North Weald
 

Hi Guys,

I'm going to be (hopefully) going to North Weald tomorrow, departing White Waltham. I will call the Tower/Ops for an inbound briefing etc, so I'm sure I'll know more when I get the PPR.

I guess there are 3 options to join, and wondered what is most common/standard:

1) Maintain 2000' and obtain clearance from Stanstead Approach to transit, and descent in.

2) Descent to 1000' when passing BPK and come under Stanstead.

3) Head towards Stapleford and come in that way, although it's pretty tight, and would probably mean transiting - and then join that way.

Does anyone have any tips/tricks for getting in to North Weald - or anything to watch out for etc?

Cheers
N

its not a big deal.

Call farnbourough n on 132.8 on departure from WW. Before the 1500' zone call NW , descend to be under 1500 and squawk 7010 . Join dw. I've never called stanstead.

The only issue I ever have is with the 02/20 runways. The most confusing names. They would be better off calling them 01/19 or 03/21 even if it is wrong. It would save lots of issues with people flying the wrong way.

Other than that enjoy it. Lots of good stuff happens there.

I am with 18greens.

Been there many times, it's never been an issue joining from any direction. Don't overthink it but plan ahead and know what to expect.

Just try not to go through stapleford' zone (unless you want a really nice baguette sandwich of course - but I'd talk to someone first), and keep below controlled airspace.

I normally fly around 1200/1300 ish just so that if I hit a particularly strong thermal / transponder is not always as accurate as one would like it to be, Just so that I don't pop up on the standsted screens.

Joins vary depending on runway in use / winds. Might even get a straight in!! Downwind is most common though. Check the airfield plate too - loads of useful information!

They're really nice at North Weald, just bear in mind that they'll ask you which side of the field you want to go to when you land, a map is available in the AIP (and useful). I quite like the flying club's cafe.

I hope this helps!

If you go on the key publishing historic forum Yak rider works in air traffic I believe.
He updates the North Weald diary.

Quick question re access at NW; can you have a look at all of the interesting stuff in the hangars as you can at Breighton or is that verboten? NW is on my 'to do' list but if it's just an airfield with a caff for visitors I may put it further down the essentials list.

NW is no problem.

Just make sure you're around 1300ft when you cross the Lea Valley, give NW a call and squawk 7010, then descend to 800ft QFE.

I'd join via Epping, either turning downwind for 20, or base for 02.

Have fun.

Is there a landing fee at North Weald?
Someone told me no but another person has said there is a landing fee???

There is no landing fee. But if you park near The Squadron who run one of the cafes, they try to imply that you should pay them something. There's another very good cafe on the other side of runway 31 near hangar 4 where you can park for free.

Lots of interesting vintage aircraft use NW, but some are totally inaccessible and others dont encourage visitors to their hangars. So if Thing is visiting just to get close to old aircraft then NW may not be as good as he would wish. Still a great place to visit though.

Thanks for that Heston.

There is a pdf of Pilot's Self Briefing Notes available for download on our website at http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/ind...weald-airfield

All circuits on the main runway are to the west for noise abatement. We are busier now that the North Weald Flying Group do ab initio training.

This week so far we have had a Coastguard AW139 and Navy AW159 Wildcat visiting and the Hangar 11 Collection's Mustang flying, so you never know what you might see.

My old version of Pooleys does say no landing fee, but that may have changed.
The NE and SW Stansted Zones are Transponder Mandatory Zones from surface to 1500ft, quite why I have no idea... Surely any arrivals or departures from Stansted should be waaaay above that !
.

Acksherley Essex Radar often put traffic on the Stansted ILS at 2,000 ft.
If you're working Farnborough you can enter the TMZ without Mode C.

Stansted...

Go to Weald Aviation where they do not charge a landing or parking fee and the fuel is cheaper than The Squadron - £1.28 + VAT last month.

I know what you mean. I got confused at Shoreham once.

??????????

NW has two hard runways, 02/20 and 13/31. I cant think of anywhere else with runway designators like that. I used to have a terrible job convincing students that the runways weren't simply named after each end 0,1,2,3 if you see what I mean.

Not any more. I believe it's now 12/30 for the second runway.

"The NE and SW Stansted Zones are Transponder Mandatory Zones from surface to 1500ft, quite why I have no idea... Surely any arrivals or departures from Stansted should be waaaay above that !"

You're right, of course. But by making it a TMZ (and AIUI that means Mode S) it means ATC know that you are waaaay below it.

Thanks Heston. I'll still give it visit as I've never been but it's in the list of 'normal and nice caff' airfields now rather than 'must do 'cos there's really interesting stuff to gawk at' airfields.

Ours is 02/20 and it's a mid point entry for light aircraft. I've lined up the wrong way more than once, and I'm not the only one.