White Waltham Airfield restaurants
 

I am thinking of taking my aged father to have a look at White Waltham Airfield in the next couple of weeks and just wondered what the food and drink facilities are like for surface visitors (neither of us are pilots). On the Internet there is mention of the West London Aero Club which looks very nice. Is this the only facility?

Many thanks in advance for responses.

West London Aero Club operate White Waltham. It is (legally) a private club so visitors need to be enrolled as some sort of associate member. I don't think that is very difficult, but you need to be aware that it is not like a pub or restaurant freely open the public.

I'm a member at WLAC and quite often use the clubhouse to meet people for lunch.

It's an extremely pleasant place, good lunches, nice place to sit around and chat. The bar is open in the evenings, but not usually with food unless there's some kind of event on. Lunches are fairly standard pub fair - and as such, pretty good.

There is some vague theory about having to be a member to use the facilities - all I can say is that in the 6 months or so I've been a member, nobody has checked my membership credentials except to confirm that I don't need to pay landing fees. I think that you and your dad would find it a very pleasant place to stop, have lunch, sit around, and watch the flying.

WLAC is the only place to eat and drink at WW; it's far from the only business, but every other business is purely aviation (or at-least, not catering related).

G

Many thanks for the quick replies guys. I think we will give it a go and see what happens. Neither of us have been to White Waltham since the mid 1970's when there was quite a few Aircoupe with the flying school based there.............oh and I had an ATC experience flight in a Chipmunk.

It might be worth a call to ops before you plan a long journey.

I have been badge checked on several occasions at Ww this year ( usually on the sunny Sundays). I've never seen what happens if you are not a member.

Does this apply only to people driving in? I've always been invited to use the restaurant when I've flown in. Seems a bit weird that they would turn down business.

Yes if you fly in no problem. And i agree its odd they would turn down business ,every other airfield welcomes visitors.I think it was something to do with the MOP filling up the club house such that the members couldn't get a seat.

I'm not sure what the policy is on letting you in from the road if you are not a member. There is a big 'Members Only' sign on the gate.

There are licensing issues I think, so pilots and their passengers are deemed associate members and for others it requires a conversation and a little paperwork I believe.

Although I must admit, as a card carrying member of ww it is nice that you don't have to share with the great unwashed.

It's a bit like being a member of Blades but without the newspapers on sticks.:-)

White Waltham.
 

All the comments here are appropriate.
However, as johnm says, the problem is both a licencing and indeed a Health and Safety one. Fire risk and sufficient toilet facilities come to mind.
Hence the club has to be a private members' club to conform. As the club owns the airfield, so there are no other catering facilities on the airfield and, as such, there has no need to be.

The problems mentioned is very real, that of there being insufficient space to accommodate large numbers of people without using the separate facilities utilised for meetings. These are not always available to visitors.

WLAC is one of the largest flying clubs in the UK and so it can be understood that, with a sizeable number of regularly visiting aircraft and their crews/pax, plus members and often their children/guests (obviously all welcome), the lounge becomes exceptionally crowded and the waiting/queuing time for meals/refreshment extends exponentially.
There is thus no facility or even need to increase to include casual visitors.

In the situation of "surely not" though, where individuals have a special interest in the airfield, we definitely do NOT wish to turn them away. Quite the reverse in fact; it can lead to some very informative conversations.
I suggest therefore, "surely not", that you check with flight operations and clear your visit. You and your father will be very welcome.
Oh, and yes, we do badge-check quite often at any time. Bit like your local golf club really ……!

WLAC can be pretty unfriendly at times, and I say that as a member. The excuse is that they say they are very busy. I have raised it but not received a reply yet.