Visiting Airfields (Not Welcoming)

[Deleted]

Have just got the following update from the LAAS website regarding airfields which do not welcome spotters, or have restricted access, which maybe of some use to some members who visit lots of airfields or strips. 

1. Darley Moor
2. Guist
3. Halwell
4. Haywood (Broadmeadow Farm) Access to main hangar only due to thefts.
5. Old Buckenham
6. Sittles Farm (Pre-arranged visits only)
7. Stansted (Northside business park closed to spotters)
8. Stockton- Glebe Farm
9. Weston Zoyland

Also following airfields have closed:-

1. Chalgrove
2. Wethersfield
3. Roddige
4. Aylesbury (Thame)
5. Boreham

Under Threat/ Due to Close

1. Dunsfold
2. Long Marston
3. Gamston 
4. Linton-on Ouse 2020
5. Scampton 2022


This info was provided to LAAS members as the decision was made not to do an British Isles Airfield Guide for 2019- but provided us with an update instead.


Regards


AM 

[graham]

Thanks AM, surprised to see Westonzoyland there as they have always been fine when I visited although I must admit I haven't dropped in for a couple of years. They do have a lot of flexwings and microlights there though so it might well be because of the Rotax engine thefts.

Thanks for the list.

[brizewatcher]

Thanks for the list, AM.

Surprised to see Chalgrove listed as 'Closed'. As far as I knew, Martin Baker were still based there, interesting to see where they've relocated to.

[Deleted]

Feb 24, 2019 13:45:22 GMT brizewatcher said:

Thanks for the list, AM.

Surprised to see Chalgrove listed as 'Closed'. As far as I knew, Martin Baker were still based there, interesting to see where they've relocated to.

Hi Brizewatcher- on the update it say's in relation to Chalgrove- "Transferred to Homes and Communities Agency to facilitate the building of 3000 houses- goes on to say it is being contested by Martin-Baker. Inadequate 2018 funding decision places housing at risk". So you are right Chalgrove should be on the list Airfields at risk- its a case of watch this space.

AM

[bizfreeq]

Surprised about Old Buckenham too, always been welcomed there with a full access visit
Mark

[Deleted]

Feb 25, 2019 15:52:11 GMT bizfreeq said:

Surprised about Old Buckenham too, always been welcomed there with a full access visit
Mark

Mark, I know what you mean, I have been to Old Buckenham and have not had any problems, like yourself, but obviously some spotters have had problems hence the airfield being on the list. It is like Weston Zoyland, I have been there half a dozen times and had no problems- as have other members of this forum. But some have had problems and have been refused access. I think it is on the day and whom you meet.

AM

[bizfreeq]

Could well be right there, disappointing to hear though if it's true

[leeflyer]

Old Buckenham was very unwelcoming when I visited last July, I even had a recommend from someone that worked there, which was dismissed.

[tinmachine]

Only visited Old Buckenham once many years ago & got the old spiel about insurance purposes etc thankfully not much based there

[graham]

Good to hear from you T M

[Deleted]

Another one for the list read about it on the LAAS site- this being SANDY off the A1 apparently they don't like you taking photographing or noting aircraft numbers. Reminds me a bit like Panshanger when I collected civil and when it was open.


AM

[graham]

I can understand some fields not especially encouraging photography, after all their residents are very expensive bits of machinery and walking round, especially inside hangars taking photos is no different really from walking around a large private garage taking shots of privately owned expensive, performance cars. In many instances, the no photos order most likely comes from the aircraft owners and therefore has to be implemented by the airfield owners. But noting reggies seems odd, after all, there are huge selections of online material and books of course that readily contain all that info including who owns it, and any database such as the CAA website tells you where the plane is based, what engine(s) it possesses and the home address of the owner. So for example, anyone intent on stealing Rotax engines from micro lights has easy access to such sites where he or she can determine where these micros are based.

[bobbystreet56]

you can add fenland to the list have been twice in a year and been told i cannot log anything in the hangars that were open but ok if they were outside due to rotax thefts

[Deleted]

Another two to the list Sutton Meadows due to engine thefts, and one that surprised me- Leicester East- a guy put a post on the LAASi website stating he went to Leicester the other day asked to look around and was told in no uncertain manner that it was a private airfield and he could not. Hopefully he met up with someone who had, had a bad day. Never known Leicester to refuse before- when I collected civil, was always allowed access to the hangars. 


AM

[graham]

It amazes me why people find the need to be rude when a simple, "sorry mate, but we don't allow spotters to look around", would be more than sufficient and a darn sight friendlier.

[bobbystreet56]

best part is they have a spotters day every now and then and they actually take you in all the hangars and you are allowed to log everything .double standards

[kevingrant]

After Old Warden Gyrocopters I went to Sackville Lodge, Riseley, it has always been very friendly, I went up to 2 older people and asked if it was possible to look around, the reply was that they want to notified in advance as you had to be escorted.  I was allowed round with an escort, it was a shadow of its former self.  One of the guys chatted afterwards and said that they had lost a lot of residents and gliding had stopped, which was reflected in the log.

On 3/6 I went to Fowlmere to find the entrance now has a large electric gate with a key pad.  I followed another vehicle through and drove up to the airfield.  I walked towards the cabin to ask to go around but was greeted by a gentleman form the cabin, he asked me how I got through the gate.  He went on to say that I could not enter airside, there had been problems there and the owner had to install the gate for insurance purposes.  I asked if that applied to Flying Legends and he thought so.

Kevin Grant 

[dave]

hi,
when the engine thefts first got popular, LAASI took their guide of the website due to a pilot complaining about the details given yet the CAA site has nearly the same info. I can understand airfields reluctance in allowing spotters/photography, but as one pilot at Bournemouth said to me, we do have time for spotters has they know who or what look suspicious. Then the irony of it the airfield users want our help ie sign petitions to stop airfields being turned into housing estates! and it is getting more frequent.

We're a nuisance, but when needed we are tolerated... just.

regards,
dave...

[graham]

I remember trying to access one of the farm strips just south of Swindon about four years ago, this too had a sliding metal gate with a keypad. I pressed the buzzer, a person at the other end asked what I wanted, I asked if it would be possible to enter the field, he said, " I'll go and ask" and that's the last I heard from him. So after ten minutes waiting I buzzed again where the same person then informs me that " spotters aren't welcome here". Fine, that's their prerogative but he might have just told me that first time of asking.

[Deleted]

Add Fowlmere to the list- it is now gated- just saw a post on the LAASi site- saying that the land owner had had the entrance to the airfield gated and that spotters would not be allowed on the strip in future- this is another blow, as it was always visited during the Flying Legends weekend to see the foreign visitors. The postee said he had spoken to the Airfield Manager and he stated it was not his decision, but that of the land owner.


AM

[Jeff]

Didn't Panshanger, after threat of closure, ask the spotting community to write in and support them in fight g the housing threat

[Deleted]

Jun 9, 2019 8:36:54 GMT Jeff said:

Didn't Panshanger, after threat of closure, ask the spotting community to write in and support them in fight g the housing threat

They certainly did Jeff- and after years of abuse- the response from enthusiasts was a somewhat negative one.

AM

[graham]

Old Sarum has always welcomed spotters except for the people in the Shadow hangar who have in the past been particularly rude to visitors, including myself. Again, I see little need to be loud and rude, but going back 4-5 years ago, as I walked up towards the wide open hangar door, and having every intention of asking for access rather than just walking in, I got bellowed at by the bloke in there when I was still ten yards from the door who yelled in no uncertain terms that, " you're not coming in here".

One can but wonder whether he speaks to his own family and friends in such a manner or just saves it for the spotting fraternity, quite possibly his own little bit of self-perceived authority.

[Deleted]

Not exactly an Not welcoming airfield, but one that is due to close- reading this months LAAS magazine- there was a report re Wanborough Redlands Farm near Swindon, which is closing in August for the developers to move in to build an housing estate- sad days indeed.


AM

[Deleted]

Jun 2, 2019 18:31:22 GMT @aircraftmad said:

Another two to the list Sutton Meadows due to engine thefts, and one that surprised me- Leicester East- a guy put a post on the LAASi website stating he went to Leicester the other day asked to look around and was told in no uncertain manner that it was a private airfield and he could not. Hopefully he met up with someone who had, had a bad day. Never known Leicester to refuse before- when I collected civil, was always allowed access to the hangars. 


AM

Report on LAASi site today- a member visited Leicester East over the weekend and was allowed access with the obligatory Hi-Viz vest- but not allowed in hangars.

AM

[chevvron]

Jun 10, 2019 7:56:01 GMT graham said:

Old Sarum has always welcomed spotters except for the people in the Shadow hangar who have in the past been particularly rude to visitors, including myself. Again, I see little need to be loud and rude, but going back 4-5 years ago, as I walked up towards the wide open hangar door, and having every intention of asking for access rather than just walking in, I got bellowed at by the bloke in there when I was still ten yards from the door who yelled in no uncertain terms that, " you're not coming in here".

One can but wonder whether he speaks to his own family and friends in such a manner or just saves it for the spotting fraternity, quite possibly his own little bit of self-perceived authority.

Was he I wonder a certain retired RAF Gp Capt?  If so I know him well and I can say I'm not surprised; he was always like that.
But he did award me an MOD 'Good Show' citation for my handling (as an air traffic controller) of an aircraft emergency so I can't say too much. 

[Deleted]

Information for all.
My wife and I visited GAMSTON this afternoon on the way home from five days in Lincolnshire plane spotting and we were made welcome at all fields visited.

AT GAMSTON WE ASKED A MALE IN AN ORANGE VEST WHO DO WE ASK IF WE COULD HAVE AN ESCORTED TOUR. THIS UNHELPFUL IGNORANT PILLOCK DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK PROPERLY BY ANSWERING THE QUESTION. HE THEN WAFFLED ON ABOUT INSURANCE ETC. AND THE ANSWER IS NO HE WOULD NOT GIVE THE PERSONS DETAILS. I DID MENTION THAT I HAD RECENTLY READ ON ANOTHER SITE THAT SOMEONE TURNED UP ON SPEC. AND WAS ASKED BY AN EMPLOYEE IF HE WOULD LIKE AN ESCORTED TOUR.
THIS ORANGE VESTED MALE CAME OUT FROM NEAR THE OFFICES AND WAS TAKING PHOTOS OF PLANES AS HE WAS AIRSIDE. I ASKED HIM IF HE WAS EMPLOYEE AND HE WAS NOT AMUSED - HE SAID NO HE JUST HELPS OUT.
AS THE MALE WALKED AWAY I NOTICED THAT ON THE BACK OF HIS VEST HE HAD "GAMSTON PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES"
NO POINT IN VISITING AGAIN
LES

[Deleted]

Sept 13, 2019 20:07:52 GMT @telford said:

Information for all.
My wife and I visited GAMSTON this afternoon on the way home from five days in Lincolnshire plane spotting and we were made welcome at all fields visited.

AT GAMSTON WE ASKED A MALE IN AN ORANGE VEST WHO DO WE ASK IF WE COULD HAVE AN ESCORTED TOUR. THIS UNHELPFUL IGNORANT PILLOCK DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK PROPERLY BY ANSWERING THE QUESTION. HE THEN WAFFLED ON ABOUT INSURANCE ETC. AND THE ANSWER IS NO HE WOULD NOT GIVE THE PERSONS DETAILS. I DID MENTION THAT I HAD RECENTLY READ ON ANOTHER SITE THAT SOMEONE TURNED UP ON SPEC. AND WAS ASKED BY AN EMPLOYEE IF HE WOULD LIKE AN ESCORTED TOUR.
THIS ORANGE VESTED MALE CAME OUT FROM NEAR THE OFFICES AND WAS TAKING PHOTOS OF PLANES AS HE WAS AIRSIDE. I ASKED HIM IF HE WAS EMPLOYEE AND HE WAS NOT AMUSED - HE SAID NO HE JUST HELPS OUT.
AS THE MALE WALKED AWAY I NOTICED THAT ON THE BACK OF HIS VEST HE HAD "GAMSTON PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES"
NO POINT IN VISITING AGAIN
LES

Les,

A number of years ago- there was a guy- his name escapes me now- who used to do escorted tours around Gamston- for a £5 donation to a particular charity- I do believe that he has now retired- so the escorted tours stopped -although I have seen reports regarding people getting around- like most places its who you talk too on the day.

AM

[Deleted]

Aircraftmad
I think he was acting a pillock to protect his own access permission as I said after I questioned him further HE WAS NOT AN EMPLOYEE.
Les
PS. About five years ago my wife, grandson and I were offered a tour by an employee which we took up and no money was requested.
Les