Civilian Aviation

My first proper visit to Fenland. Billed as an Open Day/Spotters Day but obviously someone changed their mind and it was clear on arrival at the cafe that there would be no access. As they were to use runway 08 I decided to park on the approach. Very slow start but the sun came out and by late morning arrivals were stacking up. I counted nearly ninety visitors up to 3pm.

A few tasters here, many more at https://www.flickr.com/photos/102327393 ... 638872013/

Yak-18T LY-CCP by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

Luscombe 8A Silvaire G-AJKB by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

Beech 18 G-BKGL by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

Fokker DR.1 Triplane replica 425/17 (G-DREI) by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

Cessna 172 G-ASOK by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

Pitts S.2A G-PITZ by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

Evans VP-1 G-PFAH by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

PA-22-108 Colt G-CBEI by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

EV-97 G-LOSY by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

Cessna 177RG Cardinal N278SA by Gavin Livsey, on Flickr

very nice set Gavin despite the lack of access (that was a shame), looks like you found a good view point nevertheless.

thanks for sharing them
Andy

Very nice Gavin

Thanks guys. Just realised that I should have put this in the events section

Lovely set Gavin nice to see some nice old frames still knocking about.
Must be a whole different experience flying the Evans VP-1 and Triplane Replica (with replica machine gun holes

Cheers
Paul

Fenland is my local. Being a regular and social member I do know there is a bit of a debate at the moment on access. There was a regrettable mishap at an event in August when a taxiing helicopter went down. Fortunately the rotors parted but didn't impact the nearby visitors line.It has seriously raised concerns of liability if a mishap occurs. They also last year had a hangar broken into and engines stolen. Combination of events has lead to the current restrictions. A number of Flyers who hangar their aircraft are very reluctant for access to be granted, understandable if you have turned up one day to find your aircraft with no engine. One thing that has concerned them is photographs inside hangars, appearing on the internet which enables thrives to pinpoint accurately what the are looking for.
Its disappointing when this happens to access but Fenland is still worth a visit. 105 aircraft visited for the flyin. A couple of Saturday's ago they had 65 visitors. As stated 08 approach is excellent for photos. 18 is very accessible and good take off shots are possible if 36 is in use, you can shoot quite successfully from the clubhouse. 26 I have never tried as the road tends to be quite busy.
Hopefully things may change and they may decide to offer more access again in the future.

Caravelle, I fully understand the reasons why but the airfield website did, and still does today, have the event billed as such. It wouldn't have been too difficult to amend it. I had sent a message via the website many weeks ago asking what to expect and never had a response. That said, it didn't really detract from what turned out to be an enjoyable day. Fenland is only 40 minutes away so I will definitely be back.

Probably a reflection of the internal politics going on at the moment. Would agreed it's not good, but the previous post was trying to give an overview not an excuse. I'm on this side of the fence as an enthusiast and appreciate I get tolerated but always aware situation could change.

There does seem to be an increase in restrictions at GA airfields over the past couple of years, and I know from various sources (e.g. the Flyer Forum) that a lot of it is driven by engine and avionics thefts. Obviously enthusiasts are not stealing them, but a thief could easily masquerade as one, and as pointed out above, photos of residents (especially in hangars) posted on the Internet could easily be of use to thieves

it is a shame upon reading this i always found fenland to be a great airfield for access anf knowledgeable souls in the clubhouse. that being said i havent been for afew years and do agree although i am a photographer permission should be sort and if allowed the wishes of the airfield operator should be adhered to

regards

apache123