Golf Hotel Whiskey

Golf Hotel Whiskey: for pilots and aviation enthusiasts

TBM-700 vs. PC-12

PC-12 in Flight

A turbo-prop aircraft is the ultimate upgrade for serious private pilots.  The Socata TBM-700 and Pilatus PC-12 offer near-jet like performance with the flexibility and short-field capabilities of a light aircraft and increasing numbers of owner-pilots are choosing these highly-capable aircraft for business trips, hobby flights and, for the more adventurous, to fly over the poles or around the world.  But which is best? [Read more…] about TBM-700 vs. PC-12

101 Dalmatians

There were three singles and the Cessna 303 and eleven souls. G-BURT and G-CBTT the PA28s, G-BBGX the C182 and N154DJ. I would fly BURT with the insurance broker, the IT manager and the accountant took CBTT. The hotelier and the account manager flew in their 182 and the financier, the carpet maker and the diplomat completed the roll call in the Cessna 303. [Read more…] about 101 Dalmatians

Compton Abbas (EGHA)

Airport Information

Nearest Town: Shaftesbury, (3m by car), Dorset

Opening Times:

  • Winter: 0900-17:00
  • Summer: 0900-18:00 on Monday – Thursday & Sundays; 09:00- 20:00 Fridays & Saturdays

Longest Runway: 803m, Grass

Fuel: AVGAS 100LL

Phone: 01747-811767.

Website: www.abbasair.com, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: £ 8.50 for all types of aircraft

Note: PPR required (occasionally unlicensed after 1700hrs due shortage of RFF crew)

Airport Map

[post-geocode zoom=”14″]

Airport Services

  • Taxis: Country Cars (01747 850950), Ed’s (01747 853525), Hilltop Taxis (01747 855555), Hines Taxi (01747 829292), Jim’s Taxis (01747 858584), Shaftesbury Taxis (01747 855009, www.shaftesburytaxis.co.uk). Note: All these services operate out of Shaftesbury, not from the airfield itself.
  • Car Hire: Dorset Vehicle Rentals, Gillingham (01747 835580, www.dorsetvehiclerentals.co.uk)
  • Facilities at airport: Restaurant (with fine view over the runway and apron), bar and gift shop
  • Flying Schools: Aviation training conducted at the airfield

Pubs

  • Talbot Inn, The Cross, Berwick St. John, Shaftesbury (0871 9170007). Friendly pub with a great fireplace and picturesquely located in a quiet village.
  • Ye Old Two Brewers, St. James Street, Shaftesbury (01747 854211). Family run pub with a good selection of real ales as well as wines.
  • The Half Moon Inn, Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury (0871 917 0007). Strictly speaking, half-way between a pub and a restaurant, but serves up some great steaks and lets you drink at your pace.

Restaurants

  • Wayfarers Restaurant, Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury (01747 852821). A 200 year old cottage that still maintains a log fire and serves up some British staples.
  • Byzant Restaurant, Best Western Royal Chase Hotel, Royal Chase Roundabout, Shaftesbury (01747 853355). Housed in a former monastery building, this restaurant is among the best fine dining options in the area.
  • Le Chanterelle, Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury (01747 852821). French cuisine with a focus on local ingredients, freshly cooked on the premises.

Hotels

  • La Fleur de Lys, Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset (01747 853717, www.lafleurdelys.co.uk). Variously described as “six star”, “faultless” and “impeccable”, this 7-bedroom hotel is much acclaimed both for the quality of its rooms and its restaurant’s food and wine list.
  • Stock Hill Country House Hotel, Gillingham, Dorset (01747 823626, www.stockhillhouse.co.uk). Victorian country house hotel set in 11 acres of splendid Dorset countryside. Boasts of a Michelin starred restaurant.
  • Glebe Farm B&B, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset (01747 811974, www.glebefarmbandb.co.uk). Friendly owners, personalized service, home-cooked meals and views from the highest village in Dorset.

Golf Courses

  • Ashley Wood Golf Course, Wimborne Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset (01258 452253, www.ashleywoodgolfclub.com). 100-year old all-weather course with four holes situated inside ancient woodland.
  • Canford Magna Golf Club, Knighton Lane, Wimborne, Dorset (01202 592552, www.canfordmagnagc.co.uk). Dorset’s largest golf course, built to championship specifications.
  • Folke Golf Centre, Alweston, Sherborne, Dorset (01963 23330, www.folkegolfcentre.co.uk). Caters to golfers of all abilities.

Activities

  • Airfield has an interesting museum with a “Flying Aces” Movie aircraft collection of historic and classic aircraft used in film and television productions.
  • Visit Old Wardour Castle, a late 14th Century residence, where part of the film, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves was filmed.
  • Visit Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden, set on the site of one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries in England (01747 852157, www.shaftesburyheritage.org.uk)

Useful Information

Flying in Europe

Cannes Airport

I am a UK-based Cirrus pilot but having trained in the US and flying an N-registered aircraft across Europe, I wanted to give American visitors an idea of what they can expect if they decide to go flying in Europe. [Read more…] about Flying in Europe

Hotel in a 747

image The Jumbo Hostel at Stockholm airport is a real 747 converted into a hotel. How cool is that? I want to fly to Stockholm just to stay there. There are even two beds in the cockpit. (Hat tip and more photos: Inhabit.)

The hotel has 25 rooms with three bunk beds in each one. There is also a lounge. All the rooms have views out over the airport so it’s excellent for plane spotters and aviation enthusiasts.

There’s another disused 747 at Lelystad Aviodrome museum but you can only walk through it, not sleep in it. (See Lelystad Aerodrome review).