You walk into the bosses office on the Friday evening to pick up your flight for tomorrow. 'A nice little job here', he says. Manchester United football team are playing at Southampton, it seems, in a very important cup game. The supporters club have hired your company to take them to the match. You have to take the Airbus 300, because you have about 285 going. The boss thinks that there is no point in you waiting around at Southampton for the party to board for the return flight at about 6.00pm, so he has kindly arranged for you to take cargo to Bristol and Cardiff in the trip. Very thoughful that. There is a company DC3 at Southampton which another pilot has been using during the week, and you can use this on the Saturday. Transfer your cargo to this and use the DC3 for the small delivery journeys, picking up your Airbus for the return flight. All in a day's work! Your timings are approximately:
11.00 am Take off for Southampton
11.45am Land at Southampton (transfer cargo to DC3 after passengers disembark)
12.45pm Take off for Bristol (DC3)
1.30pm Land at Bristol
Unload cargo and have lunch break
2.45pm Take off for Cardiff
3.15pm Land at Cardiff
Unload cargo
4.30pm Take off for Southampton
5.35pm Land at Southampton
6.30pm Take off for Manchester (Airbus)
7.15pm Land at Manchester
Route given by flight control is:
Airbus 300
EGCC Manchester (113.55) to EGHI Southampton (113.35). 165 miles flown.
Take off and fly on 162° to pick up Honiley (113.65) then 167° to Compton, turning then to 199° for Southampton. No ILS here, you will have to ask for vectors when about 30 miles out. On that heading you should come almost straight in to land. A 42 minute flight.
DC3
EGHI Southampton (113.35) to EGGD Bristol. 90 odd miles by way of beacons to avoid Boscombe Down, where there are exercises taking place.
Steer 019° for 15 miles, then on to 007° to Compton (114.35), then left to 285° to Lynham (109.8). Ask for vectors to Bristol. No ILS. Keep a steady speed to conserve fuel (for the boss) and not too high. 45 minute flight in the DC3.
Have lunch after supervising the unloading and then off you go again.
EGGD Bristol to EGFF Cardiff . A short hop of 57 miles or so.
Head 000° to pick up the Brecon beacon on 285° (117.45) and shortly before reaching this you will be asked to contact Cardiff, and then ask for vectors to that airport. A difficult, small runway, no ILS, be careful. 33 minutes or so flying time.
EGFH Cardiff to EGHI Southampton (113.65). 128 miles.
Steer 011° to Brecon (117.45) then right on to 105° to Compton (114.35). After reaching Compton, if not vectored before, go to 187° and ask for vectors to Southampton (113.35). A little over one hour here, depending on conditions.
Airbus 300
EGHI Southampton (113.65) to EGCC Manchester (113.55). 165 miles flown.
Follow the same route as when you went to Bristol until you reach Compton (114.35). Then steer 347° to Honiley (113.65) and then 342° on radial A1 to Manchester (113.55), who will soon contact you. Land on the ILS. About 42 minutes.
Have enough fuel on board the Airbus for both journeys, the boss does not want to pay for fuel at Southampton. I used just over 18,000 lbs for the two journeys. The boss ought to be pleased, and you can expect a nice bonus on top of your monthly salary when you get paid! You hope!
Barrie Myers