Airfields near the coast

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Member for

18 years 10 months

Posts: 2,757

I'm thinking of arranging a fly-in at an airfield in the UK near the coast, ideally within walking distance of an RNLI station, and, hopefully, to persuade the airfield owner to drop the landing charges and instead, the pilots pay a donation to the RNLI, maybe get a local branch to bring a sales stand etc. Only problem is, I can only think of airfields inland, so does anyone here know any airfields close to the coast, ideally near an RNLI station?

Cheers, Rob

Original post

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 8,505

Clacton? 'm not too sure of airfield locations or their proximity to the coast but that one springs to mind. Only one problem with Clacton though is that it is a small airfield - VERY small, and you would not be able to get many visitors in.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Caernarfon
Weybourne
Cromer
Perranporth
Le Touquet
Lydd (Oh dear)
Shoreham
Lee on Solent
Woodvale

You'll have to sort out the RNLI stations. I wouldn't have a clue where they were

Moggy

Member for

14 years 11 months

Posts: 126

Cauldrose!! - just because I like Cornwall - big enough - surrounded by RNLI stations - good map reading exercise - great for ILR approaches - run at weekend, nobody flying, due to lack of MOD fuel funds - instant chopper support for any lost at sea!!

Cheers Brian

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 8,505

Let's go mad and add Eday to the list. If you walk off the west side of the airfield you are almost immediately on the beach. Oops sorry forgot there's probably no RNLI station nearer than Kirkwall.

Member for

15 years 2 months

Posts: 2,828

I trained at Perranporth and really enjoyed my time flying from there, so I recommend Perranporth. If you get an approach to runway 09 you fly final approach over the sea.. all circuits are over the sea too regardless to which runway is in use! Great fun.

Not sure how close the local RNLI are though.

Member for

14 years 11 months

Posts: 45

Lands End/St Just?? Sennen LB is nearby...

Member for

14 years 11 months

Posts: 126

Lands End/St Just?? Sennen LB is nearby...

Perfick! - lovely little Airport (Its got customs there - or used to have), Lands End post office just down the road (If they hav'nt shut it) to send postcards from and a small bar/tea room - what more could you look for - if you miss it you end up in the Scillies as a nav cross check (risk assessment for 'elf & safety).

Cheers Brian.:D

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 10,647

I would recommend Perranporth, Perranporth has an inshore RNLB, down the daramatic north coast you have the renowned St Ives and Sennen Cove Lifeboats, Sennen being one of the most dramatic sites and is still slipway (two slipways) launched.
Perranporth is worth a look around in its self, having many of its WWII airfield features still in place, such as Control Tower, Battle Headquarters and fighter 'E' pens.
Lands End airport would also be handy for the last two mentioned and the Penlee lifeboat near Penzance. Ther was an old Oakley Lifeboat on display at the Lands end experience aswel.
St Merryn (ex RNAS, HMS Vulture) still has a private strip, this is handy for Padstows slipway Lifeboat.
You would still need to get transport from the airfields to the RNLI sites though.

Member for

15 years 7 months

Posts: 1,707

Land's End threw out the resident private flying types end of last year and the Choxaway cafe has been shut for years so its probably a no-no. Perranporth is still general aviation friendly, I believe

Member for

15 years 2 months

Posts: 2,828

Yeah the cafe at Lands End went quite a while ago.. then theres the whole thing about Lands End kicking out the flying school in January 2009 for British International to move in from Penzance only for them to change their mind until later on in the year.

I last flew in to Lands End in 2007 and it was a nice place - nice staff, nice ATC too. Not sure what its like there now though.

Perranporth is also under new owners since I left in 2007 but from what i've heard they are doing the place up nicely. The airfield had a hangar built not long before I left Cornwall so if you require hangarage they can provide you with it. Their website is below which also includes a few photos I took during my time there..

http://www.perranporthairfield.co.uk/

Truro Airfield is another option but its more inland and very quiet. Mind you, I also had a nice time flying from there for a while too.

Porthtowan airfield is also an option, its a private strip though so i'm not sure if they accept outside traffic. I met the owner once and he was a nice chap so i'm sure his airfield is an option, but again, I dont know the proximity to the local RNLI.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 526

Skegness.??...and you could have go on the railway around the site too.;) http://www.davesrailpics.bravehost.com/lclrreopens/LakesideArrivala.jpg
http://www.lincolnshire-coast-light-railway.co.uk/index.php

http://www.skegnesslifeboat.org.uk A long walk from the airstrip.!! ...but the RNLI link is there.;)..

or NorthCoates...but it's a long walk to anywhere..:);)

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,389

How about Blackpool then.

The RNLI have a place on the front. Well it is the lifeboat station after all.