Golf Hotel Whiskey

Golf Hotel Whiskey: for pilots and aviation enthusiasts

Newquay Cornwall Airport

Tricky Isles of Scilly landing video

FlightSchoolList.com has recently posted this video of a tricky landing at Newquay Isles of Scilly from YouTube. The creator of the video noted that:

After landing at Newquay we found out the winds were at operating maximums for the aircraft, hence the rather interesting approach. The aircraft both ways were DHC-6-300s operating for Skybus. Filmed with an XH-A1, goodness knows how I didn’t get told off for that…

I must also add how awful Newquay airport is. Easily the worst airport in the UK.

This airport has a pronounced hump in the middle of the runway and several flying groups ban landings there because it is so difficult to get into. Does anyone else have any suggestions for ‘worst runway’?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGlLcCjavj0[/youtube]

PS Apologies – this was initially posted as Newquay Airport which has, in fact, one of the longest, smoothest runways in Europe. Just a bit of confusion here at GHW Towers but apologies for the mistake.

Newquay Cornwall Airport (EGDG)

Newquay Terminal

Huge RAF base with a small-ish but modern passenger terminal.  RAF controllers are excellent (as ever) but handling is expensive, compulsory and not that helpful.

Flying to Cornwall on a clear day is gorgeous.  One can see the whole peninsula in a glance.  It’s easy to spot the Eden Project and the gashes and slag heaps that are the byproduct of mining for china clay.  You might be able to get a Ryanair flight from Stansted to Newquay for 99p but the view’s better in our Cirrus.

Most small airports charge a modest fee for light aircraft but Newquay insists that you use a handling agent; adding £30 to the pricy £40 landing fee.  Taxis to Padstow cost £18 each way and the handling agent can book them up so that they are waiting for you on arrival.

Aerial View

RAF St. Mawgan served as a base for the Nimrod long-range maritime patrol aircraft during the cold war but the addition of a civilian terminal has turned it into Newquay Airport but air traffic control is still staffed by excellent RAF controllers – the best in the business.
However, the controllers at St. Mawgan don’t usually work weekends if there are no incoming flights.  If you want to visit on a Saturday or Sunday, call in advance so that they can put someone in the control tower for you.  And don’t tell our enemies in case they decide not to attack on a weekday.

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Airport information

Landing fees: £19.00 per tonne or part over 2.5 tonnes

Compulsory handling: Weston Aviation, Phone 01637 860551, Email: Email: newquay@westonaviation.com
Airport website: www.newquay-airport.co.uk

Services

Car hire: Europcar, 0870 6075000

Aircraft charter: Focus Air Charter, 01637 860551