RAF Henlow - alternatives

[GWYN]

With the current indefinite closure of the airfield and apparent demise of Henlow Flying Club, does anyone have any recommendations for other clubs / places to fly in the reasonable locality? The only one which I can think of is Fowlmere and that is a bit further than I would like and also quite pricey. Thanks for any suggestions.

[MrAverage]

We need to know where you're starting from!

[Jan Olieslagers]

Indeed it would helpful to know your starting point. Lacking that, I can only suggest taking a look at a good map:
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=12/52.0733/-0.3074

There are a few airstrips nearby, but it is not clear how useful these could be for you.
And you did look into Old Warden, didn't you?

[chevvron]

Meppershall about 3 miles west of Henlow.
Don't bother with Cranfield; they (the University not the operators) are actively discouraging GA tracffic nowadays.

[GWYN]

Thanks for the suggestions. I should probably have said, but I am starting from close to Henlow.

As far as I know, there are no aircraft for rental at either Meppershall or Old Warden. I do agree about Cranfield though - best avoided these days. Will it change though with the downturn in commercial pilot training?

[MrAverage]

It would take you about 45 minutes to drive to us. Send me a PM if interested.

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by G-ARZG

But Meppershall is "only licensed for aircraft operations related to maintenance and repair at our our associated companies" says the company's site.

So is that an 'Ordinary Use' license or a 'Public Use' license?
Meppershall as far as I can ascertain is an unlicensed private airfield thus PPR although there may be local planning conditions (not 'license') which restrict its use, however I do know that at least one group owned aircraft was operated there in the past because I knew one of the group members, a controller who worked at Stansted.
Photo on ZoomEarth shows 9 aircraft parked outside including 2 twins, a Cessna with tiptanks (340?) and an Aztec.

[Monty Niveau]

Andrews field is just over an hour away.

...or take up gliding at Dunstable Downs, which is much closer by.

[GWYN]

Thanks. I did try the gliding at Dunstable about 10 years ago but while it was interesting and gave a completely different outlook on flying, it didn't really grab me. Thanks for the suggestion though.