Going Flying
Quick links to websites showing current or future weather, wind and NOTAMs in an easily readable format. These links are configured for Lyneham UK, but can easily be changed for most other airports/airfields:
Current weather (METAR/TAF) in readable format. Find it hard to decode those one line weather reports and forecasts – this site does it all for you. The original reports are shown on the bottom left, and an interactive map is shown with other airfields – just click to view the latest reports and forecasts from elsewhere.
Wind Forecast: Detailed wind strength estimates including gusts, together with cloud cover for the days ahead.
10 Day weather outlook. Planning ahead? Long range forecasts can be very unreliable, but this gives an indication of when good weather windows might be ahead. Predicts cloud/rain/wind strength and direction.
NOTAMs for next 2 days on GoogleMap. The official website for NOTAMs is notoriously difficult to work around. This “mashup” takes the next 2 days NOTAM feed and presents it on a GoogleMap. Just click on the areas affected to view the individual notices that might affect your flight.
Airfields to visit
Some airfields in Southern England, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit
:
White Waltham: Near Maidenhead and within sight of London Heathrow, this long established club has 3 grass runways and a large clubhouse. Open until sunset or 8pm, whichever is earlier.
Sandown: Isle of Wight. Long grass strip out in the countryside, but within easy walking distance of the beach. Now managed by Britten Norman (formerly based at Bembridge), this delightful airfield is well worth a visit. Great scenery nearby
Compton Abbas: Family run airfield with great atmosphere, located a few miles south of Shaftesbury in Dorset. Not always the easiest to spot from the air, but a good 800m grass strip to land on.
Popham: Very popular GA field, just west of Andover on the A303. Two runways, the main with an offset approach.
Dunkeswell: Charming, if somewhat remote, airfield in Devon. Active parachuting and nearby gliding. Don’t mix this field up with two other nearby disused/gliding ones. Club atmosphere with tearoom/bar open in the evenings. Land before closing ~6pm and take-off (unlicenced) before sunset.
Sywell, Northampton: The three grass runways have been augmented by a further tarmac one. A large and popular GA base, this field often holds flyins. The A/G radio is rebroadcast by tannoy, giving a flavour of activity and participation to those on the ground. Hi-viz jackets not required here.
Halfpenny Green: Also known as Wolverhampton Airport and just west of Birmingham, this is a hive of GA activity. The refurbished cafe and friendly tower staff will give you a warm welcome.
Shobdon: Tucked away in the Welsh borders, you’ll find gliding, microlighting and helicopters all active here. Large cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Country walks nearby.
PPL Blogs
Many PPLs have documented their learning and later trips in web blogs. Here are a few I’ve come across that are mostly based near me:
Andy Hawkins. Also a Lyneham club member, we’ve flown several trips together. Extensive writeups from starting PPL training, gaining IMC rating and many landaways.
Leia Fee: Extremely well documented (and humorous) journey to gain a PPL in minimum hours and at minimum cost. Now owns a share. Based in South West Wales.
Stevelup: Based in Oaksey Park with a share in a Jodel DR250 tailwheeler. Learnt at Gloucester, passing and buying a share the same month in August 2010.
SteveHirlehey: More experienced (approx 500 hours) PPL pilot with share in RV6 taildragger at Gloucester.
Flying Cabbage. A low-hours PPL based at Oaksey Park, fairly close to Lyneham. Seems at a similar stage to me, except has bought his own Very Light Aircraft (Tecnam P92).
