Landing at Cromer

[RAY DARALT]

Hi all,
I'm new to strip flying and thinking of going to Cromer in a PA 28. From a photo, the 22 approach looks kind of interesting and the runway appears somewhat less than flat. Anyone been in recently? Any top tips?
Rayhttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Tagron]

Because of the airfield's proximity to the coast, the sea breeze can move in rapidly resulting in a surface wind shift to north easterly. The sea breeze undercuts the main flying wind, so the wind you experience en route or even in the circuit may be quite different to the wind on final approach, even 180 degrees different. The radio may not be manned so there may not be any warning of this situation - you just have to watch the windsock, including on final approach then take appropriate action.

I suggest that as you are new to strip flying, you keep your aircraft's weight down, i.e. no more than one passenger, no luggage, and reduced fuel (if that can be safely done). Also, be prepared to go around if there is any likelihood of landing deep due to excess height or speed. Approach and landing judgement can be more difficult on an undulating or sloping strip. Note especially there is a downslope on 04 and in fact a PA28 overran quite recently.

Cromer is a very agreeable airfield to visit. It is adequate for a PA28 but stay alert and treat it with caution.

[Jetblu]

I went into Cromer with an Arrow many years ago.
As Tagron said, keep the weight down.
My top tip is come in with full flap right behind the drag curve with bags of power.
A technique I used for a short field take off in the Arrow (Pa28) was Brakes : Full power : just before rotate - pull 2 stages of flap : once airborne flatten out, pack the dunlops away and get some ground effect in. Worked a treat :O
Go practice at your airfield if you haven't tried this before.
Have a good flight. :ok:

[FREDAcheck]

Plenty of room for a PA28 (I've done it several times).

As already said, the wind can be all over the place; not something to get alarmed about, but be prepared for the wind not be be where you expect. And, as always, never be afraid to go around if the approach isn't right, or you don't get the wheels down fairly early.

One other gotcha: sometimes when it's clear as a bell all over Norfolk, there can be sea mist that extends a couple of miles inland - just about as far as Cromer Airfield. Remember there can be lots of microlights buzzing around Cromer, so keep a good lookout in the air while you're struggling to find the strip.

But definitely worth a visit.

PS - I also know of a PA28 that over-ran the previous Cromer airfield (a bit shorter - they moved a few years ago) after (I think) a rather late touch down. As I say, never be afraid to go around.

[mrmum]

Plenty of room for a PA28 (I've done it several times)
That's a bit too much of a sweeping generalisation for my liking. How many different variants of PA28 are there? From a 140 to a 235, that I can think of, then there's slab-wing or warrior-wing and is it shiny & new or half a century old & clapped out. That's before we even start to think about different weather conditions (air density and wind velocity), runway surface, aircraft weight & balance and pilot currency & experience. Just because one pilot has been in and out a few times in their aircraft, does not mean another person in a different aeroplane can safely repeat the achievement.

RAY, you must do your own performance calculations, for the particular aircraft you will be flying, allowing for the prevailing conditions at the time. Apply the appropriate safety factors and make allowance for your own ability, currency and experience. Read the CAA Safety Sense Leaflets number 7 and 12, available in the back of LASORS http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/srg_lts_LASORS%202010%20Bookmarked.pdf

[FREDAcheck]

Quote:
Plenty of room for a PA28 (I've done it several times)
That's a bit too much of a sweeping generalisation for my liking. How many different variants of PA28 are there?
Agreed, and sorry for my generalisation.

As always, check runway size (See Northrepps Airfield Info (http://www.northreppsaerodrome.homecall.co.uk/airinfo.htm), but as it's unlicensed, you need to allow for obstructions, hedges etc, so 04/22 has less than 665m useful length) and check requirements in the aircraft's flight manual.

[The Flying Pram]

"You need to allow for obstructions, hedges etc, so 04/22 has less than 665m useful length)"

Indeed it does have obstructions - landing on runway 22 involves crossing a railway embankment with HV power cables directly on the airfield boundary. If you're not used to making fairly steep approaches be warned! Similarly if departing on 04 you have to climb out over same.

This picture: http://www.photomugsonline.co.uk/nrgallery/270311a.jpg shows the embankment, and if you zoom in and look closely, the power lines.
The runway is quite undulating: http://www.photomugsonline.co.uk/nrgallery/030110zg.jpg
There is a warning tape visible in this shot, but whether it's still there I don't know. The church is actually further away than it seems, and is not a problem.

Airfield website here: Northrepps Aerodrome (http://www.northreppsaerodrome.co.uk/)

[Tagron]

I am not sure where the figure of 665m for the strip length comes from. The airfield website shows the strip length as 615m. The 22 landing threshold is displaced 125m to allow for the overhead cables, so 490m is the effective landing distance for 22. I would use the same figure for take off from 04.

I can confirm the dayglo red warning markers showed up well on my recent visit.

[FREDAcheck]

I am not sure where the figure of 665m for the strip length comes from.
The Northrepps site. See http://www.northreppsaerodrome.homecall.co.uk/airplate.gif. However Northrepps Airfield Info (http://www.northreppsaerodrome.homecall.co.uk/airinfo.htm) says 615m. Caveat emptor. Or phone Northrepps (07886 264992 or 07771 800406) and ask them when you ask for PPR.

[RAY DARALT]

All,

Thank you for your replies. Probably a bit too interesting for my experiance on type at the moment, maybe next year!

RAY

[FREDAcheck]

You may be right to be cautious, Ray, despite my earlier casual answer. I did think hard before first taking a PA28 there. Having learned on fairly long runways, I remember having to discipline myself to get it down near the numbers (but knowing about obstacles and avoiding them), and not being afraid to go around when too fast or too high. I'd got used to runways that go on for ever.