Carlisle

[Old bold pilot]

Between the recent iffy wx I had a good flight into Carlisle this morning over the Lakes.

After the problems there over recent years at Carlisle I would recommend a visit. The new south terminal and apron is deserted and is adjacent the main runway. There is no cafe yet but use of a large empty business lounge with coffee machine. There was a friendly A/G radio today but you need to PPR to check. The best news was the landing fee (up to 1.5t) was £12 and AVGAS was £1.70/Lt both + VAT. Maybe not the cheapest, but a lot cheaper than some.

I had a friendly welcome and after the past troubles they are looking to get GA visitors back.

[BoeingBoy]

Can't agree more! It's lovely to have Carlisle available again. They have big plans to use the terminal for activities and events that will support its aviation use. In the mean time the lounge makes an ideal place to enjoy your own food whilst using their snacks and drink service. If you want something more formal, or accomodation there is a newly renovated pub/hotel 1.3 miles South East of the terminal. It's about a 25 min walk. Local taxis are available but might be busy around school time. I haven't tried it yet, but be aware they don't do food on a Monday.

The Fleece at Ruleholme

Looking forwards I suspect once they get their JetA1 installation approved the military will move back in en masse and make the apron congested. My second visit saw the Eastern side blocked off for two helicopters with their support systems.

[NorthSouth]

They're going unlicensed from 16 November https://www.aurora.nats.co.uk/htmlAI...081-en-GB.html

[SWBKCB]

It's about a 25 min walk.

Mainly along a busy road with no footpath, so maybe give the taxi option ago. Otherwise support the other comments (and they've got a Bede 5 in the terminal!)

[TheOddOne]

They're going unlicensed from 16 November

Very sensible. No point being licenced if you've no commercial traffic. I hope they've applied for a 'training' circle to be put on the 1/2 mil chart, to replace the ATZ symbol. They'll also need to regularly update the Skydemon entry, too.

The only problem will occur if they decide to re-licence if they need to. The CAA will treat them as a 'new' aerodrome and any design deficiencies that they had grandfather rights for won't be allowed. A classic example of this was when Cornwall Council bought bits of the old RAF St Mawgan to turn into a civil airport. The old RAF layout didn't meet current specs and a lot had to be done.

​​​​​​​TOO

[MrAverage]

Lydd had similar problems. The previous owners of the lease de-commissioned the old ILS to sell it off. When the current leaseholders applied to re-instate the ILS they had to chop the old tower down and also ended up with an offset and significantly increased minimums.

[SimonPaddo]

Farnborough dodged this issue when it was sold to TAG by the MoD.

[TCAS FAN]

Originally Posted by SimonPaddo

Farnborough dodged this issue when it was sold to TAG by the MoD.

Not sure what you trying to say. The change from MOD to CAA regulation at Farnborough required application for a CAA Aerodrome Licence, I know this to be a fact as I was personally involved in the process.

The change was not a straight forward process as the difference between safety standards was considerable.

[fly-by-wife]

Originally Posted by TCAS FAN

Not sure what you trying to say. The change from MOD to CAA regulation at Farnborough required application for a CAA Aerodrome Licence, I know this to be a fact as I was personally involved in the process.

The change was not a straight forward process as the difference between safety standards was considerable.

Indeed - runway 07/25 (as it was then) was considerably shortened, limiting the LDA (via significantly displaced thresholds), and thus limiting the aircraft that could use the airport. At the same time, 11/29 was closed altogether. This was in 2002, IIRC.