Blackburn - where to fly into?

[Aussie Andy]

Hi all,

Haven't been "oop north" since getting the license... want to visit friend who lives just north of Blackburn...
Which airfield closest?
Which airfield in area nicest?
Cheers,

[topunicyclist]

AA,

Blackpool's probably the closest you'll get although still over 20 miles from Blackburn! There is however a station right next to the airport (Squire's Gate) with an hourly (?) service into Preston from where you should be able to get another train to Blackburn. Not sure what the landing fee is as the planes I fly are based there and the landing is included in the hourly hire rate. Try www.blackpoolairport.com/ for this and other details.

Enjoy the low level route if going that way; remember to get (and set!) the MAN QNH when using it though!

[Aussie Andy]

Cheers mate! Many thanks....

[Currymonster]

How about Barton. Not far from Blackburn and Barton is almost right on a mway junction

[Aussie Andy]

Great - then what I might do is arrange to pick-up friend at Barton, then make a local trip over to Blackpool and return or something like that.

Any good sightseeing tips for the area guys?

[newswatcher]

Is there any GA flying capability remaining at Salmesbury?

[topunicyclist]

Newswatcher, negative, the only flying that takes place at Salmesbury is gliding, I believe.

AA, Lakes are not too far north of Blackpool.......you should be able to get to Windermere and back in about an hour. Otherwise Snowdonia is good (you'd need nearer 1.5 - 2 hrs for that though!).

[Aussie Andy]

Lake District: top idea - should be pretty!

[BRL]

Andy, follow the coast down to say, the Wirral/N.Wales coast. On the way down you have Southport (anyone know if you can you still land on the beach there?) and then the great view of the Liverpool water front. Fly over the Wirral to the North Wales coast, it is superb to look at too with, as someone has just said, Snowdonia not to far away. Enjoy it, whatever you decide. :)

[poetpilot]

Probably not a good suggestion for a "first time" ooop north, especially after a long x-c up the country, but there's a small strip at Lumb, nr Rawtenstall (actually about mid way between Rawtenstall & Burnley.

Quite a challenge though (even just to find it) and not suited to all aircraft - it's markedly uphill/downhill. The downhill takeoff is not-cancellable once you've started rolling!!!! (Farmhouse at bottom of strip).

Probably best seen in company with someone who's done it before, local flying from (say) Barton, before attempting.

[NearlyStol]

Lumb airstrip is now closed and has returned to nature.
Interesting while it lasted !

[Negative 'G']

Yeah and long may it remain that way ! A truely horrible strip !

Neg G