Mon May 16, 2011 12:58 pm
#963117
Also known as Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood (or some such nonsense!). Once RAF Finningley.
For various practical and sentimental reasons, I have wanted to visit here for some time but only recently has the cost of a visit become acceptable (just). Before you read on, yesterday to land a PA28 and stay for six hours cost me 61 pounds (which is cheaper than advertised, you have to ask for the GA leisure rate, assuming it is a leisure flight, when you ring to book). Yes I know it's a lot but it made sense to me on that day!
Obviously, it's big and easy to find so no more to say there. No problem with the controlled airspace aspects (nor have there been when I have overflown recently).
The compulsory handling with Signature is, while unecessary except to the people who run the airport, very nicely delivered. A very friendly agent guided me to my parking spot (near the main terminal which is also where the Vuclan is living); wore the reflective jacket for me; chocked and coned the aeroplane; then drove me the twenty yards to the Signature Office where he gave me a coffee while I waited to be collected. On arrival, he then drove me land-side to meet my family. For departure, because I then knew the route, my family were able to take me straight to Signature and watch me leave (which also got them a close look at the Vulcan).
I didn't try the terminal facilites but according to my sister who has been delayed there on a commercial flight, they are not good.
The aforementioned 61 pounds was split half and half between the airport and the agent. I took an ILS approach with radar vectors for which there was no extra charge.
The agent said that while 100LL is expensive there (about £2 a litre), the kerosene is so cheap that the RAF drop in to buy it!
I still get a childish pleasure out of having a Ryanair land just behind me and a Thomsonfly depart just ahead of me which is what happened.
I will be going again because the location is convenient to me.
If you don't need instrument facilities, cheaper local alternatives are Sandtoft and Gamston. Humberside is the next nearest place with instrument approaches. Landing fees at Humberside are similar but there is no compulsory handling.
I'm not a stripper but I think there is also a large strip called Finningley Village and / or Ninescores farm adjacent
For various practical and sentimental reasons, I have wanted to visit here for some time but only recently has the cost of a visit become acceptable (just). Before you read on, yesterday to land a PA28 and stay for six hours cost me 61 pounds (which is cheaper than advertised, you have to ask for the GA leisure rate, assuming it is a leisure flight, when you ring to book). Yes I know it's a lot but it made sense to me on that day!
Obviously, it's big and easy to find so no more to say there. No problem with the controlled airspace aspects (nor have there been when I have overflown recently).
The compulsory handling with Signature is, while unecessary except to the people who run the airport, very nicely delivered. A very friendly agent guided me to my parking spot (near the main terminal which is also where the Vuclan is living); wore the reflective jacket for me; chocked and coned the aeroplane; then drove me the twenty yards to the Signature Office where he gave me a coffee while I waited to be collected. On arrival, he then drove me land-side to meet my family. For departure, because I then knew the route, my family were able to take me straight to Signature and watch me leave (which also got them a close look at the Vulcan).
I didn't try the terminal facilites but according to my sister who has been delayed there on a commercial flight, they are not good.
The aforementioned 61 pounds was split half and half between the airport and the agent. I took an ILS approach with radar vectors for which there was no extra charge.
The agent said that while 100LL is expensive there (about £2 a litre), the kerosene is so cheap that the RAF drop in to buy it!
I still get a childish pleasure out of having a Ryanair land just behind me and a Thomsonfly depart just ahead of me which is what happened.
I will be going again because the location is convenient to me.
If you don't need instrument facilities, cheaper local alternatives are Sandtoft and Gamston. Humberside is the next nearest place with instrument approaches. Landing fees at Humberside are similar but there is no compulsory handling.
I'm not a stripper but I think there is also a large strip called Finningley Village and / or Ninescores farm adjacent