UK airfield access

BIKEPILOT

I'm hopeing to visit more airfields in southern England this year and would appreciate any information on access for photography/spotting at the following airfields as i've not been to them for many years.

KIDLINGTON EGTK

THRUXTON EGHO

WYCOMBE AIR PARK EGTB

REDHILL EGKR

WHITE WALTHAM EGLM

Many thanks Neil

AirFan

At Wycombe air park if you vist on the first Saturday of the month. Heli-air will allow access to their hangars. I have visited some of the other airfields, but only spotted from public areas. Hope that helps a bit.

andybaker

hello

i know that barton in man"c is not on your list but if you ever do come down to the northwest at barton you will have to where an high vis jacket i was there in sept 2008 when they had an fly in and an openday if you go into the office where the atc tower is above it you can still have an look inside the hangers at barton but let them know in the office 1st.

look up G-LEEZ G-GMPX just 1or2 i put on this website when i went in sept 2008.

ttfn

andy baker

northwest-uk.

BIKEPILOT

Thanks for the info AirFan well worth knowing I would like to get to Wycombe before Aero Expo in june so I can get the lie of the land before I go to the show, by the way if you get down to Shoreham you can get a guided tour airside just ask in the visitor centre or give them a call 01273 441061.

Thanks for your info also Andy, i'm thinking of having a weekend spotting farther north than Watford later in the year and Manchester was one of the places I thought about.

Neil

SEAGULL845

WHEN VISITING REDHILL,GO TO LONDON HELECOPTER CENTRE,RECEPTION IS TO THE RIGHT OF WHAT WAS THE OLD BRISTOWS HANGER,ASK THE GIRL AT RECEPTION IF ITS OK TO GO AROUND AND YOUL BE ASKED TO SIGN VISITORS BOOK.ALSO PUT SOMETHING IN THE CHARITY TIN TO KEEP THEM SWEET.GO DOWNSTAIRS INTO FIRST SMALL HANGER,AND YOULL ALSO GET ACCESS TO BIG OLD BRISTOWS HANGER,EXPECT AROUND 15 HELECOPTERS,AS FOR REST OF HANGERS GOOD LUCK!!.YOU CAN WALK IN FRONT OF THEM BUT DONT GET HOPES UP OF ACCESS,THERES ABOUT 10 AIRCRAFT IN MIDDLE NEAR TOWER AND HANGERS OTHER SIDE IF YOU DRIVE AROUND THE AIRFIELD

BIKEPILOT

Thanks SEAGULL when we get some better weather i'll be off to Redhill, last time I was there back in the 80's I think I seem to remember they wer'nt to keen on spotters sounds a lot more freindly now.

Neil

ChrisHall

Hi Neil

I find that if you ask at control, most will allow you to go airside, I always take a high vis jacket with me as most will ask you to wear one.

The only airfield I have had a refusal was at Conington Peterbrough, but that didn't matter too much as it is a small airfield with very low fences around it.

The main thing to remember is, although you may get permission to go onto the airfield, this does not give you access to the hangers, so be prepared to ask at each hanger.

If you ever fancy a trip to Manchester Airport, let me know and I can show you the best places on the southside

regards

Chris

BIKEPILOT

Hi Chris

When I was at Goodwood in October someone there said it was psooible to get on the airfield if I found the right person to ask so will do that next time. I resently remembered that I got into one of the hangers at Thruxton many years ago were there was a Seafire under restoration as well as some Harvards. I guess the only thing to do is ask, If you don't ask you don't no as they say.

Many thanks Neil

[deleted]

Heard on the news the other day that there have been plans put in for a mass property development on the Long Marston Airfield site. On national Radio.

Anyone else hear this bad news?

ChrisHall

Just an update some of the UK airfields I visited recently

THRUXTON EGHO

visited earlier this month, asked at ATC, they no longer allow access airside

WYCOMBE AIR PARK EGTB

visited October 09, no one available at control, asked at one of the maintainance hangars, access was granted

WHITE WALTHAM EGLM

visited October 09, access to the hangars is sometimes granted if a member of staff is available to accompany you

OLD SARUM

visited earlier this month, asked at ATC, no problem with access airside, but must wear a hi-viz, accompanied access to the hangars

WELSHPOOL

permission normally granted at control to access all areas

WELLESBOURNE MOUNTFORD

permission normally granted at ATC to enter grassed area in front of hangars and flying clubs, BUT not allowed to cross the taxiway to the main parking area.

TURWESTON

ask at ATC, permission normally granted to access all areas

PETERBOROUGH-SIBSON

ask at ATC, permission normally granted to access all areas

SHIPDHAM

ask at main hangar, permission normally granted to access all areas

SHERBURN-in-ELMET

ask at ATC, no problem with access airside, but must wear a hi-viz

SEIGHFORD

depends on what mood they are in, sometimes access is granted airside,but not all the time

SEETHING

ask at ATC, no problem with access airside but dont enter the hangars, must wear a hi-viz

RUFFORD

ask in the club house and you will get a guided tour

POCKLINGTON

ask in the club house, no problem with access airside or the hangars

PANSHANGAR

ask in the club house or maintenance hangar, access airside sometimes granted mid-week if they are not too busy, but not at weekends

LITTLE GRANSDEN

ask at the YAK hangar and make a donation the the club house coffee fund (normally Â£2 ) access to the hangars OK if they are open

LEICESTER

ask at ATC, no problem with access airside, but must wear a hi-viz

HINTON in the HEDGES

ask at the maintenance hangar for permission, and at each hangar if they are open

HALFPENNY GREEN

funny one this, when I ask at ATC, I get the reply

"I cannot give you permission, but you are welcome to have a wander around"

access to the hangars is OK if they are open

FULL SUTTON

ask in the club house and you will get a guided tour of the hangars

FOWLMERE

ask in the portacabin, access to the hangar is OK if it is open

FENLAND

ask at ATC, no problem with access airside, but must wear a hi-viz

ENSTONE

two parts to this airfield

ask at Enstone Flying Club and you will get a guided tour of the hangars

the otherside of the airfield is the Oxfordshire Sportflying Club, again ask for permission at the club and access is not a problem

ELSTREE

ask at ATC, permission normally granted to access all areas

ELMSETT

ask at the club house, permission normally granted, but ask at each hangar if they are open

DERBY-EGGINGTON

ask in the club house and you will get a guided tour of the hangars and the parking areas

CROWFIELD

permission normally granted if you ask at control

CROSLAND MOOR

ask at the farm house permission normally granted with access to the hangars if they are open

CAERNARFON

permission normally granted at control to access airside, BUT must wear a Hi-Viz, ask at the maintenance hangar if it is open

BOURN

permission normally granted if you ask at control, BUT must wear a Hi-Viz. the hangars here are all private, if they are open seek permission before entering

BECCLES

permission normally granted if you ask at control

BARTON

ask at reception which is below the tower, access normally granted around the hangar areas, BUT NOT the grassed area infront of the tower

ANDREWSFIELD

ask in the club house, access normally granted around the hangar and parking areas.

The above applies if you are visiting by road, if you fly in then airside access is never a problem.

The most important thing to remember is ALWAYS seek permission before going airside, if for some reason you are refused, accept it politely and stay in the public areas, and always take a Hi-Viz

BIKEPILOT

Hi Chris

Just seen your post many thanks for the info very useful

Neil