Pilot reviews of Chichester Goodwood Airfield

“Landed at Goodwood on 27th June, we were three aircraft intending to visit the flyin at Avranches, France. A warm front which had cleared UK was still causing 400ft cloudbase in France, so we had to nightstop at Goodwood. We were given a brochure with hotels and B+B to choose from and found the Horse and Groom pub a couple of miles from the airfield. We were helped to book a local taxi firm with a minibus for eight of us and stayed at the pub. Food was first class and a lovely quiet village location. Staff at Goodwood were most helpful in faxing GAR forms, flight plans etc. The briefing room is well equiped with all blank forms required, computer for live weather etc. The airfield is well looked after, free chocks for visitors, rope tie downs to a static parking line. You can retire to the pub knowing the aircraft will be the right way up when you get back in the morning. The facilities justify the landing fee i think, it's a lovely place to sit on the decking and watch others fly, or pop over to the trackside to see bikes/cars using the track. Thanks to all at Goodwood, we made France the next day and had a good weekend coming back to Liverpool via Alderney for duty free fuel! ”

“I flew into Goodwood on the 26th August in my Jabiru, this was a practice run for next week, when I have a slot to fly in for the Revival meeting. The airfied was busy but ATC were very helpfull, despite all the preparation work going on for the Revival the airfield was in brilliant condition. The food and service were excellent, highly reccomended, but be aware of the noise abatement circuits.”

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Flew in to go to the new Pallant Houce Gallery in Chichester - worth a visit if you are that way inclined (or if you want to see if you are) Fine building and well displayed, top quality, eclectic art collection.

Airfield was in pritine condition. OK it was the day before the festival of speed. Plenty of runways. Good ATC service. V friendly welcome. Someone going into the city offered to drive us in so saving £8 taxi fare - mitigating the otherwise expensive landing fee.

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“Goodwood is a really friendly and accomadating airfield with excellent service and one of the biggest breakfasts around. There is a wealth of attractions locally, but the airfield and car race track provide enough diversion to while away several hours. I fly there for servicing and am always happy to wait for the service to be completed. The large white tents ontop of the downs at Goodwod horse racing track provide an easy VRP from miles away. Last time I was there I was treated to an accrobatic display by one of the locals.”

“Straighforward, you can't miss it, assuming you have the DME/VOR set correctly. An easy visit.”

“I love to pop in for coffee and sandwich. Always welcoming and friendly. It has a great atmosphere. Landing fees a little high! £15 ish.”

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“Very nice airfield to spend a few relaxing hours in the clubhouse with a pint (for px) and cup of coffee (for Pilot). The staff there are extremely friendly indeed and service with a smile. WELL DONE!!

Landing fee is abit more than usual at £15 but well worth it!!

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“Helpful and professional. Contacted for flight information they later called me to tell me of poor weather ahead and invited a free diversion into them. A cut above most GA fields in many ways.”

“Goodwood's a friendly field just under the downs. The decking outside the club-house is a fine place to sit and watch the world go by.

The locals are helpful souls. When we were grounded by poor weather they found us some space in the hangar and gave us a lift to the nearby hotel. (Thanks chaps)

Always a pleasure to visit.

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“Goodwood is surely one of the most beautiful aerodromes in the country. Set in the idyllic Sussex countryside, it must surely be one of the most desirable fly-out locations for the general aviator.

A beautiful setting, fantastic facilities, good food, friendly staff/members - Goodwood is a magical place. When you land have a wander across to the pit-lane and gawp at the assortment of exotic cars whizzing around this historic track. Or maybe a walk onto the South Downs? Play a round of golf, go to the races, or perhaps an exploration of the ancient capital of Chichester? Too many things to list, and you'll find it hard to leave the aerodrome!

If you like to fly into 'London-urbanville regional business international spaceport' on the ILS, to be met by a 'follow-me' van directing you to a grey piece of apron, where you'll be met by a handling agent ready to take your papers, make you feel a nuisance because she has a Citation VII to meet in 5 minutes and collect your £30 landing fee, Goodwood is not the place for you.

If however, you prefer to sit in the sun, and watch a Harvard on a curving approach to the grass, lots of smiling faces, the smell of hot exhaust, grass between your toes and a resplendant feeling that life is good - get yourself down to Goodwood.

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“Would recommend Goodwood - very friendly and helpful tower staff, and a lovely location - coast on one side, country on the other! Pilot shop looked interesting too (although I didn't have time to browse, unfortunately). ”

“I have to admit to being biased, being a member at Goodwod, and having recently finished my PPL there (now doing IMC). Despite having moved my Cessna closer to home at Dunsfold, Goodwood remains very dear to my heart. I can safely recommend this amazing place to all at UKGA.

Apart from being in a beautiful part of the country, the airfield provides 3 runways (in pretty good order for grass), really helpful ATIS, and a superb technical and engineering service.

The airfield was originally known as West Hampnett, a satellite field during the Battle of Britain. A statue of Douglas Bader, who flew from there stands near the clubhouse.

There's a VOR on the field, so you really can't get lost!

The clubhouse offers particularly good food, and for members a very relaxed clubroom, both with great views over the field.

The instructors and staff are unbelievably helpful - nothing appears to be too much trouble; from a wet behind the ears novice to a 10,000 hours pro, you will be made most welcome.

The field is encircled by the Goodwood racetrack, where most days there is track activity (take your supercar down for a day - great fun!). Look out for the two major events during the year, Festival of Speed, and Revival Weekend.

The club run various events (DC3 to Caen was great), and there's a Harvard if you're into flying a warbird - speak to Dieter if you want a go.

Close by are Chichester town, and the Goodwood Estate - golf for those who are interested, and the house itself for tourism, as well as the horse race track if you like the gee gees.

As you can gather I'm a fan - go see for yourself!

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“Goodwood is well known in GA circles and has quite rightly earned itself a reputation as a friendly airfield. The tower is unintimidating to the newcomer and takes good care of you with traffic and airfield information. My first visit to Goodwood was unscheduled. I contacted the tower to ask if I would be allowed to pass through their overhead. He asked me if I was sure that I wouldn't rather land as they had fresh coffee! The hard-sell worked and it was a lovely impromptu visit. I returned the next day for more coffee and a bun. An easy airfield to find as it is nestled just south of the South Downs and at the north-east edge of town. This picturesque grass airfield is in the middle of the famous motor racing circuit and you can see the cars racing from the cafe/bar balcony. They may ask you how you would like to join and I would recomend overhead at 2000ft as it gives you time to determine which runway is yours. There is a slight "hump" a third of the way up runway 24 but nothing serious. An airfield that every pilot should have in his logbook.”

“Goodwood is indeed an excellent all-round GA aerodrome in a brilliant setting.

Unlike some locales, ATC is always just so helpful, especially the two ladies who work there, one of whom is, I think, part-time.

The nicest thing about Goodwood apart from its delightful location is that they really understand how to balance control & regulation with customer service and so, as a place for recreational flying, I thoroughly recommend it!

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“Goodwood is the most friendly and welcoming airfield I've visited in the UK in over 20 years flying.

Easy to find (on-site VOR/DME or DF 'homing' from air traffic, and plenty of good landmarks) all staff are helpful, ATC is brilliant, the clubhouse food is smashing and the airfield location just perfect.

Only one small complaint - if you're making a day of it, there's no public transport to get into Chichester or to the coastal towns, only expensive taxis!

Still, you can't have everything!

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“Be aware of a hump on runway 24 that (in a PA28) will try and launch you skywards at about 15kts below flying speed. Not a problem if you know its there, but has frightened a few visitors in the past, myself included the first time I found it. ”

“Goodwood must be one of the nicer airfileds in the south of england. Always made to feel really welcome. Helpful and very friendly ATC. Good clubhouse. good food. Excellent”

“Excellent clubhouse, facilities, aircraft. Both the Goodwood Flying School and Vectair operate really nice aircraft (Former have PA38's & PA28's, the latter has a good range of Robin aircraft). VOR on airfield, so easy to find. Lovely views of the south coast and downs. ”

“Lovely, Friendly Airfield with Excelent Food & Cakes
Visited on Sunday 6th July 2003.
Looked like they had a very neat fleet of training aircraft.

I will certainly be returning.
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