Worst GA Field?
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 17,522
Likes: 1,854
From: England
Well actually the ducks are quite well trained and operate to minimal runway occupancy time protocols. The technical aspects of establishing airfield comms with the ducks and a/g are being looked into by the CAA Technical Committee.
WWW
WWW
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: UK
Nasty experience at Norwich...
Was doing QXC and it was my first landing away. Landed fine and they asked (told) me where to park and wait for a van to come and pick me up.
Well, me being none the wiser waited for this "van" which only turned up 10 minutes later to pick up other people from a PA28 that just landed.
Paid up, went to the terminal, had a cuppa, came back and phoned the tower to book out. Now, I hadnīt really booked out in a "proper" airfield before and the bloke at the other end of the line barked at me because I didnīt know immediate answers to the questions he was asking.
"You should know these things" he yelled at me. So he ainīt getting a visit back from me the toss pot. Bit of sympathy never goes amiss on a QXC.
Was doing QXC and it was my first landing away. Landed fine and they asked (told) me where to park and wait for a van to come and pick me up.
Well, me being none the wiser waited for this "van" which only turned up 10 minutes later to pick up other people from a PA28 that just landed.
Paid up, went to the terminal, had a cuppa, came back and phoned the tower to book out. Now, I hadnīt really booked out in a "proper" airfield before and the bloke at the other end of the line barked at me because I didnīt know immediate answers to the questions he was asking.
"You should know these things" he yelled at me. So he ainīt getting a visit back from me the toss pot. Bit of sympathy never goes amiss on a QXC.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: UK
It only takes one bad visit to an airfield to put you off it for ever I agree.
For example, I do a lot of flying from Exeter and I love it there. The people are always friendly and try to get you off and underway as quickly as they can even when British European are pottering around the place.
However, a friend of mine visited it once and vowed never to go again because of the welcome he recieved there. Such is life!!
Norwich is my "got it in logbook once, donīt need it again" airfield of choice.
For example, I do a lot of flying from Exeter and I love it there. The people are always friendly and try to get you off and underway as quickly as they can even when British European are pottering around the place.
However, a friend of mine visited it once and vowed never to go again because of the welcome he recieved there. Such is life!!
Norwich is my "got it in logbook once, donīt need it again" airfield of choice.
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: UK
Regarding Exeter, its my home airfield and I love it! Tons of runway, great ATC, fairly quiet and in the best countryside in the UK...but there is just one chap in the Tower who sometimes needs his HRT pills. Please don't let that put you off 'cos it a great place to base yourself for the sunny southwest. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
(one gripe though...13-31 closed last year and its a pain when the prevailing wind is from the NW - which is quite frequent)
(one gripe though...13-31 closed last year and its a pain when the prevailing wind is from the NW - which is quite frequent)
niknak
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
From: UK
I am a little suprised to see Norwich on the list.
Its a field I visit regularly, and although it can be hellishly busy with a wide range of aircraft types, (from C150s to B767s), I've never had any real hassle. Despite the fact that atc have to weave all the Norwich traffic in with the military at Coltishall et al, and the plethera of flying that takes place from all the private strips in the near vicinity, they make a real effort to treat everyone fairly.
Obviously DVR must have got the one ar**hole that every airfield has, and as for Pete Morris and his vitreol <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> , making generalised comments assists no one in improving standards.
If you've got a real gripe - make sure the airport authority knows about it asap.
Its a field I visit regularly, and although it can be hellishly busy with a wide range of aircraft types, (from C150s to B767s), I've never had any real hassle. Despite the fact that atc have to weave all the Norwich traffic in with the military at Coltishall et al, and the plethera of flying that takes place from all the private strips in the near vicinity, they make a real effort to treat everyone fairly.
Obviously DVR must have got the one ar**hole that every airfield has, and as for Pete Morris and his vitreol <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> , making generalised comments assists no one in improving standards.
If you've got a real gripe - make sure the airport authority knows about it asap.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Niort
Norwich busy? You must be joking!
This is a quiet regional airfield with security procedures that are appropriate for an alert status most of the time. If you visit regularly I'm sure you can get used to anything - or maybe shortcut it all by using the flying clubs?
However as an infrequent visitor the number of 'precedures and arrangements' necessary just to get to and from an aircraft are a nonsense.
Good ATC comment represents vitriol? Get a grip!
Or perhaps you believe that flying is something so special that it needs to be made awkward, time consuming, inconvenient and expensive.
Personally I do not, I think that the nonsense of most airfield administration is there because regional airfield managements actively discourage any flying that does not generate the easy money of scheduled passenger transport - where an airline simply has to pay for the 'services' the airfield provides.
This is a quiet regional airfield with security procedures that are appropriate for an alert status most of the time. If you visit regularly I'm sure you can get used to anything - or maybe shortcut it all by using the flying clubs?
However as an infrequent visitor the number of 'precedures and arrangements' necessary just to get to and from an aircraft are a nonsense.
Good ATC comment represents vitriol? Get a grip!
Or perhaps you believe that flying is something so special that it needs to be made awkward, time consuming, inconvenient and expensive.
Personally I do not, I think that the nonsense of most airfield administration is there because regional airfield managements actively discourage any flying that does not generate the easy money of scheduled passenger transport - where an airline simply has to pay for the 'services' the airfield provides.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Devon, England
Regarding Exeter - I work on the airfield and am also 38 hrs into PPL and I love flying in and out. re: ATC - I agree with bcfc....
Cahlibahn - as I remember, landing for a 150 type is Ģ12-15 as well as low approaches etc, parking I am not sure about as we get block discounts.
I am not trying to advertise at all but if anyone is thinking about flying in to EGTE you are welcome to give me a ring at work - 01392 447887 - for info etc, or pop in for a cup of tea/coffee. To be fair I am sure the Exeter Flying Club would do the same for anybody, but we have free biscuits <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Cahlibahn - as I remember, landing for a 150 type is Ģ12-15 as well as low approaches etc, parking I am not sure about as we get block discounts.
I am not trying to advertise at all but if anyone is thinking about flying in to EGTE you are welcome to give me a ring at work - 01392 447887 - for info etc, or pop in for a cup of tea/coffee. To be fair I am sure the Exeter Flying Club would do the same for anybody, but we have free biscuits <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Guest
Posts: n/a
Shocked to hear about bad feelings for Norwich. Been in many times in a Cessna single and never had anything less than a perfect reception.
Exeter, never been there or had any reason to but have only heard good things about it.
Lets not forget chaps, people have bad days and ATC aren't immune. I can't help feeling that sometimes we (as pilots) take everything they say (and especially how they say it) far too personally.
If you've had a perfect flight and end it with a perfect join, circuit, app. and landing why let someones tone of voice ruin your day.
This bit of prophetic thinking does not apply to Oxford I'm afraid, they are enough to ruin even the most perfect week with their attitude at times. <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
Exeter, never been there or had any reason to but have only heard good things about it.
Lets not forget chaps, people have bad days and ATC aren't immune. I can't help feeling that sometimes we (as pilots) take everything they say (and especially how they say it) far too personally.
If you've had a perfect flight and end it with a perfect join, circuit, app. and landing why let someones tone of voice ruin your day.
This bit of prophetic thinking does not apply to Oxford I'm afraid, they are enough to ruin even the most perfect week with their attitude at times. <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
