Fernando's Logbook

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We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage. 

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This week we are taking a short break, but we've got something special for you: an archive episode of "Travel Plans" dedicated to Le Touquet Paris Plage

Once a playground for the British elite, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is now brimming with new energy. Join us as we go through this enchanting French destination's captivating history and modern allure.

From the moment we touch down at Le Touquet’s airport, get ready to uncover what to explore, whether you have a couple of hours or a few days to spare:

• Rich local culture & history: Explore the town's evolution from an elite retreat to a vibrant destination for all.
• Scenic beauty: Wander through lush pine forests, natural parks, and breathtaking beaches.
• Legendary landmarks: Visit the iconic hotel linked to Ian Fleming and the birth of James Bond.
• Honest accommodation reviews: From the opulent Le Westminster Hotel to the budget-friendly Ibis and the unique Novotel Thalassa, we'll help you find the perfect stay.
• Thrilling activities: Experience beach sports like sand yachting, play a round of golf, horse riding or explore the vibrant market.
• Delicious dining: Indulge in local cuisine, from charming bistros to Michelin-starred restaurants. 
• Family fun: Wrap up your adventure with a visit to a thrilling theme park just outside town.

Whether you're seeking history, adventure, relaxation, or a taste of the good life, Le Touquet has something for everyone. Tune in to this episode for a three-day journey through this captivating coastal town.

For photos, videos, and a list of places to sleep, eat, and play, visit this episode's website.

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We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage. 

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Welcome back to The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe.

In this week’s episode, we deal with one of the biggest concerns of any pilot: the possibility of losing our medical certificate. Our guest today is Stefan Drury, a real go-to name for excellent aviation content.

Stefan's popular YouTube channel is packed with fascinating stories and travel
adventures, including his epic pilot series flying his Cirrus across Australia, Europe,
and the US.

Then, early in 2024, Stefan faced a significant setback with a brain tumour
diagnosis and the loss of his medical. 

It's been truly inspiring to see how Stefan has approached losing his medical, having to stop flying as a pilot (not knowing what the future held), and how he's moved forward.

In this episode, Stefan shares his insights on navigating that moment, discovering hope and new adventures.

In this episode, we also cover:

• News and Views: We catch up on the latest aviation news headlines that are relevant to you.
• Weather Forecast: We look into the forecast for the next couple of weeks.
• "Ask Amanda!": Amanda Rhodes, a NATS Air Traffic Controller, answers our listeners' questions about Luton zone transit.

Links and Resources:

• CAA Consultation on Moving Maps 
• Stefan Drury's YouTube Channel 
• Stefan's Patreon Page
• Subscribe to The Pilot's Logbook for Extra Content 
• Travel Plans Podcast 

Support the show

Get our newsletter for free here. 

We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage. 

Send us a text

Support the show

Get our newsletter for free here. 

We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage. 

Send us a text

Support the show

Get our newsletter for free here. 

We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage. 

The music for this episode was composed by a talented group of composers and musicians represented by Musicbed. You can also have access to their music. Use this link to get 14 days of free access #ad

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Welcome back to The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe.

In this week’s episode, we had a fascinating chat with NATS Air Traffic Controller, Amanda Rhodes. Amanda is an approach radar controller based at Swanwick, looking after the airspace around Stansted and Luton Airports.

With nearly 25 years of experience, she's one of the best-known controllers in the UK and is nicknamed by many pilots as 'the happy controller.'

If you've ever wondered what really happens when someone infringes controlled airspace, today, Amanda pulls back the curtain and reveals the immediate, behind-the-scenes actions taken by ATC. We'll hear about the split-second decisions, the ripple effects, and even how it impacts the controllers themselves.

Also, we're thrilled to announce that Amanda has generously offered to answer your questions about ATC and controlled airspace in future episodes. 

So, if you have any burning questions, please check below for the link that says "Send a text"—just click on that and fire away! We'll be choosing some questions for Amanda to answer in upcoming shows.

In this episode, we also cover:

• News and Views: We catch up on the latest aviation news headlines that are relevant to you.
• Weather Forecast: We look into the forecast for the next couple of weeks.
• Dungeness: we fly back to one of the most enigmatic landscapes in England.

Links and Resources:

• Save Nottingham Airport Campaign 
• New Robinson Helicopter
• Electronic Travel Authorization for most people travelling to the UK starts on the 2nd April 2025
• Subscribe to The Pilot's Logbook for Extra Content 
• Travel Plans Podcast 

Support the show

Get our newsletter for free here. 

We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage. 

Send us a text

Welcome back to The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe.

In this episode, we have an inspiring conversation with airline pilot Steph Burn.

Her story is truly remarkable. When Steph was five, she decided she wanted to become an airline pilot. But with training costing over £100,000, her family couldn't afford to pay for it. So, how has she done it? 12 years of commitment and working two and three jobs up to 90 hours a week.

And now, she's dedicated herself to helping people from all walks of life, regardless of their financial situation, to achieve their dream of becoming commercial pilots.  

But that's not all! We also cover:

• News and Views: We catch up on the latest aviation news headlines that are relevant to you.
• Weather Forecast: We look into the forecast for the first days of spring. 
• Dungeness: we fly to one of the most enigmatic landscapes in England.

Links and Resources:

• Subscribe to The Pilot's Logbook for Extra Content 
• Travel Plans Podcast 
• Steph Burn's Mentoring Group on LinkedIn

Support the show

Get our newsletter for free here. 

We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage. 

Send us a text

Welcome back to The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe.

In this episode, we have a candid conversation with Jon Hunt about inclusion, the future of general aviation and YouTube success.

But that's not all! We also cover:

• News and Views: We catch up on the latest aviation news headlines that are relevant to you.
• Le Touquet: We continue our ultimate guide to Le Touquet Paris-Plage. This time, we focus on what to visit if you are in town for only a few hours.

Links and Resources:

• Subscribe to The Pilot's Logbook for Extra Content 
• Air League Scholarships Programme 
• The North West Transit Corridor 
• Rotax Service Bulletin 
• Le Touquet Travel Guide
• The Flying Reporter

Support the show

Get our newsletter for free here. 

We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage. 

Send us a text

Welcome back to The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe.

Ready to become an aircraft cover expert? In this episode of The Pilot's Logbook, we dive deep into the world of aircraft covers with insights from Andy Blundell, founder of Vertigo Covers. Andy shares his expert advice on choosing the right cover, proper care and maintenance, and common mistakes to avoid, helping you save money and keep your aircraft protected.

But that's not all! We also cover:

• Property Developers vs My Mum: The inspiring story of a mother battling to save her local airfield from closure.
• Ditching Dilemmas: Fernando shares his firsthand experience with underwater escape training and what it's really like to escape a submerged aircraft.
• Le Touquet: We take a sneak peek into our comprehensive Travel Plans guide to Le Touquet Paris Plage, the charming French seaside resort.

Links and Resources:

• Subscribe to The Pilot's Logbook for Extra Content 
• Support the Show
• Vertigo Covers
• Save Nottingham Airfield Campaign: Facebook Page, comment on planning applications here and here and Campaign Donations Page 
• Le Touquet Travel Guide
• Andark Aviation Underwater Escape Training
  
  

Support the show

Get our newsletter for free here. 

We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage. 

Send us a text

Welcome to our very first episode of The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe.

Each episode is packed with practical tips, inspiring chats with pilots and members of our community, gear reviews, and the latest aviation news that is relevant to us, and we’ll reveal exciting destinations you can fly to directly.

In this episode:

• We discuss the new CAA safety directive on carbon monoxide detectors and review a great option for your aircraft. You can find the full CAA Safety Directive here and the detector we reviewed here.
• We share some need-to-know aviation news, including updates on Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport.
• We have a fantastic conversation with Philippe Polman, founder of Echelon Air, about how to make the most of your pilot's license.
• We take a trip to a historic airfield in Norfolk and spend a few days living inside a forest. You can listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast app by searching for Travel Plans. You can also check the show here.

All destinations and videos mentioned are available on the episode's website.

If you have a story you think we should cover, please send us an email to [email protected]

Extras

If you are a paid subscriber (£6 for a whole year), you can listen to the full conversation with Philippe Polman, watch a video of the landing in RAF Great Massingham and join the exclusive chat.

Subscribers also get access to some helpful resources, like destination guides, videos, photos and live Q&As we do regularly to discuss where to fly next.

Most importantly, your support helps us keep The Pilot's Logbook going. So, if you can, please head over to thepilotslogbookpodcast.com to join and support the show.

Support the show

Get our newsletter for free here. 

We believe the best adventures are shared from one human to another. That’s why everything in Fernando’s Logbook is created entirely by talented people and artists. We do not use Generative AI at any stage.