Best airfield to visit friends in Yeovil?
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Yeovil / Henstridge
G'day one and all!
With the onset of what (I hope!) will be another cracking flying season, I have just been sitting down with Mrs. Andy to plan a few trips and visits. We have some good friends down in Yeovil, and so have been looking at the chart to see which airfields to choose from.
The obvious one would seem to be Yeovil (Westland) EGHG as it is right on the edge of the town. Has anyone been in there? Do they mind/welcome visiting GA on weekends?
I don't recall ever hearing of anyone using Yeovil so I am wondering if there is some sort of restriction?
Would we be better off, say, using Yeovilton MIL (how welcoming are they?) or getting our friends to drive to pick us up at Henstridge instead?
Any advice appreciated.
Cheers all,
Andy
With the onset of what (I hope!) will be another cracking flying season, I have just been sitting down with Mrs. Andy to plan a few trips and visits. We have some good friends down in Yeovil, and so have been looking at the chart to see which airfields to choose from.
The obvious one would seem to be Yeovil (Westland) EGHG as it is right on the edge of the town. Has anyone been in there? Do they mind/welcome visiting GA on weekends?
I don't recall ever hearing of anyone using Yeovil so I am wondering if there is some sort of restriction?
Would we be better off, say, using Yeovilton MIL (how welcoming are they?) or getting our friends to drive to pick us up at Henstridge instead?
Any advice appreciated.
Cheers all,
Andy
Last edited by Aussie Andy; 15th Apr 2004 at 11:05.
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If Yeovil can't take you for whatever reason, Henstridge is fairly close and your best alternate.
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I'm told they're very friendly and helpful at Yeovil / Judwin
Very reasonably priced too, and some entertainment during my cuppa from an EH101 doing autorotations
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Best airfield to visit freinds in Yeovil
Hi
Apart from Yeovil & Yeoviltown, there are also strips at :
Wyke Farm, Bradford Abbas, grid ref ST600148 or Lat / Long N5055-W00234
East Chinnock grid ref ST486130 or Lat / Long N5054-W00244
Hardington Mandeville grid ref ST513124 or Lat / Long N5054-W00241
These are all in the immediate Yeovil area.
Regards Martin Burney
Apart from Yeovil & Yeoviltown, there are also strips at :
Wyke Farm, Bradford Abbas, grid ref ST600148 or Lat / Long N5055-W00234
East Chinnock grid ref ST486130 or Lat / Long N5054-W00244
Hardington Mandeville grid ref ST513124 or Lat / Long N5054-W00241
These are all in the immediate Yeovil area.
Regards Martin Burney
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Judwin are super-friendly with very a pretty good landing fee (I think it was less than a tenner). I visited them mid-week though, but I'm sure they'll be just as helpful at the weekend.
Henstridge was an OK airfield, although when I visited Old Sarum this weekend there is a notice on the board in the Clubroom saying that Henstridge is out of bounds for club aircraft due to the surface conditions. It was rough off the main runway, with a lot of loose stones when I visited but not sure what its like now.
Henstridge was an OK airfield, although when I visited Old Sarum this weekend there is a notice on the board in the Clubroom saying that Henstridge is out of bounds for club aircraft due to the surface conditions. It was rough off the main runway, with a lot of loose stones when I visited but not sure what its like now.
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Hi,
Well I called up ATC at Yeovil (Westland) today and they were very pleasant and helpful. They made it clear that GA is very welcome (PPR of course) but only on weekdays and they are totally closed to all movements on weekends.
I don't think farm-strips are ideal in the Dakota as its heavy and can need a decent length on grass, depending on circumstances on the day, so will probably opt for Henstridge I suppose. Will look into the surface issue highlighted above...
Best to all, and thanks...
Andy
Well I called up ATC at Yeovil (Westland) today and they were very pleasant and helpful. They made it clear that GA is very welcome (PPR of course) but only on weekdays and they are totally closed to all movements on weekends.
I don't think farm-strips are ideal in the Dakota as its heavy and can need a decent length on grass, depending on circumstances on the day, so will probably opt for Henstridge I suppose. Will look into the surface issue highlighted above...
Best to all, and thanks...
Andy
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Henstridge
Nice place, nice people, nice butties, nice cake. Often staffed by the luvvly HEMS medic.
Runways OK last time in, taxiways have a few loose stones in places (just go easy on the loud lever)
BUT
Keep off the grass!! Rabbits frolicking everywhere and digging holes exactly the same size as a nosewheel.
sd
Nice place, nice people, nice butties, nice cake. Often staffed by the luvvly HEMS medic.
Runways OK last time in, taxiways have a few loose stones in places (just go easy on the loud lever)
BUT
Keep off the grass!! Rabbits frolicking everywhere and digging holes exactly the same size as a nosewheel.
sd
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Pinga sadly no, its not a DC-3 
Wouldn't that be wonderful though!
No, its a Piper Dakota PA28-236, which is essentially a Warrior with a bigger 6-cyl engine and constant-speed prop. The particular beast is registered G-ODAK and some nice pics here: http://members.lycos.co.uk/andyhardyuk/G-ODAK/
Andy
Wouldn't that be wonderful though!No, its a Piper Dakota PA28-236, which is essentially a Warrior with a bigger 6-cyl engine and constant-speed prop. The particular beast is registered G-ODAK and some nice pics here: http://members.lycos.co.uk/andyhardyuk/G-ODAK/
Andy
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Bet you get a few people watching with their cameras at the ready as you land once you announce yourself on the radio as:
"Golf Oscar Delta Alpha Kilo is a Dakota from XXX to XXX, presently south of XXX at 3000, VMC, estimate overhead field at XXX, request joining information".
I was going to suggest trying to land in the same distance as fast jets do on an aircraft carrier, for Henstridge has a "carrier deck" marked out in the middle of their runway. Your Dakota may not be able to manage it though.
"Golf Oscar Delta Alpha Kilo is a Dakota from XXX to XXX, presently south of XXX at 3000, VMC, estimate overhead field at XXX, request joining information".
I was going to suggest trying to land in the same distance as fast jets do on an aircraft carrier, for Henstridge has a "carrier deck" marked out in the middle of their runway. Your Dakota may not be able to manage it though.
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
CZ,
Don't the FJs have a ruddy great cable to help them stop?
SD
trying to land in the same distance as fast jets do on an aircraft carrier
SD
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Henstridge Response..!
Re- Courtman's comments re- Henstridge above, I have been in touch with the nice folks at Henstridge who assure me that:
Andy
"the runway is faultless, although there are stones on the taxiways to be aware of, but these do not cause problems for the hundreds of regulars who visit the field. If you come PLEASE note the noise abatement problems (details on http://www.henstridge.flyer.co.uk/ under Airfield Procedures) and please phone beforehand."
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Henstridge is a very friendly field and a great source of cholesterol courtesey of the fine all day breakfasts available.
However, the parking areas in particular are in a dreadful state, and despite the assurances you have received, many have had their props badly damaged after visits there. I am not convinced that passes over them with the road sweeper are particularly helpful either. I suspect it dislodges as many new stones as it disposes of.
You can take all the obvious precautions and still be unlucky - be forewarned.
2D
However, the parking areas in particular are in a dreadful state, and despite the assurances you have received, many have had their props badly damaged after visits there. I am not convinced that passes over them with the road sweeper are particularly helpful either. I suspect it dislodges as many new stones as it disposes of.
You can take all the obvious precautions and still be unlucky - be forewarned.
2D
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Thanks for the info 2D - is it not possible to avoid maybe by parking on the grass (I am totally unfamiliar with the field so may be asking a dumb question...)?
Andy
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I go to Henstridge quite often and reckon the worse bit is the 'dummy deck' in the middle. Its actually just a rough bit of concrete. That said, I wouldn't go if I thought the prop was in danger. Take it slow and you should be fine.
Would also advise comparing your avgas prices with theirs. We often go just to fill up as compared to Exeter, they're cheap.
Would also advise comparing your avgas prices with theirs. We often go just to fill up as compared to Exeter, they're cheap.
Some quick comments on the posts so far:
1. Agree that Yeovil-Judwin is a friendly place to visit, with reasonable fees. However, suggest if you do go (on a weekday) you confirm what time the field closes. I visited last summer and was told that departures needed to be made before 1600 local for noise reasons.
2. Although I have not personally had a problem at Henstridge, one of the organisations I fly with has decided not to allow its aircraft in there UFN following damage to a prop. This is a shame, as it'sotherwise a very nice destination (excellent all day brekkie!) , but the stories of stone damage have been common for a couple of years now.
1. Agree that Yeovil-Judwin is a friendly place to visit, with reasonable fees. However, suggest if you do go (on a weekday) you confirm what time the field closes. I visited last summer and was told that departures needed to be made before 1600 local for noise reasons.
2. Although I have not personally had a problem at Henstridge, one of the organisations I fly with has decided not to allow its aircraft in there UFN following damage to a prop. This is a shame, as it'sotherwise a very nice destination (excellent all day brekkie!) , but the stories of stone damage have been common for a couple of years now.
