I don’t think there has been mention (other than a reference to it by Richw 82 in the Shackleton thread) about the Coventry Airport Fly In next Sunday, 26th September. Here for your information is my ‘take’ on what’s planned. I have no connection with the event other that being a volunteer helper with Classic Flight at Airbase.
It’s happening at (funnily enough) Coventry Airport and is being organised by the new owners of the lease of the airport – Patriot Aviation – to celebrate the re-opening of the airport. All proceeds are going to the Help For Heroes charity.
It is a Fly In (not an air display) and aircraft owners are invited to bring their aircraft to help make the day a success. It is hoped 200 light aircraft will visit.
Admission is £20 per car 5 passengers max (see note below) or £5 per pedestrian. Entry is via the airport terminal (south side) and visitors will undergo ‘security checks’ – be prepared for a surprise.
You’ll then emerge onto the apron outside the terminal where there will be a variety of aeroplanes as well as ‘street artists’, musicians, jugglers etc. to keep you amused.
There will be a bus service around the airport perimeter to the west side (near the Oak Pub which was utilised as an RAF Mess during the war). Here you will re-enter the airfield on foot and witness displays of military machinery, climbing walls, bomb disposal exhibitions etc. Hangars 1 and 3 will be open (a rare opportunity to enter these wartime hangars) and full of market stalls and the like and AIRBASE (hangar 7) will be open at both ends for people to walk through (no extra charge). The Vulcan will be parked on the out of use cross runway.
The latest list I have seen of aircraft flying in includes:
Vulcan XH558 landing about 11.00 and departing 15.00 (I believe the crew will be available to answer questions)
Auster, Beaver, Skeeter, Alouette and Sioux (AACHF I presume?)
Bell UH-1H
Tornado GR.4
Vigilant T.Mk.1 (x2)
Bulldog
Hawk (replica)
EC.135
Piper Warrior
Piper Aztec
6x Cessna types from Patriot Aviation
ATP
Thruxton Jackaroo G-AOIR (I think)
Vampire T.II from North Weald (standby is a Jet Provost T.5) will take off and land again during the proceedings.
BBMF will be doing a flypast (don’t know how many of them)
All of Classic Flight’s aircraft (well, those at Baginton) will be on display – hopefully the Heron and the Howard 500 will still be there as well. A CF Dakota, both DH Venoms and the Avro Anson are, during the course of the day, scheduled to take off and land again (undoubtedly some service check or training sortie ;-). Classic Flight will be doing pleasure flying in (most likely) a DH Rapide but that may be in the Prentice or the Devon so there may be a chance of seeing those airborne as well. CF Pleasure flights cost £75 and £10 of that will be donated to Help For Heroes. As Rich mentioned the Shackleton will be open for internal inspection along with the DC-6, the Twin Pioneer and the Nimrod.
Helicopter flights around the airport will be available.
Access on the day is at the airport terminal (south side) but there is space for only 2000 cars there – so get there early (or fly in). Overspill car parking will be off-site with a ‘park and ride’ service (with an extra charge of £3 per adult, £2 per child). To order tickets go to http://www.visitcoventry.com/thedms.asp?dms=72&shop=5&prod=3949
To arrange to fly in on the day phone: 02476 516 464 .
The event website is http://www.flyincoventryairport.com
Roger Smith.
By: richw_82 - 27th September 2010 at 08:32
What a day..
I don’t think us or the Nimrod volunteers had a let up all day. We had a queue out the door from gates open until it closed at 5pm of people for the Shackleton.
Glad the Vulcan made it.
Ric
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th September 2010 at 07:36
Here are a few pics from yesterdays fly in, was a fantastic day and well worth the admission.
Moment of the day for me was the Tornado crew had to prep,chock and start their own plane (and even open the canopy with a hand pump and board by expertly climbing on the fuel tank and onto the wing) where the private Vulcan nearby had 4 or 5 ground crew is this a shape of things to come?
curlyboy
By: RPSmith - 25th September 2010 at 19:36
Just got back from helping out at Airbase to get ready for tomorrow. A number of CF’s fleet have travelled over to the south side (DC-3, most of the small jets and a Canberra) but there’s still plenty to see north side and the pleasure flights are from there.
Had a laugh today – a visitor was asking what the Red Arrows Hawk was doing?, why was there only one?, he had seen it refuelling at the pumps. I said “I hope not, it’s a plastic model”.
Also today Joe the owner of Buffalo Airways(?) on ‘Ice Pilots’ was wandering around today. A couple of fellow-volunteers, avid watchers of the series, were knocked-out to get to chat to him – an aviation celebrity. Seemed a nice guy.
Finally I had a wander before coming home and there is an entrance north side (on what I refer to as ‘the Pope Road’ as it was put down for the last Papal visit to Coventry Airport in 1982) which is the drop-off/pick-up point for the park and ride buses. Walking into the airport you will pass within about 50 yards of the F-101B Voodoo cockpit in the fire practice area. The rope denoting the pathway wasn’t up this evening and I was able to get a good look at it – first time for about 20 years.
Roger Smith.
By: Arabella-Cox - 24th September 2010 at 22:31
The highways people have those matrix sign thingys up around the airport warning people of possible delays for the event. so someone is expecting a lot of people.
By: vulcan558 - 24th September 2010 at 22:00
My understanding is there will be three bus routes.
As the event is in two halves either side of the (main) runway there is a free shuttle bus running between the two – south where the terminal is and west/north where the hangars/Airbase are.
The car park and ride runs from Brandon Stadium but I don’t know if it goes to the south or to the west/north but that’s irrelevant really as either links with the free shuttle bus. Brandon Stadium (NOT Brandon village) is not 8 miles away, I would estimate more like 4 miles (look it up on Google Earth) and on a Sunday Tollbar Island shouldn’t be a problem. Remember this is not an air display with crowds like Waddington or RIAT attendance will not be massive.
The third bus runs from Coventry city centre an terminates (according to the plan) at the west/north entrance. Again this will link with the free shuttle bus.I have no idea if the organisers have ordered enough buses – how long is a piece of string??
Roger Smith.
The 8 mles is the distance from my house to the Airbase entrance,
look under my Avatar and location and you will see the 8 miles is about correct. you could be under estimating the intrest from the public for this event. lets hope it raises lots of money for a good cause.
cheers Rich.
By: FLYING SAUCER - 24th September 2010 at 21:27
Admirable………………….
By: richw_82 - 24th September 2010 at 21:10
Unfortunately I live a heck of a way from Coventry Airport,
So do I, it is a 160 mile roundtrip for me. If you live in the UK, you’re not that far away. It’s only a small island.
By: FLYING SAUCER - 24th September 2010 at 21:01
See you at Bruntingthorpe then……………………
By: RPSmith - 24th September 2010 at 20:30
My understanding is there will be three bus routes.
As the event is in two halves either side of the (main) runway there is a free shuttle bus running between the two – south where the terminal is and west/north where the hangars/Airbase are.
The car park and ride runs from Brandon Stadium but I don’t know if it goes to the south or to the west/north but that’s irrelevant really as either links with the free shuttle bus. Brandon Stadium (NOT Brandon village) is not 8 miles away, I would estimate more like 4 miles (look it up on Google Earth) and on a Sunday Tollbar Island shouldn’t be a problem. Remember this is not an air display with crowds like Waddington or RIAT attendance will not be massive.
The third bus runs from Coventry city centre an terminates (according to the plan) at the west/north entrance. Again this will link with the free shuttle bus.
I have no idea if the organisers have ordered enough buses – how long is a piece of string??
Roger Smith.
By: FLYING SAUCER - 24th September 2010 at 17:27
558 you have asked all the questions that were floating around in my mind too! Hope they have enough buses from Brandon?
I do so wish them all luck, and hope the weather is kind, such a valid cause.
Unfortunately I live a heck of a way from Coventry Airport, take your cycle lock you may find a free fence to chain it to, have a good day!
By: vulcan558 - 24th September 2010 at 17:16
I think 2 adults in that circumstance would not have to pay the fiver each at the airport gate, that is for pedestrian visitors arriving on foot, not from the remote parking.
I think!!! Usual ‘in a good cause’ disclaimer in the event I’m wrong!
Lots of confusion about this Will.
people are unsure where to go and what the exact price for the event is.
Where does the park and ride bus drop people off from the Brandon speedway carpark.does the bus drop off at the pub and then have to walk the distance. or will it drop off inside the fence.will they be enough busses?
will people be standing around at Brandon waiting or sitting on a bus waiting to fill up before they head off to the airport.
what routes will the buses take, as if the traffic is big at the tollbar island like it normally is, things will start to grind to a halt.
The peugeot plant ground would have been a good park and ride.
Will be on my mountain bike do you have a cycle shed i can park up at.:D
By: FLYING SAUCER - 24th September 2010 at 17:13
XH558 Thanks for letting me know, may have to skirt round this one for now, cheers.
By: vulcan558 - 24th September 2010 at 17:00
I have thought about going too, but I dont want bus trips all round the place!
As I see it, when (and if) you manage to park on the Airports designated parking spaces (limited to 2,000) you have to get another bus to take you to the other side.
What time does anyone suggest I get there to secure a space on the Coventry Airfield then?
No time will get you on the airfield parking, all of the tickets sold out 24hrs ago.
you will have to park at Brandon speedway carpark, wait for a bus to shuttle you to the airport.
By: FLYING SAUCER - 24th September 2010 at 16:07
I have thought about going too, but I dont want bus trips all round the place!
As I see it, when (and if) you manage to park on the Airports designated parking spaces (limited to 2,000) you have to get another bus to take you to the other side.
What time does anyone suggest I get there to secure a space on the Coventry Airfield then?
By: vulcan558 - 24th September 2010 at 15:40
Park and ride from Brandon speedway carpark is a bit of a bus ride to the airport.
Just seen the signpost as i travaled along the fosseway,
from the A45 Pincethorpe island sending you down to Bretford and onto Brandon.
Must be expecting a lot,
shame they could not have used the old peugeot plant for park and ride.
Will be getting the mountain bike out and cycle the 8 miles to the airport.
By: Will J - 23rd September 2010 at 21:32
So, reading that correctly, if you don’t book in advance and go on the day, you pay £20 for parking off-site, £3 for the park and ride and then £5 entry? So for two adults that’s £36
I think 2 adults in that circumstance would not have to pay the fiver each at the airport gate, that is for pedestrian visitors arriving on foot, not from the remote parking.
I think!!! Usual ‘in a good cause’ disclaimer in the event I’m wrong!
By: Rlangham - 23rd September 2010 at 20:57
So, reading that correctly, if you don’t book in advance and go on the day, you pay £20 for parking off-site, £3 for the park and ride and then £5 entry? So for two adults that’s £36
By: RPSmith - 23rd September 2010 at 15:09
The website is up dated with a map showing the event layout (bit fanciful!!). Go to:
http://www.flyincoventryairport.com/interactive_map.html
An example of FAQs:
ONLINE SALES FOR PRE-BOOKED TICKETS CLOSES AT 3PM FRIDAY 24th SEPTEMBER ? BOOK NOW TO SAVE MONEY AND AVOID OFF-SITE PARKING. AFTER THIS OFF SITE PARKING ONLY AVAILABLE AT £20 PER CAR PLUS PARK AND RIDE CHARGES.
The gates will be open from 9.00am and will be closing at 5.00pm. However, gates will be open before and after this time to help with parking on-site and to clear local traffic.
Tickets cost £20 per car at a maximum of 5 people and £5 on-foot entry. You can pre-book your tickets now at http://www.visitcoventry.co.uk. There are 1900 car parking spaces ONLY on-site so book early. If you do not park on-site, then off-site parking is still charged at £20 per car and then an extra £3.00 per adult park and ride and £2.00 per child.
REMINDER: PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU PRINT OFF YOUR BARCODED E-TICKET AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND PRESENT IT AT THE ENTRANCE ON THE DAY.
Roger Smith.
By: RPSmith - 21st September 2010 at 00:24
Got to hope for good weather though 🙂
Little bit more info:
Over 90 light aircraft have, so far apparently, requested Fly In slots ranging from a flex wing microlight to a Stearman, and 6 to 8 Austers are expected. The Cessna line up will hopefully include a C510, Corvallis TT and maybe a Caravan
Should get a Sea Fury (if it passes it’s air test on Wednesday) and the BBMF should be the Lancaster, a Spitfire and Hurricane. On the down side the two Vigilants (or are they Valiants?) have cancelled.
As I said before get there early (or pre-book) to avoid off-site parking (Brandon Stadium).
Roger Smith
By: Arabella-Cox - 20th September 2010 at 19:53
Curlyboy – the organisers say it is NOT an air show/display it is a fly in 🙂
As far as I can see MAM have no link with the day (you can still visit there of course) whereas entry to Airbase is included in the admission price.
Roger Smith.
I know, what i mean the line up alone makes the fly in more like a air show but at 1980’s prices but without the flying as such but seeing the Vulcan on the ground is worth the price alone and it is a good thing for the local area, especially since the new lease holders have had a hand in this.
MAM is there for those who have never been and airbase also, i was just pointing it out as i have been to MAM many times and i like going but i have never been to airbase so people wanting to make a day of it have plenty of aviation related things to do and in the immediate area.
Either way it will be a cracking day with lots to see for everyone.
curlyboy
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September 19, 2010 at 6:46 pm