With the trip planned, Ian is too fly P1 for the trip there and back due to Gary being grounded because of antibiotics.

Ian is sitting left hand seat, starts to prepare the aeroplane for the short trip.

23R for take off at Derby Airfield, routing Burton Power Station, Draycott Water, and then for landing on 23L at Sywell.

Our journey commences as we build up speed down runway 23.  The runway length is 528m so 10° of flap and powering up against the brakes is essential to clear the hedges and trees at the other end.

For those that do not know Derby make sure you are well acquainted with short take off and landing techniques.

Climbing out on base leg heading west aim for the coffee factory out towards Tutbury which is also on the edge of Derby’s control zone.

Ian will soon turn left and head south towards Burton Power station being careful to avoid over flying villages.

As we climb out of the zone, the castle at Tutbury is just about viewable in this picture (the photographer was rubbish on this trip)

Approaching Nuneaton, the disused airfield there is on our right.  It is used as a visual reference point and we are flying just to the South West of it.  We have been talking to East Midlands Approach but when over head Nuneaton Ian switches to Coventry Approach who request a climb to 3000’.  We can accept that just about and remain VFR and up we go…..

The reason for the climb today is that to get to Draycott water we must cross the extended centre line of Coventry’s runway.  Coventry can get busy these days and today was no exception, we are asked to transfer to Coventry Radar and they tell us to orbit left for identification, as we comply and we are identified, a Thompson Boeing 737 comes into view.

The 737 was at 2000’ so much lower, but still felt close.  He whistled down our right hand side and once passed we resumed our track to Draycott Water unhindered.

Draycott Water ahead, on track, and Ian will turn to the left over head the lake and head for our final destination.

You can see the standby altimeter reading bang on 3000’.  It’s a lovely day, our encounter with the Boeing had left a grin on our faces.

Ian has positioned the aircraft downwind at 1000’ above ground level and Sywell Aerodrome is visible through the left hand rear window.

The wind is strong about 12Knotts but it is straight down the runway.  There is a good length to the runway so should be straight forward enough.

Final approach for 23L at Sywell.  You can see the earth works to the left of the runway where a new all weather runway is being constructed, all the aerodrome buildings are to the south of the airfield and on the left of the picture.

We parked G-BKEV in front of the old Sywell terminal which is now an Art Deco Restaurant ….. fantastic and well worth a visit.  However we learnt that gateaux is not served at weekends ! as Sunday 3 course meals are being served.

Ian was not happy but settled for coffee and a bag of nuts !

Walking to the control tower we passed the refuelling bays. 

Recently put in it looks like a filling station for your car.  Drive your aeroplane in from the right, exit to the left.  It’s even got a price board just like a garage…. marvellous.

Ian props up the north wall of the control tower.  We wandered up into the tower to pay the landing fees, and get our gate clearances.  We were given codes to exit airside of the airfield to use at specific gates to get to the restaurant.  This was perhaps the trickiest part of the journey for us as we fumbled with the gate key pads !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sywell was originally RAF Sywell and was used for elementary flying training a job it still does today but as a civilian airfield.  The tower has not changed much since this picture was taken in 1961.

After a look around the museum, and another coffee its time to head back.  This picture shows the lake just north west of Sywell called Pitsford Water.  Not a bad navigation point to find the aerodrome.  The picture was taken on the way back following the same route as we had come.

After Draycott Water we once again flew over the extended centre line at Coventry.  The runway is visable in the picture opposite.  No problems this time with traffic, straight through towards Derby.

The flight went on up between Birmingham and East Midlands airspace until approaching Burton Power Station opposite.  Another good reference point and as long as you are not to the north of it, you are well clear of East Midlands airspace.  Burton town can be seen behind the power station.

Ian is now downwind for 23R at Derby Airfield.  The field can be seen in the middle of the picture just above the industrial estate at Hatton. 

The airfield can be difficult to spot and because of East Midlands airspace, over head joins are prohibited. 

However there are plenty of reference points that can be used to locate Derby, including Church Broughton disused airfield.

The reflection on the wind screen caused a problem for this shot, but it was taken on final for 23.

The runway is in the middle of the picture and I have added a white centre line marking to the picture as this is such a poor shot.

We were safely home captained excellently by Ian.  Our expedition for gateaux had been unsuccessful, or so we thought for on return to the flying club reception gateaux was on offer.  Splendid, with the aeroplane tied down and packed away, the local pub beckoned.