Isle of Wight
Gnome de PPRuNe
Joined: Jan 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
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From: Too close to Croydon for comfort
I seem to remember that the airport restaurant at Sandown used to do a nice cuppa and piece of fruit cake - the lunches looked pretty good too. Mind you that was a long time ago, and I hope they 've baked a new cake.
Have a nice time!
Have a nice time!
Guest
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Hi! I went to Sandown on my qualifying cross country, but haven't been back since, and i dont think they had anything other than the kettle!! Bembridge is definitely open and they have very scarce resources. However there is a pub on the southern boundary of the airfield, i would take a look if i were you.
Tom
Tom
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 619
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From: Dorset, UK
There may not be much at either airfield, but for both it is a shortish & pleasant walk into town, or a short taxi ride if you are feeling really lazy.
Both Bembridge & Sandown, towns, have plenty of places to eat & beaches if you fancy a swim.
Both Bembridge & Sandown, towns, have plenty of places to eat & beaches if you fancy a swim.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
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From: UK
Bembridge and Sandown are both very friendly with good runways. If you're going to Sandown, after landing ask for taxi to the flying club to pay your fees, it's the same price but that's where the best grub is, and the pilot get's a free cup of tea.
Bembridge has a hard runway, it's strictly PPR and radio only (because it's main function in life is as a flight test airfield for Britten-Norman), but don't let that worry you unduly. It's very friendly, and the Propeller Inn next to the airfield does a superb lunch.
Easiest and most scenic VFR route to the Island is Chilbolton (radio dish next to the airfield is used as an unofficial VRP by Solent Radar), South down the test valley to Romsey, DR to Totton, DR to Lymington (over the New Forest and past the Beaulieu river), cross the Solent to Yarmouth, which is the shortest crossing and at which point Solent Radar will usually cancel your service. Depending upon time in hand you can then either straight track to Bembridge or Sandown, or turn right and following the outside of the Island, turning at the needles and running along the South side of the island. Watch out for the couple of paraglider schools that use the cliffs, but other than that it's a very straightforward and truly gorgous flight.
Take care with heights en-route, you'll be ducking under the Southampton-Bournemouth class D.
G
Bembridge has a hard runway, it's strictly PPR and radio only (because it's main function in life is as a flight test airfield for Britten-Norman), but don't let that worry you unduly. It's very friendly, and the Propeller Inn next to the airfield does a superb lunch.
Easiest and most scenic VFR route to the Island is Chilbolton (radio dish next to the airfield is used as an unofficial VRP by Solent Radar), South down the test valley to Romsey, DR to Totton, DR to Lymington (over the New Forest and past the Beaulieu river), cross the Solent to Yarmouth, which is the shortest crossing and at which point Solent Radar will usually cancel your service. Depending upon time in hand you can then either straight track to Bembridge or Sandown, or turn right and following the outside of the Island, turning at the needles and running along the South side of the island. Watch out for the couple of paraglider schools that use the cliffs, but other than that it's a very straightforward and truly gorgous flight.
Take care with heights en-route, you'll be ducking under the Southampton-Bournemouth class D.
G
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Thanks to all for the advice.
The flight across the solent was quite spetacular, especially as everyone seemed to be out in their boats and that's quite a sight from 4000ft.
I made it to Sandown and I was impressed. It has a nice little cafe that did a nice cheese roll served by an even nicer young filly
. Although the approach is a bit tricky as you seem to skim the trees on finals. Still made it in and out in one piece so can't complain. It's easy to find from the air and being able to saunter into town from the field is a nice change when looking for somewhere different to fly to, rather than being stuck 10 miles from anywhere.
Now, where to next......
The flight across the solent was quite spetacular, especially as everyone seemed to be out in their boats and that's quite a sight from 4000ft.
I made it to Sandown and I was impressed. It has a nice little cafe that did a nice cheese roll served by an even nicer young filly
. Although the approach is a bit tricky as you seem to skim the trees on finals. Still made it in and out in one piece so can't complain. It's easy to find from the air and being able to saunter into town from the field is a nice change when looking for somewhere different to fly to, rather than being stuck 10 miles from anywhere.Now, where to next......
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 902
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From: Dorset
Wisdom After the Event!
I realise that we're talking about a previously occurred event now, but a word for the uninitiated about Sandown.
I've flown in there a couple of times (not within the last 5 years), so am not current on catering facilities and quality of serving fillies
, but seems like it's still quite good.
If you are flying into Sandown to land on 05, you have to overfly the edge of Sandown town, which can be a little off-putting (I was U/T at the time). Departure from 05 has caused at least one aircraft (PA28) that I know of that was on weight/balance limits to drag its undercart through the trees at the end of the runway and end up parked in them (fortunately no injuries). The runway has a marked uphill slope and when the grass is wet.......
Make sure you do your weight / balance and compensate for the slope / grass runway in your performance calcs before using Sandown!!
Don't wish to put a downer on Sandown (it's a nice friendly little strip) - just exercise a degree of caution (which we *all* do of course!!! ).
I've flown in there a couple of times (not within the last 5 years), so am not current on catering facilities and quality of serving fillies
, but seems like it's still quite good.If you are flying into Sandown to land on 05, you have to overfly the edge of Sandown town, which can be a little off-putting (I was U/T at the time). Departure from 05 has caused at least one aircraft (PA28) that I know of that was on weight/balance limits to drag its undercart through the trees at the end of the runway and end up parked in them (fortunately no injuries). The runway has a marked uphill slope and when the grass is wet.......
Make sure you do your weight / balance and compensate for the slope / grass runway in your performance calcs before using Sandown!!
Don't wish to put a downer on Sandown (it's a nice friendly little strip) - just exercise a degree of caution (which we *all* do of course!!!
).
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: behind the lens
A word of caution is particulalry relevant on a hot day (+25 deg c.)
when departing Sandown on said runway. I have only done it the once and having noted the lack of full power developing until leaning the mixture slighlty, a friend in the back told me how he had clipped the trees on a previous visit!
Probably a bit far from Popham - if you have just ventured to the Isle of Wight, however, I went to Beauvais recently (Mol's) version of Paris) and was highly impressed with:
Fees for landing & 24 hour parking;
Access to Paris with hire car on tap;
General ease of flight planning and AIS resources;
And NO ATC delays......until having to orbit 4 (FOUR) times on way back into UK airport!!
And Paris Info even spoke to me!!
when departing Sandown on said runway. I have only done it the once and having noted the lack of full power developing until leaning the mixture slighlty, a friend in the back told me how he had clipped the trees on a previous visit!
Probably a bit far from Popham - if you have just ventured to the Isle of Wight, however, I went to Beauvais recently (Mol's) version of Paris) and was highly impressed with:
Fees for landing & 24 hour parking;
Access to Paris with hire car on tap;
General ease of flight planning and AIS resources;
And NO ATC delays......until having to orbit 4 (FOUR) times on way back into UK airport!!
And Paris Info even spoke to me!!
PPruNaholic!
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,615
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From: Buckinghamshire
Circuit Basher Looking at the AIP, Sandown RWY 05 has a 0.2% DOWN slope (6' difference from 05 threshold @ 54' elev to 23 threshold @48' elev, over 2900' length). Maybe they've graded it? Whatever, I plan to double-check the calcs. when I got home for forthcoming "day-at-the-seaside" trip for the kids in club P28B Dakota, which is powerful but heavy...
sharpshot - but I'll bet (s)he only said "this is Paris Info - I can give you no information!" or words to that effect, which we recently had to larf at on our way south
sharpshot - but I'll bet (s)he only said "this is Paris Info - I can give you no information!" or words to that effect, which we recently had to larf at on our way south
Last edited by Aussie Andy; 5th June 2002 at 15:02.
Guest
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Aussie Andy,
To defend Circuit Basher a bit, the AIP only deals with the two thresholds. The fact that the runway appears to have been built over the top of what appears to be a small hillock is not really reflected.
. Uphill the first half then downhill towards the trees and brown trousers for the second.
There is also quite a bit of highish ground at the end of 05 which a fully fuelled pilot and plane had a bit of trouble getting over.
Still, a lovely day out and I'm sure the beach is luvvly....
To defend Circuit Basher a bit, the AIP only deals with the two thresholds. The fact that the runway appears to have been built over the top of what appears to be a small hillock is not really reflected.
. Uphill the first half then downhill towards the trees and brown trousers for the second. There is also quite a bit of highish ground at the end of 05 which a fully fuelled pilot and plane had a bit of trouble getting over.
Still, a lovely day out and I'm sure the beach is luvvly....
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 383
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From: behind the lens
Hi Aussie
Well on the way down she said.........not a lot.
Now that was better than "RIEN" which was my previous experience!! (And the two of us with G- call signs chatted to each other in between sporadic French)
On the way back, I had a mate in the right hand seat and on levelling at Fl 7.0 I asked if he would like a laugh.
I called - he replied ! Good afternoon G-*****, I 'ave no radar, only call me if u 'ave a problem.
Little change there!!
Well on the way down she said.........not a lot.
Now that was better than "RIEN" which was my previous experience!! (And the two of us with G- call signs chatted to each other in between sporadic French)
On the way back, I had a mate in the right hand seat and on levelling at Fl 7.0 I asked if he would like a laugh.
I called - he replied ! Good afternoon G-*****, I 'ave no radar, only call me if u 'ave a problem.
Little change there!!
