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Always consult the proper and legal documentation prior to flight - this is a guide and reflects my opinions only.

Stapleford Tawney Aerodrome

Lat - 51^o 39' 09" N

Long - 000^o 00' 92" W

Stapleford Tawney Aerodrome is located conveniently near to the M25 and M11 motorways.

Radio - 122.80 A/G

Tel - +44 1708 388 680

Stapleford Tawney has a number of endearing features:

• A grass runway with inset ashphalt, giving all weather capability in the winter
• A 2.4 degree slope down on runway 04 . . .
• And, you've guessed it, a 2.4 degree upslope on runway 22 . . .

It is also the home base for BIJU.

The restaurant serves absolutely enormous omlettes, so be warned.

Trip Blog - BIJU's Travels

Stapleford Local; 20^th November 2005

On a really sunny afternoon in November, I picked up BIJU from a syndicate member at the fuel pumps. It was around 2pm, and with a couple of hours life left in the day, just enough time remained to whizz (sic) round the local area. I was taking a colleague from Ford Dunton on a first foray into the air, first at least in proper small aeroplanes. Admiring the new Diamond Twinstar basking in the late sun, we finished checks and things, and clattered down the smooth ashphalt.

There was a strong inversion at 2000 feet, which caused visibility of around 8km below, and upwards of 100km above. This was rapidly turning into one of those flights where the air is just perfectly smooth, and the sun was a welcome source of warmth in the cockpit. BIJU has a few too many ventilation holes . . .

We flew to Canvey Island, where my colleague has a boat. Taking a few pics of the mudflats and creeks, we sauntered, as only a small light wooden aircraft can, across the Thames. The sun was in a perfect place to get some very atmospheric shots of boats and some not very flattering ones of oil refineries (omitted from these pics).

The North Kent coast was backlit, throwing every ditch into stark relief. The mudflats looked more like martian landscapes. Only time prevented taking more pictures. Running up to the QE2 bridge, the Thames silhouetted perfectly the docs at Chatham and other places. Finally, we turned over the Bridge, and got a couple of shots of the other, sunlit, side.

Finally it was back to Stapleford, after a very memorable and impromptu flight. En route we turned over Ford Dunton to catch the working masses leaving in a huge stream. A farmer was top dressing his field, which proved an irresistable photo opportunity. The 500 foot role prevented any lower shenanigans!

Sometimes the best flights are at short notice, and with no fixed agenda. You notice more around you and can concentrate on things outside the cockpit. My colleague has vowed to return . . .