PIlot’s city Guides

Pilot’s guide to Cornwall

Welcome to the ninth in the FLYER series of guides to major European destinations. This month Steve Robson and Pete White take us to Cornwall and the

ornwall offers some of the most exciting and Land’s End Airport with military flying from Cornwall has an abundance of landmarks and and challenging flying in the UK for both RNAS Culdrose and Predannack with its natural features that take on an extra special the novice and experienced pilot. Just associated AIAA (Area of Intensive Aerial Activity). meaning when viewed from the air, St Michael’s Cabout every type of aircraft is catered for, It is always worth giving a call on Mount, Land’s End, King Arthur’s Castle at Tintagel from complex to microlight with a mix of grass 133.40 when you are about 10 miles away. and the Eden Project to name but a few – so be and paved runways. With its breathtaking Understandably, it can get very busy at times and sure to bring your camera. The county also has a combination of patchwork countryside, rugged they do like to operate in a known environment. rich aviation history and heritage to explore, moors and stunning coastline, there is a huge We have always found them very appreciative of stretching from the days of the early pioneers variety of ever-changing vista in a relatively a call and very helpful. Although a transponder through two world wars and up to the present small area. isn’t necessary, please use it if you have one. day. The coastline is scattered with disused WWII Much of the county sits in unrestricted If you venture further to the south-west, then airfields, all still clearly visible, but to a large extent airspace but there are a few exceptions. Newquay RNAS Culdrose can provide a LARS on 134.05, inaccessible without special permission. Many of is a very active regional airport and there are especially if you are operating anywhere near the ex-military airfields were built to protect the

commercial operations from Heliport their MATZ. south-western approaches from U-boat attacks on

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shipping during both the first and second world Scilly. Seen from the air, the islands have an best to heed local advice. For example, in certain wars. In addition, flying boats and seaplanes incredible charm and can look almost Caribbean conditions a mist can form along the coast and were also based at several of the harbours, when the sun shines on the white sands that spread inland. On the coast you might not be including the Isles of Scilly, to help in this task. edge this array of rocky crags. The airport at St able to see more than a few metres, but a mile As you cross from Devon over the natural Mary’s is about a 20-minute walk from Hugh or so inland it will be CAVOK with no hint of the barrier of the mysterious and bleak Bodmin Town with its many fine restaurants, cafes and potential danger. Moor, the first airfield you will encounter is bars. If you are a walker, then you can enjoy Cornwall has several other airstrips, some of Bodmin, the main GA airfield of Cornwall. exploring the myriad of meandering footpaths. which use parts of wartime airfields, but due to Located a couple of miles to the north-east of From the harbour, you can catch a boat to one of the fact that they are private we have not the town, the airfield is an emerald gem that the other islands, all of which have their own included them in this short guide. If, however, makes an ideal base for touring the area. individual character and charm. your appetite is whetted and you wish to find out For those who are even more adventurous, But a word of caution; although the weather more information on Cornwall’s airfields past and then there is a real treat in store some 26nm may seem benign, things can and do change present, please look at the Devon Strut website

from the tip of the Cornish coast; the Isles of quickly and catch out the unwary so it is always www.devonstrut.co.uk ■

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Porthtowan Airstrip

Porthtowan Airstrip is a lovely little short final and the power line on the southern you are a walker, there are some spectacular cliff 500m grass strip perched on the high ground side on approach from the east. There are no paths in both directions. directly behind the scenic beach and bay at facilities as such, but during the holiday season A/G radio 118.2. Landing Fee: by arrangement. Porthtowan (Towan is Cornish for sand dune). these are just a short walk away at the beach. If PPR: 01872 552802 or 01209 891756. The strip is owned by two brothers, Tim and Rupert Major. They are always very welcoming and will usually greet visitors in person. Orientated 05/23, the condition of the strip is never far from immaculate. Like all grass strips, it has its idiosyncrasies, especially being so close to the sea, so it would be very wise to call for a briefing before setting out. A couple of points to watch out for are the valley at the western end of the strip that can cause a high sink rate on

Bodmin Airfield EGLA

Bodmin Airfield is an emerald oasis of well as being a venue for Devon Strut activities. felt obliged to look after him in the bar. aviation with two grass runways, 13/31 650m I’m sure if you get stuck due to weather they’ll Bodmin Radio: 122.7. PPR: 01208 821419 and 03/21 480m. Runways 03 and 31 are oblige and find you a bit of hangar space as they or 01208 821463. Landing fee: £8. left-hand circuits, 21 and 13 are right-hand. The did for Steve a couple of years ago… then they www.cornwallflyingclub.com Cornwall Flying Club has been training students since the 1970s and the club has a strong contingent of adventurous aviators flying a wide selection of aircraft. Bodmin makes an excellent base from which to tour with good facilities on the airfield including fuel for people and aeroplanes as well as lots of B&B close by. Food is served most of the week and at weekends, and is always very good in terms of quality and price. The club holds frequent social functions as

Roserrow Airstrip

Roserrow Airstrip is the place to go if you and secondly the windsock may not be present. Non-radio but service available from fancy a round of golf, a good meal, spa As this is a Golf and Country Club, the staff may Newquay 133.4 and Bodmin 122.7. PPR: treatment or a stroll to Polzeath. Situated at the only have a limited knowledge of flying, so 01208 863000 (via the leisure facility). Roserrow Golf and Country Club, the 600m getting a brief from Bodmin is always a good idea. Landing fee: £10. www.roserrow.co.uk grass strip is orientated approximately 05/23. It isn’t marked on the usual charts and is located a mile or so north of Rock, not far from the River Camel estuary. It is easy to spot on the south of the golf course at 50°33’40.62N 4°53’25.90W. Accommodation can be arranged either at the club or there are B&B as well as a number of campsites all within easy reach. Two points to note, the strip is very wide and can give the impression that is it shorter than it actually is

Roche Airstrip

Roche Airstrip is a delightful and friendly microlight airstrip sited just south of the A30 at Victoria/Roche and in constant use since the 1970s. Most of the based aircraft are microlights or aircraft with a good short-field performance. There are four runways available with the longest being 310m and the shortest only 180m making this a STOL-only airfield – but if you do have the experience on a suitable aircraft it is worth contacting the Roche Aero Club airfield manager for details. The kettle is always on! Radio: 129.825. PPR: Mike Hanley 01872 560771 or Peter Gibbs 01872 510495. Landing fee by arrangement. ▼

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Newquay EGHQ

Newquay Airport (formerly RAF St visit this enormous aerodrome that first opened Newquay Radar: 133.400. PPR: 01637 Mawgan), is Cornwall’s main air hub. This busy in WWII and was once home to Avro 861301. Landing fee £24 (aircraft under one regional airport is open to GA traffic and usually Shackletons and HS Nimrods, among many tonne). involves a handling agent. ATC have always been other visiting military types. www. newquaycornwallairport.com very helpful, even more so if you are happy to manoeuvre to keep out of the way of commercial traffic. There’s plenty of parking space, new hangars are under construction and, best of all, the airfield is only a short walk from the beach. The website has all the information you’ll need, just look under Airport Services, then Pilot Information. Occasionally, Newquay has a fly-in for General Aviation, so keep an eye out for information that would enable you to

Perranporth Airfield EGTP

Perranporth Airfield is perched on the serves very good food. There is fuel available further away and has a wider range of facilities. top of spectacular cliffs between the towns of and parking is on the grass. It is a pleasant 20- Perranporth Radio: 119.75. PPR: 01872 Perranporth and St Agnes. Once the home of 30-minute cliff-top walk to St Agnes which has 552266. Landing fee: £0.010 per kilo MTWA WWII fighters, mainly Spitfires for the defence of lots of cafes. The town of Perranporth is larger but plus VAT. www.perranporthflyingclub.co.uk the south-west, the three hard runways are home to a very active flying community including parachuting. If parachuting is taking place you will be asked to remain outside the ATZ due to the location of the drop zone. Be aware that in strong winds the cliffs can generate curl over and wind shear, conditions best avoided, but the ever-helpful staff will advise you about the safest option. The café is located beneath the renovated WWII Tower and

Land’s End/St Just Airfield EGHC

Land’s End just has to be visited simply the café and taking in the view but if you want Land’s End Tower: 120.250. PPR: 01736 because of its location. We always find flying to explore a little further, the villages of Sennen, 788944. Single-engine: £13.50. Twin: £20. over that part of the coastline an exhilarating St Just, and Land’s End are accessible by bus Microlight: £6.50. experience and something we will never grow or taxi. www.landsendairport.co.uk bored with. The airfield has been operating a commercial service to the Scillies since the 1930s and, being as active as it ever was, it can get busy, so please, PPR. There are four grass runways available to cater for just about any wind direction. It is well served with facilities including Customs, hangars, avgas and Jet A1 and a good café. You can even hire life-jackets should you want to make the trip to the Scillies. You can easily while away the time just sitting in

St Mary’s Airport EGHE

The Isles of Scilly offer a flying adventure be obtained from the very useful website. The Scillies APP: 124.875. PPR: 01720 422677. not to be missed. Land’s End is a useful airport is closed on Sundays except for a Landing fee: £21.72 plus £8.15 parking after stepping-off point where all the preparations can departure slot in the afternoon subject to two hours. www.scilly.gov.uk/transport/ be made. There is no avgas at St Mary’s, so it insurance cover of £3m. airandsea/airport/gen_aviation_aircraft.htm may be worth filling up before you go. There is a Transit Corridor from SFC-4,000ft in order to maintain separation from the commercial traffic. There are various reporting points depending on your method of navigation. St Mary’s has three runways, one grass, one hard and one with some of each. Because of its location, it can also generate some turbulence on the approach. It is strictly PPR. All the information needed to make the crossing can ▼

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