Is Wales closed on a Sunday

[sammypilot]

We recently visited West Wales during a weekday. The staff there told us that they no longer opened on a weekend because so few aircraft flew in. Today we tried to arrange a visit to Pembrey tomorrow, Saturday. The response was that Pembrey is now closed at a weekend. Cardiff has been a no go area for GA for some time now. So it must be pretty quiet in South Wales with no aircraft flying around.

[ROBERTSFIELD]

Try Swansea, caution though last I heard they cannot supply AVGAS.

[sammypilot]

Thanks for that suggestion. I had thought about Swansea but last time I visited, (admittedly a couple of years ago) it had all the welcoming charm of a Victorian Workhouse. Couldn't even get a cup of tea. Please tell me it has improved.

[Windy Militant]

Go see the boys from the Bush, Withybush that is otherwise known as Haverfordwest (EGFE). Haffords definitely open weekends and there's a good cafe.

[Oldpilot55]

I've always had a soft spot for Withybush since I spent a fortnight gliding there in the sixties. I haven't been back since but by all accounts it is a destination worth a visit.

[Charlie Zulu]

Cardiff could be a thriving GA airfield once again once Aeros starts its operations in the white building on the south side of the airport. Planned start date is 1st June 2010.

Hopefully they will be able to start accepting GA like the former clubs did.

I will be calling them soon to find out as I'm not based there anymore and would like to fly my aircraft in to visit my parents (I live in Scotland now).

[chevvron]

Malta is also closed on sundays.

[Sir Niall Dementia]

Be mighty careful of the all day breakfast at Swansea. I ate one recently and now have problems moving due to hardened arteries. It was wonderful.

[Piper.Classique]

I know Shobdon isn't quite in Wales but it definitely isn't closed, and they do some artery hardening food too!

[maxdrypower]

welshpool is and they are open weekends .
Failing that go further afield into real wales and goto caernarfon their cafe is lovely

[jollyrog]

You're missing nothing at Pembrey.

I wrote about my visit there on the other forum last month. Despite two pre-visit telephone calls and a faxed GAR, he neglected to tell me that he didn't have fuel until after I'd landed. He left me in the position of having to do some creative thinking, to get fuel and comply with my GAR, at 1730 on a Saturday afternoon. As you've noted, Wales is closed.

Thank goodness the flying club at Haverfordwest were very understanding, as were the police.

I will never go there again. Never.

[robin]

Caernafon?

[Phil Space]

Makes you wonder where the business will come from if the spaceport at Llanbedr ever opens.

[sammypilot]

In response to Phil Space, airfields in North and West Wales haver always struggled as is evident by the number of owners Caernarfon has had in my flying lifetime. They are very much GA dependent as all attempts to introduce Commercial Aviation have foundered. However that doesn't mean to say that an airfield supported by other businesses wouldn't work. The new owners are coming from Kemble where they appear to be operating such a format successfully.

[IO540]

Is Cardiff closed to GA?

The notam doesn't say anything about that. It says flying club is not available (presumably closed?) and mandatory handling via Signature.

Is there more than 1 handling agent? If not, mandatory handling is illegal under EU law.

I've been to Caernarfon a few times and really liked it. Fantastic location. Watch out for the fog, and once you hit the town don't worry too much about the millions of pregnant 14 year old girls pushing prams - that's Wales for you; Welshpool is the same

[Charlie Zulu]

IO540,

As you quite rightly point out Cardiff isn't closed to visiting GA although as far as I am aware the main, if not only, GA handling agent is Signature. Aviance are also on field but they tend to deal with the likes of BMI Baby jets.

The flying club ceased trading a couple of years ago but Aeros (of Gloucester) are opening a base at Cardiff on the 1st June in part of the white building in which the previous flying club vacated (southside of the airport).

I presume the NOTAM will dissapear at some point and GA will once again be allowed to park south side and enter/exit via the flying club during opening hours.

Fingers crossed as I would dearly like to fly my own aeroplane down to visit my parents but am loath to pay Signature handling fees when they are quite expensive and basically the only choice for GA at Cardiff.

The restaurant upstairs in the white building (flying club building) is still open for business so that'll also be quite useful for when the new club/school opens its doors.

[2high2fastagain]

I know what you mean about west wales. Was flying near there a short while back and keeping clear because of a RATS 7nm warning on the AIS daily update ansafone. Was there anyone on the radio there when I passed - nope! Makes you feel the same way as those roadworks where there are millions of cones but nobody working. Anyhow, Haverfordwest is open (unlicensed at w/e) with the Propellers Cafe. The 'XL' All day Breakfast is aptly named and highly recommended. I didn't need Avgas there, but it was offered on landing. Swansea also does a decent lunch, but you do have to be careful that people don't suddenly drop into the cockpit beside you.

[bmibaby319]

Regarding GA movements at CWL, We get a lot of American reg Cessna's there (Dont ask me why), there is a Private airline, Dragonfly based at CWL with loads of privatley owned GA a/c, there is a small hangar packed with a/c including an Aeronca and a Tiger moth.