There is a site next to the M1 at the MK/ Cranfield turning. Its a farm but always appears to have a lot of helis standing there (355 last time I passed, and a 22/ 44 another time). Findit on Googlemaps

206 jock,

The sites you mention were created by the MK Development Corporation - not sure if that organisation still exists - try MK council. There is one right next to Jct 14 as you say. I thought that the phone number for PP was in Pooleys or the Sitefinder. I also looked in Griffin Helicopters - the site is there but no contact details.

OS GR SP884412 OS Map 198

Some of them are in congested areas. You will have to judge how the Jct 14 site looks

There are three helipads in MK. Page 661, Pooley's Flight Guide, number H123, (M1 J14).

Operated by Helicopter and Aviation Servces Ltd, on behalf of MK Parks Trust.
Tel. (01427) 718800. Fax 718811. It says "unattended parking not advised"; if you want to retain your hubcaps, be aware.

I do recall a skateboard park and mountain bike track close at hand to the pad, so ShyTorque may be right about leaving it there.........

The helipad near the M1 Cranfield junction is "Helimech" an engineering company run by some ex Patriot guys.

TiP

Thanks for the replies: a good selection.

Helimech....err, if one of the engineers is there who I think is there, I'd better stay clear:eek:

Patriot...as a demonstration of how lazy I am, they are my current maintenance outfit! I've got this aversion to landing at airfields!

Pooleys! Good idea, I haven't used that reference in a while.

I'd made arrangements to land at the Halton Court hotel http://www.fownesgroup.co.uk/hattoncourt

but it looks like the weather will put paid to my plans. Driving again!

Helipad near Birmingham
 

Hello all,

I've got to get a couple of passengers to Birmingham centre tomorrow (they're going near the Bullring). Does anyone know of a suitable place to land a 109?

Thanks

JJ

I suppose the Belfry is too far away?
Had agreat time lifting out of there 1030pm last night............
Birmingham is a tricky one - always end up using EGBB as tis only short hop and normally get as much notice as you have had.
down road into centre and no rule 5 waiver required;-)
Hope all is well.
Any progress with Oxton/Birkenhead businessman?

EESDL

Yes, think I'll end up swelling Signature's coffers again!

Re Birkenhead; still working on it............

Cheers JJ

Jelly / EESDL,

Just out of interest what do Signature charge for handling at EGBB? Is it based on weight?

Its a shame you aren't bringing any car parts with you - else you could land in the social club cricket pitch at work (Land Rover) - just opposite EGBB!

Rgds,


Craig.

Moor Hall Hotel and New Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield both have pads. New HAll is tight, but Moor Hall has a Golf Course so is not so bad.

They do, but you're still no nearer the Bull Ring!
There are no helipads between the Airport and the City Centre (unless you've got a yellow 109 with a full med suite in it;) ).

Airport-taxi-Bull Ring or Airport- Birmingham International Station-New St may be your best bet.

Thanks for the replies guys.

JJ

I have landed a 109 at Holiday inn to the north,

look it up on google earth

N 52 33 22.96
w 1 55 59.15

elev 523 ft

they have special joing info and it's a grass pad with a 'H'

jj
look in the hcgb book under surname h [george ] hes at corley ive used it a few times
steve

or call me

Helipad near Birmingham
 

Try Rotorspan helicopters the heli maintenance company who are located at Droitwich.

Not B.Ham centre I know but they are only 5 mins from the M5 and 15/20 from the Bullring.

They are shown on the half mil chart.

Sorry for the late reply but the West Midlands Police Sports Club is a very good site for Birmingham city centre. The site itself, the Tally Ho, is a number of rugby pitches near to Edgbaston cricket ground. (Twins only.)

The guy in charge (the name escapes me, I'm afraid) is also a very nice chap and is very helicopter friendly (as long as you don't land on his 'square'!)

You should be able to get their contact details off their website:

http://www.westmidspoliceclub.com/en/


HTH

Tally Ho chaps but don't forget the rule 5(2)(c) exemption as it's very definitely in a congested area.

FF2000

Thanks so much for the info. Went in there twice today - and for free!

Emma in accounts who controls the HLS admin was very freindly and efficient. :ok: Why can't all hotel HLSs be handled like this?

Thanks again,

JJ

Another rip off hotel landing fee
 

About 5 miles from me there is a small hotel/pub called the Izaak Walton Hotel at the end of Dovedale. I often go in there during the summer for a snack lunch as it is a nice place with good food. The pad is a small area of rough sloping grass spotted with sheep dung next to the pub garden. There are no facilities other than the hotel itself.

It has always been free until now. Yesterday the owner came up to me when I had landed and told me that they will now be making a charge of £350 for use of the helicopter pad! For an R22. Apparently their researches have shown that this is the going rate. I guess they aspire to become a Battersea.

I suggest everybody crosses it off their list.

Izaak Walton
 

My life... I went in there with a 22 just before Christmas (for free), and another 44 was in at the same time. That was the field pretty much full.

Wasn't a particularly great site either, as the land is sloping slightly and there is a steep hill on one side and trees on another.

£350 is extortion; there can be no other word for it!! Food and hospitality was good though!

Excel HLS Contact details
 

Anybody have the contact details for the Excel HLS close to London City. Thanks in advance.

Thetford, Norfolk Landing sites
 

Can anybody recommend a landing site in, or very close to Thetford. Hotel, Golf course etc, anything thats helicopter friendly. I should mention that its for a business meeting not just for a sandwich and coffee.

Hurst House at Laugharne
 

Flown in a few times - inside the Pembrey Danger Area - fantastic countryside, three nice pads, wonderful hotel, amazing food, great beaches...and no charge.

Pub Landing Sites
 

Please can anyone suggest a pub(s) with landing site adjacent to or within sight of a pub in Essex/Herts/Cambs/Bucks.

Preferably field within scope of a low hours PPLH.

I have purchased the Pooleys heli landing sites but struggling to find a pub somewhere in the counties above

Thank you.

XTEC

Landing site for Guards Polo
 

Dear RH's,

Its been a while, but I have question to ask !..Please !! Other than Coworth Park Polo club. Does anyone know of alternative landing sites for the Guards Polo Club.
FYI Coworth Polo club fees are £300+VAT (no parking fees)
No firecover
No security
No transport
No facilities (was told that if staying there pilot would need to bring own food/water !!)
= ripoff

Any ideas ?

Many thanks

SST

Holt Lodge Hotel nr Wrexham
 

Tick VG.
Hotel owner pro chopper and free to land
but watch out for rabbit holes
details on Gary's site
griffin-helicopters

Don't go to Panshanger!

B:mad:d's charged the owner £75 to land (only there an hour or so). They stated it was a "commercial" job even though it was for the owner of the aircraft! Guy there claimed he did not like helicopters but there were 2 R22's and R44 which looked like they were based there. DON'T GO THERE!! Poor facilities and poor service.:(
Complete contrast to Earls Colne, great bunch of people.:D
SF

Panshanger charges
 

Gents (& Ladies)

I SFH from Panshanger and have heard that someone visiting in a helo "cut up" Heim Merkado (the site operator) on his fixed wing final :ugh: so he raised the price for rotary landings for visitors to deter people :\ .

Sadly he raised the SFH prices as well :sad:.

Pans always used to be such a friendly place to fly from too!

Ian.

Site near Fort William
 

Does anybody know of a site near Fort William where I can park my R22 for a couple of weeks? Oban is too far away and the local hotels probably wouldn't want a non guest flying from their grounds for that length of time. I am staying in a cottage there and want to do some flying in the area. A farmers barn with some hard standing would be ideal.

Bovey Castle in Devon
 

Nice Hotel and no landing fee, well worth a visit, not cheap but good value

Thumbs up for Billesley Manor
 

Just a note to second the earlier recommendation for Billesley Manor (just west of Stratford Upon Avon).

Took mrs Ed in for lunch. No landing fee, fantastic food, very friendly staff and I was so astounded at the price that I asked them to check they had included both meals on the bill.

www.billesleymanor.co.uk. Large lawn and easy approach from the south.

John

A Good Experience
 

Took two friends to the Ashdown Park Hotel for afternoon tea yesterday and it was a great experience. Located at Wyck Cross just inside the southern edge of the Gatwick CTR. Slightly steep approach to the H but not too tricky. No landing fee, and was met on shutdown by a steward with an electric buggy! Beautiful hotel, amazing afternoon tea (£19 per person or £35 per couple) and charming service. Highly recommended.:)

Glenfinnan House Hotel, Ft William
 

Are any forumites familiar with this place as a landing site? All comments appreciated. Esp a view on commercial ops, ie single vs twin. suitability.

I'm afraid I've only flown in fixed wing on floats.

However this is a reasonably sized single terraced lawn on te loch side of the hotel. It would be reasonably usable in a single. The location is reasonably sheltered by the terrain but the lawn is largely surrounded by trees - but not of great height. Big but is make sure they do not have an enourmous marque on the front lawn - it was there last time over halving the area of the lawn.

Might be worth ringing PLM and seeing if they have better knowledge.

Glenfinnan House Hotel
 

Used it loads of times but not Public Transport.

The way in is the way out, but there is a sports field not far away near the Bonnie Prince Charlie Monument nearby which is a much better site, and is fenced and gated.

Both sites subject to waterlogging.

The hotel will be able to advise on the alternate - ownership, etc.

Good luck.

TRC

Thanks guys, can you advise size of lawn, I gather it runs straight onto the loch - appch to N, leave to S? Google earth is, for once, no help here.

Appreciate the help.

Last time I was there, about 2 years ago, the lawn was (and possibly still is) surrounded on three sides by trees and the fourth side is the hotel.

The photo in the 'Enquiry Form' box on their home page looks as if the trees on one side might have been cut down (unless it's a really old picture). The photo gallery page wouldn't load for me, but it might for you - have a look in there, or just call them maybe.

TRC

Just loaded the photo gallery, no help at all.

I went there for a school friend's wedding a couple of years ago.

At that point, there was a bloody big marquee on the lawn, so that might well be something to bear in mind on a summer weekend!

The Priest who married them in the church overlooking the hotel had to fly to another wedding in the north of Scotland after theirs, he got a Twin Squirrel there (paid for by the next wedding's father-of-the-bride!) - nearer my God to thee and all that!

- It's a stunning location too, the church itself, when they opened the doors - wow :ok:

I wasn't really looking at it in terms of helicopters but..
The trees on the lochside are spaced and no more than 30 foot. To the south they are much higher, cann't remember to the north.

The lawn is 50m plus from the loch to the driveway but with a terrace, probably over 80 long north to south. I'll pm a small picture.