Pilot reviews of Weston Airfield

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9 Aug 13 - Stephen Nuttall - 0.5 NM North of Inskip VRP - Fly from Blackpool

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Flew into Weston on Thursday 8 August from Blackpool in our DR400 for a work meeting, (our offices are across the road from the airfield). I routed from Blackpool to reporting point LYNAS, (just north of Amwylch in Anglesey), then to the KLY NDB, then to the Pigeon House Chimneys, (which REALLY stand out!), as advised in the Dublin VFR chart available on Weston’s web site. Having looked carefully at Weston’s web site and previous articles, both here and elsewhere, it looked fairly simple, (but as mentioned, one needs to be precise), and indeed that turned out to be the case. The only minor problem I had was that my SkyDemon flight log listed at least four Dublin frequencies all of which looked possibilities on handover. In the event, I asked Valley Radar for their advice and they suggested that the most common initial frequency was Dublin VFR on 118.500 which I contacted, (on Valley’s release) just after LYNAS. They gave me a squawk and as soon as they had me on radar, passed me to Dublin Radar. Just before the KLY NDB, (Kiliney Hill is also a VFR VRP), they passed me to Dublin Tower. They kept an eye on me between giving take-off and landing clearances to all the commercial traffic – different but it worked! They advised me to route to Weston via the Pigeon House Chimneys. The view as you fly over Dublin, (not above 1,500 feet on this trip), was wonderful! I was handed to Weston Tower once visual, (not easy to spot and Baldonnel is much easier to see, so I used it as a reference point), and got a straight in to 25. The previous reviewer is spot-on about the friendliness of the reception right from initial calls and e-mails. On that matter, PPR by e-mail, (copied to Irish Customs for those of us based outside Ireland), 24 hours before is essential but very easy. On arrival, I was met with a fuel bowser almost immediately. Fees paid at the desk, I went to the café which is in the middle of a major refurbishment. The service was friendly and good, but I’d love to see what it all looks like when it’s finished – It should be great as the café has a panoramic view of the airfield. All in all, a great airfield, really easy to get to from the UK, and very friendly with it. I didn’t get to go into Dublin on the day as I had meetings, but it really is close by and the staff were only too happy to sort a taxi if needed. I must go back and visit Dublin next time.

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Quality and value of food / drink: 4
Standard of runway: 4
Landing fee / handling charges: 4
ATC / AFIS / A/G service: 5
Friendliness of welcome: 5

16 May 13 - Keith Mitchell - Shrewsbury

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Great Airfield which is very professionally run. I think Weston is trying to move itself towards a kind of Biggin Hill for the ROI. This said they are very very friendly and helpful - from booking in by phone, receiving briefings and ordering taxi's. The location of the Airport is a winner - around a 15 minute taxi ride from the very centre of Dublin - so overnight a good idea if you want to make the most of your visit. The approach is simple but has to be quite precise. You basically fly down the Liffy at 2000ft (or as directed by Dublin Radar)but this takes you right over the city centre. Will visit again soon. Weston also has a very helpful website.

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