Closest airfield to London?
 

You might rememeber my question about closest airfield to Hastings, only to find out it is Lydd, as expected. Unless I can charm my way into some of the small private farm fields closer.

At the other end, what's the airfield closest to London that accepts GA? Some say it's Elstree, others Northolt, Denham or Biggin Hill. Which one is it?

Depends how you define "London."

Within the M25, you have Stapleford, Jenkins Farm, Gerpin's Farm, Damyn's Hall, Biggin Hill, Kenley, Denham & Elstree. Fairoaks is just outside.

There are another couple of airfields too, but they aren't very GA-friendly. :)

London to me = W1

I have always found Elstree the easiest to get into central London from, its a 5 min cab from the tube & then about 25mins into town

Denham's quite easy to get to/from also. Trains (Chiltern Rail) from Marylebone station, then a short cab ride.

I have tried them all.

Elstree without any doubt in terms of speed and reliability of getting into W1.

Watch out for the Millenium stadium if you take the train - its odd how the train line seems to take an orbit around it! :)

Elstree to London via Cardiff? I can't believe that's very quick.

That's rail privatisation for you. Was far quicker before the war (the Boer War).

It would take a long time if it goes via Cardiff :) :)

Gatwick accepts GA - and a decent rail link to "London".

Heathrow would accept multi engine GA - but not single engine any more (my first visit there was in a Piper Arrow).

I doubt, however, that this is the ideal information you are looking for.

How about Fairlop or Hornchurch? Seriously though, Northolt is unlikely to accept single engine aircraft.

Battersea Heliport

Closest to Trafalgar Square does not mean it will be the quickest for you to get to, nor the best for your needs, so you'll need to research the contenders.

Ooop forgive me I meant Wembley of course. Having recently been to the Millenium stadium to watch Wales beat England (:} ) you can see that stadium made far more impression on me!!

As to Gatwick it might be a good idea but for the 24 hour notice, strick slot times and an asking price of well over £150 at non peak times.

I have never considered Redhill - I suppose it might be worth a try but I have a feeling none of the fast trains stop there. It may not be all that quick getting to the station either.

I always think that Biggin should be a good bet, but it is sadly let down by the awful rail links into town.

Somebody once told me that Brooklands was available for light aircraft and that they stamp your logbook too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not really. A ten minute taxi ride gets you to Bromley South BR station then it's less than 20 minutes into Victoria (ok that's SW1, but nearly there).

A similar length of cab ride puts you at Gatwick and the Gatwick Express whizzes you to... Victoria again.

(not picking on you in particular Fuji - they are just the only two I really know anything about ;) )

GA into London
 

My Ha'pennies worth:


Central London options approaching from the Southwest my Luvver...
"About as easy as slipping a sly six inch suppository into Ken Livingstone's backside sideways without him noticing (or enjoying it)".:E

Battersea - @£450 + parking + vat a throw its not such a good option. In addition to this it takes a good 25 mins by cab to get to W1 - London really needs a better heliport with less greedy ownership.:=

Elstree - OK, but more like 45 mins on the tube from Stanmore to W1. I must admit I don't recall getting a particularly hearty welcome from the grumpy bugger :mad: in the box at Elstree, in fact when I went in to pay my landing fee he was casting doubt upon the parentage of a visiting pilot in between grumpy radio calls - horrible grumpy miserable man in claustrophobic box - (made a mental note not to come back).

Denham - never been but its my next one on the trying list ;)

Fairoaks - a real ballache to get into the city via Woking railway station - when I landed there last year in my Mooney the ATC person said "the last 2 accidents we had here were Mooneys - both went off the end of the runway - twas indeed a trice short but I made it with about 20cm to spare! :}

Northolt - you need to be with Netjets or called Windsor or with the forces - they give the cold shoulder to civvy pilots unless you have at least 6 engines and are called Abramovich.:rolleyes:

For Heathrow Airport, White Waltham + 15mins taxi

For Gatwick Airport, Redhill + 10mins taxi

Basically, there is no easy way in.

Rant over,

SB :E

It may be 10 minutes during the day in non-peak hours, but if you're flying in to get to London in the morning for business and hit the rush hour it can take between 20 and 30 minutes for the cab ride alone :ugh:

I have been into London City a couple of times. Off peak it was not to nut wrenching cost wise.

You do have to get a steep approach certification in your book, I got mine from Oxford who have adjustable PAPI. The aircraft also has to have a steep approach certification. City keep a log of types with the certification. And of course it has to have at least 2 engines.

Airport to City about 30 mins.