By Rosey Woodhead (edited by Stefan ‘The Ace’ Fafinski)
So, if you recall back in May 2023, I jumped out of a plane with The Army Red Devils ‘World Famous’ Parachute Display Team! (Click here to read my skydive adventure.)
Well… later on in that year at our Annual Golf and Ramble Day Prize Giving and Auction dinner at Farleigh Golf Club, I had placed my bids (first time ever in my life) and won a flight with our very own RTD Trustee, Stefan Fafinski (aka Cap’n Stef)!!
This time, there was no jumping for me but an adventure into the skies with a brilliant pilot!
Stefan had an excellent flight plan at the ready. We just needed to schedule in a day…
Fast forward to our recent 10th Anniversary Founders Curry Night, July 2024 and Stefan says “Right Rosey! How about Friday 19th July 2pm?!” I responded (after squinting at my diary ) “Yeah, let’s do it Cap’n Stef!”… ‘Copy that’ as they say!
Two days later, I donned my Red Trousers (can’t leave home without them!), grabbed my aviators and off I went!!
It was quite a ‘scorchio’ day with temperatures in the 30s as I navigated (on terra firma of course hahaha!) the M25 and M4 towards White Waltham Airfield in Maidenhead.
Just a brief of history about White Waltham Airfield (extracts sourced from wlac.co.uk):
White Waltham Airfield is home of the West London Aero Club (WLAC). It is one of the oldest and best-known airfields in the country. Set in 200 acres on the edge of a picturesque estate in the beautiful Berkshire countryside, it is also reputedly the largest grass airfield in Britain.
The airfield dates back to the late 1920s, where the de Havilland family acquired the land in 1928 and formed the de Havilland School of Flying which opened in 1935.
The MOD requisitioned it for use during World War II and in 1940 it became the HQ for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) whose members were responsible for the delivery of all aircraft to and from RAF stations.
Interesting fact: During the war years the ATA achieved a remarkable 309,000 aircraft movements enabling the RAF to concentrate exclusively on operations.
It has been a civilian airfield and the home of the West London Aero Club since the early post-war years.
And a little bit about our Cap’n Stef…
Stefan Fafinski is Deputy Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT), Chair & Trustee of the WCIT Charity, Lawyer, Trustee to Red Trouser Day Charity, Musician, Author and of course he is the genius Pilot of the Piper PA-28-181 Archer II!!!
Here he is below totally owning the airfield!!
The Pre-Flight Briefing:
I arrived on time to meet Stef at the airfield, and I was already blown away with the sight of all the aircrafts out on the fields ready to take to the skies. Stef then pointed out some vintage WWII planes (a Hawker Hurricane, and a Mk2B Harvard) in pristine condition just outside their respective hangers… and I cant explain it but imagine the “WOW!!” look on my face. I was walking amongst grand history!
We sat down with refreshing glasses of lime and soda as Stef began our pre-flight briefing…
We had both the electronic GPS and physical map navigation systems with a flight plan meticulously drawn out. The flight and its rigorous checks had to be perfectly devised from the start, in-flight through to the landing.
Stef described and showed me some of the key flight essentials he needed to perform to ensure safety and an enjoyable flying experience.
Our flight path would take us from White Waltham across to Lyneham and back over Marlborough and return to White Waltham via Greenham Common.
We would be flying through some military airspace, but this would be handled with Stef doing some nifty radio conversations
Next, we ensured that a plane was readily available for our adventure ahead. I then found out what my co-pilot duties were ! I had to make sure the door was closed securely! Oh Crumbs!!
Keys to the plane in hand, flight kit (navigation, maps, check lists and headsets) at the ready… off we went to the Archer II (Piper PA-28-181) with its one door! .
After giving the plane a good visual check (including fuel and oil levels), we went to top up with some aviation fuel.
Once we got inside, phew was it ‘scorchio’! Stef handed me the map and it nearly did a flight of its own due to the heat (hahaha)! But, nevertheless, we were in the zone! Stef began his thorough checks on the console in front of us! I was fascinated by all the switches, buttons and gadgets.
It was like:
- Keys – check
- Start / ignition – check
- Fuel – check
- Navigation – check
- Radio – check
Other things included:
- Key in
- Battery master on
- Alternator on
- Fuel pump on
- Strobes on
- Start engine
- Set throttle
- Check oil pressure, alternator output, magnetos, oil pressure, temperature, fuel pressure, avionics, transponder, etc
… and so on (there were quite a good number of essential checks done)
The Art of Flying…
Once we were ready to go… our headsets were in, sound checked, doors shut securely, seatbelts fastened, my aviators (along with my RTD cap) on and of course not before taking the customary selfie with the Cap!!
We were strapped safely in and our headsets were on, almost immediately the most incredible radio conversations began as I soundlessly listened (if I can recall correctly):
Stef: Waltham Radio Golf-Bravo-Papa-Alpha-Yankee requesting radio check and airfield information
Control (at White Waltham): Golf-Alpha-Yankee readability five, runway two-five right, left hand circuit, QNH 1014
Stef: Two-five right, left hand circuit, QNH 1014, Golf-Alpha-Yankee
After a short taxi across the field and a few more pre-take off checks:
Stef: Golf-Alpha-Yankee, lining up two-five for departure
…. And we were off into the vast horizon ahead of us and lifted up into the sky. The headsets were remarkable as they reduced so much of the engine’s noise. We were in the air and the lush green fields below were a sight to behold.
Our initial climb was to 2000 feet, and it was perfectly smooth as we levelled up to the immense view around us. Stef related that now we were airborne and set up to cruise the plane pretty much flies itself with gentle guidance from our formidable pilot!
If one could describe the experience in the air and the exactitude of how Stef flew, I reckon it was like creating art across the horizon. Total control and composure!
If ever I was silent… then this was one of the few times I was. The views had me awestruck as I just kept silently mouthing “WOWZERS!”!
Along with my jaw-dropping facial expressions, the radio chatter had me intrigued. We were up in the air pretty much owning the sky, yet in the distance there were other pilots on the airwaves. From the helicopter pilot who might have forgotten his destination (eek!) through to planes travelling from Wolverhampton to the south and of course fellow pilots from the same airfield from where we departed. The conversations through different sorts of airspace was constant with the common phrase “Requesting Basic Service” (which is an Air Traffic Service provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights) echoing in our ears.
One of my other ‘co-pilot’ duties was to note any other airborne entities as I observed outside my side of the aircraft. That I did too, as I thought I saw a parachutist, but it was in fact a paraglider… “Great shout!” responded Stef as I related this to him. This co-pilot business is pretty cool, I thought !
We flew through the Military Air Traffic Zone at RAF Benson as Stef announced our plans and was acknowledged graciously by the controller. Stef moved on to chat to RAF Brize Norton, announced he was going to climb up to 3000 feet and within seconds we rose upwards and towards Lyneham. We were south of Swindon and could see the M4 corridor from above.
After a gradual and precise turn, we made our way back over Marlborough and took in the view of lakes, reservoirs, Newbury racecourse and the disused former US base at RAF Greenham Common. The radio chatter quietened a bit as the channel returned to the aircraft’s home airfield.
The Landing:
When you look a flight path for the landing on the radar you will see how Stef navigates a really nice loop before lining up a perfect landing onto the same runway from where we took off!
And the landing was totally prime and smooth, pretty awesome, if you ask me!
Our complete adventure covered around 100miles over just an hour in the air! We calculated a top speed of 134mph (or 117 knots) with an average of 107mph (93 knots)!! Whoohoo!!
As I write, I am looking at a close-up snapshot of the landing path Cap’n Stef took, and as I tilt my head to the right, it looks like the letter ‘a’… as I said “Total Art!”…and I think I have found a call sign for Cap’n Stef!!
Stefan ‘The Ace’ Fafinski!!
Finally…
My heartfelt thanks to our Stefan ‘The Ace’ Fafinski, for the superb welcome, brilliant flight, a genius pilot and for amazing flying experience!
I shall definitely cherish the afternoon. So here are some words to sum up my afternoon…
The Skies, Composed (by Rosey Woodhead – July 2024)
Head to the highs
Rising with control
Precision, the poise
Composed, upon skies..
Soar amongst skylines
Hushed horizon, constant
Yet between the vast
Gentle chatter, as silence aligns..
Swift along this rise
Calmly, time to descend
This land, beckons o’er
Composed, these skies..
Would you like to experience a wonderful flight with our RTD’s Ace Pilot, Cap’n Stef?
I so truly do recommend it 1000%!! I enjoyed every minute and learned so much too.
And here’s how you can:
Come along to our next Golf and Ramble Day at Farleigh Golf Club Prize Giving and Auction Dinner, on Thursday 12th September 2024 .
Here you will be able to place your winning bid for a wonderful RTD Flying experience day with Stefan.
For more information and to book your place please click here.
Please help us to help thousands of people avoid life changing treatment.
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Key Charity Goals
- 95% of all funds raised (excluding event costs) go to sponsor research
- A focus on clinical research for prevention and earlier diagnosis
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- A self-sustaining community of patients, supporters, clinicians & researchers
For more information go to https://redtrouserday.com
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