Pilot reviews of Carlisle Airport
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11 Jul 19 -
John Langford - London
| “ | 6th July to 8th July. Flyout with three aircraft from Wycombe, used Carlisle as a base for a couple of days for trips to Oban etc. It has always been friendly, but boy has this place been transformed! Runway now outstanding as it has been upgraded for commercial traffic. Ops people very helpful. Parking secure. Fuelling by truck swift and friendly. Always surprised me more people don't use it as an overnight destination, it is perfectly placed for interesting flights out in every direction. ” |
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18 Jul 16 -
Dylan Smith - Port St Mary
| “ | Visited Sat 16 July 2016 to go to the Solway aviation museum, which is just outside the airfield. The airfield was welcoming, the fuel bowser was sent to me as soon as I parked so there was no delay on topping off the fuel tanks, and the weekend A/G service did what it said on the tin. Additionally the airfield is 'police designated' which means no GAR form needed by the UK special branch if you're coming from NI or the Isle of Man or Ireland (obviously, check this is still up to date when you plan to fly). We also visited the café under the tower for lunch. It's only a modest place but they did a good scampi and chips (proper thick cut chips). The museum is very much worth visiting, and you can get inside the Vulcan and the Canberra too. The buildings have an array of interesting exhibits including a lot of avionics and engines from the early days. ” |
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23 Aug 13 -
Michael Kenny - Salisbury
| “ | Was there last Christmas and used the flying school facilities and rented a PA28 with the CFI - the only way to do it as the airfield was closed yet the flying school has "out of hours" dispensation, so can't comment on all the facilities etc. The flying school were excellent and went out of their way to accommodate me on Christmas Eve with flying over the lakes, Hadrian's Wall and Spadeadam (only when the RAF aren't playing!).
From what I could see the airfield is ideally located with good runways, so worth a visit. ” |
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3 Mar 13 -
Roy C - Bolton (fly From Blackpool)
| “ | Another good trip to Carlisle from Blackpool on a fairly cloudy day (03.03.13) Usual route and on arrival usual good friendly service from the ATC
Parking on the tarmac and given parking spot by tower.
Landing fees more than some airfields but the cost of keeping these places manned and looked after in case we decide to pay a visit is obviously substantial so all in all, compared to the rise in fuel costs, landing and facilties are good value for money.
Cafe was usual good value and great choice
Carlisle is still a great trip out from the North West and Yorkshire areas. I would encourage more people to use the facilties as I suspect its use or loose even if the airfield gets its impressive (and expensive) makeover
” |
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22 Sep 12 -
Ian Holliday - Salisbury
| “ | A very warm welcome, both on the radio and from all those we met during our visit. Having got my PPL there 31 years ago before relocating down south, I thought it was time to go back and checkout the old place. In a way I was pleased to say that not a lot has changed and it's still a beautiful area to fly into. Henry's Airport bar has now become a cafe, but there was a good choice of food and beverages. Apparently a lot of changes are about to happen at Carlisle-not before time some would say, but that old world charm will be missed by me. Still it's great to hear that perhaps for the first time since the RAF left, the airports future is a little more secure. ” |
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19 Jun 12 -
Liam Sandie - Barnsley
| “ |  Visited Carlisle on 18/06/2012 from Netherthorpe in South Yorkshire. We were in a Cessna 172, G-ROLY. We routed via POL VOR and then north over the dales and via Windermere.
Stunning views on the way up while we talked to London Information.
I opted for the NDB/DME procedure for runway 25 just for practice as it was good VMC. Not the best accuracy but glad I did it anyway.
Landing was easy on the nice long hard runway. Parking instructions were offered by the tower and they were welcoming. They questioned if my VFR flight plan should be closed or not but were helpful in this respect too.
Landing fee of £21.60 was not that cheap.
We opted for a full breakfast in the cafe surrounded by interesting photos including ones of when Prince Harry flew in.
Lots of fast jets on display including a Vulcan which were interesting. Fast jets also seen to fly overhead too, as they are very active in this area.
Great flying day, although I would not want to visit in any more cloudy conditions as there is a lot of high ground around.
It seems Carlisle is unlikely to take off as a regional airport but still a great GA airport and well worth a visit.
We will be back, maybe on a clear winters day for some more stunning views!
” |
6 May 12 -
roger penney - greasby, wirral.
| “ | Visited on Saturday 5th May. Clear weather to the north made others think of going that way, or is everybody thinking of going north due to the Olympics? We had been to Kirkbride which now has avgas. Due to the fact that there was a wedding on at the White Heather Hotel at Kirkbride and they were not doing food for visitors, we flew over to Carlisle. Unusually it was busy with probably nine or ten light aircraft visitors, some were out for the bank holiday weekend I think.
ATC is always good here, today it was just an AFIS, but friendly and helpful.
We did not buy fuel, It was £2 per litre plus vat I think.
The cafe is always serves good quality pilot food but on this day there was one member of staff trying to cope with numerous pilots and visitors who had screaming kids running around. Hence a long wait and could not get out quick enough due to the noise.
There is not much choice up around this area, but worthy of ringing Kirkbride if you need fuel. Landing there is only £10 for a PA28 and £21.60 at Carlisle.
Carlisle obviously don't want the custom of GA pilots. ” |
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29 Apr 12 -
stuart chater - halifax
| “ | Revisited Carlisle taking advantage of better weather to the north. Despite being a glorious sunny day we were the only aircraft on the apron and the only visitors in the cafe - this is probably because the landing fee (C182) was £32.40 and avgas £2.46/litre! For an airfield that is A/G at weekends and with the navaids notamed as 'switched off' at weekends the pricing policy at Carlisle will deter the average GA visitor. ” |
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27 Jan 12 -
Roy C - Bolton (fly From Blackpool)
| “ | Where to go from Blackpool on a cold and miserable January day. Carlise always a good bet and as usual, good ATC and friendly welcome. Cafe not too busy but warm and freindly as always. Good parking and very quiet, probably due to the forecast. Staff said that the development of the airport is still under review so lets all hope it comes off and another great facility for GA doesnt get lost.
” |
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13 Jul 09 -
Stephen Nuttall - 0.5 NM North of HMS Nightjar
| “ | Visited Carlisle on Saturday 11 July inbound from Sandtoft and outbound to Blackpool.
First visited on my qualifying cross country rather longer ago than I care to mention, and not really changed that much since!
Eddie Stobbart (current owners) seems to be building some nice new buildings (although I think they are storage/hangarage) and the airfield seems well cared for, neat and tidy. Landing fee a little expensive (£14.99 + VAT for the Cessna 172, £12.00 + VAT for a DR400-100), but not too much so for good runways and parking area. Fuel was reasonably priced (and cheaper than Blackpool!) and quick service.
The café was again friendly and helpful, but very quiet. (Possibly due to the poor forecast which stopped us going to Duxford). Nice outside seating looking at the Cumbrian mountains on a lovely CAVOK day.
This airfield is a really nice little stopping off point in its own right, but the adjacent air museum was excellent. We managed to sit in the cockpit of the Vulcan, Canberra and Sea Prince as well as the Nimrod nose section. Well worth a visit and the staff could not be friendlier – excellent. ” |
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6 Oct 08 -
R Krol - Eldwick
| “ | Flew into Carlisle for the first time on the 5th Oct 08 from Leeds. Very friendly ATC and helpful Ikarus pilot.
Cafe served good food at reasonable prices. The museum was a short walk from the stands, and the highlight, without doubt, was climbing into the Vulcan's cockpit! I'll certainly be repeating the fantastic route over the Lakes for a return visit. ” |
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30 Jun 08 -
Roy C - Bolton (fly From Blackpool)
| “ | Visited Carlisle today ( 30th June ) ATC very good and directed us on the ground to a good parking place on hard standing. £17 landing fee ( Cessna 172 )
Arrived at 15.30 and cafe was closed ( at 3pm apparently ? ) Way of the world it seems these days. Anyway, directed to a flying school and told they would sort out a brew. Found Carlisle Flight Training and Aero Club and a real nice young guy ( Sam ) made us feel very welcome and made the much needed brew. Nice club office and well looked after, anyone visiting the airfield may find it worth speaking to these people to see if you can go straight there and settle landing fee 01228 573344
Some great old aircraft there on display. Would definatly go again but would check if cafe is going to be open first.A man cant fly without his bacon butty. ” |
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25 Oct 07 -
Steve Ball - Nottingam (Manc exile)
| “ | Visited on Oct 24th, the weather helped to make the day but Carlisle is a really superb airfield and in a great location. Good service from ATC, the refueler and the cafe. One of my favourites! ” |
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1 Jun 07 -
Robin Turnbull - Kendal
| “ |  Great place to learn to fly and visit, Solway Firth (known as "Hudson Bay" in old RAF black humour) Hadrians' Wall, the Lake District. Presently owned by the Eddie Stobart Group and plans for future aerodrome enhancements being (hopefully slightly) delayed due to archeological investigations of the Roman occupations around here. Solway Aero Museum including Vulcan and Lightning. Good facilities, very friendly staff, pilots, and people all round. Very economic landing fees! By the way, 'photo of myself after my first solo - thanks to all at Carlisle Flight Training. ” |
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31 May 07 -
mark badminton (Bagby) - thirsk
| “ | Flew in enroute to Hebrides and were well looked after. Radio very good, food excellent and a special thanks to the Microlight guy who went out of his way to help our party with fuel etc. Would certainly go again. ” |
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30 May 07 -
Richard Maxted - Sherburn
| “ | Useful airfield for those exploring northern England providing a reasonable service at albeit rather high rates. The cafe scores well as the food is home cooked and not preheated and is large portion sizes (meals not only snacks). The runways get a 5 as they are tarmac and in good condition. ATC is fabulous here, helpful, informative and relaxed. The staff are welcoming and seem genuinely pleased to have you visit their airfield. The GA briefing facilities are on view not tucked away somewhere and are easy to absorb. A really good land away destination. ” |
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6 Apr 06 -
Andrew Adshead - Manchester
| “ | I visited Carlisle on 25th March. I flew from Barton up to Morcombe Bay and then around the coast via Sellafield due to low cloud over the direct route via the M6.
The whole experience was extremely enjoyable from the pre-flight conversation with the tower to the admin staff upon landing, to the refueler. All were incredible helpful.
If you're passing through this part of the world I'd definately recommend Carlisle as a stop. A very GA friendly little airport. ” |
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6 Jun 05 -
Ray Metcalfe - Blackburn
| “ | I flew into Carlisle on a gloriously sunny, but somewhat 'lumpy' day with great viz. The journey to and from the airport was beautiful, but the main runway has an interesting variation of flat - good fun really, I thought the rollercoasters were at Blackpool! The cafe can be recommended (especially the bacon and egg butty), but the landing fees are expensive. The museum appears to be closed midweek, but it is a nice place to spend an hour watching the variety of aircraft coming in and out. ” |
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30 Sep 04 -
Matt Craven - Chorley, Lancashire
| “ | My first solo landaway was to this northern field, brilliant views when arriving from the south, and the north-south runway is relatively easy to see from a fair distance away, always helpful with the airfield lying in a mass of flat ground. Due to this the airfield seems rather on its own in a sparsely populated area, so not all that much to do apart from eat from the good cafe and enjoy the strange view of autogyros passing by! worth a visit, especially if you are exploring the lake district by air. ” |
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