Hebrides tour for Bulldogs
 

Hi Guys. We are two Bulldogs touring Scotland next week. Route is Kemble - Woodvale - Prestwick - Oban - Glenforsa - Skye- Plockton - Oban - Glenforsa - Lossie - Perth - Carlisle - Leeds East - Sywell - home. Apart from what is in the AFE flight guide and NOTAMs, anyone like to offer advice? We are well aware of clouds with hard centres and mountain downdrafts. We will avoid water as much as possible, but carry LSJs. We have 4 x GPS.

Woodvale and Lossie - make sure you have Crown Indemnity document with you, or expect a surcharge. Telephone on the day to check that your PPR will be honoured (things change quickly).


Prestwick - mandatory handling so try and make an arrangement with the club beforehand and tell ATC. The club was closed when I diverted in and handling was about £90 (landing fee was refunded due to weather divert).


Oban - Paul Keegan who runs the fuel operation is the local weather expert. If conditions are changeable (i.e. most of the time) he will predict a window for the short run to Glenforsa.


Glenforsa - the airfield slopes down to the Sound of Mull. Land and taxi on the 'uphill' side as it can get boggy on the 'wet' side, even though the grass looks inviting.


Skye - low level flight along the cliffs on the eastern side of the island highly recommended.


Plockton - walk into the village for lunch (20 minutes).


Carlisle - consider Kirkbride as a lower cost, GA friendly alternative.


Sounds like a great trip. Take a camera!

Listen out and report on Scottish low level common freq when away from airfields. It's used by RAF fast jets and other low level traffic.

Link:
https://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/vhflowlevelfrequencytrialinscotland.cfm

Link doesn't work, but I presume you're talking about 'Safetycom' on 135.475 which the CAA are allowing the RAF to use in Scotland only in addition to its primary purpose which is for blind calls in the vicinity of airfields which have no allocated frequency.

Check Woodvale will accept visitors - runway is in poor condition and some operations (cadet flying) are suspended though I believe others (UAS flying) are continuing.

Leuchars are very helpful. Fuel probably cheaper than Perth as well

Take Midge repellent spray.

Sherburn EGCJ 4 miles south of Leeds East has far more to offer (good restaurant, 6 runways,cheap fuel,friendly welcome) than ''Leeds East''.
(I'm biased having been based at Sherburn for 18 years).
G-XLTG

Agree with nearly all of this. At Prestwick, Prestwick Flyig Club is the cheapest place to visit (and there is a Bulldog based there) but if no-one is available to escort you there from airside, try the Prestwick Flight Centre near tower- still much cheaper than the apron and a full-time operation.

Plan to arrive or depart Oban within published hours or they might report you.

Do not miss a run up the Great Glen!

I'm guessing you want to go to Lossie because of a particular military connection but as Tall Guy said it may be expensive and inflexible. Alternatives in that area are:
Shempston Farm
Kinloss via Moray Flying Club

For Prestwick call Prestwick Fight Centre on 01292 476523 to get cheap rates on landing fees for visitors.

Forget Leeds East, Sherburn if you need food and fuel. Breighton if you only need fuel. Self service and quick.
Fuel at Perth outrageous but sometimes you have to.

New operator at Perth. Fuel 1.80 ltr which is average for the area.
Budget hotel on the airfield, maintenance and a resident Bulldog.

Hey, Bluntie, I guess it won't be your first run up the Great Glen ;) ?

I recall chasing a pair of Jags up the Great Glen on one exercise...got a bit carried away with the burners and actually saw transonic jump on the altimeter...:\

Sorry, Mr & Mrs Osprey!

Sounds like a good trip - hope the weather will be kind to you!

Wot, in a Bulldog? ;)

No, an F-4.


.........

Well they were a couple of XJ6 on the road below, so Beags in his Bulldog had to go to full power to keep up

Thanks guys for all your advice. Keep it coming. The destinations are specific: Woodvale is where XX614 started it's RAF life. We have clearance. Prestwick is where it was born. Lossie is for a big Sqn reunion, so have permissions (both Bulldogs have Crown Immunity). Leeds East (Church Fenton) is where I did most of my Bulldog QFI stuff. I am using Prestwick Flt Centre, for ease (club possibly not open), but yes it is expensive. So is 15 hours flying in a Dawg. Su is the professional aviation photographer, but Jayne in the other Dawg is very handy with a camera. Standby for blogs.

Plan now to use Kirkbride, thanks tall Guy. Plan for 8 days, expect many changes due weather.

Could have been me Beegs. Will be a bit slower this time.

According to the link, the trial ended a year ago. Is that frequency still in use?