LAC-BLOG 2026
A Log of past events
Things aviation, around or in the Club or airport
Contributions/Photos/Discussions welcome
(Subject to scrutiny and Directors authorisation)
(Photo) Alan Webb – One of our founding members
19th August 2026
Today was Daniel Dittrich’s as he did his first solo flight this morning IN THE RAIN.
After 60 days (according to the Met Office) with no rain Daniel chose today to make the major step towards his Private Pilot’s licence. He said he was a bit nervous at first but it was fine in the end.
Seen here with Instructor Clive with the usual presentation Certificate and bubbly – for after flying, Daniel!!
Photos and text courtesy René, LAC OPS..
15th August 2026
It was Alex Farshi’s turn to take to the skies for his first solo flight today. Members will know Alex as one of the OPS guys and he can be doubly congratulated by getting all the way there just by covering the OPS desk.
A very pleased Alex can be seen here as he arrives back after completing this part of his PPL course. Also in the picture is Instructor Bob presenting Alex with the usual Certificate and bottle of bubbly.
A message from Alex: “Thank you so much for the lovely support, instruction and great team at LAC, I feel that I achieved this with you all.“
A big WELL DONE!! from all your team
24th July 2026
Today was Andy Sayers day as he completed his skills test with Examiner Bob in his own aircraft, G-BOZV. Andy had completed all his training in that plane with his good friend and Instructor, Andrew.
Andy said he was relieved to pass after all the hard work he’d put in and was looking forward to flying for fun and finally going places.
Pictured here celebrating his new Private Pilot’s Licence with Instructor Andrew (and the traditional bottle of bubbly) in front of his Robin G-BOZV.
Congratulations from the team at Lydd Aero Club
Photos and comments courtesy of Sam, LAC OPS
Friday 26th June 2026
Well done to both Andys!!
Photos and text courtesy Sam, LAC OPS..
30th May 2026
Lewis Hill, one of the OPS team members will know, graduated to Private Pilot today and reports as follows:
“The test was planned for the following Saturday, which is coincidentally the day that my great grandfather, Roy Legg, died flying the aerobatics he loved, but he lost consciousness in an inverted loop.
“The weather looked marginal for the flight test planned for Saturday 6th, next weekend, so Instructor Dianne suggested bringing it forward to today because the weather looked excellent! – it turned out to be a good decision.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to Dianne for putting up with me and the support she’s given during my training. She thinks she’s gotten rid of me, but unfortunately not quite – I’m still going to need to do my cross-channel check, night and IMC with her!”
Congratulations Lewis from all your colleagues on OPS and Lydd Aero Club – seen here with Examiner Bob
Saturday 23rd May 2026
Another Student pilot making the most of the current glorious weather is José Fialho. Today José undertook his Qualifying Cross Country test which is a major part of the Private Pilot’s training. On completion he was tired but very pleased – another milestone had been reached, and he said that he thoroughly enjoyed the 3 flights involved.
Seen here celebrating with instructor Dianne.
Congratulations! José. Not long to that Pilot’s Licence.
Photos and notes courtesy Lewis, LAC OPS..
Saturday 16th May 2026
Another recent Qualifier on his Cross Country was Lewis, a member of Club Operations, in G-CDMA. He said “I planned on doing Southend-Shoreham and stopping off at Shoreham for lunch but due to the warm front coming in from the west, had to get down to Shoreham early for a quick turn around and then across to Southend where I had to settle for a McDonalds lunch, the same as Andy the day before, and had a wrap and a coffee.
“I flew quite an obscure route in that, on the way back, I flew along the North coast of Kent to make up another 3 hours 15 minutes to bank more solo time. Myself, I was not tired but instead on a high when I landed. I could have gone off and done it all again!!
Editors comment – Oh! to have the energy of youth again!
Photos and notes courtesy Lewis, LAC OPS..
25th April 2026
The “Skills Test”, like the car driving test, is the final part of the course to achieve your Private Pilot’s Licence. Today Lewis Weir finally passed his skills test with Examiner Bob after a long slog of training.
Seen here with his Instructor Bob (on the left below) Lewis receives the customary bubbly as congratulations for a job well done. Both Bobs were glad to see him finally pass and Lewis was equally relieved to be finished after putting in all that effort.
Congratulations, Lewis, from all at Lydd Aero Club
Photo and notes courtesy Sam – LAC OPS
14th April 2026
Well done, William, now the interesting training begins.
Photo and notes courtesy René – LAC OPS
8th April 2026
The longest flight for most Pilots in training is the Qualify Cross Country where they are required to fly solo to two other airports over a minimum distance of 150 nautical miles. Today was Lewis Weir’s turn to complete his this afternoon.
He reported that he had a really good flight, with excellent weather conditions. The only incident was when he had to dodge an Airbus at Southend, but otherwise all good.
Seen here with Instructor Bob receiving the usual congratulations on part of the training completed.
Photo & Notes courtesy of René (LAC OPS)
29th March 2026
Students at Lydd Aero Club range in age from 12 to 70 (or more!) years of age but legally you are not allowed to “go solo” until you are 16. Today was another 16 year old taking to the skies on his own for the first time.
Seen here, with much of his family who came to witness this special even, is Aston Thomas.
After a circuit or two with Instructor Dianne they both agreed that the strong winds prevalent that day, and approaching the maximum limit for students, were well within Aston’s capabilites.
Seen here as he is sent off by his instructor and later during his First Solo Certificate presentation
Congratulation Aston from all At Lydd Aero Club
Photo & Notes courtesy Jack (LAC OPS)
27th March 2026
We are alll still waiting for some settled weather to get on with the flight training. Many hardy souls have been able to grab those few hours of reasonable weather, between showers and gales, to get on with their flying.
After a long wait due poor weather Ryan Johnson was sent off on first solo today and managed to get it finished before rain came in from the west. Seen here with Instructor Dianne, both looking very pleased with the result.
Well done, Ryan!
Photo & Notes courtesy Lewis (LAC OPS)
19th March 2026
The first spell of spring weather saw a flurry of flight training as we enjoyed a couple of days of March sunshine. Today was Luke Mason’s turn to complete that first step towards his Private Pilot’s Licence by completing his First Solo flight.
Under the careful watch of Instructor Andrew, Luke completed his first solo flight to gain his certificate and the congratulatory bottle of bubbly. Now the real trainig starts!
Congratulations to Luke!!
Photo courtesy of Morgan (LAC OPS)
3rd March 2026
Moving on quickly from his Qualifying Cross Country (Below) Jamie Jefcoate went straight on with his final Skills Test today, as soon as the dreadful winter weather allowed
This forms the final part of Jamie’s application for a Private Pilot’s Licence
In passing, Jamie expressed his “thanks to Instructors Clive and Andy for all their time and effort as well as Examiner Bob, for the Skills Test completion, and the Ops and airport staff for always being helpful“.
Congratulations, Jamie. Now to enjoy the
priviledges of your new licence.
Photo & Notes courtesy René (LAC OPS)
17th February 2026
Jamie Jefcoate completed his qualifying cross country on Tuesday 17th February but did not receive the usual congratulatory bubbly on the day. However, after completing another important section of the Private Pilot’s Licence he made sure he received it a couple of days later when he did a mock skills test with Instructor Clive. Jamie now looks forward to booking that final stage, the Skills Test with an examiner.
Well done, Jamie!!
Photo & Notes courtesy René (LAC OPS)
February 2026 – and you think Lydd is cold for landings
When your father achieved his Private Pilot’s Licence with Lydd Aero Club many years ago what can you do to better that? Well here is another Lydd student doing just that. Daniel Busbridge, now with the Royal New Zeeland Air Force, makes his first time time landing on the ice a success. He reported that “two failed attempts, but 3rd time a charm. Round two tomorrow so hopefully that goes to plan but unlikely with Antarctic flying”
Well done from some very envious (Private) Pilots at Lydd
14th February 2026
It’s had rained almost every day since the start of 2026 and Stanley Ku had already been briefed a couple of times before, in anticipation of taking his Final Skills Test for his Private Pilot’s licence, but never got the weather needed.
Having the test cancelled a few times due to weather, Stanley was finally able to pass his skills test today in the best weather so far this year.
A jubilant Stanley is seen here celebrating with Examiner Bob.
Congratulations Stanley! From all at Lydd Aero Club
Photo & Notes courtesy Sam Terry (LAC OPS)
18th January 2026
Starting the year with an early First Solo Flight is Theo Wood. At this time of year the weather is quite changeable but today was a beautiful winter’s day, dry with light winds.
A possible problem was the change of runway from that normally practiced. Today they were on runway 03, which Theo completed with a nice landing.
Seen here with Instructor Bob, Theo receives the customary Certificate and bottle of bubbly to mark the occassion.
Well done Theo! A good start to that PPL.
Photo & Notes courtesy Jack Fagg (LAC OPS)
