See description below (with timestamps at the bottom).
Weather:
METAR EBCI 130850Z 20009KT 160V230 9999 FEW025 15/06 Q1018 NOSIG
METAR EBCI 130920Z 20011KT 160V240 9999 SCT040 15/07 Q1018 NOSIG
METAR EDFM 131020Z 14003KT 090V250 CAVOK 18/06 Q1019
METAR EDFM 131050Z VRB02KT CAVOK 19/06 Q1018
METAR EDFM 131120Z 25007KT 170V340 CAVOK 18/06 Q1018
METAR EDFM 131620Z 26006KT 130V300 CAVOK 20/05 Q1016
METAR EDFM 131650Z 26004KT 180V350 CAVOK 20/05 Q1016
METAR EBCI 131820Z 20010KT 170V230 CAVOK 18/07 Q1013 NOSIG
METAR EBCI 131850Z 22009KT CAVOK 17/08 Q1013 NOSIG
Description:
After a quick one hour flight (my only flight in May) in less than optimal weather with an instructor which I needed for my SEP(L) revalidation by experience (so now my license is good until September 2026), and a similarly not too long but fun evening sightseeing flight with a passenger, I could finally do a longer flight. My parents were visiting me from Hungary for a week in the middle of June, and one of the days I took them for a proper day-trip with the plane, flying them for the first time!
I decided to go to Mannheim (City), as it looked like a very convenient airport for a visit to Heidelberg, thanks to the tram (or light rail) stop just outside the "terminal". Plus it is controlled (Class D) airspace, so no risk of having to speak German (big plus), and it has specific arrival and departure routes and procedures without the presence of a traffic pattern. For example it has a 4 degree glideslope (due to obstacles on both ends of the runway).
We had a very nice day, with enough time in Heidelberg for a nice lunch on a terrace, and a lazy walk through the old city. The flight there was special due to a last minute runway change in Mannheim, so I got to brief both arrivals. This video is also a bit special, as at times I speak Hungarian to/with my parents, but don't worry, I have subtitled these conversations. On the way back I was more tired, so I mostly spoke English :D I Enjoy the video!
Note: on the way back my SkyDemon screen-recording did not manage to save as there was not enough space on my iPad (forgot to delete older screen recordings...). The route was more or less the same as on the first leg though.
00:00 Quick briefing of the flight
00:13 Taxi request from EBCI Ground
01:40 Contacting EBCI Tower and waiting for a landing Ryanair
02:00 Line up and wait RWY 24
02:38 Take-off EBCI RWY 24
03:18 After take-off flow (then checklist follows)
03:54 Traffic information and approved to leave the frequency inbound SIERRA
04:13 Checking in with Brussels Information FIS
04:46 Talking Hungarian (English subtitles) while passing Belgian landscape
05:11 Switching to Langen Information FIS and entering Germany
06:13 Nürburgring, some darker clouds above, and views towards the Laacher See
07:00 Passing EDRK (Koblenz Airport) and the Moselle river
07:25 First views of the Rhine river
07:39 Descending below the airspace of Frankfurt and listening to the ATIS of Mannheim
08:12 Arrival briefing for Mannheim (RWY 09) and descent and approach checklists
09:06 Avoiding airspace near small airports (it is a dense area in this region)
09:24 Leaving Langen Info and contacting Mannheim Tower for landing instructions
10:08 Runway change at Mannheim to RWY 27 (followed by quick briefing)
10:56 Approaching KILO - continue approach
11:55 Cleared to land
12:19 A steeper than usual approach
12:42 Landing EDFM RWY 27 (with one replay)
13:20 Taxi instructions (until holding point RWY 27)
13:55 Expedited crossing approved
14:21 Runway vacated (a bit early call), and taxi instructions to the grass parking
13:55 After landing checklist, welcome message, and shutdown
16:24 Impressions from Heidelberg
17:10 Start-up for the return leg
17:24 Taxi request from EDFM TWR
18:42 Ready for departure, cleared for take-off
19:25 Take-off EDFM RWY 27 (and great views of Mannheim during the initial climb)
21:01 Approved to leave the frequency while exiting the CTR
21:12 Checking in with Langen Information FIS (and quick pilot-to-pilot communication :D)
22:06 Sticking to the right side of surface features (following the Rhine here)
22:48 Approaching and passing EDRK (Koblenz Airport)
23:25 Handover from Langen Information to Brussels Information FIS
24:13 The lakes of Bütgenbach (right) and Coo (left)
24:19 EBCI ATIS
25:10 Frequency change to EBCI TWR (requesting landing instructions)
25:45 Expecting some crosswind during landing
25:54 Approaching VFR reporting point (and clearance limit) SIERRA ALPHA
26:06 Left hand downwind RWY 24, looking for traffic on the opposite pattern
26:41 Quick ILS-tuning on the top of the base
26:55 Turning long final
27:08 Cleared to land
27:29 Landing EBCI RWY 24 (with one replay)
28:16 Vacating the RWY and taxi is approved
28:42 After landing flow, comments on the landing, and taxi to the parking
29:00 Parking and after landing checklist
29:28 Outro
