Pilot reviews of Lydd Airport
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| “ |  Visited today 13th March 2016 in N66MS Turbo Arrow. Rwy 03 in use a bit breezy.....050/19kts.....good ATC service over-all nice under used "commercial" airport....landing fee of £21 a bit steep considering no service apart from ATC radio/ATIS....no radar at Lydd so the 7066 sqw is a courtesy to near-by radar units that you are "working" Lydd App......
If the airport does increase in commercial traffic then I assume the fee will only increase?.......to deter GA movements?
May visit again someday? ” |
| “ |  I visited Lydd today for the first time during my Hour-Building with a flight from Kemble routing: Kemble > Swindon > Blackbushe OVHD > OCK > Sevenoaks > Tenterden > Lydd (Same route for the way back). It has a lovely approach, on a nice day, looking out over the English Channel and also the Thames Estuary mouth out to the East. The runway was well maintained as well as the taxi-ways and Aprons. A few dips in the Apron and taxiway however. The Alpha taxiway probably could do with a little bit more guidance for the taxiway edges that could help at night? A good service given by Lydd ATC as I approached and departed the airfield. As I made my way through into the Reception to pay my landing fee, I found the general reception area tidy, light and also GA Pilot Briefing Facilities provided. (I did not use these). It was very quiet however in the airport. It seems the airport is trying to design it like a normal commercial airport but there were no commercial flights happening, therefore desks were closed and not manned. The toilets were 'ok', definitely NOT what I was expecting after I had paid the pretty hefty £21 landing fee for a PA28!! So maybe the toilets do need a little more attention to and also the general area of the airport inside. The restaurant food was 'ok'. I had a Cheeseburger and Chips with Beans. Originally it came with Salad, I asked can I have beans, the lady taking my order (Probably owner) quite rudely said 'You'll have to pay extra for that...'. I thought it was a bit weird as I was saving them some Salad? The meal on a whole was ok, it tasted more like I had just got it from a roadside van, especially the Burger. Wifi was fine, so I planned my return leg and after finishing my meal I headed out the aircraft to depart. So, would I return to Lydd? Certainly not for a £21.00 Landing fee, Probably not even £15.00. I would put this airport into the region of £10.00-£12.00 for a landing fee. I did not uplift any fuel or oil. ” |
| “ | Flew into Lydd on Saturday with two friends, it's always been one of my favourite destinations, for a short hop, however I was very disappointed to find that the landing fee has gone up to £21 for a 172!! The food was nice and the cafe staff were in good humour, however I doubt I shall return anytime soon, I think the landing fee is ridiculous, it's not as if there are is anything of interest in the immediate vicinity to visit. ” |
| “ | Flew into Lydd on Saturday with two friends, it's always been one of my favourite destinations, for a short hop, however I was very disappointed to find that the landing fee has gone up to £21 for a 172!! The food was nice and the cafe staff were in good humour, however I doubt I shall return anytime soon, I think the landing fee is ridiculous, it's not as if there are is anything of interest in the immediate vicinity to visit. ” |
| “ | Flew into Lydd again today, with two friends, it's always been a favourite of mine, but I was very disappointed to find the landing fee has gone up to £21 for a 172, which I think us extortionate, it's not as if there is anywhere much you can go once there. The canteen staff were in good humour and the food was very nice, but I won't be going back with that landing fee. ” |
| “ | been there few times, landing fee are a bit expensive but easy to find ” |
| “ | Flew into Lydd as a my cross country exercise and found it easy to find and easy to talk to. Complications were perhaps proximity to the Nuclear plant that means you have to worry about straying into that zone whilst trying to concentrate on landing. Reception was friendly and helpful but canteen was a bit of a let down with very little to eat for lunch and an advert for catering staff needed. Would go more often if they improved the food and drink aspect which didn't seem very friendly . ” |
| “ | Lydd was one of my stops for my solo cross country qualifier and it remains my favourite UK airport.Its really easy to find for navigation challenged pilots like myself. The procedures are nice and simple. ATC were very friendly and proactive in giving instructions. No one seemed to care that I forgot to put on the bright safety vest. Reception are very friendly. There's good pilot briefing facilities, rest-rooms are clean and the cafe is excellent. ” |
| “ | Lydd was our penultimate stop on our trip Perranporth -> Plymouth -> Sandown (IOW) -> Lydd -> Elstree (home) in G-ERRY an AA5B that I own with two other pilots.
I've flown into Lydd quite a few times before but this was the first time in the AA5 and I appreciated the long runway given the crosswind conditions.
It's a lovely runway, and the ATC is really excellent with clear accurate and precise instructions and a great deal of tolerance for the likes of me (although the 'tower' frequency is apparently dead now and the published approach one is what should be used). ATIS is working though and I really like that facility it saves a lot of R/T!
The cafe is good and I could never complain about that - the reception for landing fees is really efficient and staffed by polite and great people. There is a security desk at the door where you enter the GA area and it was staffed by a policewoman who was waiting for a flight from outside UK but had a chat with me and was very nice.
I can't complain about Lydd it's a great landing surface, very polite staff who are obviously customer-centered and top facilities as well. I think it needs our support though. For all that money invested it is awfully quiet. Maybe a big GA fly-in en-route to France?
Lydd is what Plymouth ought to be, and once was. It would be dreadful if Lydd goes the way of Plymouth so please try to support it.
” |
| “ | Flew into Lydd as part of my QXC - ATC very helpful and the staff who take money etc are very nice and more then happy to help you find planning facilitys etc!
Bit of a odd tour to get out to the cafe area but the cafe is very nice and there is an outside area showing you the runway and taxiway areas...
” |
| “ | I flew into Lydd on Sunday 6th with two friends, to pick up their aircraft which had gone tech on our visit the previous Sunday.
They are making a real effort to be very GA friendly, ATC was very accomodating, but clear in it's requirement within the circuit, they have changed the way you enter the main building which used to be quite complicated, but is now very simple, the food was very nice and not to expensive, and landing fee of £15 for a 172, not excessive.
All in all I would highly reccomend Lydd as a destination, especially at the weekends when the danger area's are inactive, which makes joining the circuit much easier. ” |
| “ | Lydd is a regular , being an easy flight along the coast from my base at Shoreham . Last week I had to divert there on return from Le Touquet , low cloud and rain rendering Shoreham untenable . Despite what Lydd may say in their info for pilots , I was charged the full landing fee for my C152 , the receptionist claiming that they don't waive it , even in the case of a genuine bad weather diversion . On the upside , she did then spend a good half an hour on the phone trying to find us a b and b for the night . So , very helpful staff , but no marks for charging thirteen pounds for the landing . ” |
| “ | Made a return visit to Lydd. Decent restaurant, easy to find. good opportunity to practice in a more formal circuit / radio environment.
Pretty straightforward circuit, just watch out for the danger area and power station on the coast as the circuit is very close on the South side.
Landing fee was very reasonable for what is a pretty major airport.
” |
| “ | Visited Lydd on a windswept October day. Excellent ATC, runway and parking. Adequate self-service restaurant with slow checkout. Great value—£12 landing fee and a (modest) lunch for three at under £12 is hard to beat considering the quality of the airfield.
Perhaps best kept for a warm day to enjoy a stroll along the coast! ” |
| “ | Visited Lydd earlier this year, very impressed with the airfield facilities, great ATC services and parking.
Restaurant acceptable but could probably be improved. The Girl at the front desk was very helpfull and friendly. ” |
| “ | Flew to Lydd with 5 fellow pilots, VOR near to field, friendly ATC and excellent runway and taxiway. Parked next to a (Mark 1V?) Spitfire but as we admired her were told to put Hi Viz jackets on immediately as we had a long walk (30 metres) to Reception and viz was only 10K + . Despite calling from EGTR to announce our intended arrival for lunch the restaurant decided 14:15 too late to order food as they close at 14:30, not even a sandwich could be had! Met with Holly at reception who was very kind and tried 5 different taxi firms to try and get us food after failure at Restaurant, if the staff were all as friendly as her it would have been a better experience. ” |
| “ | flt to lydd to day went very well, went with mark who is post ppl like myself airfield was easy to find, weather ok bit cloudy in places thou, ATC very good very deserted In the air as well on ground ” |
| “ |  I have flown into Lydd a number of times from Oxford and every trip has been great. Flying north of the Heathrow CTA you get to see Wembley Stadium and the Millenium Dome then cross the Thames for a scenic flight to the coast.
ATC are very friendly and helpful and the runway has a new surface and is top quality. Plenty of parking and a nice rural area top it off as an excellent stop. ” |
| “ |  I have flown into Lydd a number of times from Oxford and every trip has been great. Flying north of the Heathrow CTA you get to see Wembley Stadium and the Millenium Dome then cross the Thames for a scenic flight to the coast.
ATC are very friendly and helpful and the runway has a new surface and is top quality. Plenty of parking and a nice rural area top it off as an excellent stop. ” |
| “ | Flew into Lydd today in a PA28: very helpful on the telephone prior with a briefing and excellent ATC service - note that they now have an ATIS service. Great facilities and very welcoming to GA pilots with a good restaurant. Make sure that you stay clear of the danger areas around the power station to sthe south. In summary - highly recommended and a very picturesque arrival! ” |
| “ | Very friendly and efficient field, good-looking restaurant though I didn't have time to stop, bargain landing fee (£10 for a C152 - having just come from Bournemouth). No problem at all finding it, just had to remember to keep clear of the danger/restricted areas to the south.
One to remember for future days out, I think. They even have a scheduled service to Le Touquet... ” |
| “ | I have been visiting Lydd on and off for a couple of years now as I have been wading my way through my PPL. I have always found the airfield a gentile and quiet place to visit. There is always something going on though. The owners are spending serious money on the place as it strives for growth and it really shows. The airside is very well finished off and professionally run. The main terminal (it used to be a ramshackle collection) is quite modern and feels like a small airport. The Lydd Aero Club has retained it's members club feel and is very well run by Bill and his crew. The cafe is pleasant (but the girls who serve could do with brushing up on their welcome technique from time to time) and the owners are (I hear) restoring the outside viewing area which would be great.
Finding the airfield was always described to me as hard but to be honest I've never found it a problem. If you are intending to come from the West or North, find Ashford (Trashford to the locals!) and spot the ugly white tented city which is a shopping mall - the pointy end points pretty well to Lydd. Coming along the South Coast, Rye is a very distictive feaure on the coast - due East and you're there. Joining overhead at 1500' with the circuits usually on the Coast side. Take care with the Danger and restricted areas - they are real bullets especially at weekends! ATC are very professional and helpful. Give them planty of time at weekends though as it can get busy. I've taken to the place so much I now fly from there regularly. Give it a go! ” |
| “ | Visited Lydd on 13 May 2006, ariving via Rye. Overhead join was at 1500 ft AGL dropping to circuit height on crosswind. The close proximity to the Power Station and the Hythe ranges is a little daunting on the chart, but no problem in reality. Huge runway. The airport is very isolated, but freindly staff and a decent all day breakfast make it a worthwhile trip.
One point of historical interest are the parabolic concrete sound detectors to the south of the field, clearly visible on down wind. Unfortunately it is not possible to walk over to them from the airport. ” |
| “ | Visited Lydd today as part of a cross-country flight, it was my third time to the airfield. A well appointed and very professional airfield with a slightly deserted feel to it live side. The highlight of the airfield is definately the Biggles Bar with its good food (including Sunday roast) complimented by anunequalled view of the airfield activities with its floor to ceiling windows. Pictures of Lydds past ventures adorn the walls. Lydd Air operate Trilanders to Le Touquet from here and I have also seen army Gazelles refuelling for thier exersizes at the nearby range. Lydd is often described as being hard to spot from the air but this really shouldn't put you off.Although it isn't easy to spot until you are within about 6 miles it is still one of the easiest airfields to find. Dungeoness powerstation is next door and can be seen from anywhere in Kent on a good day. The modern red-roofed town to the north-west of the airfield is also easy to spot. Pass over the left edge of the town as you approach the airfield and you will be perfectly positioned for the overhead. You will see the airfield before you get to the town. They will expect a full PHACER call and high viz jackets are a must if you want to get back to your aeroplane. Be aware of the danger zone close to the circuit south and west. ” |
| “ | Stopped at Lydd today on a cross country flight, the third time I have been there. A well appointed and very professional airfield with a slightly deserted feel to it live side. The Biggles Bar is definately the high point of the visit. Good food including a fine Sunday roast are complimented by an unequalled view of the airfield activities. Lydd Air operate Trilanders to Le Touquet from here. Lydd is often described as hard to spot from the air but don't be discouraged. The town to the north-west is very easy to identify and if you aim to left edge of the town as you approach from the north then you will be set up perfectly to join overhead. The airfield is not hard to see when you get close. They will expect a full PHACER call and be aware of the danger areas. High viz jackets are also a must if you want to get back to your aeroplane. ” |
| “ | I visited Lydd recently and it is now much easier to see thanks to the repainted/new runway. Excellent service and a nice scone too. ” |
| “ | stopping off point to france and use to be a ferry port for cars by air, to france. well organised field not easy to spot hope the pictures help. cheap to land and friendly cafe nice but view of the field not good from inside. ” |
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