Oirland trip.

[stickandrudderman]

I'm planning to fly to the West coast of Ireland in September, the final destination being near Clifden, the famous lading site, but can anyone offer any advise as to the best destination airfield?
Galway seems to be the obvious choice but for the negative comments here on prune.
What about Connemara (Inverin)?
Any other tips or suggestions?
Thanks

[dublinpilot]

Inverin is also expensive from what I hear.

Current advice from Galway seems to be ring them and 'negociate your price' :rolleyes: (That's what the airport manager said recently in the press!)

What exactly do you need? Is a short grass, farm strip sufficient, or do you need long hard surface?

Do you need car hire facilities or public transport nearby, or will someone be collecting you?

[david viewing]

DP published some photos of the new runway at Clifden (http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53415&p=729087&hilit=clifden#p729087). Is there any more information on availability?

Regarding Connemara, I did arrange a visit last year with some tight restrictions on timing, etc., but had to cancel due weather. The chap I spoke to on the phone was very helpful and it might be worth contacting them, although overnighting was not possible at the time.

[dublinpilot]

David,

Cliffden is still not available.

Your link has http// in twice ;)

dp

[stickandrudderman]

I couldn't make that link work even after subtracting the extra http.
Is there an airfield at Clifden then?
I'll be hiring my mount and it could be a shortstripping taildragger or a Cirrus or Saratoga, I haven't decided yet.

[BRL]

Just a little bit south is Spanish Point. Grass and very very nice indeed. You would need someone to come and pick you up though as it is just a grass strip next to the coast.

There is a hotel over the road which is ok but no car hire place for miles, nearest place I think would be in Ennis, quite far away. (30mins drive)

[dublinpilot]

Is there an airfield at Clifden then?


The airfield at Clifen is under construction, and not open yet.

[stickandrudderman]

Spanish Point is too far South given the time taken to drive anywhere on Irish roads!
A new airfield at Clifden bodes well for my future trips though!:ok:
I've just googled it and see that the scheduled completion date is Oct 08!!

[PH-UKU]

We're also heading over for a week or twos touring later this month and doing preliminary planning, so any local knowledge/hints would be greatly appreciated ....

We're hoping to start off in Donegal and work south via Sligo, Shannon, Limerick and the Aran Islands. (Sounds like Galway is worth the bodyswerve.) We have the extra option of landing on the loughs (freshwater only) for the scamping adventure - any recommendations welcome :) Plan is to stop over for a few days, rent a motor and drive around Dingle Bay and the ring of Kerry.

What's the deal with fuel purchased in the south ? Can you claim back the duty at source, or is that only if you are crossing the border back into the north? I know that you can get duty free fuel at Enniskillen if you are flightplanning across to Eire. Anyone got any fuel rates for airfields in the south ?

:ok:

[dublinpilot]

You can get fuel supplied duty free at source, if your flight is taking you out of the Republic.

Only rate I know is Weston €2.40 per litre.

For general info on Ireland you might find this page useful. (http://dublinpilot.bizhat.com/Flying_in_Ireland.htm)
It needs some updateing (particularly for Irish customs), both mainly is ok. Irish Customs arrangement seem to vary depending on the airfield used. Best to check with the airfield that you intend to use when entering Ireland.

dp

[youngskywalker]

Whats the problem with Galway these days? I used to fly into Galway at least twice every week for about 3 years, lovely place for a night stop but the airport opening hours were a bit restrictive! Granted I never paid the landing fee's so I couldnt tell you if they were bad or not.

[Duchess_Driver]

Stayed overnight in Galway a few years ago - seemed like a nice place - and called in for fuel earlier this year - no real issues.

[Ber Nooly]

I believe Galway's a rip-off. Landing fee light aircraft €25. Parking €4/hr (first 3 hours free though). Passenger charge €26. There's also a €6 "Navigation charge" for all aircraft transiting through their CTR not landing at Galway.

http://www.galwayairport.com/files/GALWAY%20AIRPORT%20-%20Scale%20of%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20%20Standard%20Conditi ons%20of%20Use%20From%20July%202008%20Rev5.pdf

There's a strip in Belmullet, grass but hard all year round. May be the nearest to Clifden (apart from Inverin of course)

[jonkil]

Get your hands on VFR flight guide Ireland by Kevin Glynn... may be a few still available HERE (http://www.meteoraviation.com)... It lists well over 100 airfields throughout the Island, both north and south.. a lot of them are accessible by microlight only as they are short, there is however many that can accommodate aircraft that are land grabbers.... you will be assured of a warm welcome from most of them with no landing fees.
Letterkenny airfield in Donegal is usable by GP A aircraft, 550 metres x 30 metres of Grass, but no avgas and mogas by prior arrangement... see HERE (http://www.letterkennyflyingclub.com)... It is an airfield close to mine that I visit on a weekly basis.... always active at weekends.
If I can help then drop me a PM or contact me at my signature.

Regards,
Jon
www.RuskeyAirfield.com (http://www.ruskeyairfield.com)

[david viewing]

Sorry about the dud link to DP's photos of Clifden. Here it is again. (http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53415&p=729087&hilit=clifden#p729087)

[mutt]

Ruskey Airfield (http://www.RuskeyAirfield.com)

Is that the old Billy Pattersons field??? Certainly changed since the last time i flew in there.

As for Clifden, I was out there about 2 weeks ago, stayed in a lovely place called the Rock Glen County House, try to hire a car and experience the area, dont just fly over it.

Mutt

[jonkil]

Quote:
Ruskey Airfield
Is that the old Billy Pattersons field??? Certainly changed since the last time i flew in there.

As for Clifden, I was out there about 2 weeks ago, stayed in a lovely place called the Rock Glen County House, try to hire a car and experience the area, dont just fly over it.

Mutt
No, Ruskey airfield is a small private airfield I set up 4 years ago. Billy Patterson flew from the site where the Letterkenny Flying Club (http://www.LetterkennyFlyingClub.com) is now... Billy no longer flys, he sold the DR400 some time ago.

Jon
www.RuskeyAirfield.com (http://www.ruskeyairfield.com)

[corsair]

Galway can be pricey but is the best bet for the locale. The manager was put on the spot recently in the local paper for outrageous charges and he claimed to be trying to encourage GA. He really ought to be as Galway isn't exactly a hotbed of activity anymore and most Irish pilots avoid the place unless they have to. As Dublinpilot says he suggested calling in advance to negotiate. That you should do as I'm sure he won't want to be featured too often in negative articles in the press. As usual in Ireland there is often flexibility if you ask. Here's the article. Page 11.

Galway City Tribune - 07/08/2009 digital edition (http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=9St1n0Q46Zz0&PBID=f4bf32ba-dfb3-4dff-8717-fac1e14ffe32&skip=)

What Galway need is an airfield nearby without the crankyness inherent in Galway airport. Perhaps Clifden will be more encouraging. Connemara was OK but they had a crash and now are not too keen on GA visitors unfamiliar with the often dramatic weather.

[jonkil]

http://www.esatclear.ie/~jonkil/misc_stuff/galway.jpg[/center]