Useful airfield information and home of the forum's fuel price league tables.

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By Ridders
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#789399
We were down at T2 on Sunday for an arranged get together, you know, pilots chinwag drinks, cakes and medals.
We were surprised it was closed at 10:50. We sat outside Northbrook for a while (we had some video footage to transfer) At about 11.20 it was still closed... we walked to T1, hideous long queue, kindergarden, decided it wasnt worth it based on last experience.
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By Merlin83b
#789544
I was at Shoreham yesterday, sharing the joy of flight with a couple of first time passengers. We sat outside T1 (if that's the big art deco building) and drank our reasonably priced coffees and teas from big wooden chairs at a big wooden table in the warm afternoon sunshine, watching the aviation world go by with me answering lots of questions from excited people for whom this isn't the norm.

Service from ATC, the fireman and the cafe staff was courteous and friendly and I find myself with absolutely nothing to complain about.

Sorry I (possibly) missed the opportunity to say hello to a few forumites. I was wondering past the assembled pilots (identified by HVV) wondering if I knew some of them, just not their faces. I decided not to investigate too far, since I was already socially occupied.
By tlowther
#790241
Called in to Shoreham today (for a meeting in Brighton) and everyone couldn't have been more helpful. Landing fee for an Archer was £17.62 inc VAT.

The only confusing bit was how to get to the pumps from the taxiway. There appears to be a couple of no entry signs in the most stupid of places and added to that someone in PA28 coming out of what appeared to be the only "in" and then questioning why I was where I was, meant a bit of faffing about..!
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By Tall_Guy_In_a_PA28
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#790283
The no-entry signs are a relatively recent introduction intended to prevent aircraft blocking the emergency vehicles while queuing for fuel (in reality a non-solution to a non-problem!).

It is the 'done thing' to park into wind at the pumps, but there is not enough space to turn around so the usual is to request transit of the no-entry taxi-way (sometimes pre-empted by ATC) or taxi via the apron. Not obvious to the first time vistor.
By pda1
#847366
Hi,

I'm planning to fly into Shoreham this weekend, weather permitting. I havent flown into Shoreham before and have checked Pooleys and will of course speak to ATC before departure to get a brief. I would like maybe abit of further info from Shoreham regulars in terms of likely joining instructions (flying from the west), taxi/parking and booking-out procedures.

many thanks
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By Ridders
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#847462
pda1 wrote: I would like maybe abit of further info from Shoreham regulars in terms of likely joining instructions (flying from the west), taxi/parking and booking-out procedures.

many thanks

Its really simples! Get yourself a runway layout off the AIS and also get the circuit patterns off the Shoreham website for the flight.

If your on your way in from the west, Littlehampton is the VRP for you. Its on the chart. I would usually get the ATIS (on 125.3) and check the runway direction and any other info they are giving out on there, and then make my first call to shoreham. The ATIS will tell you if approach and tower are operating or just approach. If they are on approach and tower, then get the second frequency lined up ready on the radio. First I usually call in passing littlehampton with the ATIS information letter. Depending on how busy it is, they may give you an overhead join, or if theres not much going on it could be either left base for 02 crosswind for 20. If overhead and they are on two frequencies, then they will usually ask you to remain in the overhead and change you over to the tower for decent instructions. Then, Decend the deadside as approporiate :wink:

However simpler, if you get it is a cross wind join for 20 or a left base join for 02 . These are often forthcoming if they can accomodate.

If crosswind join then decend to down to cct height for your join on the QFE (which at shoreham is 1100ft) and fly in accordance with the circuit patterns.

If A left base join for 02, the you will usually be asked not decend below 1600ft (this is for 500ft seperation) and report at worthing pier. Once there they usually ask you to decend on left base and then report final. this will take you out over the sea.

Note on 02, there is a displaced threshold, because of the railway line. Dont get too low on approach or you might be joining the driver of the littlehampton train (who also flies a 150 from shoreham).

They will likley park you on the apron. Walk off towards the firestation direction, and the payment for landing is made at the Big yellow/black "C" whoch is a briefing room, next to firestation at the western end of the main building, entrance next to the old knackered looking hangar. I only ever book out on the radio after getting the ATIS, but I believe there is some sort of book in the briefing room to do that in as well, if you want.

If you want fuel, you may want to get that before parking up. Theres a one way system, generally speaking if its on 20 then head west into the pumps from the Apron or one way taxiway, if they are on 02 then head off the taxiway into the pumps facing east.
ATC are brilliant - if in doubt ask!.

Dont forget, being coastal, this may mean that you land on one runway and later on in the day take off on the other. There is a kink to the right, to avoid some houses on takeoff from 20. Its on the pattern chart. Your takeoff will be "cleared for take off, right turn out at the coast.."
Its a lovely place to fly, just dont forget your day-glow that will protect you from all evil whilst walking airside.
kingbing liked this
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By Hawkwind
#851047
I see the website has been revamped today. What's the verdict, improvement?
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By Steve H
#974021
WiFi Information

Free WiFi in the terminalm (password = confetti), plus PC internet access in terminal briefing room plus fuelling briefing room (next door to municipal hangar). Also in 'Flying Time' - No WiFi, but web access through their PC.
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By Charles Hunt
#1408005
3 day trip to Glenforsa.

Go to briefing room, ask for a three day permit. They tell me they can't issue them any more and it's all done on the machine.

Go to a machine, key in that I want to pay £15, no note feeder and the card payment bit is sticky taped over.

Go to a different machine, go through the rigmarole, and despite apparently having a card reader, it doesn't function.

Went into T1, no reception desk but a sign saying go to T (3?). As I am in no rush I manage to stay calm, and a helpful lady says "Come with me".

We traipse back to the briefing room, and they say "We can't do that."

Fanfare of trumpets, they could provide me with £15 in coins.

So here we are in the 21st Century, and we are expected to traipse around with pounds of pounds in our pockets. The minor irritations of daily life seem to be getting worse not better with every technological advance and loss of common sense and decency.
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By AndyR
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1409812
I had the same problem a few weeks back. No provision at all for anyone wanting to stay longer than for a cuppa, or carrying a large bag of coins about.

In the end I parked elsewhere, a bit of a pain after a 4 day trip away. You'd think they would offer card payment in this day and age.
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By Hawkwind
#1595995
:( Oh dear, doesn't sound like business as usual at Shoreham:

Q) EGTT/QNLAS/IV/BO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/02/24 17:34C) TO: 18/03/24 20:00
E) LOCATOR SHM FREQ 332 KHZ UNSERVICEABLE
C0932/18

Q) EGTT/QFALC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/09 08:00C) TO: 18/03/09 20:00
E) AD CLOSED
C0952/18

Q) EGTT/QFALC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/18 09:00C) TO: 18/03/18 19:00
E) AD CLOSED
C0953/18

Q) EGTT/QFALC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/23 08:00C) TO: 18/03/23 20:00
E) AD CLOSED
C0954/18

Q) EGTT/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/26 07:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) RWY 13/31 CLOSED.
C1256/18

Q) EGTT/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/26 07:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) RWY 06/24 CLOSED.
C1257/18

Q) EGTT/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/26 07:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) RWY 02/20 GRASS CLOSED.
C1258/18

Q) EGTT/QFAXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/26 07:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) HELICOPTER TRAINING AREA ECHO UNAVAILABLE.
C1259/18

Q) EGTT/QNDAS/IV/BO/A/000/999/5050N00018W025
B) FROM: 18/03/26 07:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) SHOREHAM DME SRH 109.95MHZ (CH36Y) OUT OF SERVICE. MAY RADIATE FOR
TEST PURPOSES.
C1260/18

Q) EGTT/QFAXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/26 07:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) HEL CIRCUITS NOT AVBL FM HEL TRAINING AREAS. HELICOPTERS MUST USE
FIXED-WING CIRCUIT.
C1261/18

Q) EGTT/QNLAS/IV/BO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/25 08:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) SHOREHAM LOCATOR SHM FREQ 332 KHZ OUT OF SERVICE. MAY RADIATE FOR
TEST PURPOSES.
C1262/18

Q) EGTT/QSAAS/IV/BO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/26 07:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) ATIS FREQ 130.975MHZ NOT AVBL.
C1265/18

Q) EGTT/QSPLT/IV/BO/AE/000/021/5050N00018W002
B) FROM: 18/03/26 07:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) DUE TO SHOREHAM ATC STAFF SHORTAGES, AN AIR-GROUND COMMUNICATION
SERVICE IS IN OPERATION DURING PUBLISHED AERODROME OPERATIONAL
HOURS. ALL MOVEMENTS PPR.
C1279/18

Q) EGTT/QPIAU/I/NBO/A/000/999/5050N00018W005
B) FROM: 18/03/26 07:00C) TO: 18/06/20 19:00
E) INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES SUSPENDED. PILOTS ARE NOT TO FLY
KNOWN PROFILES.
C1281/18
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By joe-fbs
#1643159
Shoreham has been on my to visit list for a long time and yesterday we finally made it. The attractions are obvious, nice coastal location with lovely and relatively unspoilt (I knew from visiting by road) Art Deco terminal still being used for its original purpose. It is one of those airfields where visiting the website and reading the AIP seems designed to discourage visitors but, as is usually the case, when actually talking to real people the situation improves. Telephoning before departure, there is the unattractive use of a call answering service telling me things I don't want to know then a menu of buttons to push, none of which are for ATC or operations. SkyDemon does give a direct line for ATC but it is a premium rate (or at least it is non-geographic) so I did not call it. Anyway, the general office put me through to ATC who initially wanted to give me a 1530 L slot. That was no use to us so I suggested that I would go elsewhere. That got me the 1430 L slot that I wanted. Quite why a light GA VFR-only airfield on a sunny day needs slots in case they get too busy is known only to either the CAA or the airfield management but it seems difficult to understand (to be polite).

Anyway, having waded through all that, the actual flight, arrival, landing and parking were all fine. The roast dinner in the packed restaurant was excellent and all the staff helpful and friendly. The apron was also packed with visiting aeroplanes.

All-in-all it was an excellent afternoon and I recommend Shoreham as a destination but one does have to be patient with the pre-flight bits which should not be necessary, when I am spending money with someone I would rather they did not make it difficult.

Landing for a PA28-181 was £33.

One safety tip, the inbound journey from Henlow to Shoreham we did via the SFD (just to see more of the coast), and it was slightly marred by an unmarked paragliding site just north of Newhaven. They were launching off of a north facing ridge. The nearest named point on SkyDemon is "Firle Place" while on the standard 1:500000 there is a 712 spot height. I spotted the site and a group of them flying low level to one side but then my passenger spotted another group soaring above and to our other side. It was a scary moment. There is nothing on the 1:500000 chart or SkyDemon (I fly with both); no NOTAM; and Farnborough knew nothing about it when I mentioned it on the radio as a concerning moment (obviously these aircraft have no radar signature and no transponders so if they don't notify then they rely on being seen). It's all a bit odd, we get a year-long NOTAM about low-level model flying at Baldock or some advertising low-level balloon but it seems that these people can just turn-up and fly en-masse from any hill-side without telling anyone. I might survive a toy drone strike but not one of these things.
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By Charles Hunt
#1643539
Maybe I’ve got used to it being based nearby. Surely these are just fellow aviation enthusiasts flying in class G. Launch point highly wind dependent. I sometimes think the kite flying notam for southease is intended to cover the paragliders.
By masterofnone
#1643556
...but it seems that these people can just turn-up and fly en-masse from any hill-side without telling anyone

That's about the size of it - not sure if this breaks any laws. The area of the downs between Shoreham and Seaford can be an area of intense paragliding/paramotor/hang glider activity. There are many launch sites over the downs - almost none are designated and as detailed their use is wind dependent. Rarely do I see many much higher than 500ft agl. Paragliders launch at Newhaven to glide on the onshore winds that are pushed up the cliff face - they traverse the cliff face and don't venture far.

I've never had any close encounters with our paragliding chums in the 8 years I've been flying.... But then I rarely fly at their levels... I'm usually 1500ft+ agl