Flying to (and landing at) Barra
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: On a roll...
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi,
Did exactly same approach as 140KIAS (r/w 04?) in a C172. Was blowing down the pitch at a steady 20kts and got some rather interesting oscillations off the dunes on the undershoot all the way down finals.
Agree with all the other comments posted about the surface, difficulty of spotting runway tracks from a distance and the wonderful friendliness and beauty of the place.
Best summary of advice seems to be:
1. Study plates carefully beforehand and plan join, so put oneself in best position to see the runway orientation. You'll probably see the boards before you see the centrelines.
2. Take note of tide times (these determine opening time anyway).
3. Treat it as a soft field operation (even tho' sand was surprisingly hard on our trip too....), so steady power changes and motion while out on the movement areas.
4. Avoid stopping until near the terminal, where sand drier. If you think out your parking spot, this is where you can do your run-up checks as well before departing.
Shame you have to clear off before the tide comes back in as it would be a wonderful place to spend a few days. Have they ever thought making a little parking area up on the dunes?!?
BFA
Did exactly same approach as 140KIAS (r/w 04?) in a C172. Was blowing down the pitch at a steady 20kts and got some rather interesting oscillations off the dunes on the undershoot all the way down finals.
Agree with all the other comments posted about the surface, difficulty of spotting runway tracks from a distance and the wonderful friendliness and beauty of the place.
Best summary of advice seems to be:
1. Study plates carefully beforehand and plan join, so put oneself in best position to see the runway orientation. You'll probably see the boards before you see the centrelines.
2. Take note of tide times (these determine opening time anyway).
3. Treat it as a soft field operation (even tho' sand was surprisingly hard on our trip too....), so steady power changes and motion while out on the movement areas.
4. Avoid stopping until near the terminal, where sand drier. If you think out your parking spot, this is where you can do your run-up checks as well before departing.
Shame you have to clear off before the tide comes back in as it would be a wonderful place to spend a few days. Have they ever thought making a little parking area up on the dunes?!?
BFA
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sometimes north, sometimes south
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
1 Post
BFA:
I think it has been done in the past. Why not suggest it to HIAL? Perhaps we could make it a joint approach from everyone on here that thinks it would improve the attraction of Barra for light aircraft?
Having reminded myself of how glorious flying out that way is today, with a flight to Colonsay, I'd be right behind it.
NS
Have they ever thought making a little parking area up on the dunes?!?
Having reminded myself of how glorious flying out that way is today, with a flight to Colonsay, I'd be right behind it.
NS
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: On a roll...
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NorthSouth - Wasn't sure how serious a suggestion it was actually?! But, it would be great wouldn't it. Maybe I will suggest it to HIAL. You'd think it wouldn't do any harm to the local tourist trade would it?
Not sure if the dunes are protected somehow, but all you need is a flat surface with some fencing (plus some sheeting to keep sand from blowing in?). Security not too big an issue up there I imagine?
Shame how many people drop in for the experience and leave same day.
PS. Remembered funny thing the FISO/fireman told me - they'd had some French GA visitors and they had a habit of parking on sand that was too soft. So "run-up time" quickly descended into "dig-out time".
Not sure if the dunes are protected somehow, but all you need is a flat surface with some fencing (plus some sheeting to keep sand from blowing in?). Security not too big an issue up there I imagine?
Shame how many people drop in for the experience and leave same day.
PS. Remembered funny thing the FISO/fireman told me - they'd had some French GA visitors and they had a habit of parking on sand that was too soft. So "run-up time" quickly descended into "dig-out time".
Last edited by betterfromabove; 14th Jun 2012 at 19:06.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Jockistan
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe there is a track of sorts off the beach where it might be possible to pull an aircraft above the high tide level.
Alternative would be to plan your visit for times when there is a neap tide.
Alternative would be to plan your visit for times when there is a neap tide.
Last edited by 140KIAS; 14th Jun 2012 at 22:52.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: On a roll...
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I sent that email to HIAL and they got back to me very quickly with quite an interesting reply......
____________________________________________________________ _______
Basically, when the wind sock is flying Barra is a licensed airfield, during other times is reverts back to being a basic public beach (open to the public to wander around etc). Therefore all landings and take offs should be done during our opening hours.
For parking over night, yes you can do this and yes you are right when it comes to parking at your own risk. As we do not have boundary fences etc to properly safeguard the airfield, hence at your own risk. If you so wished to park overnight we would need you to sign a disclaimer form stating that you are doing this at your own risk. We can give you an indication of where best to park including advice on tide levels etc.
____________________________________________________________ _
Now, do they win Most Helpful Airfield in the UK or what?!
Yes, know thankfully there are some other wonderfully friendly and helpful places, but considering this is probably the most technically unusual place in the country to operate, this is really impressive isn't it?
I might live miles away, but it warms my (Barra beach....) cockles that airfield management like this still exists in the UK!
BFA
____________________________________________________________ _______
Basically, when the wind sock is flying Barra is a licensed airfield, during other times is reverts back to being a basic public beach (open to the public to wander around etc). Therefore all landings and take offs should be done during our opening hours.
For parking over night, yes you can do this and yes you are right when it comes to parking at your own risk. As we do not have boundary fences etc to properly safeguard the airfield, hence at your own risk. If you so wished to park overnight we would need you to sign a disclaimer form stating that you are doing this at your own risk. We can give you an indication of where best to park including advice on tide levels etc.
____________________________________________________________ _
Now, do they win Most Helpful Airfield in the UK or what?!
Yes, know thankfully there are some other wonderfully friendly and helpful places, but considering this is probably the most technically unusual place in the country to operate, this is really impressive isn't it?
I might live miles away, but it warms my (Barra beach....) cockles that airfield management like this still exists in the UK!
BFA
Last edited by betterfromabove; 15th Jun 2012 at 09:50.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: GLASGOW
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is very encouraging. Well done for the mail.
They are obviously on a PR campaign, to build, what was perhaps a slighty more aggressive take on GA.
Having said that, I found Kirkwall to be one of the most welcoming and helpfull in recent times, so well done HIAL. Now lets work on Inverness.........
They are obviously on a PR campaign, to build, what was perhaps a slighty more aggressive take on GA.
Having said that, I found Kirkwall to be one of the most welcoming and helpfull in recent times, so well done HIAL. Now lets work on Inverness.........
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just for betterfromabove
Shorts 360 at Barra | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Heresay from someone involved at the time was that the MD was told if he wanted to operate a 360 from Barra, he'd better go and get his own ATPL
Shorts 360 at Barra | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Heresay from someone involved at the time was that the MD was told if he wanted to operate a 360 from Barra, he'd better go and get his own ATPL
Can't let the shed photo go without adding a Twin Otter and an Islander from 1986...
and
We did have a Twin Otter parked up above the high water line after a heavy landing, so it can be done. Not sure how it got up there.
and
We did have a Twin Otter parked up above the high water line after a heavy landing, so it can be done. Not sure how it got up there.
Guest
Posts: n/a
And to whet the appetite of those keen to go, check out this week's BBC Scotland page
BBC News - Your pictures of Scotland: 8 - 15 June
Second picture in. 'Airport' just out of sight to the left. But that's the landing area
BBC News - Your pictures of Scotland: 8 - 15 June
Second picture in. 'Airport' just out of sight to the left. But that's the landing area
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Breighton Airfield
Age: 29
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks like the finest Scotland has to offer (Scenery and aviation wise of course). I think I might fly up there one Day once I have my license 
.
.
Last edited by Helicopterdriverguy; 15th Jun 2012 at 23:55.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: An ATC centre this side of the moon.
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And the airframe was blown up in the new batman movie.