That'll be all three of you then...:p

Current situation update please
 

OK
I've read the thread from end to end, and cut to the good news.
I understand that Blackpool Airport is open to GA users. It's just about the only airfield in Lancashire (excluding microlight strips, and excluding Manchester-shire and Liverpool-shire).

Landing fees for a light single 999kg appear to be £17.20 pus vat, but if you mention in your PPR that you are on a NAVEX training flight you get a 50% discount. (I wonder if they accept the 90 day t/o and landing thingy as training). 2 hours parking free.

So, it is dearer than a local, grass strip. But it isn't one. It compares price wise for similar tarmac airports. Here's Gloucestershire, which is Council run, not subsidised (AFAIK), and profit making. http://www.gloucestershireairport.co...ter%202014.pdf

My question. Is Blackpool Airport alive? That would be good to hear.

Open for GA, land & park 3.5 hrs PA28 181 = £41:00

Place very quiet, & will probably stay like it at those prices:ugh:

I'm planning on flying into Blackpool tomorrow afternoon. Has anyone flown in recently since the changes last year? Anyone got any advice/things to look out for?

Can you actually hear ATC now (last year when I flew in, I could hardly hear the tower controller).

Cheers.

Obtain PPR before setting off and speak to Warton before entering their zone.
ATC now normally just use Approach frequency which is a much stronger signal.
Parking is on main apron (in front of passenger terminal)

A couple of things to note, unless things have changed since a couple of weeks back.


Do not arrive just after the scheduled Let410 from IOM. You will not be allowed to enter the security office until the Let has taxied for departure. This can take an hour from arrival to departure. You will be told to stay in your aircraft. If you have arrived before the Let, no problem, but if you want to depart while it is on the ground, you cannot. You are held in the security office until the Let taxies out. Madness, and all about a tiny area outside the security office that is called a "Critical Area" apparently.


The second point is that you need to book out by telephone from the security office, and if you are likely to leave after 1500, you must book out before 1500 the same day.


Otherwise, it's a nice airfield and a pleasant walk to the beachfront area for an ice cream. No food on the airport, but you can make a cup of tea or coffee in the pilots' lounge by the security office. It's free! If you want food, the Premier Inn is right outside and has a restaurant.

I flew in today in one aircraft, to pick up another. Had sausage and mash at the Premier Inn. Sausages were nice. Mash was that instant stuff.:=

Check the NOTAMS and/or when you contact them PPR , check that they have no enforced ATC breaks on the day which currently means the Airfield closes for 30 minute periods up to 4 times per day on certain dates - only a temporary measure though.


Could be embarrassing if you are subject to time constraints:\

Thanks all, I think the Let arrives after I plan to leave, I'm planning on a 16:10 local departure time, so should be fine?

I'll double check the Notams in a bit, but there was nothing showing yesterday for today.

Cheers all, fingers crossed for a good flight, its my first into a controlled airport since I qualified last year...

Don't they cover next day anyway? So if none then OK today?

Yeah, but I checked anyway :)

Flew in ok. Spoke to Warton who told me to approach Blackpool direct for aright base join for runway 10. This went ok, managed to remember my ATC readbacks ok and made a very crosswindy landing on the main runway, which seems HUGE compared to Barton!

The very helpful ATCO then gave me progressive taxi instructions to the parking area and I went and paid and had a free coffee.

Rang the landline for the ATIS as the radio freq was NOTAMd as not working, called for taxi instructions (but forgot to add that I had information Alpha and was VFR) got started and taxyed to the hold just as the Let was touching down..

Took off on 13 and departed pier to pier. After changing to Warton and requesting a climb to 2000ft I flew back to Barton.

Very happy with the way things went, lots of new things and when I got back to Barton the crosswind was still there on 08R so I landed on 14, another new runway for me!

Well done .....from another Barton NPPL(M) :D