Robbie ✈

Smiles for miles. Not just any miles, air miles.

@BenGrahamUK We actually need a new law, where we have an idea. We have bids for said idea and offer realistic bonuses if the work is completed on time and on budget. The said idea will have various inspections throughout to ensure that the design meets regulations.

£1.2 billion spent, before a single brick is laid. The Lower Thames Crossing is now officially a pre construction money pit. £1.2 billion wasted on plans, land, consultants, and bureaucracy, while our roads crumble and communities suffer. Imagine what Britain could do with that money instead: hospitals, schools, fixing potholes, lowering taxes. This isn’t progress, it’s proof that infrastructure in Britain is broken.

This Wing Tuesday hype has me craving unlimited chicken wings, but it also reminded me of a throwback flight last summer. I was flying over an occlusion; most of the ground was completely fogged in, with just the occasional pop of convection breaking through. Days like that really put the value of an Instrument Rating into perspective. While VFR pilots were stuck on the ground, I could file, climb above the mess, and keep going safely. Definitely one of those flights that makes you appreciate the IR perks.

@vanessajossi I C Sea 😆✈️

There was a plan A And a plan B Then there was a bit too much cloud So here's plan C

@scottiebateman That is looking awesome 👌 👏

@PilotRobbie Your wish is my command.

Heathrow to Delhi and already thinking about butter chicken. Long-haul flying has its moments of intensity, weather, fuel, time zones, constant decision-making … but it also comes with something we don’t talk about enough: the reset. A good layover. Delhi delivers on that. Butter chicken, or murgh makhani, was born not far from where I’ll be later, in the kitchens of Moti Mahal in Delhi in the 1950s. A dish created almost by accident, turning leftover tandoori chicken into something rich, restorative, and iconic. Comfort food, perfected. And after a long sector, that’s exactly what a layover can be. A chance to slow things down. Good food. A quiet room. Maybe a spa. A few hours where the tempo drops and the body catches up with the clock. Because even in a job that looks like constant movement, recovery matters. Good judgement, sharp thinking, and safe flying all depend on being properly rested, physically and mentally. So yes, Delhi today is about flying the aircraft well. But it’s also about switching off properly once we’re on the ground. A reminder that even pilots need to recharge. Right… let’s go earn that butter chicken. #PilotLife #A350 #DelhiBound #LongHaul #AvGeek #LayoverLife #Wellbeing #TravelWell #ButterChicken #FoodAndTravel #AirlineLife #AboveTheClouds

Can’t wait to get back to Europe and fly the airways again. Feels like yesterday, but time flies. Planning a return to Zurich, Prague, Nuremberg, and Ibiza, plus new stops in Vienna, Geneva, and Mallorca to make it even better.

@miami_rick I remember watching a few Concorde videos, and you could tell how fast you were moving as the LAT/LONG would be changing rapidly, haha!

The 747’s flightdeck sits so high up off the ground that it truly is close to impossible to accurately ascertain the jet’s true ground speed while taxiing which is of the outmost importance with a jet that size especially during 90° or tighter turns. I’ve never flown a jet without ground speed displayed on either the Navigation Display or the Primary Flight Display (or on both) or on the Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI) on the older 757s and 767s. Question for the wise elders… How did you monitor ground speed during taxi? I’ve seen the control interface unit for the Inertial Reference Units (INS) of yesteryear, did you monitor ground speed through there? How about jets before that without INSs? Just seat of the pants?

@LinkedInHelp Sent you a DM, as my account isn't working anymore. I've tried a few things, doesn't work.

Second thoughts, ooooh that's a naughty crosswind! "EGKK 151350Z 21015KT 9999 BKN025 10/05 Q1011"

Looks like a busy day for flying with fairly decent weather. Jealous of all those having fun!

Planned an awesome flight for this weekend to get lunch at a nice airfield cafe. Messaged my chief on call lead passenger to reserve the date. He says he's working??? What kind of betrayal is this

@CuriosityonX This and Concorde, an era of our time that we've surely gone further back since retiring and not replacing.

It's absolutely incredible that they managed to bring this space beast back like a motorless glider. We hurled a machine into the infinite, freezing void, then forced it to surf a 3,000-degree wave of plasma back to Earth.

Throwback to last July: Parked the aeroplane at Cologne Airport (CGN), bags packed, heart racing, heading to my very first F1 track experience at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix! Full vlog series coming soon: airport arrival, journey to Spa, trackside highlights, weather drama (classic Spa!), and all the behind-the-scenes fun. Plus, a detailed blog post dropping with tips for first-timers heading to an F1 race via Europe IFR flights in General Aviation. Stay tuned!

@SamGuichelaar What makes it anti-GA? I agree that there are a lot of airports in Europe following similar paths, but I am curious to understand.

@PilotRobbie That is *definitely* not the consensus under the Dutch flying public. Schiphol is considered one of the most anti-GA airports (or rather companies) in Europe, especially looking at Schiphol groups actions on GA traffic in the past.

Amsterdam Schiphol stands out as a remarkably affordable and welcoming gem for general aviation among Europe's major hub airports, offering reasonable fees of roughly €200–€325 for a typical single-engine piston aircraft visit while providing seamless access to one of the continent's most charming and picturesque cities. youtube.com/watch?v=SVYqpP…

@vanessajossi Other things she does in the 'Circuit'

I have a new toy (and working lights in the bathroom again thanks to it) Looking for more things to touch with it now

@glider12000 @vanessajossi Ive been told by some Gatwick based pilots that in certain conditions turbulence is horrific.

@vanessajossi Often get wave around the south downs. Have flown gliders in it...

Would you say this is lenticular cloud? Over Gatwick this morning

@GgAviation @vanessajossi Yes, Id highly recommend the ProFlight 2. Especially in GA, hearing the engine gives some warm confidence lol 😆

@PilotRobbie @vanessajossi Nice to know, thank you. Have considered a set instead of the A20, the Ray Bans start to hurt after 2 hours of the headset pushing against the ears

Are we doing this CRM thing right

@vanessajossi @GgAviation The Bose Proflights are great for long journeys. No ear pain and perfect for oxygen canula etc.

@GgAviation @PilotRobbie Thank you 😄 I actually wanted the Lightspeed Zulus but that wasn't within my budget at the time lol The DCs have been alright for training but I do hope to switch to the Lightspeeds or Bose headsets in the future 🤞 As for @PilotRobbie, I'll let him answer that himself 😄

@autop1lot @vanessajossi Thanks for sharing. Much appreciated 👏

This is a great trip report by @PilotRobbie & @vanessajossi . Highly recommend spending sometime digesting.