From here
Paging any UK pilots:
Does anyone know of any airports that currently offer affordable circuit / approach training in the south of the UK in the late afternoons / evenings over the next few weeks?
EGMC used to but it looks like they now close at 3pm daily? Happy to stand corrected on that….
TimR wrote:
EGMC used to but it looks like they now close at 3pm daily? Happy to stand corrected on that….
Try EGTR/Elstree? They usually close at SS.
Shoreham?
Check notam for new opening hours.
C2623/21
SHOREHAM ATZ AND AD OPR HOURS:
MON-FRI 0800-1700
SAT-SUN 0900-1700
EXTENSIONS TO OPERATING HOURS AVAILABLE THROUGH ATC 01273 467377.
IN CASE OF LATE MOVEMENTS, THE AIRPORT AND ATZ WILL REMAIN
ACTIVE UNTIL THE LAST MOVEMENT HAS TAKEN PLACE, UP TO A MAXIMUM TIME
OF 2000.
FROM: 28 MAR 2021 08:00 TO: 05 APR 2021 19:00
Lydd has been helpful when Southend ILS was fully booked, but twice I went as far as Norwich for the ILS
Calais & Dieppe comes next, GPS & NDB only, extra distance but they are free and anytime
There is Shoreham & Southampton? but I never tried
Lydd EGMD has re-opened today
C2801/21
AD OPEN 0800-1000 1100-1300 1400-1600 DAILY. ALL MOVEMENTS
STRICTLY PPR BY TELEPHONE THROUGH ATC 01797 320881 OR 01797
322417. SAR, POLICE, AMBULANCE HELICOPTERS OR UAS MAY OPERATE
DURING CLOSURE PERIODS UNDER OUT OF HOURS INDEMNITY ARRANGEMENT WITH
AD AUTHORITY.
FROM: 29 MAR 2021 07:30 TO: 30 APR 2021 18:00
@timr new thread created
Ibra wrote:
Calais & Dieppe comes next, GPS & NDB only, extra distance but they are free and anytime
At the moment one cannot land there if one wants to avoid the complications of returning to the UK under present Covid restrictions.
There have been ‘rumours’ that if a pilot simply leaves the UK FIR (but doesn’t land away) that certain Border Controllers at some airports are treating that also as a ‘return’ and requiring the full documentation and Covid testing that ordinary airline passengers are currently subject to.
I would be grateful for clarification from others as to what is/is not possible?
Calais is, (used to be), one of my favourite Procedure airfields!
See my trip to the Alps writeup.
GAR & PHE needed.
Peter_G wrote:
Calais is, (used to be), one of my favourite Procedure airfields!
It’s at door step from Rochester 
I don’t recall any issues going to Calais, I went there last year twice for TnG and back as well as many other times to clear PAF while going to France, I understand GAR, PHE, FPL apply to all flights (and French PNR, I think it’s not required but maybe useful if engine stops on landing 
)
Maybe things are different now? but I never had any issues with UKBF on tests or airliners forms/hotels, and they were around most of the times…
Ibra wrote:
It’s at door step from RochesterI don’t recall any issues going to Calais,
In NORMAL times that is correct: I go to Calais at least twice a month from Rochester.
But these Covid-19 times are NOT normal. Caveat Emptor!
Peter_G wrote:
But these Covid-19 times are NOT normal. Caveat Emptor!
Indeed it’s not normal times given that the restaurant is closed from last Aug, but I flew UK/France via Calais 7 times since Mar20 last year, no issues at all, but I have not been there in the last 2 months (last one was in Jan21), so probably things are probably tighter on the way back right now…
Very convinient = no one is around except our friendly AD manager
No English AFIS though, he is at Châteauroux for a while now…
