20 pilots to cross the Channel without any hitches, in a convoy of Warriors, Cessna 125s, an Arrow and a Diamond.

In terms of experience, it was a mixed bag, with career-bound CPLs flying alongside veteran PPLs. Stapleford instructors Scott Welsford, Marc Hall, Colin Edwards and Maurice Blaber led the trip, briefing the group before take-off.

"As the flight set out in the direction of Dover, then Cap Gris Nez there was jockeying for position, with the Warriors easily overtaking the C152s.

"Our arrival, along with flights from Gamston and Cambridge, not to mention some French aviators, certainly put Le Touquet tower under considerable pressure and turning final was like the approach to 27 left at LHR in the rush hour!" pilot Sue Rose said.

The agenda - lunch in Le Touq, a walk along the beach followed by some essential retail therapy so pilots could stock up on wine, cheese and bread.

Then it was homeward-bound for the return leg, with the Stapleford convoy lined up on runway 32 ready for take-off.

All in all, a trouble-free trip to Le Touq, apart from some fiesty fromage to deal with, as Sue diplomatically put it, "Six Camemberts certainly made their presence felt!".

Club fly-outs continue on the first Wednesday of each month, with briefings the previous evening. Interested pilots can sign up in reception.

W: www.flysfc.com

Words: Kirsten Corrigan