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Most Challenging GA Airfields in the UK

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Most Challenging GA Airfields in the UK

Old 20th Nov 2018, 15:36
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Luxter's Farm (near Henley)
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Old 21st Nov 2018, 11:42
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Does your boss know where you intend to take his aeroplane? Maybe look carefully at the insurance policy?
ok, to answer your question, Midland Gliding Club at the Long Mynd. In an East wind. Phone first.
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Old 21st Nov 2018, 12:18
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Glenforsa in a southerly (wonderful location and great hotel next door)
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Old 21st Nov 2018, 12:43
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Originally Posted by timewhite
Glenforsa in a southerly (wonderful location and great hotel next door)
Agreed. Or Feshiebridge in an Easterly.

Nearly all the trickiest strips I have used in my Kitfox are not on the chart and not suitable for a 150 Aerobat anyway.

However, I think the shortest strip that I went in and out of in a 150 Aerobat is not far from you either- East Fortune microlight. And I had a similar level of experience at the time.
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Old 21st Nov 2018, 13:47
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Originally Posted by Piper.Classique
<snip>
Midland Gliding Club at the Long Mynd. In an East wind. Phone first.
Now that would be *very* 'interesting'...
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Old 21st Nov 2018, 19:08
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" Or “beach” if you want to lower the odds of bending your machine"
Unlike the others, beaches change with wind, waves, and tide. Without tundra tyres they're not safe unless checked by a vehicle or walker very near to the time of landing.
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Old 22nd Nov 2018, 18:33
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Originally Posted by Maoraigh1
" Or “beach” if you want to lower the odds of bending your machine"
Unlike the others, beaches change with wind, waves, and tide. Without tundra tyres they're not safe unless checked by a vehicle or walker very near to the time of landing.
Come on now Mr. M Dont be a big fearty.
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Old 22nd Nov 2018, 19:31
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Netherthorpe - shortest licensed runway in the U.K. and only an hour or so in a 152.

Popham Runway 26, Lundy, St Mary’s if your going touring. Clacton?

apparently Skegness is a bit of a handful.
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Old 23rd Nov 2018, 10:22
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Originally Posted by Piper.Classique
Does your boss know where you intend to take his aeroplane? Maybe look carefully at the insurance policy?
ok, to answer your question, Midland Gliding Club at the Long Mynd. In an East wind. Phone first.
Very good thinking. I run a fly-in at an unlicensed site every year and a couple of years ago a PA28 got himself into bother. Chatting with the group instructor the next day I was surprised to find that their insurance did not cover landing at unlicensed strips, the whole thing was written down in their group agreement and covered in a series of instructions each group member held, but this pilot had not read it. Actually he hadn't read the POH or performance for take-off on a hot day from a grass strip with fuel to the tabs and three up.

SND
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Old 23rd Nov 2018, 14:52
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Roserrow

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Old 23rd Nov 2018, 15:34
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Originally Posted by x933


apparently Skegness is a bit of a handful.

Really?
800m & 650m of smooth well cut grass and clear approaches - I’ve never found Skegness a challenge ( but well worth a visit).
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Old 23rd Nov 2018, 15:50
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Agreed, Skeggy a classic grass field of the coastal type. I wonder if some were intimidated new local structures?

Mrs Towers did her ab initio training there just for it to be in a tailwheel aircraft and I had the fun of delivering her via Nayland in the mighty Jodel.

Rob
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Old 23rd Nov 2018, 19:41
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Agree with Feshiebridge and Glenforsa, both very wind dependent..
Knockbain looks interesting; Shempston is also challenging.
Currock Hill also has awkward slopes.

Try Insch for an interesting climb out in a Westerly, or Carr Valley in most machines, given its lack of length !

Biscuit 74
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Old 24th Nov 2018, 12:06
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It's an interesting thread. I haven't seen any feedback from the OP, but in case he/she is still around I'll second Feshie, and add Milson, always assuming it can be found. Being as it just looks like any other farmers field.
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Old 24th Nov 2018, 15:28
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Nympsfield gliding site - on top of a hill.
Baldock; on the side of a hill.
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Old 24th Nov 2018, 20:54
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Another vote for Netherthorpe.

Now’t wrong with Skegvegas. Plenty of room. Although a PA28 did go through the hedge not that long ago.
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Old 24th Nov 2018, 21:01
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Sandhurst strip, about 3.4 miles WNW of Staverton. A distinctly one way in and the other way out due to a steep, and steepening, runway. Plus a large tree to fly around on the threshold. I felt unsafe turning the Jodel around after landing as the angle of the slope made me feel as though we'd topple over onto a wingtip.
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Old 27th Nov 2018, 08:57
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I think the most challenging airfield in the UK for me was Out Skerries in Shetland; it is short and not flat. In fact, if you get yourself up there you will find that there is a whole bunch of interesting island airfields all within 30 mins flying time of Tingwall (EGET) which can be used as a base. Also Fetlar, Foula, Whalsay, Papa Stour and Fair Isle are all interesting to visit. Superb scenery and deserted airspace (mostly); a real treat. The weather can be a challenge too ! And en route to Shetland, why not call in at some of the Orkney airfields too ? Many of them see very little GA.

SI.
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Old 3rd Dec 2018, 13:09
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How about his one. Although its not in the UK.

Last edited by snapper1; 3rd Dec 2018 at 13:10. Reason: spelling
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Old 4th Dec 2018, 07:57
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Try Stanton in Northumbria, strictly "one way in one way out" on an extreme slope.
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