GA airfield(s) near Thorpe Park

[gordonquinn]

Hey folks,

Does anyone know of any GA airfields I could fly into for an overnight (maybe 2 night) visit? Likely June/July, in a PA28 with some passengers.

Cheers
G

[Mariner9]

Thorpre Park is about 7 miles from both Heathrow and Fairoaks.

I suggest the latter ;)

[FREDAcheck]

Hey folks,

Does anyone know of any GA airfields I could fly into for an overnight (maybe 2 night) visit? Likely June/July, in a PA28 with some passengers.

Cheers
G

So you can get away from it as fast as possible?

[chevvron]

Hey folks,

Does anyone know of any GA airfields I could fly into for an overnight (maybe 2 night) visit? Likely June/July, in a PA28 with some passengers.

Cheers
G

Depending on type of Cherokee/MTOW, Fairoaks would be £12.60p up to 1000kg, £19.80p for 1001 - 1500kg or £26.80p for 1501 - 2000kg landing fee plus £15.00p per night parking (daytime parking free) all including VAT.
Out of hours arrival/departure permitted by filling in an indemnity form.
Website www.fairoaksairport.com e-mail [email protected]

[chevvron]

Thorpre Park is about 7 miles from both Heathrow and Fairoaks.

I suggest the latter ;)

If he had a boat, Penton Hook Marina is just across the road.

[gordonquinn]

So you can get away from it as fast as possible?

:E

Fairoaks sounds ideal - I've never flown around London zone, any tips since it's so close to the busy Heathrow zone? I noted that as a first time visitor I am required to call for a briefing so I assume that would help me with anything key I needed to know.

[FREDAcheck]

:E

Fairoaks sounds ideal - I've never flown around London zone, any tips since it's so close to the busy Heathrow zone? I noted that as a first time visitor I am required to call for a briefing so I assume that would help me with anything key I needed to know.

For a newcomer flying around London, my suggestions:

Talk to Farnborough LARS (check the appropriate frequency - one of three depending on where you approach London). If you squawk Mode C (or S) then Farnborough will usually warn you if you're about to infringe.
Fly with a GPS that shows controlled airspce. Eyes out most of the time (it's often busy) but cross-check position on a GPS.
Plan carefully, obviously. Have all the likely frequencies written down.
I would suggest not flying round London for the first time in anything but good vis.

[ChickenHouse]

:E

Fairoaks sounds ideal - I've never flown around London zone, any tips since it's so close to the busy Heathrow zone? I noted that as a first time visitor I am required to call for a briefing so I assume that would help me with anything key I needed to know.

AD 2.EGTF (carefully read 2.20 to 2.22) will tell you everything to know.
Don't be afraid, it is easy on a thorough planning and not too marginal day.
You'll most probably approach from south anyways, so no real Heathrow tango.

My advice would be to call following AD 2.20-1-(a) when you know the day of your travel, not before.
There may be special things happening on a certain day ...

I was at EGTF two times in my life, both landing 24.
A local told me to fly over Wisley airfield and follow M25 inbound.
The crossing of M25 and A3 close by is an easy landmark.
If you have two COM, lock one listening latest Wisley to Heathrow, Thorpe is VRP for them and M25 a common route.
And don't let the McLaren Tech Centre distract you on final ;-) go there after landing.

[chevvron]

I usually tell pilots routing inbound west of the Heathrow CTR to route from WOD towards Bagshot microwave mast keeping the prominent built up area of Bracknell to the left and keeping Bagshot Mast on the left, then turn towards the once again prominent tower blocks of Woking and they should see Fairoaks come up on the left; if no joy continue to OCK (aka Wisley airfield) and do as Chicken House said.

[Duchess_Driver]

Far be it from me to suggest something wacky but if you’re coming from Glasgow then approaching WOD NDB speak with Heathrow speacial and get a VFR transit through the zone. Not normally an issue from BUR NDB to Ascot racecourse to Thorpe Park then Fairoaks - it’s only class D after all. Usually not above 1,000’ QNH.

[chevvron]

Far be it from me to suggest something wacky but if you’re coming from Glasgow then approaching WOD NDB speak with Heathrow speacial and get a VFR transit through the zone. Not normally an issue from BUR NDB to Ascot racecourse to Thorpe Park then Fairoaks - it’s only class D after all. Usually not above 1,000’ QNH.

But not so many ground features to help spot Fairoaks, especially if you're not familiar with the area; fine if you do it regularly.
By the way, WOD - Fairoaks shouldn't take you anywhere near BUR or Thorpe Park; if you got close to the latter doing that you would be in serious trouble!

[gordonquinn]

Thanks everyone, this is great stuff - exactly what I was looking for.

To confirm on AD 2.20-2.22 EGTF, is this (http://www.fairoaksairport.com/pdfdownloads/UKAIP%20EG%20AD2EGTF-CHART.pdf) the right doc to be looking at?

[chevvron]

Right document, but not that version; latest pages are mostly late 2017 or Jan and Mar 2018.

[FREDAcheck]

Or get a Pooleys or AFE VFR guide. The entries are generally more readable than the official AIP documents.

Or see http://www.fairoaksairport.com/pilot-airfield-information and get the information from the horse's mouth. That page also links to the AIP pages.

Note especially the first Airport Regulation: "First time visitors are requested to obtain a telephone briefing from the ATSU."

[chevvron]

Been some changes just recently which are in the AIP but won't be in Pooleys until the new edition comes out eg introduction of PCL.
The website isn't maintained by Fairoaks Operations Ltd (the actual airport operator) but by the owners because it was designed to cover the whole of the site, not just the airport, and may not contain up to date details of flying operations.

[hoodie]

Pooley's have an update service, even in the paper editions. There's not normally a need to wait for the new edition to get changes so long as the airfield gives them the updates- you'll get them each month.

[CloudHound]

Rushetts Green might suit although finding contact details will be hard.