Glenforsa Airfield (Mull) N56 31.05 W005 54.85 15’ AMSL is an unlicenced grass airfield operated by Argyll & Bute Council (hereafter referred to as ABC).

GLENFORSA FREQUENCY IS 120.800

(if not manned, make blind calls to Glenforsa Traffic)

Livestock may be on the airstrip weekdays Oct 1st - April 30th. PPR by 1600 hrs of previous day for weekday arrivals in Oct. and April only - i.e. no weekday flying from November until the end of March. The strip is clear of sheep at weekends throughout year.  Please use high (south) side of the strip itself to land, taxi & backtrack. Taxying aircraft must remain on the runway between the edge markers at all times, except when entering or leaving the aircraft parking areas - N.b. severe turbulence can be encountered in strong southerly winds. Geese are a moderate hazard all year round.

Runway: Grass, 730m x 18m, 15ft amsl, level end to end but sloping down towards the sea.  Attempt to land on the high (south side of the runway). The old concrete threshold markers are very rough and still indicate 08/26 but the actual orientation is 07/25. Avoid landing or taxiing on the old markers. If possible, join overhead at 1500ft as the circuit may be active with non-radio aircraft. Also, float planes sometimes use the sea. All circuits are to the north (over the sea) at 800 ft. If using R07 then fly a curved approach from base leg, inside the hill. Do not over fly the village of Salen at the 07 end, or the Glenforsa Hotel on the central south side of the airfield. Exercise extreme caution if the wind has a southerly component to the runway in use due to potential severe turbulence on finals. The ABC has windsocks at each threshold of the runway on the sea side. It is not unusual that the wind (and then obviously the runway in use) can change direction in less than ten minutes and during this time the windsocks at each end may be facing in opposite directions! When in doubt, GO AROUND. If possible on “Fly-in” days, advisory weather will be placed on the answer-phone attached to 01680 300402 and this will only be updated if there is any significant change to the advised conditions. A good alternate is North Connel (Oban), 18nm south east with a northerly runway orientation. Use care at North Connel when the wind is from the East.

Radio: Glenforsa Frequency is 120.800.  Please disregard current entries in Pooleys and AFE  or similar 2008 flight guides.  Due to the high local terrain clearance you will not be able to make ground contact until visual with the airfield if you are approaching from the east although you may hear other airborne traffic. Make standard calls on 120.800 and if you get no reply and keep any chat to a minimum. If you are approaching and still working Scottish Information on 127.275 they will require a good ETA due to poor coverage. It is advisable to QSY from them with Mull in sight when leaving Oban (in the Lismore Island lighthouse) area while you can still talk to them. If you intend making an inspection pass at Glenforsa then it is entirely at your discretion. Broadcast “going around” intentions and use the sea side fence north of the runway as a fly-by line.

Standard Landing Fees: Glenforsa Airfield is maintained by the Argyll & Bute Council and the fees for 2008 (inc. VAT) are:

Up to 1000Kg - £10.00 (minimum charge)

1001Kg - 1500Kg - £15.00

1501Kg - 2000Kg - £20.00

2001Kg - 2500Kg - £30.00

Over 2500Kg - £10 per additional 500 Kg or part thereof.

This makes it easier for everyone to administer and actually results in a 17.5% decrease for all bands (on 2007 prices) except the under 1,000kg group.  Additionally, ABC reserves the right to charge for overnight parking at the discretion of the airport manager.

Pilots please book in at the “C” hut and, if not met, put log details in the daily flight sheet and leave the appropriate landing fee in the envelope provided as soon as possible after arrival. This gets the administration out of the way and saves us chasing you later (late payment will incur buying ATC a drink at the bar)!

Fuel: Glenforsa has no Avgas.  The nearest fuel available is at Oban - only 15 minutes away, where you will be welcomed with the legendary jammy-dodgers and coffee.  If unable to make Oban (North Connel) Airport without a refuelling stop there is always Prestwick or Cumbernauld (George Cormack territory).  BAA at Glasgow will charge you a fortune with their mandatory handling (although their runway 05/23 is conveniently long enough for most C152's)!

For fuel at Oban please call 01631 710 888 (mobile 0777 062 0988) - 100 LL & Avtur at Oban Airport, Oban Radio 118.05. Oban Airport is one of four Council-operated airfields - you might try the ABC Airport Development Manager, for the latest updates for Coll and Colonsay.

Accommodation: on Mull is very limited and we advise that you make arrangements early. Pilots often camp free beside their own aircraft.  The adjacent, and unique, Glenforsa Hotel, is run by aviation enthusiasts Alison and Brendan Walsh, pilots both, whose hospitality to the aviation fraternity has been widely acknowledged since their arrival on Mull a few years ago.  Salen village is approximately one mile west. The capital, Tobermory, is about ten miles North West and Craignure (the ferry terminal) is nine miles South East. There are local but infrequent buses. Car Hire is very reasonable and is available by prior arrangement from David Howitt at the Airfield Bungalow.

Useful Telephone Number:

David Howitt

Airfield Bungalow: Home: 01680 300402 Mobile: 07799 744908

Car Hire: www.mullselfdrive.co.uk or Email: rentals@mullselfdrive.co.uk

Email: dsh@glenforsaairfield.co.uk

More useful numbers:

Craignure Tourist Office (Accommodation info) 01680 812377

Oban (North Connel) Airport (Fuel) 01631 710888

Oban Tourist Office (Accommodation info) 01631 563059

Glenforsa Hotel (beside the airfield) 01680 300377 Website: www.glenforsa.com

Salen Hotel 01680 300324

Special Branch (Mandatory 24hr notice for arrival from Ireland, IOM, and non-EEC (12Hr dispensation from the Channel Islands) 0141 889 7028

N.b. The police WILL attend!

PPR ESSENTIAL from David Howitt (01680 300402 / 07799 744908) or Email dsh@glenforsaairfield.co.uk (see "Contact Us") for surface conditions and advisory w/x actuals from 09 00 hrs until 17 00 hrs. The latest information on the availability of any Argyll and Bute Council aerodrome can be obtained from Oban Airport's air/ground unit on tel. 01631 710384.

N.B. The strip may be closed at any time if the surface becomes too wet. Windsocks are positioned to the North of the thresholds - 07/25 (N.B. also helicopter windsock centre/south of airstrip.)