Pilot reviews of Exeter Airport

“Was looking for somewhere to do my night rating. Would not rate Aviation South West very highly - prices are crazy! £190 an hour for instruction! I think that makes it one of the most expensive schools in the country. Very shabby building as well. Would reccomend the other school on the airfield - Exeter Flying Club very highly - prices so much better and instructors really friendly too unlike Aviation South West's.”

“It's a bit of a stroll to pay your fees, but I've seen worse! Follow the C signs to get out, then back to the terminal and in the little door labelled "ATC and Briefing" between arrivals and departures. Just shy of £30 for a C177 landing which I felt was a little on the expensive side, but hey-ho. On the plus side the controllers were very friendly and accomodating and provide an excellent LARS service. Visitor parking is on the grass which will suit those who have screw in tie-downs. Singles landing on 08 must use an unmarked displaced threshold which is essentially the intersection with the old runway. I presume this is due to the cluster of houses on very short final.”

“I found quite the opposite to Saul when I visited on Wednesday.

The controllers had no qualms mixing a microlight in with the "big boys" - we followed a BAe-146 and preceeded a Hercules.

To ensure seperation they gave us a right-hand circuit to ourselves, which was fine by us. I've not had to orbit in the circuit before, so I was glad there wasn't anyone else watching...

On the ground the staff were informal but not reticent. They were happy to tell us where to book in, pay, get back to the aircraft etc.

It's true there isn't much there besides a departure lounge - at least not that we found - but as a refueling stop it was fine. The breakfast was a little tired, perhaps, but it was well into the morning.

”

“A good, challanging, aiport to fly into for a mere GA pilot, such as myself. Helpful controllers and pretty countryside. B*gger all atmotsphere unless you like hanging around small airport departure lounges, with a bunch of families queueing to go to teneriffe.

The landing fee seemed expensive (£20 for a pa28 140) and a long unsignposted walk was required to pay it. In addition, I got into a barney with a jobsworth security guard on the way back about High Viz tabbards, ID etc etc.

A good technical challenge, but next time I visit I'll fly into Faraway Common.

”

“Exeter is a airport that successfuly combines GA and commercial operations. You are quite likely to find yourself vectored around an incoming B737, or waiting to let a 146 taxi past. I found the controllers, radar and tower to be very helpful. We had to walk to the Tower, about 5 mins, to pay our landing fee. This seemed quite pricey at £46ish, but included two landings and 5 hours parking. The first 2 hours are free. The facilities in the arrival and departure area were perfectly accepatable. We enjoyed our visit, but if we were flying down for the weekend, we'd probably try and use Farway Common, just on cost alone.”

“Went to exeter today - nice place to fly over but very expensive to land and no atmosphere for GA flyers. Had to walk miles to pay fees on the ground. 40 minutes just to pay fees and taxi. Would not recommend for a land away.

C172 £25.38 to land

”