Clacton Airfield Photos

My wife and I visited this very nice airfield; on a beautiful sunny May bank holiday weekend. On their web site they emphasise having a briefing for the first time visitor and I felt this was a good recommendation. The airfield is very close to sea shore. They use a very long circuit to avoid over-flying adjacent residential areas and the base leg for 36 goes well into the sea! There is a public footpath that goes right through the runway and pedestrians have a right of way. All usual amenities are available at the airfield. Apart from two training aircraft doing circuits the airfield was not particularly busy. They have excellent facilities for tie-down for overnight parking of your aircraft. Clacton beach with usual beach activities, pier with rides, hotels and Clacton town centre are all a very short walk from the airfield. We stayed overnight at a hotel in Clacton. We had a very nice flying experience and an enjoyable weekend in Clacton.

Went there yesterday in c172, full tanks, one passenger. Short runway 18, hot, calm, grassy. It was my first go there and the first approach went too fast and too high on final. Had to go around. The second approach made a good landing.

In the reception I found a chart that depicted a 120 degree approach into rw18, by-passing the built up area. It would be a challenge.

The take off happened in a 'soft field' way. In the heat, calm and grass Cessnal didn't accelerate well and the trees were approaching. After I lifted her early at 45 she instantly gained 15+ knots staying in the ground effect and then I started to climb with confidence.

The airfield is difficult to spot this time of year. However the sea cost with moustaches (see the photo) and the small lake are good pointers.

I will upload a video to youtube. Just Google it using "EGSQ clacton landing youtube".

An aerial shot of the clubhouse and car park on the climb out from 18.

Runway 36

A lovely airfield right by the beach

Did my TWC at Clacton this summer. Lovely airfield, very friendly and helpful staff. In particular say hello to old John in the office, he's probably been there since silly oclock in the morning, mans the radios, takes the bookings for Clacton and Classic Wings at Duxford, sweeps up, goes and does the shopping, and doesn't stop until the last person goes home. Cracking chap. :)

Finding the airfield; it's just to the west of Clacton town, pretty much on the beach. Watch out for that sea breeze, makes the windsock do funny things during the day.

The runway - 600 metres of grass, but it's cut in half by a public footpath which has right of way, as I found out when an old biddy and her dog wandered across when I was on short final. Stay alert for that one!

There's a private strip about a mile to the northwest, the users there tend to join Clacton's circuit and then just drop off into their strip, so don't be too alarmed if you see that.