Spring UK Private Flying Bash?
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: UK
Excellent idea, I'm up for it. Here are my experiences and recommendations of the suggested airfields...
I didn't really rate Wickenby's runways or cafe. Perhaps too crowded for a meet and if the aeros box is open it can be hard work to stay out of the way.
Welshpool, I agree with the above that its too small wrt parking.
Leicester/HPG/Derby/Sandtoft: not visited these so would be interested on others views.
Fenland: two runways 36/18 and 26/08 so crosswinds shouldn't be an issue. Both are shortish grass (600m/640m respectively I think). Lovely food in the cafe too.
Norwich - again as previous posts: excessive landing fees and possibly too commercial for a GA meet(?).
Wellesbourne: Nice hard runways, lots of parking space, and a cafe with good food. Busy place with many aeroplanes and interesting pilots of all experiences and age ranges.
Conington: Pretty much as per Wellesbourne. Nice standard overhead join pattern (pictured in Pooleys), friendly service and nice cafe. Not sure of the parking space available. I parked on the apron and someone helped to push the aeroplane back into a snug spot; easy exit though!
Sherburn: all been said already, very nice strips with a spacious cafe!
GW
Edited to add:
Duxford: nice place. But quite a walk from apron to visitors centre for landing fee payment and restaurant.
Also, I can have 3 spare seats and am happy to pick up at places such as Cambridge (Ds3?) if anyone would like a lift/costshare?
Wickenby, Welshpool, Leicester, Halfpenny Green, Derby, Fenland, Norwich, Wellesbourne, Conington, Sandtoft
Welshpool, I agree with the above that its too small wrt parking.
Leicester/HPG/Derby/Sandtoft: not visited these so would be interested on others views.
Fenland: two runways 36/18 and 26/08 so crosswinds shouldn't be an issue. Both are shortish grass (600m/640m respectively I think). Lovely food in the cafe too.
Norwich - again as previous posts: excessive landing fees and possibly too commercial for a GA meet(?).
Wellesbourne: Nice hard runways, lots of parking space, and a cafe with good food. Busy place with many aeroplanes and interesting pilots of all experiences and age ranges.
Conington: Pretty much as per Wellesbourne. Nice standard overhead join pattern (pictured in Pooleys), friendly service and nice cafe. Not sure of the parking space available. I parked on the apron and someone helped to push the aeroplane back into a snug spot; easy exit though!
Sherburn: all been said already, very nice strips with a spacious cafe!
GW
Edited to add:
Duxford: nice place. But quite a walk from apron to visitors centre for landing fee payment and restaurant.
Also, I can have 3 spare seats and am happy to pick up at places such as Cambridge (Ds3?) if anyone would like a lift/costshare?
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 0
and a cafe with good food
When did you go there? I visited a few weeks ago and the food was nothing short of disgusting. The veg looked like it was prepared the previous day.
The airfield itself is fine, and they do have a little bit of hard parking which would be important (essential) for a proportion of visitors.
As I said, Norwich may be worth a look if one can do a deal with one of the flying clubs. Personally I would happily pay the £50 and park on tarmac.
Duxford should be fine, and the food is edible.
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Duxford
Duxford works great for me! 
GeeWhizz - very kind of you to offer. Unless the destination ends up being local to me, pencil me in for a seat - will happily share your costs. Out of interest, what do you fly?
GeeWhizz - very kind of you to offer. Unless the destination ends up being local to me, pencil me in for a seat - will happily share your costs. Out of interest, what do you fly?
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: UK
Visited Wellesbourne in July, and it all seemed fine. Quite enjoyed the lunch as far as I remember.
I learned a very important lesson during the Duxford visit, one that should be shared and never forgotten...
Never ever ever leave a headset on top of the dashboard if parked into strong hot sunshine during mid summer. The black rubber ear cup seals become immensely hot and leave red burn marks on ones face!
Ds3: see PM.
I learned a very important lesson during the Duxford visit, one that should be shared and never forgotten...
Never ever ever leave a headset on top of the dashboard if parked into strong hot sunshine during mid summer. The black rubber ear cup seals become immensely hot and leave red burn marks on ones face!
Ds3: see PM.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From: uk
Or Coventry, reasonably central, plenty of runway and parking, plus converted DC6 Diner and Musuem
We had a small meet there for 6 aircraft and they waived the landing fee as we booked the restaurant.
DC6 Diner opens in plane at Coventry Airport | Mail Online
We had a small meet there for 6 aircraft and they waived the landing fee as we booked the restaurant.
DC6 Diner opens in plane at Coventry Airport | Mail Online
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 2
From: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Sherburn sounds good to me, if it's mid week I would prefer school hols for us teacher types. Sywell is pretty good too, hasn't it recently won 'GA Airfield of the year' or some such nonsense?
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 0
From: The Burrow, N53:48:02 W1:48:57, The Tin Tent - EGBS, EGBO
Almost anywhere EXCEPT Sherburn in Elmet. I will not go there. I have several reasons, some personal but the last time I went (about a year ago) the state of the carpet in part of the eating area was absolutely vile and that was the final straw. It may, of course, have changed since then.
Halfpenny Green is fine and I hear that the cafe has improved. There is a great choice of runway there and there is even a little grass strip for the microlights. Wellesbourne used to have a good cafe, Shobdon's isn't too bad either. The food at Wickenby when I went with Project Propeller was fine and it's not too far away from Scampton.
Halfpenny Green is fine and I hear that the cafe has improved. There is a great choice of runway there and there is even a little grass strip for the microlights. Wellesbourne used to have a good cafe, Shobdon's isn't too bad either. The food at Wickenby when I went with Project Propeller was fine and it's not too far away from Scampton.
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: In a hole somewhere
tatenhill
Hey all i fly out of tatenhill and it really is a nice airfield with a decent runway 08/26
They have just put a little conservatory on the end and mad a small cafe in it (my friend said bacon rolls are nice
But the cafe area is small.
Liecester has a much bigger cafe which is basically a pub with a very very good glass conservatory which sits high and has a perfect view of the runways (i liked that bit) but the guy on the radio was ignorant and rude... Other than that i quite liked it.... Sure it was about £12 landing fee too
They have just put a little conservatory on the end and mad a small cafe in it (my friend said bacon rolls are nice
But the cafe area is small.
Liecester has a much bigger cafe which is basically a pub with a very very good glass conservatory which sits high and has a perfect view of the runways (i liked that bit) but the guy on the radio was ignorant and rude... Other than that i quite liked it.... Sure it was about £12 landing fee too
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
So, we approach christmas, and the sane and rational aviator puts his thoughts to Spring.
I'd like to propose that we have a Private Flying bash, as ever on a friendly airfield where there's stuff to see and do. The last one seems to have been about 8 years ago, so it's due!
So, here's an initial proposal:
Sunday March 25th, backup Saturday 31st if the weather's poor.
I'd like to propose that we have a Private Flying bash, as ever on a friendly airfield where there's stuff to see and do. The last one seems to have been about 8 years ago, so it's due!
So, here's an initial proposal:
Sunday March 25th, backup Saturday 31st if the weather's poor.
G