Lundy, have you?
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I am trying to get a feel if people go there and it is a realistic place to land. I know of a couple of guys that have taken c172s in but don't know how to get hold of them. I am not a hero and would not dream of doing anything with the potential to go wrong. Thats why I thought I would gauge the feelings on this one. I know that all the good things would have to be in place like a good head wind and dry short grass, low tow....
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Took my Condor there about 3 years ago all pre-arranged, the wind was unusually flat calm, got into the flare twice but on both occasions decided the surface was unsuitable for landing.Animals were close to the strip unrestranined and when I rang the National Trust office just to inform them that I would not after all be landing they said it was normal for the farmer not to confine the farm animals even when an aircraft was expected.In these litigatious times I think the trust are playing a risky game offering such a poorly marked and ill prepared surface.With a little work it could be a lot better and of course if there had been a twenty knot wind I might have considered it suitable!!.I,m an experienced strip pilot and current also on the PA28 and would definitely not take one of those in there, Cub or Auster much better.The local flying club told me they won,t let their aircraft in there and I believe the strip typically only has about ten movements a year.best avoided I think!!.Interested in others opinions and yes I believe the local strut did hold a fly in of some sort so improvements may have been made.I may try going back again in a friends Miles Messenger which is truly Stol.
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Another aspect worth considering when visiting such remote places such as Lundy is Insurance.
Depending on what cover you have for the Aircraft,say 3rd party only,then if you do have a prang whilst on Lundy for example then you will be responsible for the removal of the Aircraft.
I would'nt like to guess at what the recovery costs would amount to from such a place,but it certainly makes that little extra premium for better cover seem well worthwhile,and believe it or not,to my horror I recently found out that a friend of mine who has an Aircraft worth approx £35k only has 3rd party cover!!!!!!!!!!
The way in which I found this out was when he was discusing the repair costs after he'd just done a wheels up bellyflop......
Depending on what cover you have for the Aircraft,say 3rd party only,then if you do have a prang whilst on Lundy for example then you will be responsible for the removal of the Aircraft.
I would'nt like to guess at what the recovery costs would amount to from such a place,but it certainly makes that little extra premium for better cover seem well worthwhile,and believe it or not,to my horror I recently found out that a friend of mine who has an Aircraft worth approx £35k only has 3rd party cover!!!!!!!!!!
The way in which I found this out was when he was discusing the repair costs after he'd just done a wheels up bellyflop......
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washoutt, to answer your questions...
1. Yes I have
2. Yes I would like to talk you out of taking an Archer.
To be a bit more helpful:
Lundy is well worth a flying visit BUT...
as as Neg G says, there is no help of any kind there. If you break your aircraft, you will be on your own and have to make your own arrangements.
One of the difficulties is that there is no-one on the island who flys and can appreciate what you need to know when you ring them to ask about the surface and the wind.
The surface is rough and you need a low landing speed so a day with good wind from the NE or SW is what you are looking for.
The strip is short unless you are used to short farm strips and the grass is long, but not as bad as it was a couple of years ago when they weren't grazing those fields.
The article in Pilot magazine about 5 years ago tells you all you need to know, but better not make it your first farm strip. In other words try some of the wilder farm strips on the mainland first. If you can't cope with somewhere like Oxenhope, don't try Lundy - its much tougher. If you are looking for somewhere in the south, try Halwell in Devon. Thats easier still, but I still wouldn't try it in an Archer. Do the sums, (temp, weight, grass length, wind) and you could be ok in a Cessna 152 though.
If you have any further questions, ask me here. Don't e-mail me as my e-mail is not reliable.
1. Yes I have
2. Yes I would like to talk you out of taking an Archer.
To be a bit more helpful:
Lundy is well worth a flying visit BUT...
as as Neg G says, there is no help of any kind there. If you break your aircraft, you will be on your own and have to make your own arrangements.
One of the difficulties is that there is no-one on the island who flys and can appreciate what you need to know when you ring them to ask about the surface and the wind.
The surface is rough and you need a low landing speed so a day with good wind from the NE or SW is what you are looking for.
The strip is short unless you are used to short farm strips and the grass is long, but not as bad as it was a couple of years ago when they weren't grazing those fields.
The article in Pilot magazine about 5 years ago tells you all you need to know, but better not make it your first farm strip. In other words try some of the wilder farm strips on the mainland first. If you can't cope with somewhere like Oxenhope, don't try Lundy - its much tougher. If you are looking for somewhere in the south, try Halwell in Devon. Thats easier still, but I still wouldn't try it in an Archer. Do the sums, (temp, weight, grass length, wind) and you could be ok in a Cessna 152 though.
If you have any further questions, ask me here. Don't e-mail me as my e-mail is not reliable.
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i whent to lundy a few months ago in a 172.the first low pass made the sheep clear the runway,the second low pass was infact a landing attempt but the high cliffs on the approach made the glide path seem lower than it really was,hence the goaround.We got down fine on the third try.
Taking off however is another matter,the end of the s.w run is littered with rocks and some big ones at athat! the end of the n.e run ihas a five foot stone wall on it!The surface was boggy in places and long rush type grass was everywhere!
Still if i can do it then have a go,but no way in a PA28,not unless Lo-Presti has put a merlin in it!
Safe Flying.
Taking off however is another matter,the end of the s.w run is littered with rocks and some big ones at athat! the end of the n.e run ihas a five foot stone wall on it!The surface was boggy in places and long rush type grass was everywhere!
Still if i can do it then have a go,but no way in a PA28,not unless Lo-Presti has put a merlin in it!
Safe Flying.
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Washouttt,
Here's a consolation offering for you if you like remote islands. Gigha Island (pronounced Gi'ha) halfway up the west coast of the Mull of Kintyre opposite Islay. It has 720 metres grass E-W just like a motorway across the southern end of the island. Fine for your Archer. If you call the Hotel and then fly over them on your way in, they will send the van for you. Pub lunch at the Hotel. Island has nine hole golf course and is very good for walkies. The owner of Horlicks lived out his retirement in The House. You feel right adverturous after a day on a reeel Scutish Isle!
Here's a consolation offering for you if you like remote islands. Gigha Island (pronounced Gi'ha) halfway up the west coast of the Mull of Kintyre opposite Islay. It has 720 metres grass E-W just like a motorway across the southern end of the island. Fine for your Archer. If you call the Hotel and then fly over them on your way in, they will send the van for you. Pub lunch at the Hotel. Island has nine hole golf course and is very good for walkies. The owner of Horlicks lived out his retirement in The House. You feel right adverturous after a day on a reeel Scutish Isle!
