[2Donkeys]

It's been a year or so since I was last in Blackpool, and my recent visits have all consisted of parking on the main apron and filtering through the glorified Portakabin out to the carpark at the back of the Premier Inn at Squires Gate.

On Sunday, I plan to pop up for a short trip to stretch my IFR legs, and give number 1 son, going through his ATPLs at the moment, the chance to practise his IFR Comms skills.

In the back of my mind is the idea that there is/was a handling firm with a hangar and a caff providing a nice alternative to the Squires Gate experience. Am I hallucinating, and/or is this alternative still available? All hints and tips gratefully received - I'd ideally like to avoid leaving the airfield and schlepping into town.

[AndyR]

Been a similar amount of time since I’ve landed there. Also believe there was a whisper of such a thing, but don’t think anything came of it.

Have to say, there are better places to go, surely? Especially if you have no need or desire to leave the airport.

[2Donkeys]

Thanks @AndyR

In digging around, it appears that there was, very briefly, a cafe offered by Hangar3, who remain handlers at the airfield - but the cafe has gone. There is a pub, the Air Balloon landslide at Squires Gate, but otherwise, you need to head into town.

As a matter of curiosity Andy, where would you suggest as a decent IFR airways run from Cambridge if you have no intention of leaving the airfield at the other end - but ideally with a cafe or similar available. With Europe essentially closed, the choices are fairly limited. Many obvious candidates like Gloucester don't really make sense as an airways destination.

[GrahamB]

Haverfordwest?

The cafe is a bit ‘all day breakfast’, no instrument approach, and you’ll run out of airway abeam Swansea, but it’s an easy enough place.

[philbik]

As a matter of curiosity Andy, where would you suggest as a decent IFR airways run from Cambridge if you have no intention of leaving the airfield at the other end - but ideally with a cafe or similar available.

I'd suggest Hawarden (EGNR) as I've flown this route myself. There's a popular on-airfield cafe close by landside.

(Do check the current situation because I understand that there may be restrictions on visiting due to Covid.)

[kanga]

.. Many obvious candidates like Gloucester don't really make sense as an airways destination.

why not ? (in genuine curiosity) .. Nearish 2 Airways with their own reporting points for joining/leaving (eg BADIM/MALBY or via BCN), used operationally and for IR training by IFR movements all the time. I gather The Aviator is back in good business. Oh, and JAM open (1300-1600) at weekends

[Sir Morley Steven]

Jersey

[welkyboy]

Jersey

Jersey has mandatory handling for £50 with GAMA you can get a coffee but nothing else, also mandatory Covid test which after midnight Monday will entail isolation until result is received!

[2Donkeys]

What I'm really after is a destination that meets the following criteria

1) Instrument Approach Procedures available

2) Well connected to the airways system - although not necessarily directly connected

3) With an airways routing from Cambridge that doesn't involve a massive overhead compared to an OCAS routing.

4) That doesn't cost an insane amount to land and park

5) That has food of some sort available within easy reach

It turns out that there aren't many that fit the bill - but Blackpool is one that does.

Gloucester fall foul of (3) @kanga. The channel islands are all great, but under COVID are not particularly welcoming without COVID tests and similar. Bournemouth and Southampton fall foul of 5 and perhaps a little bit 4. Southend is an option, but not very useful coming from nearby Cambridge. Biggin is not bad. Lydd falls foul of 5 as I understand it. Robin Hood, East Mids, Leeds, Teesside and Newcastle all fall foul of 5 and some have tendencies towards 4 too. Haverfordwest fall foul of 1 and 2.

What have I missed?

[GrahamB]

What have I missed?

A flight to somewhere that fulfills items 1) to 4), where you just do an approach or two without landing and then a return to Cambridge for something to eat or make yourself up a gourmet packed lunch to eat enroute? That's what autopilots are for.

[AlanC]

Prestwick gives you 1-4 - not the closest, but reasonably direct routings, with some pleasant (for training) complexities enroute with variable base airways. Very quiet, pretty reasonable charges for SEP, various approaches available. Catering onsite is limited to tea/biscuits and an honesty box in the flying club on who's apron you would be parked for a turnaround, but bring your own sandwiches and it makes a pretty good training run. Just wish they were equally reasonable for MEP, I'd be there a lot more!

[CloudHound]

I think Sywell fits the bill pretty well apart from being a bit close.

Could you not plan a route via say OTR? It’s only LNAV pro tem though.

Coming to a database near you next year will be

Haverfordwest
Kemble
Leeds East
Sherburn
Denham
Cumbernauld

Most of which have food!

[2Donkeys]

Cumbernauld is particularly exciting @CloudHound. Somewhere reasonably priced and accessible IFR as an alternative to the ludicrous Edinburgh and the expensive Glasgow.

[rogerb]

ANT at Blackpool used to be very welcoming

[BoeingBoy]

Try Hangar 3 at Blackpool. They offer exec jet handling and have a VIP lounge.

https://www.hangar3blackpool.com/handling-department

Sadly being based at Hawarden I can tell you that it fits your bill entirely but is situated in Flintshire which is under lock down. On top of that Airbus have decreed that there will be no leisure flying allowed (although training is so you can practise your IR there). Once on the ground though you will not be allowed landside if you've landed from outside the county.

The cafe is excellent and there are other options easily reached by taxi if required.

For happier times in the future......