Cardiff

[FullyFlapped]

It's years since I went into Cardiff, and I have to go again shortly, this time for an overnight stay : so I was just wondering what the situation is down there now. Have they become South Wales Inter-Galactic SpaceDrome, with mandatory handling and really useful 50m mini-bus rides ? If so, is there a way to land, park overnight and pop off without leaving the deeds to my house behind ? A friendly flying school, perhaps ?

Any advice from locals or recent visitors gratefully accepted!

FF :ok:

[flower]

GA are very welcome at Cardiff. Whilst there is mandatory handling that isn't as frightening as it sounds as the Flying club handles GA and it's not the costs that you get if you went with one of the handling agents

Give them a call on 01446 710000, they handle all the light aircraft south side and can give you an idea on fees.
Before you go to Cardiff take a good read of the AIP, there are quite specific rules for entering VFR such as entering the zone not above 1500ft QNH, there is also a one way taxi system southside but the flying club should also be able to advise you of all of this.

It sounds a bit more complicated than it actually is just brief well before hand.

[gcolyer]

Or you could go to Upfield farm.

[FullyFlapped]

Hmm, interesting. So two choices then, Cardiff at £50-ish all in, or Upfield at £5-ish, with pretty much identical distances to the centre of the city (according to Autoroute).

I won't need fuel, so it looks like Upfield if the weather's nice, and Cardiff if it's not.

Thanks guys, much appreciated !

FF :ok:

[Mariner9]

650m concrete available at Upfield, but obviously no IAP's etc. Open airspace too (well below 4000' anyway), plenty of room for overnight parking. Landing fee £5, no parking charge.

As Flower says, published procedures into Cardiff are fairly straightforward, and ATC are very GA friendly. As you're (presumably) coming from the NE, expect to be routed via Wenvoe or Cardiff docks VRP's so revise those. Get yourself "handled" by the flying club to avoid extortionate handling costs - landing fees should be around £20, no idea about parking. (Obviously this limits you to arrival/departure within club opening hours)

Approximately half hour taxi ride from Cardiff or 35 mins from Upfield into Cardiff City centre, alternately use train from Rhoose (Cardiff) or Newport (Upfield)

[gcolyer]

Last time I went in to Upfield farm the owner loaned me a Volvo estate for £10 for a weekend, all I had to do was fuell it up.

[flower]

You won't be paying anywhere near £50 to use Cardiff.

[contrail]

Support small airfields.
Go to Upfield Farm. Nice little strip with friendly owner :ok:

[FullyFlapped]

Flower :

You won't be paying anywhere near £50 to use Cardiff.
After your excellent post I rang the flying club this morning before writing that post. They quoted me £48.50 for landing and 24 hours parking for my 1743kg single ...

Are they wrong ?

FF :ok:

[Exasperated]

Support small airfields.
Go to Upfield Farm. Nice little strip with friendly owner

Is Upfield farm not the subject of an enforcement order to remove the concrete runway?

I understood the NIMBYs got their way at a recent planning meeting.

I hope I am wrong

Ex

[flower]

Prices have risen a lot in a year it would seem Fully Flapped :oh:
As for Upfield Farm yes there are issues with the concrete runway, accordingly he didn't have planning permission for it and has to remove it but I understand he is appealing against the decision. He shouldn't have gone against planning but the reasons given for it's removal are straight out of the NIMBYS handbook.
see ;
http://www.newport.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/minutes/cont103415.pdf

The recent fatal accident won't help his appeal

I would question the time from Upfield Farm to Cardiff, last time I did it it took me over 50 minutes, it's in a beautiful spot but pretty remote, Getting a taxi may take some time.

[gcolyer]

last time I was at Upfield farm, there was no runway...it was a "Farm Access Track":) and I am being serious. It was concrete and just been widened. I don't see how the Nimbys can complain!!! the only two houses affected by approaching and departing traffic is the owners!

[Mariner9]

I would question the time from Upfield Farm to Cardiff, last time I did it it took me over 50 minutes

Crikey, did ATC make you orbit around the Tredegar M4 roundabout? :ok:

An enforcement order has been served on the runway and (my :sad:) hangar, but Ken has appealed so nothing is happening pending appeal.

He has also submitted a fresh planning application for the rwy only - much reduced from his original application for rwy + more hangars.

Ken does have planning permission for an airstrip, so Upfield will remain open (albeit as a grass strip) whatever the outcome. A fact seemingly lost on the NIMBY's

[gcolyer]

At least it will remain a strip of some sort. Has the drainage on the grass area been sorted out? Last time I was there the 337 sunk as soon as I taxied on it. I had to unload the plane and it took almost full power from the rear engine to get it moving.

[flower]

Yep it is the pits Mariner9, You cannot see anything from the road so much so you can drive past the place without knowing it's there and what difference does a concrete runway make over a grass runway? The Hangars look just like farm buildings.
It is a very great shame especially when you consider the huge disused steelworks that really blight the landscape nearby.

I really hope he wins his appeal especially with the nonsense i have seen written up about it by the complainers.

And yes took me a good 50 minutes from my home to Upfield farm was very surprised. I am BTW all for Farm Strips long may they prosper it's just I know a lot more about Controlled Airports :ok:

[Mariner9]

Has the drainage on the grass area been sorted out?

Not yet, but if the NIMBY's get their way, there will be ~1,000 tons of broken concrete available that will make an excellent hardcore base for the new grass runway :ok:

[hobbit1983]

Sorry to bring this up again, but I think it's worth pointing out that yesterday when I planned to fly into Cardiff, I phoned the flying club, and was told to contact Signature..who promptly me quoted £61.69 for a two hour stay!

Next time I'm going to go to Upfield Farm - unless I need the IAPs etc. I'm all for paying for what I use....but does it REALLY cost that much for a VFR approach (as I was going to fly yesterday) and two hours parking without refuelling at Cardiff?

[flower]

Can I add that unless NOTAM ed Cardiff is not PPR. The club may like it but they cannot refuse anyone landing there only the airport company can do that.

[hobbit1983]

WR - Thanks for your help, those charges seem much more sensible :). I take it Signature is more "executive/commercial/bizjet" handling! I intend to visit Cardiff again this Monday (weather/tech probs not withstanding), so will follow your instructions.

As it happens Upfield Farm will be a bit short for my aircraft on Monday (Arrow) but I intend to visit in the future, in a Supercub.

Cheers,

hobbit

[maxdrypower]

Flew into Cardiff not so long ago and have to say I did only pay 21 quid or therabouts for landing , what did surprise me was the state of the GA apron , lots of loose rocks , stones and other FOD type stuff all over the place , looked almost like a disused field would .

[Mariner9]

As it happens Upfield Farm will be a bit short for my aircraft on Monday (Arrow) but I intend to visit in the future, in a Supercub.

Your choice of course, but we've had several Arrows in, and there's a Dakota based there. I've flown a Warrior in & out too (in the days of the grass runway ;))

Having said that, if the wind favours 05, it is a bit tight due to the house on short final. No problems for 23 though. And you'll definately get your Supercub into either :ok: