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.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Popped down today, all good. As it worked out being able to actually see it - descending to 1000' before Stanstead Zone brings you nicely to circuit height - although I chose to orbit before landing to be sure I got my 02/20 the right way round!

Runway was 02 with wind at 07 - so I think I'll be re-practicing my cross-wind landings next week!

The Squadron is nice cafe that does great food at a good price - so a nice lunch was had.

On the way back Farnborough weren't responding on 132.800, so I went with Essex Radar - who in turn transferred me to Heathrow, and they let me 'cut the corner off' and go through the TMZ over Burnham/Maidenhead etc.

So all in all pretty a good day! And I saved 0.3 of an hour thanks to the nice guys at Heathrow :)

Farnborough North and East were closed today due staff shortages. But you knew that by checking Notams and/or Skydemon, didn't you? :)

Why of course ;) Interestingly, I did speak to them on the way there - so they made it there for a while at least.

The very best thing that Pooley's could do would be to build in an 'auto-destruct' feature into their otherwise excellent guide that reduces it to ash at midnight on 31st Dec...

Same with charts on their expiry date, as well.

That's a big plus for Skydemon, reasonably up-to-date info.

I'd happily pay a landing fee just for the pleasure of visiting this historic and splendid aerodrome. Used to pop over regularly for brunch at the Squadron, when I was based in the London area.

TOO

This is interesting, I have to admit to doing my routing on Sky Vector. If I GPS I'll the 430. Although generally, I'll put the route on a chart too and work them both in the flight.

What is the requirement these days with charts? Does one still need a chart if they are flying with an iPad? I guess you do in case the battery runs out?!

8 years ago I retired and still they haven't trained my replacements!

Wasn't aware Heathrow had a TMZ; don't you mean the Heathrow CTR?

Hi Chevvy, yes they have... TMZ does not mean Terminal Manoeuvring Zone. It is in fact a Transponder Mandatory Zone. The latest must have for any modern airfield, where special unique rules apply.
.

ANYONE can screw up. I am quite experienced, over 10,000 hrs and flown everything from heavy 4 jets to microlights, with a smattering of jet fighters, bombers etc. However, to my shame, I landed on the wrong runway at North Weald once. Why? Because I heard ATC tell me what I expected to hear, 02, when the runway was really 20. No harm done (except my pride) as no one else was arriving or departing. Also the fact that the windsock was at 90 degrees to the runway gave me no clues. A huge apology to ATC dug me out of the hole, but it just goes to show.

Remember to wear your hi vis jacket if walking in the manouvering area at NW.

I am well aware what a TMZ is - don't forget I used to be a controller on Farnborough LARS North!
The only TMZ I know of around Heathrow is contained wholly within the Heathrow CTR not standalone as are the Stansted ones

Chevron, re TMZ's...
I think your Sarcasm receiver may be on mute!!

Neil
Did The Squadron ask for a contribution to some sort of landing fee as Heston suggested they might?