Ok, it’s not Mount Everest high, but Dunkeswell still holds the title of Britain’s highest. But its elevation is not the most interesting thing about this popular airfield in Devon, England.
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I always fly in controlled airspace if I can.
Many years ago, I flew gliders there a weeks holiday
I avoid controlled airspace in my Gyro. I have Skyecho, but no transponder. Still trying to justify the cost of a transponder 🤣
Enjoyed that 👏🏻👏🏻
I'm with you on the use of controlled airspace. It often makes life much easier, and arguably safer, to transit if you can. I've only been refused a zone transit a couple of times. One of these was actually by Southampton, who wouldn't allow me a transit on my way to Compton Abbas, but I had a plan to route around so no big deal. The other wasn't actually a refusal as such – I called Norwich for a transit but they were quite busy and I was getting close to their boundary, so decided to avoid it. Generally I find ATC are very accommodating.
That power storage thing is a genius solution to recycling old EV batteries!
another high airfield (but not licenced) worth a visit is Huddersfield (Crossland Moor). A bit of a challenge with a Quarry on the North side of the strip but one certainly to get in your logbook. Not as high as Dunkeswell but at 825ft, not far off.
I fly out of Teesside which is Class D and if going north always request to transit Newcastle, IMO it keeps you sharp on RT safer and why wouldn’t you want to mix it up with zone crossings !
Would Solar panels help here too? Great video
I have been lucky enough to fly in the US. This included flying in the very congested LA controlled air space (crossing LAX shoreline route) as well as flying into Las Vegas International. I did not experience any controller denying me access to the routes I requested. Las Vegas is the 5th busiest in the world, LAX is 6th busiest in the World. Heathrow is 14th or thereabouts. I'm not sure where Southampton is in terms of busyness.
Thanks for visiting a lovely airfield that I use to go often when I was down in Devon looking after my parents. By car not flying. I use to enjoy a coffee or some lunch in the Aviator. They were also very good letting me go round to the hangers for some photos, once I'd check with reception. They had a wonderful Stearman wing walker there which I hope is still there.
I've been back now for a couple of years, living a couple of fields over from Redhill! Thanks for the memories.
Next time you're flying in the US try Colorado in the winter where we regularly see -10 and below. Where at the flight school I taught we often had to sweep inches sometimes feet of snow off the wings. Where we hand propped engines because batteries simply gave up in the low temperatures. Where our highest airport is Leadville at 9,934 feet. Like all these things you get good at what you do a lot of.
To be honest, Jon, you ARE a bit of an aviation celebrity with a large subscription number so Southampton ATC are hardly going to give you any hassle are they?
The pigeon had a piece of string attached to its leg and flew ahead of the plane to lead it home in the fog.
Great video as always 😀
Hey maybe I missed a video but can't you tell your story how you got the job at BBC and what made you decide to get a private pilot license? 😀
with regards to controlled airspace, I may be on my own here but I avoid it like the plague. I've only ever asked for a zone transit once. The only time I would ever really go into controlled airspace would be if I was landing at a Class D airport.
Another great and very interesting video…really enjoy your commentary which is extremely educational even though I'm a student pilot in Australia with its subtle aviation differences, (including no req for de-icing the a/c 😅) but keep producing when you can and keep enjoying your flying… great work mate
Thanks for another top class review Jon 👌
I really enjoy your videos, and this one was a great coincidence – I just went to North America's highest airfield this last weekend (Leadville KLXV) at 9,934' MSL! Your weather was a lot colder than mine, ironically! Thank you for posting, I love your videos!
nice film nice airport….sausages
G-AZLV! I haven’t seen that aircraft in a very long time, I did my LAPL training and skills test in that aircraft!
Dunkeswell is my home airfield so glad you thought the trip worthwhile. During the summer there are Spitfire flights, wing walking and helicopter pleasure flights some weekends so a lot going on. Exeter are also happy to provide a radar service (Yeovil are closed weekends). I have never had any issues with Solent and they will try to accommodate requests if there is no conflict with commercial traffic (same with Exeter). If you have to hold for a bit to wait for the big jets, or route a slightly different way, I never see this as a problem – we don’t have a schedule to stick to.
What was the red flashing light below yoke after takeoff?
“Electric hoses” – very descriptive, but not to be used for putting out fires! I trained at Compton Abbas, nearly as high at 811’, and was a regular visitor including the first stop of my QXC. Another interesting video, thanks.
Controlled airspace – very much down to individual controllers, how belligerent they're feeling & bitter that they didn't make the grade for Heathrow. Many are sweeties, others not so much.
Hey John, have you considered starting an international airfield review?
Is it just me who's noticed you wearing your 'Yshanka' back to front?
Is it the winter equivalent of a baseball cap with the peak on the back, innit blud?
Great vid. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Another great video and airfield review John! Flying the flag for GA! Keep them coming !
EGTU is my nearest aerodrome. Nice to see it featured!
Would be very interesting to know a ballpark figure for what a trip like this costs, ie fuel, landing fees, etc
Great video! I'm planning on flying down to Dunkeswell some point soon to visit some family, this was really helpful and you couldn't have uploaded it at a better time! Thanks 🙂
I appreciate the situational awareness and added safety of having somebody else knowing where I am. Bring it on! I always monitor airport radio chatter long before I have to actually talk to anybody. Partly to build a mental picture of traffic, and just in case. "GWHG, are you on frequency?"
My home airport (Kamloops CYKA) is at 1133 feet, BTW. The highest field elevation I've had my Musketeer to is 3129 feet (108 Mile CZML). Planes don't exactly jump in to the air, especially on hot summer days with density altitudes over 5000 feet.
Interesting video. What would the performance penalty of not clearing the ice be?
Thanks very much John, a really informative video , loved the history of dunkerswell, seemed a really friendly relaxed airfield.
Loved the bangers and mash lunch, proper thick gravy.
Thanks again for the effort in putting these.videos together. All the best Matt
Never had trouble with Controlled Airspace when I was flying. Occasionally if they were busy they would decline. Once Southampton asked me to fly a ten mile DME arc around the field as they had something on. Ask nicely and ye shall generally receive, particularly if you sound as if you know what you’re doing.
Nice video John
Have you ever flown to Wolverhampton halfpenny green?
I agree with you re controlled airspace. My father used to have no choice where he was based, including lots of military bases. Always helpful, even if some RAF pilots werent as accomodating. On the limited flight training Ive experienced, we were encouraged to avoid it, unless an emergency, as we were often low and slow.
Poor old speckled Jim, baa! Blackadder!!
Good idea for repurposed Tesla batteries, currently there's no way of recycling them. Despite the MSM and governments frothing over, questionable, Carbon Climate Change and EVs, EV sales have tanked. Then theres fires in buses, cars, vans etc all from Lithium Ion batteries going critical. A lot of this tech is also filled with rare earth materials, from filthy, dangerous, unethical, supply chains and cant be recycled. Needs a massive rethink and a bright light shining upon it.
I did a doubletake when you said Dunkeswell was the highest airfield in the UK. Hard to believe you can grab that title at barely 800ft. As for controlled airspace, I agree with you 100%, I always opt for a zone transit if I can get it. It scares off the less experienced pilots who are probably also the biggest collision threats, and it often shortens the route significantly. It isn't that difficult, and I think getting comfortable with it is a skill well worth having.
I confess I once got as far as base leg on approach to Upottery, thinking it was Dunkeswell.
Spectacular episode, thanks !!!
Another great video Jon and one closer to home as my local airport is Exeter, so have flown in to Dunkeswell a number of times. Another good little airfield in Devon is Eaglescott, can be a bit challenging on a breezy day and it has a short 600m grass strip, but well worth a visit, Barry Pearson is the aerodrome owner and is a passionate aviator, Barry was a former Jersey European/ Flybe Captain and has a wealth of experience and stories to tell. Thanks again for sharing your fantastic work with us all and for being a true advocate for UK GA.
I love controlled airspace, I learnt in Norwich which was a great introduction to it with it generally being quiet. In fact at the start of my flying I was more nervous flying into uncontrolled airfields as I preferred people telling me what to do! For my first X country I chose Norwich – Southend – Cambridge as I got a sense of being looked after by the controller.
Now I fly an RV9 out of our own tiny farm grass strip and it couldn't be more different however I still love to transit whenever possible.