UK airfields - pants
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UK airfields - pants
C'mon - let's list the UK airfields that need to get their heli act together. It never ceases to amaze me how many airfields make a pig's ear out of refuelling, handling and collecting money. Why do you have to pay for fuel in one place, and pay landing fees at another - especially when there's a long walk involved between the two ?
They must lose money - they seem to employ too many people to do the job that could be done by one. Where are the handheld swipe machines which can take your payment at the point of delivery ?
Then there are the places which badly mark their pumps and/or have pump hoses which are too short : you land, shut down - then a hi-viz clad smurf tells you you're too far from the pump. And this is despite the fact that you landed where the apron was marked.....
INEFFICIENT: Hawarden, Blackpool, Filton, Southend, Wycombe
EFFICIENT: Huddersfield, Sheffield, Leeds Heliport, Goodwood
They must lose money - they seem to employ too many people to do the job that could be done by one. Where are the handheld swipe machines which can take your payment at the point of delivery ?
Then there are the places which badly mark their pumps and/or have pump hoses which are too short : you land, shut down - then a hi-viz clad smurf tells you you're too far from the pump. And this is despite the fact that you landed where the apron was marked.....
INEFFICIENT: Hawarden, Blackpool, Filton, Southend, Wycombe
EFFICIENT: Huddersfield, Sheffield, Leeds Heliport, Goodwood
Last edited by headsethair; 29th Sep 2004 at 19:26.
To add to your inefficient list: DUXFORD. Unless they've had a 'sense' injection since I last visited, that is. It took me an hour and a quarter by the time I'd waited for the bowser to turn up, then had to walk to the Museum entrance to pay. Ludicrous. Won't go there again, even though it's my local field.
As for efficient, the best ones IMHO are the ones who will gladly do rotors running refuels. Sywell (if you call them before you arrive, no problem), White Waltham and Wycombe. Any others out there? I'm personally happy to pay a couple of pence more to save the shutdown/restart hassle if all I want is jet fuel.
Oxford is a bit painful, North Weald great, even though you need to shut down at both.
As for efficient, the best ones IMHO are the ones who will gladly do rotors running refuels. Sywell (if you call them before you arrive, no problem), White Waltham and Wycombe. Any others out there? I'm personally happy to pay a couple of pence more to save the shutdown/restart hassle if all I want is jet fuel.
Oxford is a bit painful, North Weald great, even though you need to shut down at both.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Agree Wycombe inefficient.
Asked for fuel on arrival, and landed on the advised spot by the pumps.
Then watched for ages as a couple of men in yellow jackets attached wheels and towed R22 nearer to the pump behind a little truck ... because the hoses don't reach some of the spots!
RC
Asked for fuel on arrival, and landed on the advised spot by the pumps.
Then watched for ages as a couple of men in yellow jackets attached wheels and towed R22 nearer to the pump behind a little truck ... because the hoses don't reach some of the spots!
RC
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Next time you go there, take a can of yellow spray paint.
Extend the hose to its fullest limit, then walk around the pump, holding the hose at max extension, and 2' inside that, spray the reach limit on the ground.
Next time, land with your fuel cap on the line, and you should be OK. If the owner is anything like you say he is, he will not notice, and the fuel man will be glad you did it.
When the airport owner sends you a bill for the graffiti, send him one for your time and paint.
Extend the hose to its fullest limit, then walk around the pump, holding the hose at max extension, and 2' inside that, spray the reach limit on the ground.
Next time, land with your fuel cap on the line, and you should be OK. If the owner is anything like you say he is, he will not notice, and the fuel man will be glad you did it.
When the airport owner sends you a bill for the graffiti, send him one for your time and paint.
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Inefficient? - Teesside. Time before last I waited 45mins for the fuel truck to arrive despite calling the tower at regular intervals to enquire and being told "the refuellers have been informed". Eventually I had to go intercept a tanker en-route to refuelling a 757 whose surly driver said "nobody told me". Finally took off 1 hr 10 after landing.
Last time (about two weeks ago) refueller was on the ball as soon as I landed. Sadly he had left his calculator in the Avgas truck, so I had to lend him mine. He spent five minutes trying to work out how to use it before giving it back to me and telling me it was useless and he couldnt enter .47 in it. Try 0.47. Oh yeah, that works... Then he realised he had no VISA slips with him (in the Avgas truck) so he had to go fetch them. All this time I was stood next to the tanker in th pouring rain. Finally done, I asked where to pay the landing fee. In through arrivals, through Customs, through the passenger terminal, and look for the information desk. Finally got there, joined the queue of civilians asking about car parking, flight delays etc etc. Paid the fee and then spent another 20 minutes trying to get back out on the ramp, which I couldn't do until a security officer could be found to escort me out there (wasnt answering his phone). i eventually tagged on th eback of a Citation crew who were heading out anyway. My camera operator thought I'd been abducted, so spent a cosy hour with the Air Ambulance crew drinking coffee and chatting. Total time on ground? 1 hour.
Time to spare? Go via Teesside
Last time (about two weeks ago) refueller was on the ball as soon as I landed. Sadly he had left his calculator in the Avgas truck, so I had to lend him mine. He spent five minutes trying to work out how to use it before giving it back to me and telling me it was useless and he couldnt enter .47 in it. Try 0.47. Oh yeah, that works... Then he realised he had no VISA slips with him (in the Avgas truck) so he had to go fetch them. All this time I was stood next to the tanker in th pouring rain. Finally done, I asked where to pay the landing fee. In through arrivals, through Customs, through the passenger terminal, and look for the information desk. Finally got there, joined the queue of civilians asking about car parking, flight delays etc etc. Paid the fee and then spent another 20 minutes trying to get back out on the ramp, which I couldn't do until a security officer could be found to escort me out there (wasnt answering his phone). i eventually tagged on th eback of a Citation crew who were heading out anyway. My camera operator thought I'd been abducted, so spent a cosy hour with the Air Ambulance crew drinking coffee and chatting. Total time on ground? 1 hour.
Time to spare? Go via Teesside
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Gloucester
In a blatant plug, I like to think we've got it about right at Gloucester.
What's more, you get a landing fee discount when you buy 50ltrs AVGAS or 200ltrs of Jet A1. The refuellers have to run back to the hut to swipe your credit card because the hand held swipey thing doesn't have a good enough signal...(the bank's fault, not ours!)...but they're a pretty efficient bunch normally.
What's more, you get a landing fee discount when you buy 50ltrs AVGAS or 200ltrs of Jet A1. The refuellers have to run back to the hut to swipe your credit card because the hand held swipey thing doesn't have a good enough signal...(the bank's fault, not ours!)...but they're a pretty efficient bunch normally.
Couldn't agree more about Blackpool. I weather-diverted a plank in last month - unnecessarily tortuous taxi instructions, then park in one spot for fuel, then (after a long and expensive wait for taxi clearance with the engine running) relocate to another spot for parking (about a quarter of a mile from the terminal), long walk to the terminal - then back to the aircraft for my pilots licence because they wouldn't let me into the pilot briefing room unless I showed it, then finally I had to be escorted back out of the terminal by a guard - they wouldn't just open the door for me. Not pilot friendly. Food was lousy too.
On the other hand, they did at-least waive the landing fee because I'd taken more than 50 litres of fuel, and the fuel price was reasonable.
G
On the other hand, they did at-least waive the landing fee because I'd taken more than 50 litres of fuel, and the fuel price was reasonable.
G
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matspart3 - don't you do Rotors Running there at EGBJ? everything up to Merlins and Chinooks...
And I think Gamston do RRunning too (does that make them efficient or not?)
Elwood Helipad seems to get lots of movements too, deep in Northumbria - see http://www.aerialsolutions.com/flyin.htm and they do both flavours of fuel. Never been, but pictures on that site indicate a stroll across the lawn at worse (and a cream tea if you really want to pause)
and Durham Tees Valley Airport is just as bad as Teesside
And I think Gamston do RRunning too (does that make them efficient or not?)
Elwood Helipad seems to get lots of movements too, deep in Northumbria - see http://www.aerialsolutions.com/flyin.htm and they do both flavours of fuel. Never been, but pictures on that site indicate a stroll across the lawn at worse (and a cream tea if you really want to pause)
and Durham Tees Valley Airport is just as bad as Teesside
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EGBO, centrally placed does rotors running refuels. If you take up any fuel in a rotary then theres no landing fee and if your in a military helo you get a free breakfast or bacon sarnie. If you dont take fuel but your still in a military helo then you just get free drinks.
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Wolverhampton get a lot of bad press but they are my 1st choice for refulling, Cheap fuel, pay at pump, rotors running and no landing fee, even the location is handy when going west of Birmingham. 
Barton is a pain in the ar$e - refulling OK but then long walk to pay at higher rate than anywhere else and a landing fee!
Barton is a pain in the ar$e - refulling OK but then long walk to pay at higher rate than anywhere else and a landing fee!
Better red than ...
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On the + side
: D
K:
Gamston, fast, efficient, RR if needed. Will refuel without you there if you tell them what you need (to save time).
Carlisle, fast, short walks, good food.
Denham (on the helicopter side). I've RR'd on the North and the last Avgas invoice came 3 months after drawndown so good interest on the money in bank.
Cardiff (but a bit more expensive) but sure were fast and helpful.
Lands End (all self serve and within 50 feet)
Prestwick (v helpful handing team)
Oban (free tea and biscuits with every litre uplifted)
Wolverhampton (no landing fee)
Eaglescott (Devon) - but cash only (ie hard currency...)
Haverfordwest - looooooooonnnnnnnnng hose
---------------
On the - side
: *
Headcorn (HOW CLOSE is the fixed fuel line to the moving rotors) + thousands of biplanes parked in the way.
Sheffield (keep running out of fuel, etc)
Blackpool, either you push the beast to the pumps or walk a long way to pay for fuel from a based operator
Swansea (hose line distance problem - "it won't reach boyo")
Southampton ("you can't land 'ere" after giving permission to land for fuel)
Denham (on the other side) - 6 month queue of FW's
---------
On balance, bowsers are best, operated by military or ex-mil personnel
: D
K:Gamston, fast, efficient, RR if needed. Will refuel without you there if you tell them what you need (to save time).
Carlisle, fast, short walks, good food.
Denham (on the helicopter side). I've RR'd on the North and the last Avgas invoice came 3 months after drawndown so good interest on the money in bank.
Cardiff (but a bit more expensive) but sure were fast and helpful.
Lands End (all self serve and within 50 feet)
Prestwick (v helpful handing team)
Oban (free tea and biscuits with every litre uplifted)
Wolverhampton (no landing fee)
Eaglescott (Devon) - but cash only (ie hard currency...)
Haverfordwest - looooooooonnnnnnnnng hose
---------------
On the - side
: *
Headcorn (HOW CLOSE is the fixed fuel line to the moving rotors) + thousands of biplanes parked in the way.
Sheffield (keep running out of fuel, etc)
Blackpool, either you push the beast to the pumps or walk a long way to pay for fuel from a based operator
Swansea (hose line distance problem - "it won't reach boyo")
Southampton ("you can't land 'ere" after giving permission to land for fuel)
Denham (on the other side) - 6 month queue of FW's
---------
On balance, bowsers are best, operated by military or ex-mil personnel
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Southend - well I call a 10 minute walk to pay for fuel and landing pretty inefficient. And the wait for the bowser can make you chew your fingers.
Gloucester - excellent. The ground guys (firemen) are excellent at fuelling and handling.
Sheffield - really impressive, but that could be because they have little traffic. Free landing with minimum 50 litre uplift. And probably the smartest caff north of Kemble. (Ah - now there's an inefficient heli field. Land for Avgas at pumps, which are laid out for fixed wing, then lift and park at tower to pay. Madness.)
What we need are more airfields to realise that helis are really handy profit centres. We don't need acres of space, we don't punish your tarmac, we love doing our own refuelling - and we love food!
Gloucester - excellent. The ground guys (firemen) are excellent at fuelling and handling.
Sheffield - really impressive, but that could be because they have little traffic. Free landing with minimum 50 litre uplift. And probably the smartest caff north of Kemble. (Ah - now there's an inefficient heli field. Land for Avgas at pumps, which are laid out for fixed wing, then lift and park at tower to pay. Madness.)
What we need are more airfields to realise that helis are really handy profit centres. We don't need acres of space, we don't punish your tarmac, we love doing our own refuelling - and we love food!
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My 10cents worth
GOOD
Shobdon - Quick for fuel, friendly staff. No hassle
Kemble - Self serve avgas, nice people. Good opening hours
Lydd - Guy's with a browser fill you up while you go for a coffee. Found the guy's in the aero club very helpful in planning my first cross channel flight... 5*
Caernarvon - ask for fuel on the way in, land at the pumps and they will be waiting to fill you up. Happy bunch, no hassle
Turweston - great service. Even gave as a lift to Silverstone to watch the racing.
Pembrey - good service, friendly. Uses a browser to fill you up. Just a pain for operating hours being in the middle of a danger area.
Blackbushe - Good all round
BAD
Swansea - No chance of fuel if air Wales flight is due in/in/due out. Pump always blocked by fixed wing, so land shutdown and push. Runs out of avgas quite often. Cafe is a rip off.. And closed on a Saturday. Airfield closed on a Tuesday.. It’s a joke
Cardiff - No avgas from airport only flying school who runs out quite often. If you land at airport not the flying club be prepared to get hammered for handling.
Denham - Most unhappy man in history on the radio...!
GOOD
Shobdon - Quick for fuel, friendly staff. No hassle
Kemble - Self serve avgas, nice people. Good opening hours
Lydd - Guy's with a browser fill you up while you go for a coffee. Found the guy's in the aero club very helpful in planning my first cross channel flight... 5*
Caernarvon - ask for fuel on the way in, land at the pumps and they will be waiting to fill you up. Happy bunch, no hassle
Turweston - great service. Even gave as a lift to Silverstone to watch the racing.
Pembrey - good service, friendly. Uses a browser to fill you up. Just a pain for operating hours being in the middle of a danger area.
Blackbushe - Good all round
BAD
Swansea - No chance of fuel if air Wales flight is due in/in/due out. Pump always blocked by fixed wing, so land shutdown and push. Runs out of avgas quite often. Cafe is a rip off.. And closed on a Saturday. Airfield closed on a Tuesday.. It’s a joke
Cardiff - No avgas from airport only flying school who runs out quite often. If you land at airport not the flying club be prepared to get hammered for handling.
Denham - Most unhappy man in history on the radio...!
Better red than ...
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You can get fuel at Cardiff on the North side (and I didnt get any Hndg charge)
Agree on Denham but there is only one there that is a bit unhappy. Go on the days when he is off stag and its a much happier tower.
But all this complaining.
What would we want to suggest to the owners of airfields UK wide.
How about:-
Heli Only fuel area so no conflicts with FW traffic and hazards. Park at same place once fuelling complete.
Served by bowsers
Both fuel types available
Fuel staff only do fuel (so available when you want fuel) when you have let them know your coming.
A call ahead service so they know when your coming and what you need
All forms of payment accepted.
You do not have to be there when they fuel up, so eat while they work
Pay the fuel man at the bowser
Agree on Denham but there is only one there that is a bit unhappy. Go on the days when he is off stag and its a much happier tower.
But all this complaining.
What would we want to suggest to the owners of airfields UK wide.
How about:-
Heli Only fuel area so no conflicts with FW traffic and hazards. Park at same place once fuelling complete.
Served by bowsers
Both fuel types available
Fuel staff only do fuel (so available when you want fuel) when you have let them know your coming.
A call ahead service so they know when your coming and what you need
All forms of payment accepted.
You do not have to be there when they fuel up, so eat while they work
Pay the fuel man at the bowser
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My 2p's worth:
Thumbs UP
Oban - excellent service every time i've been there. Very friendly and willing to go out of their way to make sure you get your job done. And the free jammy dodgers!!! Keep it up Paul.
Carlisle - Short walk will rotors running refuel if you call ahead
Liverpool - LAS now very good although the bowser ran out of fuel on me one evening...whoops! Have to shut down.
Newcastle - Samson very good. Short walk to the coffee and the biscuits, and an invoice sent later.. Have to shut down.
Thumbs DOWN....
Teeside - Nightmare. Concur totaly with the waking through to pay at the information desk and then having to be xrayed and searched on the way out incase I hi jacked my own aircraft... Haven't been in for a while since the handling was made compulsary for bigger helis.
Glasgow - very good. not to a long wait and pay with the handling agent.
Edinburgh - ATC a nightmare. Wait for fuel not too bad if you call ahead, but you park "remotely" and have to get a lift in.
Heathrow - Fuelling very good last time
Thumbs UP
Oban - excellent service every time i've been there. Very friendly and willing to go out of their way to make sure you get your job done. And the free jammy dodgers!!! Keep it up Paul.
Carlisle - Short walk will rotors running refuel if you call ahead
Liverpool - LAS now very good although the bowser ran out of fuel on me one evening...whoops! Have to shut down.
Newcastle - Samson very good. Short walk to the coffee and the biscuits, and an invoice sent later.. Have to shut down.
Thumbs DOWN....
Teeside - Nightmare. Concur totaly with the waking through to pay at the information desk and then having to be xrayed and searched on the way out incase I hi jacked my own aircraft... Haven't been in for a while since the handling was made compulsary for bigger helis.
Glasgow - very good. not to a long wait and pay with the handling agent.
Edinburgh - ATC a nightmare. Wait for fuel not too bad if you call ahead, but you park "remotely" and have to get a lift in.
Heathrow - Fuelling very good last time
Helicopter Pilots Get It Up Quicker
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helicopter-redeye ...Add to that:
Direct to parking flight/no need to fly runway approaches/separate traffic patterns/direct to tower - no multiple freq changes/free tea or coffee/free weather and briefing service/no landing fees to pay...
The US might not be perfect but the UK has a lot to learn for heli ops.
PW
Direct to parking flight/no need to fly runway approaches/separate traffic patterns/direct to tower - no multiple freq changes/free tea or coffee/free weather and briefing service/no landing fees to pay...
The US might not be perfect but the UK has a lot to learn for heli ops.
PW