Flying into RAF aerodromes

[ozplane]

I went to Wyton for the Joint Military/Civil Safety Day last October and they were very helpful. As it's near my home base I usually give them a call if I'm doing the "jolly" over Grafham Water and they give a good FIS. The main bonus is that most of their traffic is the UAS Grobs and the based light aircraft so it's a painless way of getting an RAF station in the logbook. It's also VERY long compared to our grass strip. In a Cub in a strong wind you could land and stop literally on the numbers they're so big!

[Aussie Andy]

Wyton

I've been into Wyton, to visit a friend at the flying club there... embarassinlgy I must admit to misidentifying the airstrip, nearly landing on what used to be USAF station at Alconbury, just to the west! This is marked as disused on the map, but still looks like a usable airfield, not like most disuseds I am uised to seeing! Easy done if approaching from the west... be warned! (Unless its just me!?)

Andy

[Random UAS Stude]

Aussie Andy

Did you have a moment of shock once you saw all those inconsiderate cars sitting on the runway...

Anyway your not the only one...

One of the UAS guys called downwind at Wyton once (ATC were confused by the distinct lack of a Grob in the circuit), and turned out to be at Alconbury. Doh...

I wasn't me, honest (no, really it wasn't...)

(Oops, I've just given away which (one of two) UAS I'm on haven't I!)

[Aussie Andy]

Random UAS Stude: precisely!

In fact I had called d/wind and was just about to turn base, speaking to my mate at Wyton who was manning A/G radio that day, him wondering why he hadn't sighted me... while I was wondering a) why the railway line I was crossing was not shown on my map ("useless map" I irrationally decided !) and b) why there were so many (like 10,000!) cars parked at the upwind end of the runway!

So I called Wyton and said "please confirm there are a large number of vehicles a the end of the runway..!?"

Reply: "No you nonce! You're at the wrong field!"

D'oh!!!!!

Andy :ooh

[Random UAS Stude]

if you ever DID land at Alconbury, or had to land for some unknown reason, the parallel taxiways would be the best bet...

[Avoiding Action]

ozplane,

'I usually give them a call if I'm doing the "jolly" over Grafham Water and they give a good FIS'

Who gives a bad FIS, and how do you define that?

AA

[ozplane]

Avoiding Action

How do I define a bad FIS? I'd go for the guy who when asked for a FIS says "2 in the circuit and 1 local". It doesn't take a lot more to say "1 local to the North" or somesuch. And before the smarta...s say I should have the eyes out of the cockpit...I do.
As to the bad FIS, no names no packdrills, but try getting any sort of FIS leaving Kemble after one of their bigger fly-ins. Not Kemble themselves I hasten to add. If the cap fits etc.

[sennadog]

Odiham - yes, been there and it was fun. Apart from a blustery day when I was a student I flew in there with an instructor.

ATC were excellent and even showed us round. My landing was ok-ish but ended up taxying for ages along the RWY! The ATC chappy politely suggested that I didn't need to use the entire RWY for take off and I did as he said, probably using no more than 10% of it.

Good fun and I recommend it.

[Fujiflyer]

I understand the MoD now require pilots visiting their <our> bases to obtain an "Insurance Waiver Certificate" if we are to use the Crown Indemnity cover if we may have it already with our normal a/c policy - for more than 12 visits per year. I am in the process of applying for such a certificate and once have received such will update this thread. However as I understand it so far it is a case of asking the RAF to send an application form which then (once returned) is submitted for security clearance. Only "originals" of the form are accepted so if applying on behalf of a syndicate ask for several forms. I am advised the clearance can take up to 3 months. Nicely there is no charge associated with all this.


Rich

[grow45]

BAE Warton

In a similar vein does anybody have any experience of flying into BAe Warton - both advice and whether there is any chance of getting PPR. My brother works there and as there is a families day in September I was wondering about the possibility of pitching up in an Archer.

Tks

grow45

[Chilli Monster]

grow45

Without wishing to state the obvious your best bet would be to phone BAe Ops (numbers in the flight guides) and ask. At the end of the day they can only say no.

[Bear 555]

Folks,

As one who learnt with Moray Flying Club based at Kinloss, there's a few things to pass on reflecting some of the comments above...

Quite a few airfield have VGS flying at the weekend. While this does mean that Avgas is available it also means that the circuit can be busy.

Well worth calling and asking if there are any PPL's based there who are known to ATC. Theses guys are a good source of local advice and information. Even better if there is a Flying Club there, as you may be able to 'visit' them and receive assistance.

Circuits shape and size can be varied for different traffic types. You really need to be aware of these, and of the local procedures wich may not be as 'standard'. The comment about local VRP's is quite correct.

Even more than usual, be prepared for the unexpected! Foreign fast-jet formations can keep ATC quite busy and you may not be top priority if faced with 8 German Mig29's or 14 F-4's or a few Spanish Sea Harriers arriving within 10 minutes. These guys will also be using the visiting aircraft facilities.

At weekends you may not be welcome at all - some airfields will be closed for sure.

With all that in mind, however, I'm quite sure a polite, confident and competent PPL would be well received and be given appropriate service and hospitality from the military. It is fun, after all......

More to come if I think of it.

Bear555