Dunkeswell Airfield (EGTU)

Our first visit to Dunkeswell was an uncomplicated affair. No PPR – we simply gave them a call 10 miles out. The field is easy to spot from the air with initial calls being made to Dunkeswell Radio to obtain airfield information. Runway in use on the day was 04 with a right hand circuit. All subsequent calls we made to Dunkeswell Traffic as their rather helpful website : www.dsft.co.uk makes clear. Parachuting takes place on the airfield itself so overhead joins are to be avoided. Circuit was quiet as was the radio (the welcome was similarly muted, although efficient). We parked where we felt appropriate paid our landing fee and that was that. No high viz requirement. A very laid back set up. Several interesting aircraft to see and a café/restaurant with some slightly kitsch aviation décor – but it is an airfield after all ! Gourmet dining is not to be had here (think basic pub grub/pub prices) but fish & chips, burgers & scampi options are on offer as are sandwiches and drinks.

Unusually, aircraft are parked in the northerly 100 meters of the 04/22 runway extension. This is adjacent to the fuel. It also means that taking off and landing (on a generous length of good tarmac runway) is done towards parked aircraft. Whilst this isn’t generally an issue, it might make for a dramatic accident report in case of engine failure/loss of control. To get to the fuel one taxis between aircraft on the left and right of the 04 extension (there is loads of room) and is easily found at the northerly end of 04, close to the club house. Parking away from the fuel allows other aircraft to manoeuvre. Aircraft are also parked on the narrower, north side of the Link Taxiway.

£ 10 was the very reasonable landing fee for an SEP.

Taking off on 04 necessitated taxying via the 22 – 17 link, south down 17 before back tracking down the remainder of 04. The pilot and other traffic are very much in control of this process, rather than A/G radio. In our case there was only one other aircraft departing (making it easier to play follow-my-leader) and the other aircraft in the circuit to land helpfully put in an extended base leg allowing us to finish back tracking and expedite departure. It might have been a even more entertaining with more aircraft movements. Good, clear, courteous flying & communication between pilots is therefore the order of the day at this airfield (and look out for parachutes too).