Not to forget the nice Yellow Seaplane:cool:

Thank you for your varied replies.

The flight is VFR and is coming from the south coast of the UK at 90kts - thus wind will be large en-route factor.

I hate to quote manuals for GA as i fear that is the way this sport is going, but I see from the CAA flight planning guide :

CAA considers it appropriate to emphasise the advice to pilots to file a flight plan when flying to or from the following HIAL aerodromes:
Barra (EGPR) Benbecula (EGPL) Campbeltown (EGEC) Inverness (EGPE) Islay (EGPI)
Kirkwall (EGPA) Stornoway (EGPO) Sumburgh (EGPB) Tiree (EGPU)
Wick (EGPC)

I see it is "advice". The manual then goes on to explain how to file and the fact that an abbreviated FPL does not inform the destination aerodrome with an ETA. Thus my mention of doing that via PPR.

As i say, I don't want to sit on the ground at Oban awaiting my VFR flight plan to be accepted into the system (60 minutes) with weather incoming when practically I could just telephone the destination with an ETA then launch and do an abbreviated flight plan with Scottish Info.

Scottish Info, I know provide a basic service and I am normally aware of its limitations. However they do i believe have the ability to accept an airborne FPL.

So lets say, for arguments sake that the weather is good, I have taken all the usual precautions, that i won't be operating outside of the airport operating hours, that i am also a VFR private aircraft and that I won't be infringing any danger areas intentionally or not etc etc etc etc

My question is - in anyone's practical experience, will a PPR with an ETA to EGPL and an abbreviated FPL to Scottish satisfy everyone or will I have to remember how to file a paper version and sit on the ground until my expected ETA?

If Sollas is available outside the fly-in dates the great! Land and then drive up the slip way to the house!

Yes, and

No

I have never and never known anyone else to file a flight plan to any HIAL (or other) Highland & Island airfield, including Sollas.

Just PPR, get in, fly and enjoy is all that is necessary.:ok:

I haven't read the document you refer to. I suspect the rationale may just be for search and rescue purposes given those aerodromes perceived remoteness. However HIA do have a habit of making the simplest of tasks complicated.

Get PPR and you'll be fine legally. Call Scootish info and someone will know about you. Forget FPLs if they are causing you additional stress.

Sorry for slight off-topic: but is the sandstrip "airfield" of Barra open for PPL holders?
Went there once (as a pax of course) and it was :E

There was a German reg Ce172 there when flew in there in the Tw'otter last year, I think, but not 100% if you're looking to stay overnight it's best to get your a/c as far up the beach as possible due the tides.


Edited to add these -


http://i62.tinypic.com/aujdw2.jpg


http://i62.tinypic.com/35aubtu.jpg


http://i62.tinypic.com/5v166o.jpg

Bet that windsock doesn't spend much time in that position !!