Dublin - Weston   EIWT

Date of Visit = 09/99

Pilot: = Tom McCormack

e-mail = Tom@tmcc.demon.co.uk

Field Report = Weston accepts anything upto Learjet and G4 size. When you see the runway you will admire any guy that puts a G4 down on it. It is very narrow - which makes it look longer than it's 890 m.

AVGAS from standard small a/d fuel pump - duty free fuel approx 38p/ltr. Landing (including customs fee) is gbp 8 for a pa 32. (Can't ever remember being charged parking). Weston operates a customs and special branch concession so PPR is advisable to avoid any delay.

Weston and Dublin are equidistant Dublin city. Dublin 8 miles north - Weston 8 miles west. Dublin has ample Buses, taxis and car hire, But it is advisable to pre-book a taxi at Weston.

Weston is easily identified by large reservoir on edge of airfield. Expect to route low level over Dublin city - excellent view, controllers even known to give guided tours over the air. Take care to avoid Baldonnel airbase.

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Routing VFR from the UK:

Routing from Bristol depends on how nervous you are over water. I fly to Ireland 8 or 10 times per year in a single. Only two people ever fly the plane, so I have a relatively high level of confidence. The glide rate is also so poor that anywhere more than 10 miles from the coast and I am going to get wet if the donkey stops. - so it becomes a little irrelevant.

I choose between three route options:

1) Bristol - Hawarden - Anglesey - KIL. Stays over fairly low ground, less risk of turbulence and icing - sea crossing follows route of Ferry boats so maximise chances of being picked up - avoids danger areas and controlled airspace - Radar service available for just about al the trip.

2) Bristol - Strumble - KIL stays over fairly low ground (Brecon hills can be turbulent and SSA can be above the freezing level). Longish stretch over water but are never very far from land. Need permission to cross D201, need to calculate your point of crossing the FIR to put on fltplan (I use 11nm south of Liffey). On weekdays - good chance of seeing RAF Hawks at play. Lose radar cover 25 NW of Cardiff, may get radar from Valley depending on day and alt.

3) Bristol - Strumble - Rosslare - coast line to Dublin as above - but shorter sea crossing (62nm). Poor radar cover along eastern coast of Ireland due to shielding behind mountains.