Dunkeswell Airfield Photos

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).

New Aifield Heritage Centre. Open 11-4 Thursday to Sun.

Tells the story of the airfield from building to the end of WWII

I understand that the above Tiger Moth flies from Dunkeswell these days?

I have a picture of the above taken 21 October 1961 which was the day of my first flight in the Tiger Moth with my future husband Don Gordon

At that time we flew it from Thruxton having previously kept it and flown it from a farmer's field outside Winchester. We did its Cert of Airworthiness at the old BOAC hangars in Hamble in Hampshire.

I will come and see her when down in Seaton again.

Lovely to find she is still is flying.

a great if late flight south to Dunkerswell..

Photographed at Dunkeswell 20.03.11.

Photographed at Dunkeswell 20.03.11

Photographed at Dunkeswell 20.03.11

Photographed at Dunkeswell 20.03.11.

the new aircraft is based in Cardiff

Looking back past Hartland Quay to Hartland Point

En route for Perranporth, the N. cornwall coast from Hartland Point towards Bude and beyond

On arrival, was told to park on the grass, in front of the cafe. Very nice airfield, but watch for the gliding site, on top of the hill to the west of the airfield.

Cafe was first class, and the mega breakfast was only about £4.00 odd. Spent lots of time, out on the grass looking at all the various types of aircraft parked there. The landing fee was £9.00, and it was worth it.

I would recomend a visit to this airfield.

Found the ops staff extremely helpful, proving tie downs for my a/c with no bother at all.

On my last two occasions I have visited at weekends, I found the service in the Cafe to be v. slow, this was due to the volume of people passing through I think, probably best to expect a while on the ground for food at the weekends here!! Food however is excellent, including the carvery.

Worth a go! Watch out for North Hill (gliders & cables) a short distance to the west especially if using the westerly runway departure!!

Picture shows departing off Northerly Rwy