OurAirports: Comments on airports in United Kingdom

[XPLO] "Helicopter tours" by david

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:33:01 -0400

Comment by @david on Plockton Airstrip, United Kingdom:

The airport currently seems to be a base for helicopter tours:

http://tours.pdg-helicopters.co.uk/Skye-helicopter-tours-g.asp?tour=20

[EGPC] "A field with lots of character" by philippe

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:47:12 -0400

Comment by @philippe on Wick Airport, United Kingdom:

This is a former RAF base from world war II which is the only one still using the original buildings. The FBO, Far North Aviation, is in the original tower. You feel very much into "Battle of Britain" here. Great service, very friendly, no hassles with the paperwork. A very nice place to land after or before crossing the pond. The approach is a LOC DME and the weather can be low, but even though it's called the Highlands there is nothing solid to hit near the airport. The local scotch (Old Pulteney) is excellent, as is the beer (the Real Mackay).

[EGTF] "Fairoaks Airport near Chobham Surrey UK" by farnborough1

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:55:21 -0400

Comment by @farnborough1 on Fairoaks Airport, United Kingdom:

This is a very busy GA Airport with both Fixed wing and Helicopter traffic.

For many years it Housed the London met police helicopters and recently G-SURY the Surrey

POLICE helicopter was based there but due operational problems has now moved to RAF ODIHAM.

This Airfield is very busy during the Farnborough international Airshow.

For spotters and people wanting more information:

http://fairoaks.110mb.com/unofficial.htm

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/fairoaks/about?hl=en email list open to all

please do not enter Any part of this airfield without permission .

[EGHL] "lasham qla" by farnborough1

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:39:37 -0400

Comment by @farnborough1 on Lasham Airport, United Kingdom:

This is now a very busy airfield not just for gliding but for Various types of JETS .b737 757 BBJ A319

Many are for maint at ATC Lasham but there has been recently a number of airliners broken up.

Caution must be exercised at all times due to Gliders being Winch launched ,

There is no access to the ATC Site for spotters please do do stray onto the airfield

Access to the glider area is avail as is a Restuarant and public area .

for Spotters info see http://farnborough.proboards.com/index.cgi?

[EGLK] "BLACKBUSHE EGLK" by farnborough1

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:28:15 -0400

Comment by @farnborough1 on Blackbushe Airport, United Kingdom:

correct name HARTFORD BRIDGE FLATS but commonly known as BLACKBUSHE .Its in HAMPSHIRE Not as most people Say Surrey .Airfield has a long History used in WW2 by USAF CANMIL and

others before civil times with BEA and many others . Became a GA airfield in the 1960s after

bitter battles to keep it open.

Home to many types of GA Aircraft and Helicopters and some BIZ types .Is now the home

of BLINK CE560 Mustangs probably the easyiest place to see them .

The Natives are friendly lot and there is a spotters group as well.

[EGLF] "security" by farnborough1

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:30:18 -0400

Comment by @farnborough1 on Farnborough Airport, United Kingdom:

If you visit Farnborough to view the Aircraft please be aware that there are regular police

patrols in the area. They will ask you for ID and reasons for being there that is all .

they are pretty friendly and know most of the local Spotters.

On the perimeter there are few places to view from , nothing at all north side near the

TAG Terminal or entrances. you can view near EELMOOR Bridge near the canal or from

the Site of SBAC Show entrance on the A325Road please do not stray onto the AVIATOR

HOTEL Grounds security are not Friendly to spotters. Visit at weekend the FAST Museum

olso on the A325 10AM TO 4PM Well woth the visit and FREE .

[EGLF] "map on website" by Anonymous Flier

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:54:31 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Farnborough Airport, United Kingdom:

First time have seen this website very good idea but a big job

The Farnborough MAP is way way out of date as it does not show the new terminal thats

been built

TONY

EGLF Local

[EGWA] "Former airfield" by david

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:40:25 -0400

Comment by @david on Andover Airfield, United Kingdom:

This was once RAF Andover, and the remnants of the a runway are still visible in the satellite photo if you zoom out a bit. In 2008 there were plans to redevelop the site as a major Tesco warehouse.

[EGHR] "History" by david

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:28:04 -0400

Comment by @david on Chichester/Goodwood Airport, United Kingdom:

During World War II, this was RAF Westhampnett. Two fighter squadrons (145 and 602) were based here during the Battle of Britain. Later in the war, the USAAF also used the field. It became a civilian airfield after the war.

Since the late 1940s, a motor racing track, the "Goodwin Circuit", has run around the airport perimeter.

[EGTI] "Film lot" by david

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:50:24 -0400

Comment by @david on Leavesden Aerodrome, United Kingdom:

Leavesden, which hosted an important military Rolls-Royce factory during World War II, was taken over as a film lot in the 1990s:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leavesden_Film_Studios

[EGLL] "Scars" by Anonymous Flier

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:10:05 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom:

This is obviously an old photo (pre 17Jan) as you can clearly see the scars left by the undercarriage and engines of the BA38 on the grass area. It shows as a very bright green set of 'tracks'. Could google send their satellite over LHR again soon to see them please?

[EGTK] "June 2009 Visit - Oxford (Kidlington Airport)" by cashinhand

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:50:50 -0400

Comment by @cashinhand on Oxford (Kidlington) Airport, United Kingdom:

Popped in using free landing voucher (Pilot Magazine). Very well equipped IFR airfield - ILS/NDB, 1552m of runway and a very smart GA terminal. Small Costa Coffee bar and another restaurant within the Oxford pilot training school. Helpful operations staff and reception who got us a taxi and gave us a guide to the city.

Normal fees for a light piston (under 2.73 tonnes) is only £15+VAT weekdays or £10 including VAT at weekends, or free if you uplift 45 litres of Avgas.

Service - 5/5, Food - 3/5, Facilities - 5/5, Runway and Nav Aids - 4/5 (no radar other than BZN), Costs - 4/5

One of the better airports in the UK

George Cardew

[EGNF] "Sheffield Flying Club" by stu

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:55:11 -0400

Comment by @stu on Netherthorpe Airfield, United Kingdom:

EGNF is an active airstrip undertaking flying instruction, aircraft maintenance as well as general aviation. It has a CAA license, allowing flights for public transport of passengers as well as instruction. The flying Club opened in 1935 and is the oldest in South Yorkshire.

[EGCB] "Peel Airports" by stu

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:48:44 -0400

Comment by @stu on City Airport Manchester, United Kingdom:

Another one of their acquisitions. They tried closing it...like Sheffield (SCA). This time their local Council refused!

[EGSY] "Sheffield City Airport" by Anonymous Flier

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:30:37 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Sheffield City Heliport, United Kingdom:

Despite closure the matter has been raised with the European Parliament. A Petition arguing against closure has been presented. This is currently being investigated by the Europen Commission

[EGTB] "Busiest air park in Britain" by Anonymous Flier

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:37:36 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Wycombe Air Park, United Kingdom:

Wycombe Air Park is in the top 10 airports in the country, ranked by movements, even when compared with the big international airports. It still handles in excess of 100k movements per annum.

Used to be all about gliding and fixed wing training, but in recent years helicopters have moved in and spoiled things. Not only that, it's bought the Air Park into conflict with residents, who are annoyed by some 20k movements per annum, often over urban areas. There's a DfT investigation going on into that right now.

The Air Park's also under threat because Wycombe Wanderers and Wasps and looking at it as a potential site for a new stadium. The lease is up in 2014 so there's a real possibility of change.

[EGHO] "Thruxton" by Miket67m

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:47:49 -0400

Comment by @Miket67m on Thruxton Aerodrome, United Kingdom:

Friendly airfield in Boscombe Down CMATZ

[EGXH] "RAF Honington" by Jamie88

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:03:54 -0400

Comment by @Jamie88 on RAF Honington, United Kingdom:

Spent a week here in 2002, slept in a Nuclear bunker for the whole duration!

[EGSY] "Airport closed 30 April 2008" by david

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:51:11 -0500

Comment by @david on Sheffield City Heliport, United Kingdom:

The airport was closed on 30 April, 2008, with plans to develop a business park. A heliport will stay open, however, for police and medevac use only.

[EGHL] "Repossessed jets" by david

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:50:20 -0500

Comment by @david on Lasham Airport, United Kingdom:

This former RAF base is now used mainly for gliding, but since the fall 2008 credit crunch, it's also been used to store repossessed passenger jets:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1083888/Pictured-The-graveyard-credit-crunched-budget-airlines-send-unwanted-passenger-jets.html

[EGUY] "WYTON RAF IN MY HEARTH, FOR EVER." by BRAVO

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:32:15 -0500

Comment by @BRAVO on RAF Wyton, United Kingdom:

AT THE END OF THE FALKLANDS "AFFAIR" ( I DON´T WANT TO SAY WAR ) I WENT TO WYTON RAF FOR A TRAINING COURSE ON CANBERRAS PR9. THREE OF THESE AIRCRAFTS FLEW TO SOUTH AMERICA AND BECAME PART OF THE CHILEAN AIR FORCE FLEET.

THERE IN HUNTINGDOM, I KNEW WONDERFULL PEOPLE AND I HAVE SPECIAL RECALLS OF THAT STAY.

[XBRO] "Article on Ashaig Airstrip" by david

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:04:52 -0400

Comment by @david on Skye Bridge Ashaig Airport, United Kingdom:

Here's a detailed English-language article about this airstrip from a Dutch site:

http://www.aerlines.nl/journal.php?m=page&p=13

[EGPR] "Landing on the beach" by david

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:46:28 -0400

Comment by @david on Barra Airport, United Kingdom:

This airport has scheduled service from Twin Otters that land on the beach.

[GB-0004] "History" by david

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:50:42 -0400

Comment by @david on RAF Molesworth, United Kingdom:

There was an airfield here from 1917 until the 1980s. It's still an active (non-flying) airbase belonging to the RAF and used by the U.S.

[EGHF] "Schedule to close in May 2008" by david

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:47:16 -0400

Comment by @david on RNAS Lee-On-Solent, United Kingdom:

The Royal Navy has abandoned this field, and it is scheduled to close on 14 May 2008; however, the Lee Flying Association is challenging the closure.

[EGXC] "re: Landing at EGXC" by david

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:43:51 -0400

Comment by @david on RAF Coningsby, United Kingdom:

Jean-Paul:

You can find contact info for RAF Coningsby at their official web site:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafconingsby/

[EGXC] "Landing at EGXC" by Vaes

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:58:34 -0400

Comment by @Vaes on RAF Coningsby, United Kingdom:

Dear Sirs,

On the 17th. of june I would make a flight with my PA28 (OO-JGA) from EBKT to your field, with a couple of friends who will go for Golf at Woodhall Spa. Return flight would be on the 18th. of june.

Is this possible and wich are the rules at Coningsby Airfield ?

Kind Regards.

Jean-Paul Vaes

Nopstal, 28

B 3202 Rillaar.

jp.vaes@marvel.be

Tel. 0032 479.945.944

[EGMD] "London Ashford Airport" by david

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:42:03 -0400

Comment by @david on Lydd Airport, United Kingdom:

This airport has been officially renamed to "London Ashford", which is a bit of a stretch, since it's 60 miles from Charing Cross. There are plans to expand it and bring in airline service, with lots of local opposition.

[EGKK] "Living in the South Terminal" by david

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:21:39 -0500

Comment by @david on London Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom:

An unemployed chef managed to live in Gatwick's South Terminal for almost four years before he was finally arrested:

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/open_thread/2008/02/grounded_at_gatwick.html

[EGXB] "Filming location for Memphis Belle" by david

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:35:06 -0500

Comment by @david on Binbrook Airfield, United Kingdom:

In 1989, Binbrook -- a retired RAF field -- was used for the filming of "Memphis Belle".

[EGLL] "Boeing 777 runway undershoot" by david

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:52:35 -0500

Comment by @david on London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom:

On Thursday 17 January 2008, British Airways flight 38, a Boeing 777 inbound from Beijing, landed short of the runway at Heathrow with its gear not fully deployed -- there's some indication that the plane had a power loss. There were only minor injuries, and the airport continued operations using its other runway. Wikipedia is already on top of the story:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_BA38

[EGLL] "New terminal" by david

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:55:14 -0500

Comment by @david on London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom:

In March 2008, Heathrow will be opening its new Terminal 5, with 112 stores and restaurants (designed to handle traffic at the 2012 Olympics). There's a virtual tour at the airport's web site:

http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/site/default/menuitem.d8b3e9cee80c57c1077c4e5d9328c1a0/

[EGLC] "Compass anomalies" by david

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:26:50 -0500

Comment by @david on London City Airport, United Kingdom:

Metal buried under the runways at London City airport is causing serious anomalies for magnetic compasses:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080114/sc_nm/britain_airport_magnetism_dc_1

[EGHH] "Vickers-Armstrong" by david

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:34:47 -0500

Comment by @david on Bournemouth Airport, United Kingdom:

This is where Vickers-Armstrong manufactured several of its planes, including the Vickers Viscount (I took my first flights as a baby in Viscounts and Vanguards).

[EGHH] "Ryanair coming" by david

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:29:50 -0500

Comment by @david on Bournemouth Airport, United Kingdom:

Ryanair plans to base a Boeing 737 here and fly additional routes to Malaga, Murcia, Nantes, Palma and Wroclaw:

http://www.uk-airport-news.info/bournemouth-airport-news-090108.htm

[EGGP] "liverpool jla airport" by Anonymous Flier

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:17:57 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Liverpool John Lennon Airport, United Kingdom:

best low cost airport in uk

[EGKK] "Fond memories" by Bonnie

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:43:15 -0400

Comment by @Bonnie on London Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom:

Gatwick was the first airport I ever landed at outside of North America. It was my first time flying overseas, and we flew Wardair (a Canadian airline, sadly no longer in business). I remember the excitement of seeing the green fields of England after the long trans-Atlantic flight. When the plane landed, I started to clap, and all of the passengers joined me in spontaneous applause.

Almost 20 years ago, I remember the access to the tube to get into London was good, as was access to the south, where we were headed.

[EGLL] "Avoid Heathrow" by david

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:25:18 -0400

Comment by @david on London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom:

Tim Bray has a blog entry on why you should avoid Heathrow at all costs:

http://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/200x/2007/07/03/Avoid-Heathrow