Advice for flying around Reading (UK)

[bodemory]

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum for a few months, I really appreciate all the experience shared in all the threads.

I've moved from France to Reading and have been looking for a place to fly. Owning a PPL, I wanted to find a flying club from which I could rent a plane and fly from time to time to France.

There's Blackbushe, White Waltham and Denham that are in a reasonable distance from Reading (am I missing one?) so I would be very interested to have recommendations from people flying in those airfields. I ideally look for a PA28 to rent at a reasonable rate.

Many thanks!
Bod

[Genghis the Engineer]

That's about the list, I'd add Wycombe Air Park to your list.

All of those have friendly flying clubs, all will have PA28s to rent, or something similar.

However what you won't get is anything cheap in this areea, nor will many be happy with you taking a rental aeroplane away for more than about a day.

If you are here for a few years, I'd recommend looking at joining a syndicate, where you buy into a group who jointly operate an aeroplane privately - in the long run the flying will be cheaper, and there's unlikely to be a problem taking it away for a week or so a few times each year.

G

[nick ritter]

I can vouch for White Waltham – I think it is a fantastic little club with a great club atmosphere and obviously right on your doorstep from Reading

The airfield benefits from 3 grass strips (a little bumpy for sure) but generally ok and as such you should always be able to find a runway into wind

The rates can be found on their website (West London Aero Club) although if you call you should be able to get a better rate if you do a package. Everyone has their own view on this but it seems ok to me and cuts the official rates by at least 20pc

My experiences with WW have been first rate

Good luck

[chevvron]

But don't loiter over Mortimer; there's a 'career' NIMBY there who complains about everything that stays there more than a couple of minutes.

[Human Factor]

Another recommendation for White Waltham. There are a number of PA28 syndicates which often have shares for sale in the £1000-1500 range.

[rocco16]

Brimpton may be worth a check and there is Popham a little further.

[IO540]

There is also a place near Mortimer (which probably glows in the dark, due to what they do there) you don't particularly want to have an engine failure over

[wsmempson]

There's also Chiltern Park, just inside Benson's MATZ

Chiltern Airsports Ltd

Cheap by comparison to the trad PA28/172 flying school fleet but, if you want to do a regular trip to France and stock up at Auchan, these prob90 aren't for you!

[Intercepted]

Another recommendation for White Waltham. There are a number of PA28 syndicates which often have shares for sale in the £1000-1500 range.

Most WW PA28-140/160 shares are in the £2000-£2500 region. This will give you around 1/10 ownership and between £70-£80/month and £70-£80/hour wet.

If you compare this to club rates and the difference in freedom of flying (stay away for the day etc.) it is usually well invested money.

There is currently a share available in one of the groups I know of. If you are interested let me know.

[DeeCee]

I had a lot of fun when I was a member at White Waltham. David Coe is CFI and a nice chap. It's well organised and handy for you to get to. The aircraft are clean and tidy (PA28s) and there are some relatively new 172s available. As someone said, they have three runways. Lots of lovely coutryside to fly over.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Speaking as a resident of a village not far south of Reading and as a retired Heathrow Air Traffic Controller, I would suggest keeping lots of eyes open if you fly from White Waltham. The airspace from Wycombe, south through Woodley towards Blackbushe is very busy with light aircraft, civil and militray helicopters and the odd biz jet to/from Farnborough.

[Duchess_Driver]

Yep, White Waltham is a lovely place to fly - but definately not the cheapest.

Don't forget that whatever rate you get for 'block booking' there are membership fees and fuel surcharges to apply as well. Check what you're paying.

There were plenty of sub £2000 PA28 shares on the board this morning. Problem is with such large groups is availability - some of the 20 or so members may get a bit arsey!

[bodemory]

Many thanks for all your responses, that's definitely helpful.
I already had the opportunity to land at WW, flying from the Alps, I really appreciated the atmosphere indeed. I'll explore all the suggestions above.

Thanks again!
Bod

[rocco16]

Let me know if you come down to Popham, I'll show you around. WW is a lovely place, I used to ferry students there many moons ago before I became and instructor. Very enjoyable place to soak up the flying atmosphere.

[DeeCee]

'Expense' is all relative when it comes to flying. WW might be more expensive but you get nice aircraft, good organisation and an excellent clubhouse. If I was still in the area I would definately still be a member. Sorry if this sounds like an advert, but WW is at the organised end of things, whilst some others I know of verge on the chaotic. Most of us cannot afford to fly too often, so when we do, a good experience is important.

[Duchess_Driver]

Yep, expense is relative. And what I'm saying is that WlAC is not at the cheap end of that relative scale. There are other, equally well organised, equally well run, equally good quality aircraft and instructors at other schools in the Reading area, and if you look you can find all of those qualities in one club for fewer of your hard earned beer vouchers.

But yes, David Coe is a nice chap.

[500 above]

Here's another vote for White Waltham. There is no other club I've known (in 19 years of flying) with an atmosphere like there is at ww. I only wish that I had more London nightstops to visit.