Flying in East Suffolk

[NW3]

Hello all.

I'm currently training for an ATPL in Jerez (Spain), but am looking forward to doing some light a/c flying too when I get back to the UK (started ab initio here, so don't have experience of flying in the UK yet).

I've got lots of family in a village called Orford, on the East Coast of Suffolk, and so would obviously like, at some point, to head over that way and do some flying. Only problem is that from the looks of it (based on my 1:half mil VFR map) there ain't a lot there. Woodbridge and Bentwaters are ex-USAF bases, and I guess I couldn't use them. Beccles seems to be about the only licenced airfield listed in Suffolk - that's a bit of a trek - I guess I'm therefore looking for the smaller strips, perhaps privately operated.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to where I might be able to find a list of good airfields in this sort of area?

Thanks in advance for any help

NW3

[Cusco]

There's Beccles and Crowfield and in Suffolk that's your lot I'm afraid.

The local council shut down Ipswich where I learnt to fly in the early 90s and have now built factory units on the airfield.

Your only choices will be Cambridge or Norwich or Old Buckenham in Norfolk.

You don't say how many hours you have or how many hours you need:

Bottom line is E Anglia is very poorly supplied with licensed airfields.

If you are seriously wanting to hour build you could consider joining a group:

Otherwise forget family and go for a part of the UK that is better provided with airfields.

Gloomy- yeah: that's the way its going inthe UK.

Cusco

[air18150]

There is a small airfield at Monewden (near Framlingham) with a club called `Horizon` - a google search will find them with the entry `monewden airfield`. They have a few aircraft - including a tail wheel available for hire. I have not flown with Horizon but recently made a precautionary landing there and found them very helpful and friendly.

[bar shaker]

NW3

Have a look at Suffolk airfields

There will be quite a few more private ones, that you will get to know when in the area.

If you are looking to rent from a licensed field, Beccles is probably your best option.

There are new looking windsocks up at Bentwaters and Woodbridge, but most of Woodbridge has become a housing estate in the last year.

[MikeeB]

I'd give Bentwaters Park a ring. When I was there last year, there were a couple or so GA aircraft parked up.

http://www.bentwatersparks.com/main.html

[aluminium persuader]

Within reach of Orford -

Beccles
Seething
Old Buckenham
Monewden
Crowfield
Elmsett
Earls Colne

And those are just the ones I know with a/c available for rent. What's your preference?

C150
C172
PA28
AC12
DR200
DR400
DR3000

PM me if you want more info.

PS extremely little flying from Bentwaters. Half-a-dozen movements in the last couple of years.

[Say again s l o w l y]

Give Bill Stitt a call at Monewden, he's the CFI at Horizon flying club.

Failing that Earls Colne would be around a 50-60 minute drive from Orford. (I have family in Orford and used to teach at Earls Colne.)

I don't think Elmsett is licensed anymore, but there are a number of a/c based there.

[NW3]

Thank you all very much for the replies - v. useful. Got my IR in about a week, so better focus on that, but will definitely follow up some of the leads when I get back to the UK later in the year!

NW3