Winter Night Flying at Blackbushe 2021/22

As winter comes around, so do the dark evenings, and the need for an aerodrome with lighting. From Sunday 31st October 2021 to Saturday 26th March 2022, we will be open for an extra hour (until 19:00 local) each day to accommodate those who wish to continue flying in the evenings.

This will be available 7 days a week, to residents and to visitors too. It will consist of an extension of the tower and AFIS, as well as our lighting (AGL). There will be no provision for Rescue Firefighting Service (RFFS) after 18:00 local.

Winter Night Flying will be unavailable from Thursday 24th December 2020 to Friday 1st January 2021 inclusive, and airport hours on these days may be shorter and advised by NOTAM.

The availability of Winter Night Flying may be affected by changes in COVID-19 restrictions, and we reserve the right to withdraw it with no notice should COVID-19 restrictions change, or if any staff are required to self-isolate.

CHARGES

Monday to Friday: £6 + VAT per Landing or Touch & Go

Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays: £12 + VAT per Landing or Touch & Go

These are in addition to the usual Landing / T&G fees. Please respect our neighbours, and avoid the noise abatement areas and the use of excessive power.

PPR IN ADVANCE

The airport will remain open past 18:00 local only if there have been movements booked in advance. Pilots must PPR by 12:00 local on the day of the flight. If there are no planned movements, then the airport will close, lights will be turned off, and staff will be sent home.

CANCELLATIONS

We appreciate that plans can fluctuate. Our ATSU staff are staying late on overtime to accommodate Winter Night Flying. If you have booked a flight after 18:00 local, and subsequently need to cancel it for any reason (including weather), please do so by 12:00 local on the day of the flight. Cancellations made after this time will be charged at £12 + VAT, 7 days a week. No charge will be payable where the airport is NOTAM’d closed at short notice.

Tower Only Extensions for Aircraft <3,500 kg

Operations between 18:00 local and 22:00 local (summer time) or 19:00 local and 22:00 local (during Winter Night Flying season) are possible by prior arrangement. All Tower extensions to opening hours must be requested no later than 17:00 local on the calendar day prior to the planned operation, providing a minimum of 25 hours’ notice. A fee of £50 + VAT per hour or part thereof will apply to any operations outside of hours, applying cumulatively from 18:00 local in summer or 19:00 local in winter. This fee includes the provision of AFIS and aerodrome lighting. There will be no provision of RFFS service in this situation.

Aerodrome Extensions for Aircraft >3,500 kg

Operations between 18:00 local and 22:00 local are possible by prior arrangement. All extensions to opening hours must be requested no later than 17:00 local on the calendar day prior to the planned operation, providing a minimum of 25 hours’ notice. A fee of £120 + VAT per hour or part thereof will apply to any operations outside of hours, applying cumulatively from 18:00 local. This fee includes the provision of AFIS, and RFFS category 2 (3 on remission), as well as aerodrome lighting

Night Flying Procedure Reminders

• Please remember to book your night flying before 12:00 local on the day of the flight.  This also applies if departing before 18:00 local, but returning after 18:00 local.  The airport will close, and staff will go home after the last planned movement.

• The circuit height is 1,000 ft QFE during night operations.

• Please remember Blackbushe has a mandatory Hi-Viz policy.  This is particularly important at night, as taxying aircraft cannot easily see pedestrians!

• Please ensure radio calls give an accurate report of your location on the ground, or in the air, as it is very difficult for the ATSU to see aircraft if positions are vague.

• Be prepared for diversions. Many things can affect the ability for the airport to remain open, for example disabled aircraft on the runway, or lighting failures. Make sure you know where your diversion airfield will be, that it is open, and that you have enough fuel to get there safely.

NIGHT RATINGS

We have several schools onsite who offer night rating training.