Places to fly for a day out
 

Hi fountain of knowledge that is the Pprune Private flying forum. I need help to further my flying.

I am trying to think of some new places to take fly to with the family in our Bonanza at weekends and I though there may be some suggestions from the board?

We are a family with 4 children of which one is a baby and one is disabled so needless to say we are not that portable.

I am trying to think of some airfields that are a good day out from our base at Blackpool (EGNH). We have worn Caernarfon very thin but that is a typcial example of where we like to go. Food and a beech with ice cream for the kids. They are not that bothered about flying but dont mind if there is an icecream at the end of it.

We also did Brighton (Shoreham) last year but getting the taxi into the town for all of us wasnt that easy. That said we had a great day once we were there.

Can anyone suggest some airfields that may provide a good day out. Beech is not essential but nice.

Bonanza likes a decent strip. I have not been into much less than 700 metres with everyone on board but would be OK a bit shorter.

Obviously distance is not too important within reason as the A36 trundles along at more than 165 Knots.

I also dont mind some foreign suggestions. Le Touquet is nice. That sort of thing but not much further as I get sick of listening to "are we nearly there" and "I feel sick".

Stuart,

Perranporth in Cornwall was fun with my kids, Deauville (for Honfleur) might be a bit of a long taxi trip.

Stornaway, Oban (if still available) are great for sight seeing. Edinburgh is pretty easy. Skeegness is fun but might be a bit short and grassy for you! Guernsey was great, never done Jersey or Alderney.

What I tend to do is go and check places out with friends before taking the family, only problem is that I tend to forget about taking the family!

Thanks for the reply. I have done Oban but we forgot the kids and went for lunch off the airfield. I have also driven to Perranporth to have a look when I was in Cornwall but it wasnt that close to anywhere that wasnt a taxi ride.

I am thinking of places that are walking distance from something. I have considered Skegness but not tried it yet. I believe it is about 700 metres so if the grass is smooth it will be fine I suspect.

Not tried it, but I believe you can fly into Skegness. Not got my charts here to check.

However a quick google indicated it might be possible. Clue in one of the pictures :)

http://www.skegnesswaterleisurepark....es/railway.php

With some cracking beaches, but not within walking distance. Port Eynon might be the best for your team, it's about 8 miles from the airfield. Good Fish and Chip shop by the beach..

How about flying in to an airshow over the summer months. Some have lots of attractions for kids let alone the flying.

Thanks for these. We will be doing some airshows for def. but that would be deemed as for my benefit for the family. I am looking for things I can claim I am doing for their benefit :)

No seriously the suggestions are great so keep them coming. I am noting them down for future use.

I haven't been there for years but Pembrey used to be quite good for the beach. Might be a bit short for a Bonanza though.

Thats plenty long enough for me. I will add it to my list.

Stop off at Lands End en route to Scilly Isles!

Plenty for kids to do there.

Stuart (fellow Bonanza pilot)
Go to Quiberon, its not to far in the Bonanza and has lots for the kids, including beach and local activities.

http://www.quiberonairclub.com/index_eng.htm

St Marys sounds nice.

I drove past Lands End airfield. It seemed a fair way from anything exciting although it was nice.

Quiberon looks great. I am adding that to my list. About 2.15 from Blackpool. They might whinge a bit but its OK. Not that much further than some of the Scottish places I intended taking them to.

What about the Isle of Wight. I guess it would have to be Bembridge - although I don't know the runway length and haven't got a Pooley's handy.

Also, for interest on the airfield, you could try Duxford - plenty of nice aeroplanes for the kids to crawl over.

The there's Beccles, just a few miles from Great Yarmouth.

Or Cambridge, where you could take a punt and have a nice picnic by the Cam.

Or Goodwood on a car racing day if your kids like cars, but if not, then again it's not to far from Bognor/Littlehampton - both are stoney beaches, but I've had many a happy hour down there as a child.

There is also probably an airfield near Bovington in Dorest, but I can't recall one at the moment (no doubt somebody will know one). You could go to the tank museum. Check their website as they have special tank days where they get a load of them out and 'race' them up and down. The kids will love all the noise.

Have fun,

C23

Thought about going to leicester? You could go and see the space centre but getting to it would be the problem.

No I never thought of Leicester. Been there once on my qualifying X-country many years ago. It was a very hot day and I didnt think the Terrorhawk was going to get off the runway towards the end of it.

I will give that one a look though. Thanks.

Can recommend Skegness. Short walk (approx 1/4 mile) from airfield to main road outside Butlins where there is a bus service into town every 10 mins or so. Also from Butlins there is a bus in the other direction to Ingoldmells where there is an amusement park (big roller coaster) and large outdoor market. Butlins and the roller coaster at Ingoldmells can be seen from miles away and make navigation easy. Just watch out for kids in the caravan/waterpark flying kites on final!
:ok:

Both less than 2 hours in your fast beasty, EHTX and EBOS.

The first if you fancy a bit of beach day the latter if you want to combine it with some shopping.

Both are good fun.

cblinton@blueyonder

- If that was you descending ahead of us out of the airway into EGBJ in an "N" reg on Sunday, just out of curiosity, where were you inbound from?
Have you got de-icing on that A.36?

No sorry it wasnt me. I cleverly decided to take my plane off the N reg with all the fuss going on and now I am G Reg. Also I dont have de-icing. My plane is here.

http://www.gotoair.com

Sorry just realised that message wasnt for me. Doh!