Flying after operating hours
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 250
Likes: 8
From: Earth
Flying after operating hours
I'm planning on flying down to the Isles of Scilly in a month or so.
On my return leg to Southend (H24), i want to catch some night flying but as the summer days are so long do airfields have any policy that might allow you to depart after operating hours maybe for a fee?
Just some thoughts please..
On my return leg to Southend (H24), i want to catch some night flying but as the summer days are so long do airfields have any policy that might allow you to depart after operating hours maybe for a fee?
Just some thoughts please..
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: England
The last time I enquired, some two years ago, I was told that the airfield on the Isle of Scilly was run by the local council who closed it on Sundays !
I telephoned to ask if I could depart on Sunday as I didn't need a licenced airfield and was told that was not possible.
I have therefore been unable to visit the Isle of Scilly for a weekend.
Many airfields will let you depart out of hours providing you accept that the field will be unlicenced. I have sometimes been asked to sign a form to confirm I am aware that there is no fire cover.
I telephoned to ask if I could depart on Sunday as I didn't need a licenced airfield and was told that was not possible.
I have therefore been unable to visit the Isle of Scilly for a weekend.
Many airfields will let you depart out of hours providing you accept that the field will be unlicenced. I have sometimes been asked to sign a form to confirm I am aware that there is no fire cover.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
Old Sarum is on your route, last departure is 2000 (or SS+0:30 if that's earlier), the clubhouse is usually open until around 1830, and if you want to kill time for a few intervening hours, Old Sarum Castle is just over the road.
G
G
Simplicate and Add Lightness
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: EGSG, mainly
I had to look into this recently when planning our Dawn to Dusk escapade.
I found that it varies widely; some fields hardly seem to care, some just require some paperwork, some want to charge a fortune (generally the bigger airports ), while at others it is simply not possible.
The flight guides were not much help in this respect. There's no alternative to phoning each possible field and asking. (Or even visiting in advance if that's practical!)
I found that it varies widely; some fields hardly seem to care, some just require some paperwork, some want to charge a fortune (generally the bigger airports ), while at others it is simply not possible.
The flight guides were not much help in this respect. There's no alternative to phoning each possible field and asking. (Or even visiting in advance if that's practical!)
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Kilmacolm
Fly into Cardiff on your way back to Southend from the Isles of Scilly.
Its a 24 Hour fully lighted International Airport with no out of hours fees as the place doesn't close...
You may find obtaining Avgas between 6pm and 9am has a surcharge though as the flying club has to be called out for out of hours fuel requests.
Its a 24 Hour fully lighted International Airport with no out of hours fees as the place doesn't close...
You may find obtaining Avgas between 6pm and 9am has a surcharge though as the flying club has to be called out for out of hours fuel requests.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Kilmacolm
Hi Speedbird747,
Yup we did meet and yes I was flying the dollar guzzling Seminole.
Let me know when you're going to try Cardiff at night... I'll be at the club if you want to meet up (the club is open 24 hours a day on a proximity card access system).
Best wishes,
Richard.
Yup we did meet and yes I was flying the dollar guzzling Seminole.
Let me know when you're going to try Cardiff at night... I'll be at the club if you want to meet up (the club is open 24 hours a day on a proximity card access system).
Best wishes,
Richard.
