[RichardC]

Ladies and Gents,

Has anyone flown into Newmarket (July Course) please? If so, any observations or advice on runway condition etc? I've had the official briefing etc but any first hand knowledge would be useful. We'll be in a PA22.

Thanks,
Richard

[johnm]

Took a PA 28 in there a couple of years ago, it wasn't an issue as long as you are briefed and they know you're coming it's pretty straightforward

[Sir Morley Steven]

Blimey not for 15 years. There was no drama back then apart from the airprox on the way there and getting lost on the way back.

[malcolmfrost]

IIRC the ruway also doubles as gallops, so if they're happy to put an expensive racehorse on it it will be fine for a PA28!

[PeteSpencer]

Was a bit bumpy in the past Frankie Dettori's Seneca had a propstrike on takeoff in early 2000s with fatal consequences....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/773519.stm

[dont overfill]

Been a while for me too. It used to be one way in and opposite way out on one of the runways due to stables and trees. Bloody great hump in the middle took out a Seneca a few years ago.

I think the runway was what they called the July strip. That aside it was OK.

[RichardC]

Thanks all - sounds like we should be in for a good day.
Richard

[Flyingfox1985]

You need to fill out a form available through the jockey club to be land there.
Pretty easy, just call them and they'll post it to you.
If your flying in on a race day there rules about takeoff and landing etc that's described in the form you'll receive.
Grass is short and the July course is plenty long enough. 1000m
The rowley mile has a nasty hump in the middle.

[Flyingfox1985]

Ps if you overfly the grandstand or national stud your in trouble!
Straight in approach over the A14 I think towards the grandstand and take off away from it.

[rml133]

I flew in in a fully loaded TB20 some years ago. The grass was somewhat long, but then so was the strip. I'm just pointing out to not expect it to be mown short like a regularly used runway. I'm sure it's not the groundspeople's priority.

[RichardC]

Thanks for all your replies.

We flew in at the weekend and all went well. We'd already got PPR and the briefing, and done the paperwork (all by email). As various people have said, that all made it very clear that its over 900m, land on 14, take off on 32 etc.

The grass was short and not too bumpy at all. Apparently there's no preferred frequency nor a preferred climb out heading for a missed approach, but avoid buildings, people and horses. An obvious point, but tailwind take-offs (and subsequent rate of climb) in hot weather obviously require some thought.

Richard