Cardiff
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
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From: Yorkshire
Cardiff
It's years since I went into Cardiff, and I have to go again shortly, this time for an overnight stay : so I was just wondering what the situation is down there now. Have they become South Wales Inter-Galactic SpaceDrome, with mandatory handling and really useful 50m mini-bus rides ? If so, is there a way to land, park overnight and pop off without leaving the deeds to my house behind ? A friendly flying school, perhaps ?
Any advice from locals or recent visitors gratefully accepted!
FF
Any advice from locals or recent visitors gratefully accepted!
FF
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,294
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From: UK
GA are very welcome at Cardiff. Whilst there is mandatory handling that isn't as frightening as it sounds as the Flying club handles GA and it's not the costs that you get if you went with one of the handling agents
Give them a call on 01446 710000, they handle all the light aircraft south side and can give you an idea on fees.
Before you go to Cardiff take a good read of the AIP, there are quite specific rules for entering VFR such as entering the zone not above 1500ft QNH, there is also a one way taxi system southside but the flying club should also be able to advise you of all of this.
It sounds a bit more complicated than it actually is just brief well before hand.
Give them a call on 01446 710000, they handle all the light aircraft south side and can give you an idea on fees.
Before you go to Cardiff take a good read of the AIP, there are quite specific rules for entering VFR such as entering the zone not above 1500ft QNH, there is also a one way taxi system southside but the flying club should also be able to advise you of all of this.
It sounds a bit more complicated than it actually is just brief well before hand.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 664
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From: Yorkshire
Hmm, interesting. So two choices then, Cardiff at £50-ish all in, or Upfield at £5-ish, with pretty much identical distances to the centre of the city (according to Autoroute).
I won't need fuel, so it looks like Upfield if the weather's nice, and Cardiff if it's not.
Thanks guys, much appreciated !
FF
I won't need fuel, so it looks like Upfield if the weather's nice, and Cardiff if it's not.
Thanks guys, much appreciated !
FF
Joined: Feb 2001
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 2
From: Worcestershire, UK
650m concrete available at Upfield, but obviously no IAP's etc. Open airspace too (well below 4000' anyway), plenty of room for overnight parking. Landing fee £5, no parking charge.
As Flower says, published procedures into Cardiff are fairly straightforward, and ATC are very GA friendly. As you're (presumably) coming from the NE, expect to be routed via Wenvoe or Cardiff docks VRP's so revise those. Get yourself "handled" by the flying club to avoid extortionate handling costs - landing fees should be around £20, no idea about parking. (Obviously this limits you to arrival/departure within club opening hours)
Approximately half hour taxi ride from Cardiff or 35 mins from Upfield into Cardiff City centre, alternately use train from Rhoose (Cardiff) or Newport (Upfield)
As Flower says, published procedures into Cardiff are fairly straightforward, and ATC are very GA friendly. As you're (presumably) coming from the NE, expect to be routed via Wenvoe or Cardiff docks VRP's so revise those. Get yourself "handled" by the flying club to avoid extortionate handling costs - landing fees should be around £20, no idea about parking. (Obviously this limits you to arrival/departure within club opening hours)
Approximately half hour taxi ride from Cardiff or 35 mins from Upfield into Cardiff City centre, alternately use train from Rhoose (Cardiff) or Newport (Upfield)
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
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From: Yorkshire
Flower :
After your excellent post I rang the flying club this morning before writing that post. They quoted me £48.50 for landing and 24 hours parking for my 1743kg single ...
Are they wrong ?
FF
You won't be paying anywhere near £50 to use Cardiff.
Are they wrong ?
FF
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 118
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From: Around and About
Support small airfields.
Go to Upfield Farm. Nice little strip with friendly owner
Go to Upfield Farm. Nice little strip with friendly owner
I understood the NIMBYs got their way at a recent planning meeting.
I hope I am wrong
Ex
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: UK
Prices have risen a lot in a year it would seem Fully Flapped 
As for Upfield Farm yes there are issues with the concrete runway, accordingly he didn't have planning permission for it and has to remove it but I understand he is appealing against the decision. He shouldn't have gone against planning but the reasons given for it's removal are straight out of the NIMBYS handbook.
see ;
http://www.newport.gov.uk/stellent/g...cont103415.pdf
The recent fatal accident won't help his appeal
I would question the time from Upfield Farm to Cardiff, last time I did it it took me over 50 minutes, it's in a beautiful spot but pretty remote, Getting a taxi may take some time.
As for Upfield Farm yes there are issues with the concrete runway, accordingly he didn't have planning permission for it and has to remove it but I understand he is appealing against the decision. He shouldn't have gone against planning but the reasons given for it's removal are straight out of the NIMBYS handbook.
see ;
http://www.newport.gov.uk/stellent/g...cont103415.pdf
The recent fatal accident won't help his appeal
I would question the time from Upfield Farm to Cardiff, last time I did it it took me over 50 minutes, it's in a beautiful spot but pretty remote, Getting a taxi may take some time.
Blah Blah Blah
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Malmesbury VRP
last time I was at Upfield farm, there was no runway...it was a "Farm Access Track"
and I am being serious. It was concrete and just been widened. I don't see how the Nimbys can complain!!! the only two houses affected by approaching and departing traffic is the owners!
and I am being serious. It was concrete and just been widened. I don't see how the Nimbys can complain!!! the only two houses affected by approaching and departing traffic is the owners!
Joined: Feb 2001
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1,222
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From: Worcestershire, UK
I would question the time from Upfield Farm to Cardiff, last time I did it it took me over 50 minutes
An enforcement order has been served on the runway and (my
) hangar, but Ken has appealed so nothing is happening pending appeal.He has also submitted a fresh planning application for the rwy only - much reduced from his original application for rwy + more hangars.
Ken does have planning permission for an airstrip, so Upfield will remain open (albeit as a grass strip) whatever the outcome. A fact seemingly lost on the NIMBY's
Blah Blah Blah
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Malmesbury VRP
At least it will remain a strip of some sort. Has the drainage on the grass area been sorted out? Last time I was there the 337 sunk as soon as I taxied on it. I had to unload the plane and it took almost full power from the rear engine to get it moving.
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: UK
Yep it is the pits Mariner9, You cannot see anything from the road so much so you can drive past the place without knowing it's there and what difference does a concrete runway make over a grass runway? The Hangars look just like farm buildings.
It is a very great shame especially when you consider the huge disused steelworks that really blight the landscape nearby.
I really hope he wins his appeal especially with the nonsense i have seen written up about it by the complainers.
And yes took me a good 50 minutes from my home to Upfield farm was very surprised. I am BTW all for Farm Strips long may they prosper it's just I know a lot more about Controlled Airports
It is a very great shame especially when you consider the huge disused steelworks that really blight the landscape nearby.
I really hope he wins his appeal especially with the nonsense i have seen written up about it by the complainers.
And yes took me a good 50 minutes from my home to Upfield farm was very surprised. I am BTW all for Farm Strips long may they prosper it's just I know a lot more about Controlled Airports
Joined: Feb 2001
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1,222
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From: Worcestershire, UK
Has the drainage on the grass area been sorted out?
Professional Student
Joined: Mar 2005
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 678
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From: My Secret Island Lair
Sorry to bring this up again, but I think it's worth pointing out that yesterday when I planned to fly into Cardiff, I phoned the flying club, and was told to contact Signature..who promptly me quoted £61.69 for a two hour stay!
Next time I'm going to go to Upfield Farm - unless I need the IAPs etc. I'm all for paying for what I use....but does it REALLY cost that much for a VFR approach (as I was going to fly yesterday) and two hours parking without refuelling at Cardiff?
Next time I'm going to go to Upfield Farm - unless I need the IAPs etc. I'm all for paying for what I use....but does it REALLY cost that much for a VFR approach (as I was going to fly yesterday) and two hours parking without refuelling at Cardiff?
Professional Student
Joined: Mar 2005
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 678
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From: My Secret Island Lair
WR - Thanks for your help, those charges seem much more sensible . I take it Signature is more "executive/commercial/bizjet" handling! I intend to visit Cardiff again this Monday (weather/tech probs not withstanding), so will follow your instructions.
As it happens Upfield Farm will be a bit short for my aircraft on Monday (Arrow) but I intend to visit in the future, in a Supercub.
Cheers,
hobbit
. I take it Signature is more "executive/commercial/bizjet" handling! I intend to visit Cardiff again this Monday (weather/tech probs not withstanding), so will follow your instructions. As it happens Upfield Farm will be a bit short for my aircraft on Monday (Arrow) but I intend to visit in the future, in a Supercub.
Cheers,
hobbit
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 831
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From: North of South
Flew into Cardiff not so long ago and have to say I did only pay 21 quid or therabouts for landing , what did surprise me was the state of the GA apron , lots of loose rocks , stones and other FOD type stuff all over the place , looked almost like a disused field would .