Isle of Wight

[pil]

I'm planning a plod over to the Isle of Wight tomorrow. Is there any airports other than sandown on the island. If so, what are they like and are they welcoming to plump pup pilots?
Any info will be welcome.

pil.

[distaff_beancounter]

I think that Bembridge reopened this year, & it has a hard runway. But do telephone them first, in case my info is incorrect. (I seem to recall the field was closed for several months, but I can't recall why)

[bertiethebadger]

Bembridge is open again ( I believe ). It is about 2M north of Sandown.

Airfield facilities are sparce ( or were ). I would suggest heading towards the town of Bembridge & find somewhere.

BtB

[treadigraph]

I seem to remember that the airport restaurant at Sandown used to do a nice cuppa and piece of fruit cake - the lunches looked pretty good too. Mind you that was a long time ago, and I hope they 've baked a new cake.

Have a nice time!

[tomcs]

Hi! I went to Sandown on my qualifying cross country, but haven't been back since, and i dont think they had anything other than the kettle!! Bembridge is definitely open and they have very scarce resources. However there is a pub on the southern boundary of the airfield, i would take a look if i were you.

Tom

[distaff_beancounter]

There may not be much at either airfield, but for both it is a shortish & pleasant walk into town, or a short taxi ride if you are feeling really lazy.

Both Bembridge & Sandown, towns, have plenty of places to eat & beaches if you fancy a swim. :)

[Fujiflyer]

Do check they can supply fuel if you're going to need it - recently they've been short staffed and unable to,

Fujiflyer

[Genghis the Engineer]

Bembridge and Sandown are both very friendly with good runways. If you're going to Sandown, after landing ask for taxi to the flying club to pay your fees, it's the same price but that's where the best grub is, and the pilot get's a free cup of tea.

Bembridge has a hard runway, it's strictly PPR and radio only (because it's main function in life is as a flight test airfield for Britten-Norman), but don't let that worry you unduly. It's very friendly, and the Propeller Inn next to the airfield does a superb lunch.

Easiest and most scenic VFR route to the Island is Chilbolton (radio dish next to the airfield is used as an unofficial VRP by Solent Radar), South down the test valley to Romsey, DR to Totton, DR to Lymington (over the New Forest and past the Beaulieu river), cross the Solent to Yarmouth, which is the shortest crossing and at which point Solent Radar will usually cancel your service. Depending upon time in hand you can then either straight track to Bembridge or Sandown, or turn right and following the outside of the Island, turning at the needles and running along the South side of the island. Watch out for the couple of paraglider schools that use the cliffs, but other than that it's a very straightforward and truly gorgous flight.
Take care with heights en-route, you'll be ducking under the Southampton-Bournemouth class D.

G

[pil]

Thanks to all for the advice.

The flight across the solent was quite spetacular, especially as everyone seemed to be out in their boats and that's quite a sight from 4000ft.
I made it to Sandown and I was impressed. It has a nice little cafe that did a nice cheese roll served by an even nicer young filly :p . Although the approach is a bit tricky as you seem to skim the trees on finals. Still made it in and out in one piece so can't complain. It's easy to find from the air and being able to saunter into town from the field is a nice change when looking for somewhere different to fly to, rather than being stuck 10 miles from anywhere.

Now, where to next......

[Irv]

Bembridge has a grass glider strip parallel to the concrete runway, and it's closer to the pub. I'd get permissoin to use it befoe setting off though.

[Circuit Basher]

I realise that we're talking about a previously occurred event now, but a word for the uninitiated about Sandown.

I've flown in there a couple of times (not within the last 5 years), so am not current on catering facilities and quality of serving fillies ;) ;) , but seems like it's still quite good.

If you are flying into Sandown to land on 05, you have to overfly the edge of Sandown town, which can be a little off-putting (I was U/T at the time). Departure from 05 has caused at least one aircraft (PA28) that I know of that was on weight/balance limits to drag its undercart through the trees at the end of the runway and end up parked in them (fortunately no injuries). The runway has a marked uphill slope and when the grass is wet.......

Make sure you do your weight / balance and compensate for the slope / grass runway in your performance calcs before using Sandown!!

Don't wish to put a downer on Sandown (it's a nice friendly little strip) - just exercise a degree of caution (which we *all* do of course!!! ;) ).

[sharpshot]

A word of caution is particulalry relevant on a hot day (+25 deg c.)
when departing Sandown on said runway. I have only done it the once and having noted the lack of full power developing until leaning the mixture slighlty, a friend in the back told me how he had clipped the trees on a previous visit!

Probably a bit far from Popham - if you have just ventured to the Isle of Wight, however, I went to Beauvais recently (Mol's) version of Paris) and was highly impressed with:
Fees for landing & 24 hour parking;
Access to Paris with hire car on tap;
General ease of flight planning and AIS resources;
And NO ATC delays......until having to orbit 4 (FOUR) times on way back into UK airport!!

:D :D :D :D And Paris Info even spoke to me!!

[Aussie Andy]

Circuit Basher Looking at the AIP, Sandown RWY 05 has a 0.2% DOWN slope (6' difference from 05 threshold @ 54' elev to 23 threshold @48' elev, over 2900' length). Maybe they've graded it? Whatever, I plan to double-check the calcs. when I got home for forthcoming "day-at-the-seaside" trip for the kids in club P28B Dakota, which is powerful but heavy...

sharpshot - but I'll bet (s)he only said "this is Paris Info - I can give you no information!" or words to that effect, which we recently had to larf at on our way south :)

[Aussie Andy]

BTW, has anyone been to the beach at Sandown? Any reports? Is it good for bucket & spade day out with the kids?

[pil]

Aussie Andy,

To defend Circuit Basher a bit, the AIP only deals with the two thresholds. The fact that the runway appears to have been built over the top of what appears to be a small hillock is not really reflected. :rolleyes: . Uphill the first half then downhill towards the trees and brown trousers for the second. :p
There is also quite a bit of highish ground at the end of 05 which a fully fuelled pilot and plane had a bit of trouble getting over.

Still, a lovely day out and I'm sure the beach is luvvly....

[Aussie Andy]

Gotcha - so its an uppy/downy RWY... cheers!

[sharpshot]

Hi Aussie

Well on the way down she said.........not a lot.

Now that was better than "RIEN" which was my previous experience!! (And the two of us with G- call signs chatted to each other in between sporadic French)

On the way back, I had a mate in the right hand seat and on levelling at Fl 7.0 I asked if he would like a laugh.

I called - he replied ! Good afternoon G-*****, I 'ave no radar, only call me if u 'ave a problem.:D :D :D :D

Little change there!!:rolleyes:

[Aussie Andy]

Yep - definitely the same girl!

And might I add E-N-G-E-R-L-A-N-D! Half time... not sure I can take another 45 minutes!!!

[Evo7]

The second half just aged me about 10 years, but :D :D :D :D

(Thread relevence compliance statement: IOW - nice, innit? ;) )

[Aussie Andy]

:D :eek: :cool:

[cessnababe]

Ref query re beaches on Isle of Wight. I went to Sandown about three years ago and went into Shanklin for a nice lunch at the Crab Inn, then down to the beach - very sandy - and had a lovely swim.

Last weekend went to Bembridge and took taxi to Crab & Lobster which has superb food. then walked all along the beach (down cliff) to get back to the airfield. Parts of beach are sandy but there are some pebbles too. Nearly deserted although weather was warm. Worth taking bucket and spades as i wished I'd had mine....

Hope you have fun!!

[solent01]

Genghis

The flying club you mentioned is called the Specialist Flying School
its situated on the northern taxi way (Blue Hanger) and yes you are right about the landing fee and tea or coffee, It may be worth mentioning that the said Flying School can also arrange for your late arrival or departure (Airfield closes at 1800 hrs local) just call them on 01983 402402 before 1700 hrs local for same day arrival, and arrange the PPR via an indemnity form.

[BLW Skylark 4]

Andy,

As a glider pilot, I've never actually flown into Sandown in my gider, however I did so as a passenger in a PA28 a few years ago and I have also 'glid' (is that a word - past tense of glide..??!!) at Bembridge. I can recommend the beaches though since as a kid I spent every summer on the I.O.W.

Sandown is a nice and (I believe) Blue Flag beach, however it is a large expanse of coastline and extends into Shanklin. I.M.H.O I think the beach at Whitecliff Bay is much nicer, its the other side of the white Culver Cliff headland that you fly over if you approach Bembridge from the sea and the water is probably only 30 mins walk from the airfield!

Anyone who does visit this area, either by air or whatever, its a sobering thought that the Culver Cliffs were used to train on by the Commandos and Rangers in preparation for the Dieppe and Point Du Hoc assaults.

Have fun!

"Skylark"
:eek: