Interesting UK GA Airfields?
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Central London
Popham - dog-leg approach on one of the runways, and rough/narrow runways.
Dog-leg approach, yes, but rough narrow runways
Don't think so, unless you're only used to a 1000mts of tarmac.
Dog-leg approach, yes, but rough narrow runways
Don't think so, unless you're only used to a 1000mts of tarmac.
"Runway 21 (right hand circuit 800ft QFE)
Long, narrow, and a steady up slope, sometimes boggy at the threshold end in winter but altogether smoother than 08/26.
The general aircraft manoeuvring area is very poor in parts,"
So yes the runways are narrow, and not the smoothest. Quite a lot of PPLs fly from 1000m+ of tarmac! So as well for them to be aware.
No disrespect intended to Popham but for someone at/around my level of experience, as the OP is, it is definitely more challenging than the standard grass field.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,113
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From: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
You get a cup of tea and a cake with your landing fee at Sandtoft. Haven't scanned what everyone else has put but if it's park and ride you want Cambridge has park and ride just outside the airfield. Bit dear to land at Cambridge (£25 last time I went) but worth going early to have a full day in Cambridge.
Good caffs at Sherburn, Fenland, Leicester, White Waltham, Sandtoft, Breighton at weekends.
Also Cosford aerospace museum is worth a visit, very good caff/restuarant there, don't know what the score is for 'civvy' aircraft flying in there though.
Elvington museum is excellent and has a good restaurant. You def need PPR there as they have events on the runway.
Sleap I have been told is very good and has some sort of aircraft wreck museum there open at weekends.
Good caffs at Sherburn, Fenland, Leicester, White Waltham, Sandtoft, Breighton at weekends.
Also Cosford aerospace museum is worth a visit, very good caff/restuarant there, don't know what the score is for 'civvy' aircraft flying in there though.
Elvington museum is excellent and has a good restaurant. You def need PPR there as they have events on the runway.
Sleap I have been told is very good and has some sort of aircraft wreck museum there open at weekends.
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2
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From: Midlands/north east
What about Derby?
Derby is often overlooked as a challenging flight venue but look at the numbers! I have seen quite a few come in a little "hot" and then go around (which should be done early due to the obstructions especially on warm windless days). 
Maybe its because I learnt at Tollerton, but tail wheel and short stripping is a very rewarding set of skills. Paul Jones and his Cessna 140 are being a fun combo to learn with. No café but a cup of tea and some rewarding conversation with proper aero nuts is usually on offer...
28/10 is short and has wires in 28 approach and trees on 10. 23 is longer but has taller trees on approach. I have landed on 17 (unlicensed) which has power lines on approach, still a Piper Pacer has a suitable sink rate power off!
SG,
Maybe its because I learnt at Tollerton, but tail wheel and short stripping is a very rewarding set of skills. Paul Jones and his Cessna 140 are being a fun combo to learn with. No café but a cup of tea and some rewarding conversation with proper aero nuts is usually on offer...
28/10 is short and has wires in 28 approach and trees on 10. 23 is longer but has taller trees on approach. I have landed on 17 (unlicensed) which has power lines on approach, still a Piper Pacer has a suitable sink rate power off!
SG,
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 187
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From: MALLORCA
How did you get on?
Hi Matty,
Just wondering which you chose in the end. I'm planning on doing a coastal circuit clockwise from the south east in the summer, and am thinking:
Lands End/St Mary's - Caernarfon - Belfast/IOM - Skye/benbecula/barra?? - Kirkwall/Dornoch (shame twatt is closed, that would be good for the logbook!) - Skegness/New York - Stapleford (home airfield)
Any thought appreciated.
Just wondering which you chose in the end. I'm planning on doing a coastal circuit clockwise from the south east in the summer, and am thinking:
Lands End/St Mary's - Caernarfon - Belfast/IOM - Skye/benbecula/barra?? - Kirkwall/Dornoch (shame twatt is closed, that would be good for the logbook!) - Skegness/New York - Stapleford (home airfield)
Any thought appreciated.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 139
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From: UK
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
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From: England
Update on the hours building!
Finished the hour building back in June, took 8 months in all to reach the 100 hours P1, not as fast as I would've liked, but bearing in mind 4 weeks of those 8 months my airfield was closed due to water logging in December!
The airfields I visited in order are:
Liverpool, Tatenhill, Caernarfon, Sandtoft, Sherburn, Campbeltown, BAE Warton, White Waltham, Kemble, Carlisle, Leicester, Wellesbourne, Shobdon, Welshpool, Bodmin, Perranporth, Crossland Moor, Gloucester, Shoreham, Headcorn/Lashenden, Coventry, Oxford, Haverfordwest, Manchester International(only for a low app/ILS), Cumbernauld, RAF Mona, Newtownards, Gamston, Sturgate, Netherthorpe and Leeds-Bradford.
Memorable trips being:
-Coventry - Where I met Buffalo Joe of Ice Pilots sat down for lunch with him, then he showed us around the hangars at Coventry and around the aircraft.
-Bodmin/Perranporth - Where I had gin clear weather all the way down from manchester to the tip of Cornwall.
-Midlands tour - Where I landed away at Leicester, Wellesbourne, Shobdon and Welshpool all in one day.
-Newtownards - As it was my first water crossing.
Best cafes (in order):
White Waltham, Leeds and then Gloucester.
If anyone is interested I have a few videos on my youtube channel from some of the trips - mikecharlie794 - YouTube
Currently not long into my studying with Bristol now for my ATPL theory, thanks for all the suggestions of airfields to visit, hope these give someone else a few ideas of where to go!
The airfields I visited in order are:
Liverpool, Tatenhill, Caernarfon, Sandtoft, Sherburn, Campbeltown, BAE Warton, White Waltham, Kemble, Carlisle, Leicester, Wellesbourne, Shobdon, Welshpool, Bodmin, Perranporth, Crossland Moor, Gloucester, Shoreham, Headcorn/Lashenden, Coventry, Oxford, Haverfordwest, Manchester International(only for a low app/ILS), Cumbernauld, RAF Mona, Newtownards, Gamston, Sturgate, Netherthorpe and Leeds-Bradford.
Memorable trips being:
-Coventry - Where I met Buffalo Joe of Ice Pilots sat down for lunch with him, then he showed us around the hangars at Coventry and around the aircraft.
-Bodmin/Perranporth - Where I had gin clear weather all the way down from manchester to the tip of Cornwall.
-Midlands tour - Where I landed away at Leicester, Wellesbourne, Shobdon and Welshpool all in one day.
-Newtownards - As it was my first water crossing.
Best cafes (in order):
White Waltham, Leeds and then Gloucester.
If anyone is interested I have a few videos on my youtube channel from some of the trips - mikecharlie794 - YouTube
Currently not long into my studying with Bristol now for my ATPL theory, thanks for all the suggestions of airfields to visit, hope these give someone else a few ideas of where to go!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2
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From: Cambridge
Better late than never
Well here I am in 2018 reading a post that was last commented on in 2013. Thought it was a great read finding out about interesting airfields to visit. I now have my license and planning to visit some of those mentioned. One that looks interesting in Lockyears is Vallance by-ways which is on my list for this year.
Does anyone know of a maintained list of the best airfields to visit? Shame this thread went quiet
Does anyone know of a maintained list of the best airfields to visit? Shame this thread went quiet
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: essex
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,456
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From: Wildest Surrey
I wouldn't advise taking anything but an Islander or similar into Foula; have you seen what the runway surface is like?
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 68
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From: UK
Roserrow
Have been to Roserrow a couple of times, treasure writing those landings in the logbook. Talk to someone that's been there before, the chart is deceptive, but a wonderful visit!
https://www.thepointatpolzeath.co.uk...5/Airfield.jpg
https://www.thepointatpolzeath.co.uk...5/Airfield.jpg
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Near the Mountains of Sussex
+ 1 for Roserrow.
Lovely spot and having on-site facilities ideal for Flamping. We stayed a couple of nights last July . The road crossing the strip is higher than the strip by about 10 to 12 inches so it would not be a good idea to cross it above taxy speed. Also any road traffic should stop before crossing but we noticed that many people don't bother to stop or indeed look for aircraft.
Lovely spot and having on-site facilities ideal for Flamping. We stayed a couple of nights last July . The road crossing the strip is higher than the strip by about 10 to 12 inches so it would not be a good idea to cross it above taxy speed. Also any road traffic should stop before crossing but we noticed that many people don't bother to stop or indeed look for aircraft.
Joined: Dec 2009
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 371
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From: New Zealand
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 519
Likes: 16
From: Luton
The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden is an excellent museum for aviators with the adjoining Swiss Garden for passengers more interested in the finer things in life. Restaurant on site. Shuttleworth | The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome, the Swiss Garden - a great visitor attraction!
If you plan ahead you can even get married whilst you're there!
If you plan ahead you can even get married whilst you're there!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,113
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From: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
+1 for Shuttleworth, one of my favourite fly to destinations. I'll also put a shout in for Fadmoor, just north of Kirkbymoorside in N. Yorks. An interesting farm strip with very steep gradients, it's in Pooleys. About a 20 minute walk to the Royal Oak at Fadmoor.
Priceless.