Flying sites

[Wes]

Hi all

Anybody know of decent open areas in the SW London or greater London area? Been flying at Wormwood Scrubs public flying site but not the greatest as a bit too busy these days. There must be something!

wes

[bullittrob]

do you drive wes?,..,if so id look outside the london area as i cant think of anywhere!.,..,if your south london what about trying a drive down the A2.,.,plenty of palces along there....let us know if you drive though..

[Wes]

Hey

Yep, definately drive! Couldn't live with public transport alone!!

[Anthony]

If theres any WWII airbases that havn't been built on they may be good places to look for... Hornchurch airfield would have been a brilliant place to fly models but since I was last there about 15 years ago I think it's been turned into a housing estate.

[Radweld]

I believe you can fly at Richmond park, only problem being is it would take half a day to get there and back. There is a field just north of Heathrow apparently but I have never flown there so don't know where it is.

[Anthony]

Ooo how about South Weald country park in brentwood, essex? :)

I used to go there as a kid and it had huge areas of cut grass, I used to use my RC cars there and a few rubber band powered planes. I'm sure you could get away with using electric parkzone planes there too!

[Wes]

Look what I found....

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Disused airstrip - pretty damn big too! Think I will have enough runway to put my Spit down??!!!

[Wes]

oops, forgot to say - type in "Ockham Common"

[Radweld]

If you can get access there it looks like a great place and i would like to try there as well. It would be good to have a SL meeting lol

[Wes]

Access looks good as I see some videos posted on youtube flying at that site. Also various walks posted on the internet which go through the site. Almost too good to be true! I am going to drop by there tomorrow morning as wind forecast at a low 2mph! Will let you know what it's like! A squadron meeting there might just be pretty cool!

wes

[Wes]

Just heard from a guy who flies there. Said that a club use it now and again but not often. Nobody seems to mind them flying there.


To get there travelling North bound on the A3, take the exit for the M25 and double back on your self, rejoining the A3 South bound.

You pass the lake on the left. Look for a long layby and take the lane at the end. Its marked on the road sign as a dead end.

At the end of the lane you'll see some big logs and a metal gate.
Enter the airfield there.

Sounds good to me!!
w

[Radweld]

Well if the weather is good this weekend, I would be up for some flying there. Let me know buddy.

[bullittrob]

Check this link,.. i love old airfeilds! This one looks amazing, let us know if you fly there..best do it quick before this stupid goverment put a housing estate on it!

http://www.airfields.fotopic.net/c1381377.html

[ralphp]

Bulli.....tone please.....tone.

What ever your political or personal views...this isn't the place young man!

I'll have your stripes!

[bullittrob]

;:eek::D:D;)

[ralphp]

Wes and Rad.....
A little recon from you gents would be most welcome. Let us know how you both get on.....and please can we have some shots of your "sorty"

Whatch for the hun gents! happy flying and landing!

[Radweld]

I have a Flycamone2 video that fits on my T28 nicely, this is sounding great, I hope the weather holds for the weekend.

[Wes]

Well, just back from Wisely airfield! Location is fantastic. You cant drive your car in but I just parked right in front of the pedestrian gate. Takes about 7 mins to get up to the actual runway walking along the taxiway and then there it is...in all its 6000ft glory!

The runway has clumps of grass on it but you can easily find a clear section for roll out. I had my pz spit with me (no landing gear of course) so chose a field next to the runway. Not the greatest field at the moment for belly landing as it is a mixture of grass, soil and stubby stalks which could cause some damage or broken props.

Was my maiden flight after upgrading to 35mhz and she left my hand like a rocket!!! (lipo for you!) Had to push her nose down and put in loads of down trim which then sorted her out. Cut flight short as had horrible response on my left aileron (just way to soft) so lined her up for landing and brought her nicely down. (this thing lands like a trainer!!) No damage on landing, just some mud and scratches.

I will definately be back there as it's just such a great huge space! If you have wheels (T28) etc, then the runway is perfect for you, otherwise you have to find best possible spot in the field and hold thumbs!!!

Rad, I cant get out there this weekend as working unfortunately but let me know if you go and how you get on and we can arrange another time.
Here are some very dodgy mobile phone pics!!

[ralphp]

excellant!......send in the squadron!

Pic's are fine, another airfield to "re-group"
I'd put this in your flight log as "majour success!" we done young man!

*but inner wing tip yellows?* anyway at least it's not a Knight rider black! LOL!

Again well done....who's next on this patch?....me thinks the RAD!

[Wes]

:D damage to wings made me patch it up with yellow insulation tape....dont worry, in the process of sorting it!!!

[bullittrob]

that place looks awsome,.ive got some big birds with wheels which would suit it perfect!....only thing its right round the other side of the M25 for me!...but never say never!.....................................:rolley es:

[Wes]

I also got some big IC planes that I am thinking of taking there...mmmm will see...:)

[bullittrob]

""IC"" it what always ends up getting people banned from places.,but if theres no one about for miles you may be ok..,.,ive gotta go there even just to have a walk about ,.n,.loose myself for 30 mins or so....theres always an attmosphere at old airfeilds!!......is the old control tower there still??,.

[bingethink]

I live right next to Richmond and I can confirm you can fly electrics there. In fact it has as dedicated 'flying area' about ten minutes walk from the Sheen gate car park. Large open space, lots of soft grass particularly late in the summer before it dies back.

You just have to avoid the deer during either the 'rut' of just after the little un's are born.

[Wes]

yeah true, IC does tend to make a bit of noise!! Might just stick to electrics at this field. You know I didnt see a tower where I wouldve expected it to be. Totally know what you mean by just losing yourself there! I love that atmosphere and imagining what it was like when it was still in use. Has an almost ghostly feel about it.

[Radweld]

Well chaps, I went here this morning with my T28 in tow, spent about 2 hours there and shot some video as well. It's an amazing place to fly, huge open space with nothing to get in the way. It's simply fantastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39JW1bGYrt8

[MalcolmS]

Hi Folks

I live in South London and fly in a smallish park called Norbury Park which is usually quite empty unless you go there on a sunny Sat afternoon. Also very close too me so that if I feel it is too windy or it just doesn't feel right I can go home again without too much guilt. Also not too far to go feeling sheepish when the wind does catch the pane or the battery goes flat at just the wrong time and the plane goes home in more pieces than it arrived!!

I have also heard that you can fly at Croydon aerodrome as the Croydon Model Club fly there (not that I will join them as I am sure they will sniff at my PZ stuff) which is right on the A23 and seems big enough. Have yet to try Richmond Park or the are near Heathrow which is Cranford Park where the Hayes club fly. Richmond would seem to have too many trees and people/deer but I will try them all when I get the chance.

However the airfield does look like the winner but maybe not for our belly floppers - might be too much attractive looking concrete that I know all foam planes just love to explode on!!:D

Still should be good for an SL Squadron get together one day. I am sure I would not be too embarrased to fly with you guys:o

Love the video Rad - should have buzzed yourself nice and close so we can see you :eek:

[Wes]

Hey Rad!

Great that you got out there this weekend and looks like amazing weather! Pity I was couped up in a windowless studio all day! Fantastic video. Awesome flying site eh?

Wes

[ralphp]

looks like this ones a hit! some good shots Rad looks like you had a good time.....