Pilot reviews of Panshanger Airfield

“Started a PPL at Panshanger but gave up due to cliquey atmosphere, poor aircraft maintenance and generally unprofessional attitude. You’d end up waiting around for an hour or more to be told that… “ your flight instructor was on holiday” “sorry we’ve double booked” ”didn’t you phone up earlier in the week to cancel..? errr no, I didn’t.” On lesson three I asked for airfield information the eventual (and I mean eventual) response omitted QNH, so when specifically requested the response was “… it’s the little knob on the altimeter subscale, turn it to the right.” Droll maybe, but also quite dispiriting for an ab initio pilot…”

“Comfortably the most unfriendly airfield I've visited in my six years of flying. £10 landing fee for the privilege of a disdainful 'welcome'. I certainly won't be going back - not that I imagine they'll care somehow. Though perhaps they might if enough pilots decide to stay away.”

“14 years old. Currently training for a PPL at panshanger. But my instructor seems to be playing me about a bit. He's a fantastic instructor but once he has forgot about my flight and it's not really nice waiting 4 weeks for a flight then getting told to go home. Its really awkward because if i change instructor i'll feel weird seeing that person hanging around. I do really like my current instructor and dont want to lose him, i know he's a great pilot but i think he needs to get an act together. Craig”

“I did my refresher training for PPL and IMC (ex-RAF) with Squadron Leader, The Baron Derek de Sarigny and flew with the Auster Group from 1967 to 1971 at Panshanger.

It's good to see the Panshanger hasn't been turned into an industrial estate which is what Nat Summers wanted to do (he, the owner at that time as well as Bembridge and other airfields)

I flew a Rallye Commodore there regularly, what great fun

Is there still a working party to locate and fill the "money holes"?

”

“Nice airfield , with a refreshing attitude.......very laid back ! unlike some GA airfields which seem to think they are mini-LHRs.....remember that a Radio is an aid, not a essential requirement to be able to aviate !”

“Great looking café - would have stopped for more than just tea if I had had the time. Runway is very well kept grass. Mind the trees to the east of the field (up to about 100' aal) and don't be too worried about overflying the housing estate on final/climb-out. Landing fee still £10 (PA28R) which I think is really not bad these days. A/G very sporadic, calls frequently answered only by other aircraft.”

“Panshanger, land of massive portions and longish waits. I rather like the place despite it somewhat eccentric attitudes sometimes. The runway is good and the approach easy, I had no problems with the A/G - typical GA, and was generally made to feel very welcome by the staff. The briefing facilities are good and landing fee is ok. The food is a bit expensive and the service isn't all that one would hope but its worth the wait.”

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“Glad this was a free visit on a voucher from a pilot mag as i would have been cross to have paid.

The airfield is dead easy to find but the welcome from the locals was very diffident.

The radio was about as bad as it gets and my pax and I both felt as if we were intruding from the moment we went into the flying club - they have not done the "customer service" bit of the running an airfiled course!

The cafe was pretty good and it was nice to see a good mix of planes.

If you are going there, don't expect much help or response from A/G. I transmitted on airfield in sight, descending deadside, downwind, final and landed with NO response. Stopped on the runway I asked for taxi instructions to park - to all of these I got no response. I fly quite regularly out of Headcorn where I trained and I thought the A/G was poor there but this was worse.

Shame really as the runway is a real peach and the local flying area is very interesting. It's not often I say this but I am sure I wont go back - the sadness is I dont think the good folk of Panshangar would care less.

I then went to Stapleford where a really professional outfit runs a cracking good airfield!

”

“Visited Panshanger for the first time today.

Easy to find and with only one runway not confusing for the first time visitor. You land virtually in the back gardens of the adjoining housing estate so watch the arrival, departure and circuit requirements.

The restaurant has only been open since May 2005 and seemd very smart and well worth a longer visit.

Worth a trip

”

“I visited Panshanger today for the first time. They were friendly on the phone when getting PPR and unfazed by visiting microlights. Approach to 29 over the woods can be a bit bumpy, and northerly winds seemd to cause some disturbed air from the trees north of the runway. The runway is in good condition.

Staff are friendly and helpful, and the cafe is good and doesn't seem to practice portion control! Some interesting aircraft to have a nose around and a relaxed atmosphere.

Recommended.

”

“I learnt to fly from Panshanger on the Robinson 22 and continue to self fly hire the aircraft.

EHFS have made Panshanger one of the most friendly environments in which to fly from, and one which I will continue to fly from for many years to come.

Andrew Lee

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“Panshanger has a good long grass runway, but £10.00 landing fee is a bit steep. The staff are very helpfull and pre departure brief very good. Just don't use it as a pick up point you will be charge landing fees for each landing. Not so good at £10.00 per go.”

“I have flown at Panshanger for over three years, completing my PPL there last year. I have always found it to be a very friendly, informal club with some great instructors. The rather dilapidated clubhouse is currently being redecorated and promises to look good when it is finished. Won't suit those who prefer larger (and perhaps more impersonal) clubs with all 'mod cons' provided.”

“I did the majority of my PPL(H) at Panshanger with Heliair.
The airfield is excellent for this purpose - it has a fairly large North side with all sorts of terain over which to train. It is also well situated to give good choices regarding the Cross-Country.

The staff are all very friendly and there are numerous bits of engine and such like hanging around to keep you interested.

I have SFH'd from Panshanger since and feel very comfortable with the airfield as a whole.

My only comment would be that the club-hut could do with feeling a little less formal - maybe some comfy sofas and a TV in the background or something?”