Renting and flying in Scotland
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Renting and flying in Scotland
So I've been invited to celebrate Burn's night in January with a couple of friends in Scotland. Must be nice!
I'd like to combine this with a bit of flying to broaden my flying experience and to hopefully enjoy Scotland by air on a clear and sunny ;-) winter day. So far I've been flying mostly in California and Germany, but I'm holding a UK license.
Now here are my questions:
What's the best options to charter a small airplane (preferably C152, C172) in the Glasglow/Edinburgh area? So far, I've only found Leading Edge at Cumbernauld Airport - which seems ok. Am I missing any options?
Also, what local peculiarities should I be looking for, if any? Obviously, weather may be a show-stopper in January. I also understand that terrain is more of an issue than in North-Western Germany. Anything else?
Thanks and cheers
Patrick
I'd like to combine this with a bit of flying to broaden my flying experience and to hopefully enjoy Scotland by air on a clear and sunny ;-) winter day. So far I've been flying mostly in California and Germany, but I'm holding a UK license.
Now here are my questions:
What's the best options to charter a small airplane (preferably C152, C172) in the Glasglow/Edinburgh area? So far, I've only found Leading Edge at Cumbernauld Airport - which seems ok. Am I missing any options?
Also, what local peculiarities should I be looking for, if any? Obviously, weather may be a show-stopper in January. I also understand that terrain is more of an issue than in North-Western Germany. Anything else?
Thanks and cheers
Patrick
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You could end up at Tayside, which has an "airline" training type set up with lots of uniforms and gold bars, where your club check may find you with someone who tries to teach you to fly the pattern exactly by their numbers or even worse tries to alter the landing technique which has been serving you well for 20 years and over a 1000 hours 
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There is Prestwick and Perth.
Your in the low lands so not to much hassles with the high ground.
Nothing wrong with leading edge though if its easy for you to get to.
personally I would go up to Perth. Its a more interesting airport, better stuff to go and see from the air. They have a greasy spoon there as well for food.
If you search for Scottish aero club you should get a link.
Prestwick is fine as well and friendly enough.
Jan you can get some cracking days crisp blue sky and 40k plus viz at 3000ft.
Your in the low lands so not to much hassles with the high ground.
Nothing wrong with leading edge though if its easy for you to get to.
personally I would go up to Perth. Its a more interesting airport, better stuff to go and see from the air. They have a greasy spoon there as well for food.
If you search for Scottish aero club you should get a link.
Prestwick is fine as well and friendly enough.
Jan you can get some cracking days crisp blue sky and 40k plus viz at 3000ft.
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Your in the low lands so not to much hassles with the high ground.
Oh, and Goat Fell at just shy 3k.
Agree Perth though as best option
Enjoy
Last edited by maxred; 16th Oct 2013 at 13:35.
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If your up for an hour you will be hard pushed to get near that. unless your straight there and straight back. If you wanted to you wouldn't have to stray anywhere near peat bog country unless you wanted to.
And its hardly takeoff and into the great glen in 10 mins.
hell what do I know I never really flew down that way. Only brought planes down from up north for Maint. And very rarely strayed over to Loch Lomond way.
Compared to winging it up Glen Esk and over past Loch Nagar then through the Gru into speyside its pretty easy terrain in my book.
And its hardly takeoff and into the great glen in 10 mins.
hell what do I know I never really flew down that way. Only brought planes down from up north for Maint. And very rarely strayed over to Loch Lomond way.
Compared to winging it up Glen Esk and over past Loch Nagar then through the Gru into speyside its pretty easy terrain in my book.
Last edited by mad_jock; 16th Oct 2013 at 13:54.
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Except Ben Lomond,
The idea would be to take off from Cumbernauld, head north towards Callander, then west towards Loch Lemond, circling the peak and heading back to Cumbernauld, avoiding Glasgow CTR. Hoping for this to be a scenic enough trip, just short of an hour..
Thanks for the tips, Perth may be just a little too far to drive up to for a day trip.
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Well Cumbernauld is your best bet then. That would make a lovely trip in clear weather. Oban, and Mull for true scenery, is only 40 mins away over the mountains, so with Sky Demon in hand, plan your trip. Also out West, to say Islay/Jura, another 40 mins from CBN, can be truly wonderful on a good day, Glasgow Control no issues for transit, VRP BAI, CITY, ARDMORE, and out would be good fun.
Best
Best
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Hi Rhino,
You should consider Fife. It's nearer to Edinburgh than Perth and doesn't have a "greasy spoon" - it's got a proper restaurant ! It has two PA28s and a C172 for hire. (Although I believe the C172 is up for sale, it's still there at the moment.) It's a small but friendly airfield with helpful staff.
The rates are keen. Fuel on site. I've flown there for years.
KayKay
You should consider Fife. It's nearer to Edinburgh than Perth and doesn't have a "greasy spoon" - it's got a proper restaurant ! It has two PA28s and a C172 for hire. (Although I believe the C172 is up for sale, it's still there at the moment.) It's a small but friendly airfield with helpful staff.
The rates are keen. Fuel on site. I've flown there for years.
KayKay
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I would definately suggest Perth, but then I am biased!
You can hire from ACS flight training for a Group A C152 etc however there is also a rather nice Eurostar for hire which is much cheaper, its a 3 axis microlight but will give you a much better view!
http://www.scottishaeroclub.org.uk
You can hire from ACS flight training for a Group A C152 etc however there is also a rather nice Eurostar for hire which is much cheaper, its a 3 axis microlight but will give you a much better view!
http://www.scottishaeroclub.org.uk
Last edited by Unusual Attitude; 16th Oct 2013 at 16:14.
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hell what do I know I never really flew down that way. Only brought planes down from up north for Maint. And very rarely strayed over to Loch Lomond way.
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I worked for years on the west coast mostly in the islands.
And when a FI I went over there a fair bit but attacked it from a different direction via the Great Glen or Ulapool heading north.
A nice day at work
Nobody got a video when it was 50knts plus 35knts max crosswind limits and sea spray everywhere. Some winters it was weeks in that ****e.
Its just that western corner down near Glasgow that I have only been through a few times. I have always been going North South never east west in that bit.
And when a FI I went over there a fair bit but attacked it from a different direction via the Great Glen or Ulapool heading north.
A nice day at work
Nobody got a video when it was 50knts plus 35knts max crosswind limits and sea spray everywhere. Some winters it was weeks in that ****e.
Its just that western corner down near Glasgow that I have only been through a few times. I have always been going North South never east west in that bit.
Last edited by mad_jock; 16th Oct 2013 at 20:08.
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Hi Rhino, Scotland is a great country to fly in you will have a blast, as you can see from MJ's vid the Highlands/Islands are a must see, the slalom type S turns shown on roll-out are optional !!
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It wasn't me that was flying it. But I would have done no better. The brakes can be bit of a bitch and snatch.
That aircraft was the work horse of the west coast. Every week day it shifted 1350kg of newspapers and then did 4 interisland sectors then back to INV. weekends it did a double run with freight and then up to Orkney and Shetland on a Sunday. I think it did 10 years service to the communities on the Islands. Shifted the bulk of the NHS patent's, all the prisoners going to court and of course all the locals normal pax.
It finished its days being blown up in the batman movie. And the cockpit is now sitting one of the old TRE's back garden. It has a special place in most of the pilots hearts. It was dirty with newspaper print, it was 35 years old but she looked after us all in some pretty horrendous conditions on the west coast.
That aircraft was the work horse of the west coast. Every week day it shifted 1350kg of newspapers and then did 4 interisland sectors then back to INV. weekends it did a double run with freight and then up to Orkney and Shetland on a Sunday. I think it did 10 years service to the communities on the Islands. Shifted the bulk of the NHS patent's, all the prisoners going to court and of course all the locals normal pax.
It finished its days being blown up in the batman movie. And the cockpit is now sitting one of the old TRE's back garden. It has a special place in most of the pilots hearts. It was dirty with newspaper print, it was 35 years old but she looked after us all in some pretty horrendous conditions on the west coast.
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Glasgow
Rhino, I'd say your best bet is to get one of the C172s that Leading edge have at Cumbernauld. I fly both of them and G-BGIY is the nicer of the two.
Maxred
Really? Baillieston to the City Centre to Ardmore point, at what altitude in a 172?
Imagine an engine failure over the Kingston Bridge, where are you going to put it down?
Maxred
VRP BAI, CITY, ARDMORE, and out would be good fun.
Imagine an engine failure over the Kingston Bridge, where are you going to put it down?
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Imagine an engine failure over the Kingston Bridge, where are you going to put it down?
Have you ever transited a Control Zone? VFR not above 2.
Anyway, how did engine failures in the Glasgow CTR come into the conversation
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Really? Baillieston to the City Centre to Ardmore point, at what altitude in a 172?
Imagine an engine failure over the Kingston Bridge, where are you going to put it down?
Imagine an engine failure over the Kingston Bridge, where are you going to put it down?
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You brought it up by suggesting the route.
I'm just wondering how many people would be happy to explain to the CAA that it was prudent to fly that route in a 172 at low level. In a rotary, it's easy, just go into the Heliport, but in a 172..... the river?
How high do you think you would need to be over the Kingston Bridge to reach the main at Glasgow airport?
I frequently cross Edinburgh Zone, but I wouldn't fly over the Castle at 2,000 feet.
The OP would be better off, IMHO, by routing Cumbernauld direct to Erskine Bridge then Alexandria for a nice view, lots of options and crossing the extended centreline at a range that would allow Glasgow App not to worry about him.
Am I really the only person who thinks that a fixed wing SEP over weegietown at low level is a bad idea?
I'm just wondering how many people would be happy to explain to the CAA that it was prudent to fly that route in a 172 at low level. In a rotary, it's easy, just go into the Heliport, but in a 172..... the river?
How high do you think you would need to be over the Kingston Bridge to reach the main at Glasgow airport?
I frequently cross Edinburgh Zone, but I wouldn't fly over the Castle at 2,000 feet.
The OP would be better off, IMHO, by routing Cumbernauld direct to Erskine Bridge then Alexandria for a nice view, lots of options and crossing the extended centreline at a range that would allow Glasgow App not to worry about him.
Am I really the only person who thinks that a fixed wing SEP over weegietown at low level is a bad idea?
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Am I really the only person who thinks that a fixed wing SEP over weegietown at low level is a bad idea?
Erskine Bridge lies 1.3 miles off the 05 climb out/23 approach. So routing that way puts you over the North of the city, rather than the main drag Clyde.
Kingston Bridge lies app 3.4 miles form the 23 threshold, even in a 172, from 1800 feet that should be glide manageable.
Anyway, I do it all the time, does not bother me.