Cranfield
We have two PA28 aircraft based at Cranfield – one PA-28-161 Warrior II and a PA-28 Cherokee 180C. Cranfield is a busy GA training airfield with all major instrument approaches available on the main runway 21. The airfield is open from 0830-1900 weekdays, and 0900-1800 at the weekends and bank holidays.
Ground Facilities
Bonus Aviation kindly look after our keys and techlogs in their flight training offices. To get to Bonus drive follow the RVP signs through the university towards the tower, then turn right into a small road towards Bonus/Cafe Pacific. Car Parking can be limited during the week but you can normally park somewhere around this area. We have the use of Bonus Aviation’s facilities, and have a filing cabinet in the main planning room which holds the techlogs and other stores.
Aircraft Parking
The aircraft are parked alongside taxiway alpha, about 2mins walk from Bonus Ops. Hi-Viz is mandatory airside. There is parking for all aircraft, with stands marked and metal tie-downs in the concrete. Each aircraft has proper tie-downs provided. When returning to the apron after flight, you can position onto the apron but will slightly infringe the taxiway, this is fine so long as the aircraft is pushed back promptly.
Cranfield Operating Procedures
All circuits and instrument approaches are to be pre-booked with the tower. Circuits are included within the aircraft flying hour rate, instrument approaches will appear on your invoice.
Joining at Cranfield is normally only from Woburn Town (south of Cranfield) or Stewartby Brickworks (east of Cranfield). This is to avoid conflictions with the helicopter circuit to the northwest and the instrument approach pattern to the northeast. Note that the instrument approach pattern extends from Cranfield all the way to and sometimes just beyond Bedford Disused Aerodrome, so caution should be used when flying to the northeast of the field. Also, the METMAN BAE 146 and College Jetstream often make straight-in approaches from as far north as Kimbolton/Grafham Water.
Flying Out-of-Hours
Cranfield is available unlicensed out-of-hours to pilots who have signed the waiver form available in the tower. This form must be signed annually. Blind calls should be made on 122.850, runway 21 is the preferred runway. Circuits MUST NOT be flown out-of-hours, the waiver scheme is simply to land or take-off. Noise should be kept to a minimum over the village and the university. During the summer there is often hot-air balloon activity on the airfield in the evenings and early mornings. NOTAMs should always be checked prior to out-of-hours flying as runway/taxiway sweeps and other work in progress often take place, and when these are scheduled the waivers are suspended preventing out-of-hours movements.
Need more information?
If you are a Twitter user why not follow @azureCFD – the official Twitter feed of the Cranfield base. Regular updates will be tweeted on the airfield in general, the aircraft availability and any other important news. Updates will be posted regularly, and its a great way to keep in touch with the Club if you are a keen follower of Twitterdom.
For more information on the Cranfield base, please complete the contact form below with details of your questions and the Base Administrator will be in touch with you soon!
