Nearest strip to Lancaster

[KeyPilot]

Dear fellow aviators,

I am sitting at home without a Northern chart or any airfield guides. I intend to visit a friend who lives in Lancaster on Wednesday. Can anyone recommend a strip near to the city? Runway length not an issue.

Thanks all,
KP

[John R81]

5 miles to Cockerham - parachute base, no idea if visitors are welcome Cockerham Airfield Photos (http://ukga.com/airfield/cockerham/photos)

18 miles as the crow flies to Blackpool. A bit further in the car.

[Mikhail Sharpowicz]

Cark airfield at Flookburgh. East west tarmac parachuting strip. Wrong side of Morecambe bay, but train station 1 mile north direct into Lancaster approx every hour during busy periods, and 2 hours during middle of day. Takes approx 40mins.
Or: Rossal field, approx 12 miles south of Lancaster. Site of bay flying club.
N/S and E/W grass runways.
Or: Cockerham airfield, approx 8 miles south of Lancaster. Tarmac runway, site of black knights parachute.

All ppr I believe.

Should be easy to track down GPS co-ordinates and notams/telephone numbers on t'interweb.

[KeyPilot]

John/Mikhail - thanks both for rapid answers. My first choice is Cockerham with Rossall as a back-up; will call for PPR tomorrow. My friend will meet me in his car so no need for trains this time, but thanks for helpful info Mikhail.

KP

[baldwinm]

Another option would be Brook Farm near Pilling

Brook Farm (http://airfieldcards.com/php/results.php?id=359)

[Curlytips]

I recently visited Cockerham and the Black Knights by road to enquire if I could use the Cessna to visit my old dad in times of urgency (he's very old now), but they weren't interested in anyone disturbing their commercial operation. If you get luckier, I'd be really interested who you checked with.

The best option I can think of is St Michaels. I've been there by road too, and although micro-based it has 3 runways, the longest 450m. I believe they would be more welcoming, and are even in the AFE guide.

Very interested in how you get on. Good luck.

[baldwinm]

I spoke to the guy who runs St Michaels at a party once - he seemed perfectly amenable to a suitable SEP flying in.

Brook Farm and Tarn Farm/Rossall are nearer Lancaster. Several SEPs are based at Brook Farm as well as microlights.

[ianwild]

Can't hurt to mention that SkyDemon Light (http://www.skydemonlight.com) is pretty fab for a quick look at nearby airfields and routing. That's such a great resource it deserves a plug wherever possible!

Ian