Flying to Aberystwyth/South Wales area and routings over Wales

[whitingiom]

Sorry, but as the search function is switched off, I can't see if there are any threads relating to this.

I am interested in flying down to South Wales at some stage in my training (still early as yet, but good to plan ahead).

What is the best routing from North to South Wales (coasting in over Anglesey area, but obviously avoiding Valley)? Is it via Caernarvon, coast, Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, Swansea etc, or go inland via Cheshire, Welshpool, Leominster, Newport?

Don't really want to tackle Snowdonia at this stage!

Any advice re airfields etc. gladly accepted.

Regards

Jon

[Whirlybird]

Funny you should mention it. I just got back from a lovely day's flying over all Wales, and felt like telling someone about it. I think I've flown practically every route there is from one end of the country to another, so...

The route down the coast is beautiful, and it's really easy to find your way. Keep a look out for the TV mast just south of Caernarfon, and the danger area by West Wales (which is no longer military Aberporth, so it's cheap to land there. :ok: ). You'll probably want to refuel at Carnarfon, nice airfield, food, museum, beach, and very easy to find. Down south you have a choice - West Wales, Haverfordwest, Pembrey, Swansea. I found out today that West Wales is very friendly but doesn't do food, and that Swansea is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. :eek: Pembrey can be awkward, as it's right in the middle of a danger area, but I was there once years ago, and it's a nice place. In fact, I'd recommend any of those. BTW, you may lose London Information when out near Strumble Head (lovely views!) so don't think you've had radio failure.

The other route you mention is fine too, but I think it'll be quite a bit longer, depending where in South Wales you want to go. Refuel at Caernarfon, as it's a long way from there to Welshpool. Liverpool are good for FIS when along the North coast. The only other airfield is Hawarden - £15 landing fee and no food. :( Welshpool and Shobdon are both nice, though both a little hard to find - both have one shortish runway and sorrounded by hills. And mildly challenging to land if you're not used to shortish runways surrounded by hills!

There are other routes which don't involve tackling Snowdonia, which is no big deal on a sunny day with high cloud and no wind, but otherwise can be quite challenging. You can fly down the coast to Aberystwyth, then follow a convenient railway line to Welshpool. That's the route we took out to the coast today, since the weather wasn't quite as good as expected early on. Lovely scenery, following the valleys, and nothing much over 2000 ft. On a nice day, look out for other traffic flying that route though; it's popular with Welshpool based pilots. There are other routes across mid-Wales too, and you can navigate by railway lines and wind farms, which is quite easy. And although you could do with a 3000 ft cloudbase, none of it is as high as Snowdonia.

Today we left Sleap, heading for West Wales. As soon as we got to the hills there was low cloud and haze, so we dropped in to Welshpool. By an hour later the weather wa better, though still hazy, so we followed the railway line to Aberyswyth, then the coast to West Wales (ex-Aberporth). We phoned Swansea, who said they were closed. it was getting a bit late by then, so we flew round the coast...down to Strumble Head, St Davids, Milford haven...then up to Carmarthen. We then followed the railway line to Builth Wells, then a short bit of real navigation over some rther bumpy hills to Shobdon for a very late lunch. We then followed another railway line to Shrewsbury, the due North back to Sleap. I mentioned to my co-pilot that railway lines weren't really there for passengers; their primary purpose was to make nav easy for two pilots out on the first long flight of the year, who didn't really want to have to do any work. :D It was lovely, a fantastic day's flying. Enjoy it when you go.

Right, that's about all I can think of. Now, tell me about flying to the Isle of Man, which is something I've been meaning to do for years.

[READY MESSAGE]

Couldn't agree more Whirlybird, the most stunning flying ever is through Wales. I too dropped through the haze into Welshpool. A thoroughly rewarding days flying was had.

I would suggest flying IOM - Caernarfon and down the coast towards south wales and return via Shobdon and Welshpool.

You'll not be disappointed!

[whitingiom]

Whirly

Thanks for your very comprehensive post, I will digest it over the next few snowy evenings.

My mum lives in Newport and I'd heard rumours about a (concrete) farm strip in the Newport area. Any ideas?

Regards

Jon

[flower]

Upfield Farm is the strip near Newport.
We are also GA Friendly at Cardiff Airport, don't be put off by the Class D airspace surrounding us or the VFR routes. The flying club has a nice café there with good views over the airfield.

[Whirlybird]

flower,

I landed at Cardiff once years ago, and I still remember enjoying the approach over the sea. But I seem to remember it was expensive!!! How much is the landing fee?

[Windy Militant]

Um that's presuming he wants to go to Newport Monmouthshire (Casnewydd) rather than Newport Pembrokeshire (Trefdraeth)
Though I can't say I've heard of any strips out that way, but the boy's from the Bush would probably know ;)

[flower]

I don't get involved in landing fees etc we are not allowed to, but I do believe I have recently seen on another forum that it was about £16.
All the pilots who were charged this amount parked south side at the flying club.

[MANAGP]

What about visiting Haverfordwest sometime? Great airfield with nice long tarmac runways, flexible opening hours (open everyday!), jet A and avags, reasonable landing fees and a great cafe, with the best bacon sandwiches in the west!

Oh and of course some of the best scenery in the UK!

I can assure you it's well worth the effort to make it!