Gatwick and Heathrow on a Sunday day trip

[atuk]

Why?

Well the LGW Aviation Society have an annual convention in Crawley so decided to go by BA and support the GLA-LGW service but as it’s only once daily chose to return back from LHR.

A nice shiny 320 NEO, TTNH, graced stand 19 awaiting departure. Security was busy but easy to get through but no lounge facility as the opening time is 0600 despite boarding at 0605. We eventually boarded at 0650 with the FO advising this was due to cleaning issues on the aircraft as well as gate staff. No cabin bags were tagged for the hold which delayed departure and eventually we left around 0720. A nice smooth flight down departing from Runway 23 looking down on my late parents house in Linwood evoking memories of my first ever flight to LGW back in the days of British Caledonian Airways Limited.

The approach to LGW provided a superb view of Southampton, The Solent and the Isle of Wight followed by glimpses of Brighton and Eastbourne before heading further inland for a late but smooth landing in a LGW full of TUI, WIzz, Norwegian and , of course, easyJet.

Speedy exit to the bus stop for Crawley and the pleasure of meeting Allen once again. We both enjoyed the show and I was immensely impressed by the stalls and the model of a Donaldson International Airways 707 but at £155 or thereabouts, a tad expensive!

Back to LGW and a NatEx coach to LHR.I could have gone by train but due to engineering works and tube disruption chose the easier, but more expensive at £27, option. Anyway it gave me chance to catch some shut eye as I would not be back into GLA until 2330 ( more of later) with an arrival home of around 0100.

It was a pleasant surprise to have a 321 NEO for the return flight; the more I fly these aircraft the more I like them. Cue a slightly delayed departure again gate chaos with bags tagged but no coordination or team working. Once airborne decide to get some more sleep as so far it was a 21hour day. I woke up to a cabin announcement that we would be landing in GLA shortly and looked out to see Liverpool and the Mersey estuary below with the black outline of the Isle of Man! Well certainly not landing yet and admiring the stunning sunset in the north west and was about to drift back to sleep when “ Would the Senior Cabin Crew Member report to the Flight Deck immediately”
Oh, oh, what’s wrong? My first instinct was it a medial problem on the Flight Deck; there had been zero in the way of any in flight announcements from them. Or was it a passenger medical issue? A woman propelled herself forward at brake neck speed to front of the aircraft! By this time we had descended and started turning in cloud. After what seemed like an eternity we were told that there was a warning light indication and that we would be landing shortly but met by fire engines on the runway. Hydraulics, landing gear, what else could it be, a hundred questions were in my head. Many folks sleeping were still oblivious to what was going on but we continued circling and eventually stared our descent breaking cloud over Motherwell then back into it once again towards to Campsies. We descended through the clouds over Drumchapel and by this time I could see the slats deployed but had no idea if the flaps were operational however the gear had definitely deployed. So it must be hydraulics then?

We landed firmly and braked: like I’ve never seen before (even compared to that LTE 757, Piper One) and came to a complete stop in Runway 23 with fire engines waiting to attend. No burning smells but I could see the speed bakes deployed but no sign of flaps. The fire brigade CSM to check there was no leak of hydraulic fluid on the wheels and onto the runway and after around fifteen minutes we were cleared to proceed to stand.

So an unexpected delay , thankfully all was ok and everyone on board was too. I have to say the crew were marvellous, taking all in their their stride as they’re trained to. For me it’s the first time, and hopefully last, that I’ve encountered any emergency situation in my forty nine years of flying.

[Clive]

https://www.thenational.scot/news/20158 ... 0-landing/