Pilot reviews of Popham Airfield

“Popham is my home airfield and has to be one of the best GA fields in the UK for visitors, both by air and by ground. The airfield offers excellent facilities and a friendly/family environment to all. The challenging arrivals and departures at Popham can be mastered by reading the great advice on the airfield web page. This goes along way to providing visiting pilots with a successful and enjoyable visit to EGHP.”

“Busy little airfield, very friendly and informal on the phone and on the Radio, but helpful too. I was nervous about the offset approach to 26, but it was nothing to worry about - in fact I enjoyed it, it makes a change from the usual boring straight approaches !!. Nice Runway, big dip in the middle, but again, its not a problem if you allow for it. Plenty of parking, but it was very busy. Nice place to eat, and nice outdoor area with tables where you can watch the planes. Its a busy part of the country as far as GA is concerned, flying back I had constant multiple contacts until I was north of Luton. GA is very much alive !!”

“Popham is a very popular destination for a variety of types, and it's easy to see why. First and foremost, Popham is a very relaxed affair. Despite having more movements than you'll find at many GA airfields, it really does possess a quite sedate mode of operation. This is good; it's both a hive of activity, yet it's not a frantic or rushed environment in which to fly. Popham's party piece is the offset approach to Rwy 26. The A303 runs to the south of the field, and there sits a service station on the threshold to Rwy 26. Not being allowed to overfly the service station (for obvious reasons) all approaches are flown at something like a 20-30 degree offset. You are still turning as you cross the numbers; try to resist the temptation to touch down on the numbers, better to aim to touchdown abeam the clubhouse/signal square. There is a noticeable slope, but with some 900m of usable length this is rarely an issue for most types. There is also 03/21 which operates on the 28 day rule. 03/21 is much narrower than the main 08/26 axis but has a good surface condition. Again, there is some 850-900m usable length.”

“

A popular airfield with visiting pilots and bikers alike. The cafe serves a good selection of reasonably priced food including a salad bar and seems to be used a lot as an unofficial service station off the A303!

A/G service is exactly as A/G should be - the basic information you need and no wannabe ATCOs. ;o) Runways are fine if a little bit bumpy and it can get a bit messy if there's been wet weather, so not a place to take your freshly washed aircraft.

All-in-all a good place to visit with an interesting range of resident and visiting aircraft and a bargain at £5 landing fee. Microlights are not only welcome, but if it's a training day will probably make up the bulk of the circuit traffic.

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“Visited Popham twice in the last week. The first visit was, as usual, met with friendly ATC & clubhouse with well priced good food. A great morning out.

This afternoon was a bit different - the cafe was closed, and whilst there was a cold drinks fridge in the corner, it was padlocked shut! Luckily the OAT was only a mere 28C !!! But I did get to pay £2 for 2 small cups of tea from the machine. Fair enough if the cafe folks want a well deserved day off, but to lock off the fridge on a hot day does seem a bit odd.

I know that this is a far cry from the usual Popham welcome, so hopefully next time normal service will be resumed. Maybe it was just an 'off day'.

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“Took advantage of a free landing offer for Popham and unusually found runway 03 to be in use and in excellent condition; it's far more common for the active to be 08 / 26 in which case you have to remember the noise abatement procedures and get the fun of a curving approach.

Popham was as friendly and informal as ever with very good value food available in the clubhouse and some interesting aircraft in the air and on the ground.

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“overnight stay from jersey in light twin. 31.8/ 1.09 2005. couldnt be more helpful over the phons prior to arriving, truely welcoming on arrival and couldnt to more to make the whole exercise a wonderful experience. will return”

“Flew into Popham this morning. Very welcoming and helpful ATC. Easy to understand noise abatement procedures make it a fun arrival. Cafe very friendly with reasonably priced food for both adults and kids.This is a real 'pilots airfield' - no officious yellow jacket police, no worries about looking at aircraft. I will definitely be back to this friendly airfield.

Just one word of caution - took off on R/W 21 - if you have an engine failure there are very few places to go due to the woods - try to have a contingency up your sleeve!

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“Always lots going on wx permitting. Food good caff stuff with specials. Maintenance on site, cheap landing fee waived if you go into maintenance.”

“Excellent service, good club house with cafe and outside seating area with play area for the kids. Lots of additional events happening at the Spitfire Flying Club, which makes fly-ins more entertaining. The resident flying school Airbourne Aviation were helpful with local information on pubs etc.”

“Landed yesterday in a micrcrolight (3 axis). A couldn't care less attitude, long walks in rain to a fro to wake them up, refuel and pay. No offers to help wing walking, no chocks no tie down blocks or anything at the bowser site. rather poor impresssion but there you go !.”

“Friendly atmosphere and clubhouse does good "pub grub" standard food. Group shares and aircraft for sale often advertised on club noticeboard. Landing fee was about £5 when I last visited.”