Golf Hotel Whiskey

Golf Hotel Whiskey: for pilots and aviation enthusiasts

Seaside

Cannes (LFMD)

Cannes! The name itself is an invitation to dream. The sunny French Côte d’Azur, the beaches, and the International Film Festival. The Cannes-Mandelieu airport is located 5 kilometers west of the city and less than 500 meters away from the Mediterranean sea.

The airport has two runways. Because of sea breeze, 17 is active most of the time. If you come in early in the morning, you could get 35. The shorter runway, 05 / 23, parallel to the shore is used only under strong crosswind conditions on 17 / 35. It’s also much shorter.

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There is a LOC / DME approach to runway 35 and you can often see VIP jets flying the circling to runway 17, which is one procedure with prescribed ground track. There are a lot of areas populated by rich, and influential persons and these must be avoided at any price. Because of the high terrain immediately to the north, the missed approach point is 2.5 miles on final, which means that no IFR approach is possible if the visibility falls below 5 kilometers. When sea haze come in, this can occurs witin minutes, so be sure to have an alternate destination which is not on the coast.

The approach service is done by Nice Approach. Whether you fly VFR or IFR, remember that Nice is the second most busiest airport in France, and Cannes lies below their airspace. You don’t want to bust in this airspace… If you had a look at the IFR departures, you saw the very long leg over seat at low altitude. If you fly north, expect radar vectors well before the published distance.

I flew four times there by Cannes Aviation, and I warmly recommend their services. They operate a fleet of DA40 and DA42. Even if I could never get my site qualification for La Môle with them, but as good as they are, they can’t influence weather.

There are three ways to get from the airport to Cannes city: taxi, bus, or a good walk. You can get a taxi directly in front of the Terminal. The bus stop is a few hunder meters from the airport and tickets can be bought directly from the driver. For details, visit www.busazur.com, unfortunately in French only. Going to Cannes walking along the sea front is a one hour walk. The first part is not really nice as you have to walk along the airport fence until reaching the beach, but then you’ll walk along the beach all the way, until the International Film Festival Palace.

If you stay a bit longer, don’t miss an excursion on the Island St-Marguerite. You can take a shuttle boat from Cannes harbor. The crossing is 20 minutes long and then you can stroll along the Island and enjoy sea food in one of the Island’s restaurants.

Ten awesome days out for pilots

Here are ten days out that I can definitely recommend from personal experience along with detailed airport or destination reviews.

Shoreham (EGKA)

Airport information

Nearest town: Shoreham-by-Sea (3m by car), West Sussex

Opening times:

  • Winter: Mon 0800-1800; Tue-Sat 0800-1900; Sun 0830-1800 and by arrangement
  • Summer: Mon-Sat 0700-1900; Sun 0730-1900 and by arrangement

Longest runway: 1036m, Asphalt

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL (For refuelling with AVTUR JET A-1 at specific times call 01273-467395)

Phone: 01273 467373

Website: www.shorehamairport.co.uk, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: From £17.62 for aircraft 1.5 MT and under to £105.72 for aircraft 5.5MT and over

Note: Shoreham is a PPR airport from Mon to Sat 0800-0830 (winter) and 0700-0730 (summer).

Airport Map

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Airport services

Pubs

  • The Duke of Wellington, Brighton Road, Shoreham-by-Sea (01273 389818). A 1920s pub that’s been renovated for a more modern look. The main attraction is that this is a Dark Stars brewery and serves the Dark Stars range as well as some good guest ales.
  • Buckingham Arms, Brunswick Road, Shoreham-by-Sea (01273 453660). One of the most popular pubs in the area with a really large selection of real ales. The flipside is that it tends to get crowded and though the service is friendly, it can take some time to get the staff’s attention.
  • Lazy Toad, High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea (1273 441622). Smallish ‘local’ pub that serves some good beers straight from the barrel. Tends to attract a slightly older crowd.

Restaurants

  • Tosca Ristorante, 39-41, High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea (01273 441001, www.tosca-restaurant.co.uk). Centrally located Italian restaurant and pizzeria that has a reputation for good food in comfortable surroundings. Does gluten, dairy and wheat free options on request.
  • The Ginger Pig, 3, Hove Street, Hove (01273 736123, www.gingermanrestaurants.com). This one is fairly new but has already won much acclaim; a comfortable pub that serves an innovative menu based on local ingredients.

Hotels

  • Old Tollgate Hotel, The Street, Bramber, Steyning (01903 813362, www.oldtollgatehotel.com). A Best Western property in rural surroundings with all modcons, this is a convenient option for those going on to London or Brighton.
  • The South Lodge Hotel , Brighton Road, Near Horsham (01403, 891711, www.southlodgehotel.co.uk). If you feel like indulging yourself, this is a luxury 5-star hotel in a country house set in woodland and parkland. Nothing is too much to ask here, including champagne breakfasts!

Golf Courses

  • Worthing Golf Club, Links Road, Worthing (01903 260801, www.worthinggolf.co.uk) Two downland courses with lovely views of the Channel. Visitors welcome with advance notice.

Activities

  • Shoreham airport is a good base for trips over to Northern France.
  • Sussex has many different walking, cycling and horse-riding trails for the outdoors enthusiast (www.ruralways.org.uk).
  • A visit to Pallant House Gallery, Chichester (01243 774557, www.pallant.org.uk)  which has one of the best collections of 20th C. British art in the world.
  • For history buffs, a visit to the site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings (01424 773792, www.english-heritage.org.uk) where the ruins of an abbey built to commemorate William the Conqueror’s victory still stand.

Useful Information

Bembridge (EGHJ)

Airport information

Nearest town: Sandown (5m by car), Isle of Wight

Opening Times: Winter: 0830-1800 and by arrangement; Summer: 0730-1700 and by arrangement.

Longest Runway: 799m, Concrete

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1 and AL48, AVGAS 100LL.

Phone: 07770228852 PPR

Website: http://eghj.co.uk/, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: from £7.50 (for aircraft 750 kg and under) to £55 (for aircraft 4001 kg and over)

Note: PPR during AD hours; AD operates outside of notified licensed hours.

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Taxis: ABB-Cab (01983 403204), Cheap Taxis (01983 404747), Coastal Cars (01983 404444), JJ’s Taxis (01983 401980), Lake Taxi service (01983 402641). Note: All these services operate out of Sandown, not from the airport itself. Taxis can also be arranged for crews by calling Bembridge ATC before arrival (01983 873331)
  • Car Hire: Practical Car & Van Rental (01983 531700, www.practical.co.uk)
  • Facilities at airport: Aeroclub with refreshment and dining facilities, Wi-fi, spare mac; pub located close to airfield.

Pubs

  • The Propeller Inn, Bembridge Airport (01983 873611). Located in an old Britten-Norman hangar, with aircraft photos and prints around the wall.
  • The Crab and Lobster, Field Road, Bembridge (01983 872244, www.crabandlobsterinn.co.uk).  Fine cliff top views over the sea and excellent pub food just a brisk 15 minute walk from the airport.
  • The Old Village Inn, High Street, Bembridge (01983 872616). Traditional pub that serves a good range of beers.
  • The Pointer Inn, Newchurch, near Sandown (01983 865202). Picturesque rural surroundings and real ales.

Restaurants

  • The Pilot Boat Inn, Station Road, Bembridge (0198 3872077). Scenic location near Bembridge harbor, freshly made food and generous portions.
  • St Helens Restaurant, Lower Green Road, St Helens (01983 872303, www.sthelensrestaurant.com). Extremely popular restaurant with a focus on local ingredients.
  • La Scala, 26B, High Street, Sandown (01983 403778). Highly rated for its Italian food as well as curiously kitschy setting.

Hotels

  • Appuldurcombe House, Wroxall (01983 840188, www.appuldurcombe.co.uk). Stone cottages (self-catering) on the 300-acre Appuldurcombe estate. Houses a magnificent 18th C. mansion and an owl and falconry centre.
  • Corner House Hotel, 1-5, Fitzroy Street, Sandown (01983 403176, www.cornerhousehotel.co.uk). Family run hotel two minutes away from Sandown beach and chiefly described as “very comfortable”.
  • Oaklands House, Yarbridge, Sandown (01983 406197). A B&B that boasts of wi-fi and a small swimming pool.

 

Golf courses

  • Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club (01983 403217, www.ssgolfclub.co.uk). A 100-year old club known for some excellent views.
  • Ventnor Golf Club (01983 853326, www.ventnorgolfclub.co.uk). A 12 hole course with great views over the English channel.
  • Ryde Golf Club (01983 614809).
  • Newport Golf Club (01983 525076, www.newportgolfclub.co.uk). Proximity to Newport makes it a convenient destination.
  • Westridge Golf Centre (01983 613131). Boasts of a well-stocked golf shop and a floodlit driving range.

Activities

  • On the airport itself, visit Britten-Norman, the UK’s last surviving whole-aircraft manufacturer. Not only do they build the Islander here, but they also do final assembly on Cirrus aircraft for delivery to Europe.
  • A visit to Bembridge Windmill, the only surviving windmill on the island that has served as an inspiration to many artists.
  • Beach hopping from Sandown to Shanklin to Ventnor.
  • Wetland walks, birdwatching, cycling and other outdoor activities.
  • The High Down Test Site (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/High_Down_Report_90-2007, PDF). On the SW corner of the Isle of Wight you can see a long-forgotten fragment of Britain’s aerospace history – the testing site for rocket engines used in the Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets. The UK remains the only country to have launched a satellite into orbit and then abandoned the capability.

Useful information

Aberdeen Dyce (EGPD)

Airport information

Nearest town: Dyce (5m from Aberdeen), Scotland

PPR: Yes

ICAO: EGPD

Phone: 08700 400 006 (Aberdeen Airport Ltd); 01224 723 714 (NATS Ltd).

Website: www.aberdeenairport.com, Wikipedia entry

Landing fees:£4.63 for the first 25MT and £5.15 thereafter.

Runway: 1829m x 46m, Grooved Asphalt; 260m x 23m, Asphalt; 476m x 36m, Asphalt; 581m x 36m, Asphalt.

Opening times: Summer – 0510-2130. Fixed wing aircraft only (PPR) – 2130-0510; Winter – 0610-2230. Fixed wing aircraft only (PPR) – 2230-0610.

Fuel: AVGAS 100LL, AVTUR JET A-1

AIP plates and airport diagram

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Taxis: ComCab (01224 353 535).
  • Car Hire: Hertz (08708 502 660), Avis (08445 446 010), Europcar (08706 086 327), National (01224 595 366 ), Enterprise (01224 348 484), and Budget (01224 771 777).
  • Nearest railway stations: Dyce 2 nm
  • Passenger facilities: Two Hotels, 500 meters. Restaurant/buffet and bar. Bureau de Change. First aid treatment. Customs and immigration.

Pubs

  • Cock and Bull, Ellon Rd, Blairton, Balmedie (01358 743 249, www.thecockandbull.co.uk). Whitewashed 19th century pub and conservatory complete with North Sea views and bags of atmosphere, courtesy of characterful artefacts.
  • The Grill, 213 Union St, Aberdeen (08719 170 007). The ultimate whisky pub.
  • The Prince of Wales, 7 St Nicholas Lane, Aberdeen (08719 170 007). The emphasis here is on beer with an ever growing and solid selection of drams.

Restaurants

  • The Eating Room, 239 Great Western Rd, Aberdeen (01224 212 125, www.eatingroom.com). Small, contemporary restaurant in a granite house.
  • Nargile, 77-79 Skene St., Aberdeen (01224 636 093), Traditionally decorated Turkish restaurant complete with subdued lighting from Turkish lamps and an open-plan kitchen.

Hotels

  • The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, North Deeside Road, Pitsfodels, Aberdeen (01224 861 000, www.slh.com/pitfodels). A country house nestled among eight acres of landscaped, wooded gardens on the outskirts of Aberdeen with access to the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and some of Scotland’s best fishing.
  • Norwood Hall, Gathdee Road, Cults, Aberdeen (1224 868 951, www.norwood-hall.co.uk). The warm Victorian mansion in the leafy West End of Aberdeen offers log fires, wooded grounds, secluded gardens and the best of Scottish hospitality.
  • Mercure Ardoe House Aberdeen, South Deeside Road, Blairs, Aberdeen (01224 860 600). Inspired by the royal residence of Balmoral Castle, this 4 Star 19th Century mansion house offers 109 en suite rooms with state of the art conveniences.

Golf courses

  • Royal Aberdeen Golf, Links Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen (01224 702 571, www.royalaberdeengolf.com). The sixth oldest golf course in the world.

Activities

  • Footdee. A lovely 19th century fishing village just south of Aberdeen‘s harbour. All the cottages face inwards in squares away from the ocean.
  • Codona’s Amusement Park and The Boardwalk, Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen (01224 595 910, www.codonas.com). A seafront complex with a live music and entertainment stage, a 3D motion ride theatre, an amusement park with roller-coasters, and all the other usual gut-churning rides.
  • Duthie Park, Polmuir Rd, Aberdeen. (01224 523 201). Founded in 1883, 44 acres of exotic international plants, a Japanese water garden, a reindeer park, and a tropical glasshouse of birds, fish, and plants.
  • Gordon Highlanders Museum, St Luke’s, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen (01224 311 200, www.gordonhighlanders.com). A vibrant military museum housing uniforms, weapons, medals and the diaries of soldiers who served with this historic regiment.

Useful information

Blackpool (EGNH)

Airport information

Nearest town: Blackpool (3m by car), Lancashire

Opening Times: Summer – 06:00 to 20:00; Winter – 07:00 to 21:00

Longest Runway: 1869m, Asphalt

Fuel: AVGAS 100LL, AVTUR JET A-1

Phone: 08700 273 777 (Admin)

Website: www.blackpoolinternational.com, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: from £10 singles, £15 twins

Airport map

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Airport services

Pubs

  • Bay Horse Inn,Bay Horse Lane, Ellel, Lancaster (20m), 01524 791204. Lovely gastropub with real fires.
  • Brannigans, 29-37 Market Street, Blackpool, 01253 752277. Known to host a lively crowd and parties every week.
  • Tapas Bar, 11-13 Queen St, Blackpool, 1253 293287.  Friendly service and a range of appetizers.

Restaurants

  • Twelve, www.twelve-restaurant.co.uk, Marsh Mill Village, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, 01253 821212. Restaurant and lounge bar in the shadow of a working windmill.

Hotels

Golf courses

Activities

  • Blackpool Pleasure Beach, (www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com), amusement park and rides, children’s theme park, musicals, circus and a range of restaurants all in one place.
  • Blackpool Tower, (www.theblackpooltower.co.uk), circus and other entertainment options, especially for children.
  • Blackpool Zoo, (www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk)
  • Grundy Art Gallery, in central Blackpool. Exhibits include Victorian as well as modern British art and photographs of historic Blackpool.

Useful information