Beach landing
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Belgium
Beach landing
Hi,
After a trip to Australia, where i drove on the beach with a 4x4, being overtaken by a landing aircraft, I started wondering if there are any beach airfields in Europe. I found at least one - Barra airport. Does anyone know of more such airfields around Europe, or anyone have beach landing experiences to share?
Cheers
JP
After a trip to Australia, where i drove on the beach with a 4x4, being overtaken by a landing aircraft, I started wondering if there are any beach airfields in Europe. I found at least one - Barra airport. Does anyone know of more such airfields around Europe, or anyone have beach landing experiences to share?
Cheers
JP
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
I cant help you but one of the local operators does beach landings on masons bay, stewart island and they always carry the shovel and some planks of wood just in case. Its a matter of dig the exit, place the boards and unleash the almighty lycoming horses, leave the boards behind - they are still growing trees! Judging by how easy it is to get stuck on a beach in a car I think its worth while checking a beach condition before going there, the sand surface can be very deceiving!
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 7
From: Sometimes north, sometimes south
Sollas, North Uist
Southport beach (used to be a licensed aerodrome)
Middleton Sands, Lancs
Loganair air ambulance Islanders also used to land on the beach at Northton, Harris, from time to time
Southport beach (used to be a licensed aerodrome)
Middleton Sands, Lancs
Loganair air ambulance Islanders also used to land on the beach at Northton, Harris, from time to time
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 2
From: Oxford, UK
Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Away back in the days of prohibition, a daredevil barnstormer landed on Atlantic City beach to offer joyrides in his Wright Flyer to the admiring crowds.
My Uncle was the Mayor, C.D. White. I still have a photo of him sitting in the aircraft before takeoff, chomping his big cigar and looking quite relaxed. His wife wouldn't speak to him for a week....
My Uncle was the Mayor, C.D. White. I still have a photo of him sitting in the aircraft before takeoff, chomping his big cigar and looking quite relaxed. His wife wouldn't speak to him for a week....
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
I've landed on both Middleton Sands and Barra, plus another Scottish beach which isn't officially an airfield but did the job fine.
For stunning scenery and a fantastic flying experience, go to Barra. For a relatively easy first experience of landing on a beach, take a picnic to Middleton Sands.
And set QNH for landing!
G
For stunning scenery and a fantastic flying experience, go to Barra. For a relatively easy first experience of landing on a beach, take a picnic to Middleton Sands.
And set QNH for landing!
G
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: In a house
beach landings are great, just a little tip though. Don't sit stationary with the engine running for any period of time, best to shut down while rolling and do your power checks while rolling, otherwise you stand a high chance of getting stuck as the wheels wobble down into the sand. Also a good idea to minimize sand erosion on your prop.
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 2
From: Oxford, UK
To truly experience the thrill of beach landings - and takeoffs - there is nothing to beat the thrill of joining with both Northern Ireland and Irish gliding clubs on their Sept. safari to the Dingle Penninsula, where depending on the wind direction, either INCH BEACH or FERMOYLE STRAND is used. The gliders are lined up, the rope is tied to a car, and off they go, flat out, the glider ascends, releases, and soars the sea cliffs.
They have to make haste at the end of the day to remove the toys before the tide comes in. Once while I was there, one of the vehicles had got stuck in the sand, and it was next day before a tractor could rescue it. Conversation that night in the pub discussing what to do with the car concluded the best plan was to pressure wash it inside and out, thoroughly, and sell it as soon as possible......
They have to make haste at the end of the day to remove the toys before the tide comes in. Once while I was there, one of the vehicles had got stuck in the sand, and it was next day before a tractor could rescue it. Conversation that night in the pub discussing what to do with the car concluded the best plan was to pressure wash it inside and out, thoroughly, and sell it as soon as possible......
Joined: Sep 2009
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 948
Likes: 63
From: N.YORKSHIRE
Try to get to this fly-in in 2011. Lots of fun, fish and chips.
YouTube - LANCASHIRE LANDING Pilling Sands 2010 (Northern Aviators)
YouTube - LANCASHIRE LANDING Pilling Sands 2010 (Northern Aviators)
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: London
Have landed on Barra, great fun and not particularly demanding **BUT** fully echo trex's comments - for a few minutes we were afraid we would lose our a/c as it repeatedly sank into soft sand (on an out-of-hours departure) and we had to enlist the help of a cockle-picker to help us save it. I kid you not.
Where is it that the RAF land C130s on a beach (as featured on Top Gear a few years ago)?
Where is it that the RAF land C130s on a beach (as featured on Top Gear a few years ago)?
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 0
From: 75N 16E
One thing...make sure your aeroplane will start again 
I heard of a story of some people landing on a sand bar, and it was great until they couldn't get the thing started again and ran the battery down, with the tide coming in.....oops
I heard of a story of some people landing on a sand bar, and it was great until they couldn't get the thing started again and ran the battery down, with the tide coming in.....oops
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,807
Likes: 10
From: Ansião (PT)
As a Belgian, you might find some interest in Tour de Belgique ULM 2007
or in this photo, from an previous edition of the same event:
http://www.asa-be.com/images/PhotoGa...F01/OO-F22.jpg
AFAIK the exploit was not repeated after 2007.
or in this photo, from an previous edition of the same event:
http://www.asa-be.com/images/PhotoGa...F01/OO-F22.jpg
AFAIK the exploit was not repeated after 2007.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: South Wales UK
Vintagemaember
As well as Pendine Sands they also use the western end of Cefn Siden beach where RAF Pembrey Range is located.
There are two photos at this link of a C-130 and C-160 on the beach.
Steve
AeroResource.co.uk • Home to the Aviation Enthusiast •
As well as Pendine Sands they also use the western end of Cefn Siden beach where RAF Pembrey Range is located.
There are two photos at this link of a C-130 and C-160 on the beach.
Steve
AeroResource.co.uk • Home to the Aviation Enthusiast •
Better red than ...
Joined: Aug 2004
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Appleby-in-Westmorland Cumbria England
I've landed on a few Scottish and Norfolkshire beaches in a helicopter. A couple of years ago I landed at the airfield on Colonsay. As I landed a STOL fixed wing took off from the adjacent, (short) beach. Plus Ca Change.
h-r
h-r
Fleet Manager
Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 2,952
From: Ontario, Canada
Use great caution landing on beaches, but done successfully, it's really satisfying.
You'll see the wheel marks from my first pass, which was done to assure a suitably firm surface over the required distance, before comitting on the second landing. The same preplanning is also appropriate when landing skis on unbroken snow.
That is an island of the coast of Georgia, which is not easily accessible from the mainland.
You'll see the wheel marks from my first pass, which was done to assure a suitably firm surface over the required distance, before comitting on the second landing. The same preplanning is also appropriate when landing skis on unbroken snow.
That is an island of the coast of Georgia, which is not easily accessible from the mainland.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Dont ask how I know - but take it from me:
1) Always "drag" the beach first at 30-40kts and go around to assess the depth of your tire tracks- then land.
2) Never land a beach forming part of an estuary
3) Beaches facing the ocean/sea are best
4) Beware of strong Xwinds and steep sidesloping beaches in taildraggers
All good fun, but very easy to make an expensive embarrassing mistake!
1) Always "drag" the beach first at 30-40kts and go around to assess the depth of your tire tracks- then land.
2) Never land a beach forming part of an estuary
3) Beaches facing the ocean/sea are best
4) Beware of strong Xwinds and steep sidesloping beaches in taildraggers
All good fun, but very easy to make an expensive embarrassing mistake!
