Civilian Aviation

Hello all,

Cheltenham Gold cup is coming up next month starting on the 10th, is there potential for biz jet's or chartered stuff coming in on the Monday? Not been at the Airport the Gold Cup week, I know there'll be bus/train charters, not sure if anything happens aviation wise. Did anyone observe anything last year?

Just wondered if it's worth going for and what the best day might be.

Any help appreciated


James.

there is intensive helicopter activity at the race course itself. I don't know which airport(s) are the main ones used for the biz I'm afraid, whether it's Staverton or if they have to go further away because of the numbers involved.

I've never been but I'm sure there will be somebody here who has or maybe some old photo posts from previous years which might have comments about locations/viewing etc

James - this is the comment about arriving by air on the race festival website:

Birmingham and Bristol airports provide fly to many national and international destinations. Gloucestershire Airport is in Staverton at junction 11 of the M5 and can schedule private flights.There is a helipad at the racecourse.
Read more at http://cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk/p ... I3p7To5.99

as for the busiest day, the Gold Cup on Friday is the highlight of the festival and will certainly be very busy. At most of the racing festivals the Ladies Day (it's wednesday at Cheltenham) is always very busy as well

here's a link to the helipad operators : http://www.helipad.co.uk/userfiles/docu ... 202014.pdf

and the airfield details: https://fly.rocketroute.com/plates/admi ... &icao=EGBC

you can see it indicated on Google Earth about 1/2 mile northwest of the centre of the race course

I cannot find any details of the radio frequency I'm afraid, hope the rest helps a bit.

If you (or anyone else interested in seeing helicopters) are a long way from Cheltenham it's worth bearing in mind that as an alternative, London Heliport is usually very busy for flights to and from Cheltenham during the festival week

EDIT: James, as the info here relates more to the festival than Lulsgate, would you mind if I move this to the genreal south-west fourm please? won't do it until I hear from you, MTIA
Andrew

I've heard that Ryanair are doing an airlift into Birmingham this year, with nothing at present planned for Bristol. The movement of the horses by plane hasn't happened in years and if I remember rightly, the last horsey plane was a TNT BAe146 into Filton several years ago. Usually any bizjets go to Staverton.

As I am from Cheltenham so Gloucestershire Airport is my local Airport i would say Firday might be good there is no airline charter just bizjets and King airs as far as i kown. I hope this helps you.

All the best

James

Yes feel free to move, seems likely to be movements elsewhere, Staverton never crossed my mind to be honest!

I was wondering whether it was worth going to Lulsgate or not, I've heard about horse planes at Bristol (was this done at Filton then?) but seeing as they don't run anymore then I'll do something else


Cheers for the responses and help though guys, much appreciated as always

Hopefully as we get nearer to the time more information will surface and get posted here