Shobdon Airfield

[D M Johnstone]

It's the Herefordshire Aero Club AGM next week & I wondered if any one had any comments (good or bad) they would like to make.
I am particularly keen to hear how members view Shobdon as a place to visit.

[Rob Swain]

Used to pootle down from Sleap once in a while.

Not bothered since your radio people (ATC? A/G? FISO?) became so unfriendly.

For example:
Quiet day, weather slightly iffy, went to go to West Wales. Couldn't get there due to low cloud in Mid Wales. Decided to 'divert' to Shobdon instead for a spot of luncheon. One bod doing circuits on frequency at Shobdon, but nobody else heard. Call up Shobdon (Info/Radio) all polite and ask if I can come in. Get grilled in a rather jobsworth way as to why I hadn't phoned for PPR, so I told them. Then kept waiting for 3 or 4 minutes until I was almost past and ready to head back to Sleap. Told, begrudgingly by the tone of voice, it was OK to come in.
Once on the ground everyone was pleasant, helpful and profusely apologetic for the person in the tower.

I did wonder how they would handle a more urgent diversion...

I am aware that Shobdon has had a few issues over it's licensing and planning etc recently - one wonders if is this the way the airfield is going about reducing movements.