Pilot reviews of Croft Farm Airfield

“Everyone there seems to call the airfield Defford! Very nice setting, with the hills on the horizon to the West. Then again, today was a beautiful day for VFR, with Gloucester ATIS (optimistically?) reporting 50km visibility! Clive is very helpful and PPR couldn't be easier. The airfield's website has all the necessary info for planning, including circuit, photos, etc. Inbound from the North, Defford disused airfield is easy to spot, with its runway outlines and the large white aerials on site - one parabole-shaped, the other housed under a radome. Croft Fram itself is immediately to the South of the "disused" facility (for aviation, anyway). All circuits are to the South at 1,000ft AGL, or 1,100ft on QNH; that means a LH circuit for 27 (or RH for 09). For noise abatement, all villages nearby should be avoided; that means an offset final on a heading of, say, 300 degrees. The runway is 570m long, but looks longer. Either way, it proved more than adequate for a Robin with near-full tanks and 1 POB, although I came in 5kt faster than I would have liked for a short-field landing! The runway is reasonably smooth, the grass short, and obviously drains well - it had been raining quite hard over the Midlands two days before, but the runway was dry. There is a windsock halfway down the runway on the North side. One word of advice: while I made my intentions known on 119.1 Mhz as advised by Clive, I was surprised to see a based aircraft on short final just as I was vacating by the clubhouse! The clubhouse was deserted but the log was there, plus the honesty box - contributions/landing fees go to Mission Aviation Fellowship. Another neat feature at Croft Farm is the parrallel grass taxiway running along the first half of runway 27 - no need to backtrack for departure! I didn't really sample the facilities, but there is a nice "feel" about the place. I'll be back!”

“Some of the Tuesday crowd took in three aircraft : a C152 Aerobat, a C172 and a PA28 Archer11 last evening – each two up and tanks over the tabs. Circuit to the South (Left Hand for 27) and 1000’ for a quiet 300degree base to final approach. Windspeed was low - probably only 5 -10kt but Northerly, so straight across the R/W. The surface was dry, gently undulating in parts (less noticeable in our PA28 than the other A/C) but quite smooth. No problem getting in or out though we all came in a shade quicker than we planned. Perhaps the angled base leg made us higher than expected on approach or the trees were a distraction – but that’s my speculation. Owner Clive Porter is extremely helpful. He’s experienced with flying and coupled with an excellent website you get all the necessary advice when you PPR. It was quiet (as expected) but the Clubroom was open for us to book in/out and leave a donation to MAF. All in all a very pleasant experience. We hope to be able to fly in again soon. ”

“Some of the Tuesday crowd took in three aircraft : a C152 Aerobat, a C172 and a PA28 Archer11 last evening – each two up and tanks over the tabs. Circuit to the South (Left Hand for 27) and 1000’ for a quiet 300degree base to final approach. Windspeed was low - probably only 5 -10kt but Northerly, so straight across the R/W. The surface was dry, gently undulating in parts (less noticeable in our PA28 than the other A/C) but quite smooth. No problem getting in or out though we all came in a shade quicker than planned. Perhaps the angled base leg made us higher than expected on approach or the trees were a distraction – but that’s my speculation. Owner Clive Porter is extremely helpful. He’s experienced with flying and coupled with an excellent website you get all the necessary advice when you PPR. It was quiet (as expected) but the Clubroom was open for us to book in/out and leave a donation to MAF. All in all a very pleasant experience. We hope to be able to fly in again soon.”

“Good and friendly PPR grass strip. Bit of a bump halfway down, but nothing to worry about, good clear approach, but avoid overflying the village. Excellent and well run fly-in every June, with a wide variety of visiting aircraft, ranging from microlights to Mustangs and Stearmans, even a Cessna Caravan! A very enjoyable day out either as a visiting pilot or spectator. Highly recommended.”

“Good and friendly PPR grass strip. Bit of a bump halfway down, but nothing to worry about, good clear approach, but avoid overflying the village.

Excellent and well run fly-in every June, with a wide variety of visiting aircraft, ranging from microlights to Mustangs and Stearmans, even a Cessna Caravan! A very enjoyable day out either as a visiting pilot or spectator. Highly recommended.

”

“my first visit to this strip was just one week ago, I can only thank all the folks I met there for making it so enjoyable.

A real flying community

MAF pilots would think they were in heaven with a strip of this calibre, some of the places they use have to be seen to be believed.

This was also my first visit to a strip in UK it won't be my last

Kind Regards to all involved

”