Enstone Airfield Photos

Beautiful autumn scenery whilst flying at Enstone Flying Club.

Paul had the isea to build 12 90% scale Spitfires and operate them as a squadron. Each aircraft is fully functional and are two seaters. Check out www.spitfireclub.co.uk

A 'Cricket' autogyro

Enstone at the weekend

Instructor Ben Chapman puts me through the first stages of my TMG conversion 5000' above Heathrop House!

Oxford Sports Flying Touring Motor Glider ready to depart.

Bit surprised not to get any response from their radio frequency as a phone call for PPR suggested there would be someone in the control tower. Communication with other pilot landing ahead of me was very useful. Things were quiet for an airfield this large with asphalt and grass runways. Landing fee of £10 felt bit steep, as there was not much in the way of service there. Self-service tea and coffee, soft drinks in the fridge and good cakes with a pot to put in money for these.

Enstone

Aircraft parked next to runway

Enstone was a diversion due to our inability to penetrate cloud at Old Warden. True to word Enstone did not want to take a landing fee from us as we diverted due to weather. We spent the money on lots of food and tea from the cafe instead. I was very surprised at the good quality of the runway and grass strip here, it seemed to me like a mini Kemble but with only a £5 usual landing fee, much cheaper. The atmosphere was very friendly and I must recommend this airfield for people who want to pop in on a cross country for a stop. Computers and maps available for planning.

First trip to Enstone, just up the road for me. Easy to find, friendly phone call for PPR, nobody manning A/G radio so just blind traffic calls. Was able to do 10 circuits (with a break in between) for £25 fixed fee. The circuit wasn't busy and I had it to myself for at least half the time. Choice of long hard runway (inset into the former larger/longer size, with both the official runway surface and external sealed taxi areas in good condition) and grass 800m on the south side (which was a bit more bumpy). There is another grass runway on the north side, which was also in use, but beware of the fence that sections it off. Friendly clubhouse with self service teas/coffees and home made cakes. Plenty of parking. Worth a visit, just ensure to avoid the villages in the area for noise abatement which is easy to do. Since this airfield is under threat of closure by the landowner, showing some support would be a good thing.

Sherwood ranger G-GKFC at Enstone.

Flew in 5th April. Radio service seemed to be one way only and despite making frequent calls to give our position we had to go around twice as aircraft either cut us up in the circuit or entered the runway on our final approach! Backtracking, we just prayed that our calls were being monitored - they were, fortunately. Other than that, friendly and welcoming, but nowhere to sit outside in the sunshine - the picnic tables were still in storage. Good cinnamon cakes!

Enstone airfield from 6,700'

Enstone at roundout, Oxfordshire Sport Flying Club parking area on N side

Aide memoire for pre-flight planning at Enstone Flying Club.