Prices to land in class D airfields IFR/VFR

[trex600]

After speaking to a very helpful guy at Glasgow i soon realised landing and a few hours parking was going to amount in excess of £400 for a PA28 sized a/c

Some of the reasons being: It was at night 'afterhours extra cost'
I was needing to regain access to the aircraft afterhours 'Handler call out fee'
Handling is essential for all aircraft,

Prestwick offer the same service for around £60plus vat, at night with 24hr access and free 24hr parking. Quite a saving
............................................................

Im just wondering what the prices are elsewhere in experience with pprune
pilots over the last year or so as these prices are rarely published?

Thanks

[soaringhigh650]

these prices are rarely published

Check your A/FD. The prices should be on there.

You can see these stupid charges greatly restricts the utility value of light aircraft into large airports - which are often better connected to ongoing transport.

[IO540]

There is no AFD in Europe. Only in the USA.

[BackPacker]

There is the AIP which is written for each country to a certain (ICAO?) standard.

The charges for use of aerodromes are supposed to be in the GEN 4 section but most countries simply put a placeholder there referring to somewhere else. Which may or may not be published on the internet, somewhere.

So the publication that should be the most helpful, is no help at all in this case.

[Slopey]

For sunny Scotland....

Edinburgh is in the order of £150 for a landing/overnight - mandatory handling via Signature. (Parking isn't actually that bad, it's the landing/navigation/departure fee which is the killer).

Aberdeen is similar, again via Signature.

Dundee/Perth/Inverness, obviously with no class D, are around £15/£10/£16 respectively.

[soaringhigh650]

There is no AFD in Europe

Well, whatever you call these set of books (http://www.pooleys.com/prod_list.cfm?product_category_id=2&product_sub_category_id=71&menuHold=7) then. The prices are definitely there.

[Piper.Classique]

It's about 7 euros at Poitiers, Caen and Cherbourg, IFR/VFR for under a metric tonne

[chris-h]

I doubt there are a set of books with prices because
When you call up a handler it usualy takes them ten
Mins to find the correct price.
Its a shame the class D's dont attract more GA, it
Almost makes having the Night qualification pointless.

[The Dead Side]

Not sure whether you are solely referring to the UK, but in Spain it was around €9 for landing fees in Seville, Jerez, Malaga, Cordoba and Grenada.

I believe there has been a change recently dictating that any light aircraft which isn't categorized as training, has to pay a hefty flat rate if they are under a certain weight. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[IO540]

Yes, Spanish rates have gone up a lot recently. But they are still lower than the usual offenders in the UK and elsewhere where many airports charge ~ £200 for a landing and say a night's parking.

It depends on how often you go somewhere. If I am going somewhere far away, just once and never again, I am OK with £200, because I probably spent more on fuel and will spend something similar on a hotel for a night or two. At £50 I might go there again. But £50 is too much for regular visits and the evidence is that it kills of most GA activity - which is usually what the morons (with greased up hair and MBAs from the Univ of Upper Warlingham) which run most airports want, as soon as they a call from God (O'Leary).

[trex600]

IO540 spot on, Whats the cheapest out their?

[IO540]

I am sure you will find international airports where you can do it for under ten quid, but I can't think of one off hand.

I was tempted to suggest you check out Bulgaria (not a favourite Czech communist party liason posting in the 1960s; a toilet was a hole in the ground) ;) but I happen to know Sofia has a bill longer than your arm, matched only by Tirana whose 200 euro + bill includes such wonders as runway lights.

So, if you do find one, will you want to go there? You well might; wherever it is, the local girls will be excellent value.

[Miroku]

Cambridge (yes I know it's not the hub of the empire) was free yesterday, courtesy of a voucher from Flyer magazine in their March issue. Tea and coffee thrown in.

[Shrimps]

Manchester is a £21 departure between 11am-4pm and all day Sundays. Not sure what handling would cost mind!

[neilgeddes]

I'd be interested to know more. What handling outfits do GA use at Manchester? Thanks.

[Chilli Monster]

I think Ocean Sky is the only option at Manchester.

[neilgeddes]

Thank you.

[BackPacker]

If you're in a light single it may be a good idea not to go through the "official" handlers at an airfield, but to phone up the local flying clubs, and see if they can be your "unofficial" handlers. They will then phone up the tower and tell them you're their guest. This can bring the cost down tremendously.

[IO540]

Yes, a "request taxi to the aeroclub" is the standard way to avoid mandatory handling charges.

You need to make contact with the aeroclub first, to make sure it is OK :)

Some airports are wise to this and ask more questions.

[Danscowpie]

"request taxi to the aeroclub"

Bad move - at most regional airports aero clubs have been squeezed into the back of beyond as more lucrative money making organisations for the airports have been given primary space, consequently parking is allocated accordingly.

If you choose to fly into the larger regional airports, almost all of which are operated by the BAA and are airports which don't need or want G/A (Glasgow being far more friendly, but no cheaper, than most), you pay up and shut up.
In nearly every case there are smaller airports nearby who will, not only serve your needs, but also welcome you with cheaper fees all round.

[heading 125]

Cardiff are a good price now that Aeros Flight Training are one of the handlers for GA up 1999 kg. They provide Avgas at a good price and A PA28 will cost you only £25. (No handling fee on top). Adam or Nik will also make you a free cup of tea. Not bad price for an airfield with an ILS/DME approach both ends and radar. Not to mention the resturant above Aeros.