2 parking options for visiting light aircraft
1. Go to Cardiff Academy of Aviation (South side). They have a nice bar/resteraunt and no handling charges. You might have to wait for fuel, although this only tends to happen on weekends.
Tel. 01446 710000
2. Go to Signature Flight Support (North side). They can give you access to the main terminal (no security required for GA flights). There is a small handling charge north side, but you wont have to wait for AVGAS. You will not need to wear a yellow vest as the handling staff will protect you from the jumbo's!
Tel. 01446 712637
In theory, unless you have business with the flying club, you have to go north side, but the airport will let it slip so long as you are domestic and are not picking up or dropping off passengers.
Make sure you are familiar with the PUBLISHED VFR ROUTES. From the east the VFR Docks arrival is nice and easy - just follow the coast and turn inland to route north of Barry town. The VFR South east departure is over the water - North of Barry town, coast-out at lavernock point, keep north of flat holm and head for Weston-Super-Mare.
ATC are very helpfull, just make sure you read back the "PUBLISHED VFR" bit in your clearances. Also make sure you make your initial call to LARS on 126.62 and not to Radar.
Cardiff isn't busy during the winter, so it is good class 'D' practice without traffic. Have fun.
D SQDRN 97th IOTC - It's obviously been a while since youve been to Cardiff! If you park north side you MUST have a handling agent who will escort you both to and from your aircraft.
Routing down the coast 'until visual' is NOT an acceptable arrival. (Unless you wish to be ingested by a 747 on the ILS for 30!)