Thinking of Flying to Duxford

[bigdunk]

Any body who could give me some advice would be appreciated. Can you use the grass runway ? Or is this reserved for display days.
Thanks :ok:

[Johnm]

At the moment you can ONLY use the grass runway but they're a very welcoming bunch. Look up their number in the AIP and ring for PPR (a must) and all will be revealed:)

[Cusco]

Wrong: The hard runway is back in action as is the grass so you have a choice.
Only problem now is that the hard runway edge is 'sharp' so you can only exit at tarmac taxiways.
This is going to cause chaos at airshow fly-ins when formerly you could just turn off the runway at any point to the southside parking.
Every a/c landing on the hard will have to taxi to the end which will I predict cause the FISOs a big headache.
And as previous poster says you must phone for PPR 01223 833376, and if you want to fly in for an airshow day you must book a landing slot as well: you must have read the AIC yellow 239 http://www.ais.org.uk/aes/pubs/aip/pdf/aic/4Y239.PDF
before you ring them as they'll want to know which entry/exit gate you want.
Sounds daunting but really it isn't and Duxford, airshow or not makes an excellent day out.
Enjoy
Cusco

[bigdunk]

Thanks for that. Thought i would visit next week just for the day out and a look around. Interesting about the edge of the runway probably use the grass then.

[Cusco]

You may have misunderstood:
On airshow days , the normal GA parking area by the tower is naturally fully occupied by airshow a/c. GA aircraft are parked on the grass area to the south of the runway.
As landing slots on airshow days are tight, with often 4 or more a/c in the circuit, the FISOs are keen that a/c landing on the hard will vacate as soon as possible onto the grass parking area to the south.
This, before the runway re-surfacing , used to mean that as soon as landing a/c had slowed to a decent speed they turned off the side of the hard at any point, thereby immediately freeing the hard (and grass as the two are treated as one runway and cannot be used simultaneously) for the next landing a/c.
Now the edges of the hard would provide a significant 'sharp' (their words) edge, there is a risk of prop damage if a/c vacate at, say, mid point and every a/c will have to roll to the end of the hard before turning off via the taxiway and thence to the grass. This will take longer and I predict an increase in 'runway occupied, go around' instructions.
On non-airshow days there is no huge rush, the parking is by the tower and it's no sweat to roll to the end of the hard before turning off onto the taxiway.
So on non-airshow days, why not use the hard? It's 1500m long so you could even aim to land long to cut down on the taxying.......
Cusco:O

[strake]

Cusco has given you some excellent advice about reading the AIS publication and getting PPR for Duxford.

I would like to give you two further pieces of advice:

1. Read the AIS publication and get PPR
2. As 1.

I don't know if things have moved on, I hope they have, but at one time there was a chap at Duxford Radio who could only be described as as "difficult".
However, it's a fantastic day out and you will feel extra special flying in even on a "normal" non-display day when you don't need to worry about gates etc.

Just checked my logbook to see I have a grand total of sixty-six visits over twenty years.
Come to think of it, that's a lot of landing fees....:)

[bigdunk]

:ok::ok::ok:

[proctor]

I took part in a club fly-out to Duxford on Tuesday from St Cyr outside Paris, my first cross channel flight (the opposite way round to most of you fellows), and I can safely say it was one of the most exciting days I've ever had - I have to admit it was more memorable than my first solo or passing the skills test. There's no better way to arrive at such a great museum than from the air. There's just so much going on, even on a normal day. Enjoy yourself!

[Russell Gulch]

Is Duxford Licensed? If so, how can a "sharp edge"(d) runway comply with licensing requirements?

[Tall_guy_in_a_152]

Duxford is a fantastic place for aviators.
One slightly confusing aspect is that you don't check-in at the tower (with the big C), but at the visitor centre near the new 'Air Space' hangar.
There is a landing fee of about £14 for a light single and a separate museum entrance fee if you want to stay for more than an hour or so. Be warned - there is a LOT to see.
You can phone for PPR the day before whichis useful if you want an early start because the tower doesn't open until 10:00.
Final note - the two runways are treated as a single runway for occupancy, so you have not vacated the hard untill you have taxiied all the way past the end of the grass to the taxiway.

['Chuffer' Dandridge]

Duxford is licensed. The main tarmac runway has just been resurfaced, and a 'sharp' edge has been left. Not sharp as in it's going to cut the tyres, but taxying across it may break pieces off. Until it's sorted, you have to taxy to the end..

Wonderful place, good to visit, but please read the AICs before you go...

CD

[tmmorris]

Perhaps they need ATC for airshows, so they can give 'land after' clearances...

Me, I'm a fan of 'Clear land, one on' but then I fly in odd places.

Tim

[Cusco]

Nope:

FISOs only:

No 'land afters' at all:

Be prepared on airshow days for mucho go-aroundo and the odd orbit off to the north..............

Cusco:ugh:

[Fuji Abound]

Yes, well worth a visit .. .. .. or two .. .. .. or even three.

However, take heed of the PPR as others have said.

Last time passing by on a bit of a jolly asked if I could pay a visit .. .. ..

two visitors on the ground, nice day, no airshow, or any other Duxford aircraft in operation at all.

Have you PPR'ed?

No, as we were passing by just thought we would ask.

In that case no you cant - we are PPR.

So if we land at Cambridge, give you a call, can we then?

I suppose so (no sign of a sense of humour).

So if we give you a call now from the aircraft .. .. ..


I know, I know their rules.

My opinion - pathetic!

[Cusco]

Oh Gawd!
The old PPR chestnut again:
Cusco:ugh::{

[tmmorris]

What happens if...

You are no. 2 as you turn final. You can see no. 1 just touching down.

You call 'G-ABCD final.' The FISO says 'G-CD, runway occupied, go around'. You decide you can land safely behind and to the right of the other aircraft, as the Rules of the Air state, so you call 'Negative, contact one on, landing, G-CD' and land.

Will the CAA come after you? Is the 'go around' instruction mandatory when issued by a FISO?

Tim

['Chuffer' Dandridge]

Rule 14 of the Rules of the Air regs 2007 says this:

Landing and take-off
14.—(1) A flying machine, glider or airship shall take off and land in the direction indicated by the ground signals or, if no such signals are displayed, into the wind, unless good aviation practice demands otherwise.

(2) Subject to paragraph (5), a flying machine or glider shall not land on a runway at an aerodrome if there are other aircraft on the runway.

(3) If take-offs and landings are not confined to a runway—

(a) when landing a flying machine or glider shall leave clear on its left any aircraft which has landed, is already landing or is about to take off;

(b) a flying machine or glider which is about to turn shall turn to the left after the commander of the aircraft has satisfied himself that such action will not interfere with other traffic movements; and

(c) a flying machine which is about to take off shall take up position and manoeuvre in such a way as to leave clear on its left any aircraft which has already taken off or is about to take off.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5) a flying machine shall move clear of the landing area as soon as it is possible to do so after landing.

(5) Paragraphs (2) and (4) shall not apply if the air traffic control unit at the aerodrome otherwise authorises the flying machine or glider.

Duxford has a FIS operating, so Para 5 does not apply

And yet, you CAN take off on the same runway........which, if anyone has ever seen the warbird take off collision at an air display in the States, can be VERY risky.

[Arfur Feck-Sake]

As a general rule, a FISO has no authority to issue a "Go Around" instruction.

[Cusco]

TMMorris:

If you read Para 5.1.2 of the AIC Yellow 239(URL in my previous post) You'll find your answer.

Cusco.:rolleyes:

[tmmorris]

Thanks Chuffer - clearly I'd forgotten rule 14.2!

Not that I'd have done it, just wondered...

So the only time you can land behind/to the right of another ac is where there is no defined runway, I assume.

Tim

[Contacttower]

Another thing I learnt today about Duxford, unless you are a Duxford based plane you are not allowed to turn inside Duxford village when using 24 LH circuit.

[DX Wombat]

You call 'G-ABCD final.' The FISO says 'G-CD, runway occupied, go around'. You decide you can land safely behind and to the right of the other aircraft, as the Rules of the Air state, so you call 'Negative, contact one on, landing, G-CD' and landWould it not be more appropriate to make the call:"G-****, Final, visual one ahead, continuing"? This lets them know that you are on final and that you have seen the one on the runway and, for the time being are continuing your approach. You still have the opportunity to go around if necessary or you wish to do so.
Duxford is great! I have to say that I have had nothing but help from everyone there and some of them have very good reason to remember my first solo visit there. :( In spite of this I have been made very welcome. :ok:

[bigdunk]

Thanks to everybody for all the comments. All taken on board. Going to visit next week if the weather holds out.:):ok::ok::)

[DX Wombat]

Bigdunk - take a few minutes to have a good look at the American War Memorial, don't just walk past it on your way into the American Museum.