Visiting By Air
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Prior Permission Required
Airfield Operating Hours:
Wednesday to Sunday, 09:00 – 17:00
We only accept PPR by phone. Please call our Operations Desk on 01747 811767 (opt 1).
PPR is preferred on the day of arrival, unless an early morning arrival is required then please PPR the day before.
Our air-ground radio, fire cover, and refuelling pumps will be in operation during the above operating hours.
All pilots wishing to visit Compton Abbas Airfield must familiarise themselves with the following important airfield information.
Pilots are welcome to make use of the Pilot’s Lounge, a separate, quiet and comfortable area to grab a drink and complete their flight planning. For bookings in the restaurant, please book table here.
*we are a card only establishment.
Airfield Information
On arrival, all pilots must check into the airfield at the Operations Desk where your details will be taken and a landing fee is to be paid.
All pilots visiting Compton Abbas Airfield must ensure that they carry out adequate pre-flight briefing and are aware of circuit and joining procedures within the ATZ.
Local wind conditions can affect aircraft performance on final approach and pilots should be prepared to carry out a ‘go-around’ if necessary.
Head of Flight Safety and Standards
Runway Information
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Arrivals
Circuit altitude 1800 ft on QNH
Standard Overhead Join 2800 ft on QNH
Runway 08: Please avoid flying below the required glide path on the final approach due to local wind conditions.
Runway 26: Normal approach.
Rotary Traffic: Join long-final (5 miles) for the active runway, giving way to established circuit traffic.
As a noise abatement measure, pilots on the base and final legs for RWY 08 are asked to avoid flying over the built up areas of Compton Abbas and East Compton, as highlighted by the red circles. In particular, please avoid using the church at the western edge of Compton Abbas as a waypoint or turn-point.
Pilots approaching from the north should be considerate of The Park Gliding Club (between Longleat and A303) and be mindful to avoid their overhead, where cable launch systems operate.
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Turbulence
Turbulence may be encountered on both runways (especially when the wind has a southerly component in excess of 8-10 knots). Do not allow the aircraft to fly below a normal glide path or enter an unstable approach state. Such approaches will place the aircraft in the worst of the turbulent air and will result in a touchdown point well along the runway length.
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Surface Conditions & Takeoff
Please adhere to the following in order to keep the runway serviceable. Use the minimum amount of braking applicable to the aircraft’s landing performance requirements, taxi slowly, and execute large radius turns on the field. Braking in excess of that required for landing performance, on a soft field, can cause damage to a level where the runway may need to be declared unserviceable.
We can become waterlogged during prolonged and very poor weather. Soft field conditions are often prevalent during winter.
When the conditions are soft you will need to use the correct ‘soft field’ take-off technique from your AFM/POH, along with the scheduled weight & balance and performance calculations. Remember that your take-off run will be much longer in these conditions.
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Departures
If directed by the Ops Team, please either the left-hand or right-hand side of the runway (within the runway edge markers) in order to preserve the runway condition.
Runway 08: At end of runway (not before), turn LEFT in order to avoid Hatts Barn Farm.
Runway 26: At end of runway (not before), turn RIGHT in order to avoid Compton Abbas village, tracking over the crest of Melbury Hill.
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Landing Fees & Overnight Parking
Landing Charges:
£15 for all standard light SEP aircraft (including microlights, flexwings & autogyros)
£20 for MEP aircraft
Price on request for larger aircraftAdditional Charges:
£15 per touch-and-go landing
£20 per night for overnight parkingFuel available:
100LL £2.00 P/L
UL91 £2.10 P/L
For visiting aircraft, the last accepted arrival is at 16.45 (local time), before Ops close. Departures are permitted after operational hours, with pilots aware that there is no A/G radio, fuel, or fire cover available.
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Runway Webcams
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Weather
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Overseas Arrival and Departures
EGHA overhead join
