Airport Scilly Isles/St Mary S (EGHE)

EGHE (St Mary's) requires PPR, typically handled by phone or via a form and email; confirmation is recommended. Day trip acceptance can vary, so check directly. No arrivals or departures are permitted on Sundays. IFR and VFR operations are possible, with a transit corridor SFC–4000 ft coordinated between Land's End Tower and Scillies Tower; above 4000 ft, Culdrose Approach provides service. Visual approaches are common, but NDB and GNSS approaches are available.

Runways are short (longest 695 m), with pronounced slopes and humps, especially on 32/14 and at intersections. The first 100 m of several runways have steep gradients; careful short-field technique is needed to avoid hard landings or brake wear. PAPIs assist on final approach. Grass parking is standard, generally firm but with some stones and edge lights to watch for; parking is typically on the north or east side near runway thresholds. Taxiing across the tarmac road poses a prop strike risk. No Avgas or Jet A-1 is available at EGHE.

Landing fees are paid by phone or bank transfer; no parking fee for short stops. Example: landing about £40–£70 including parking. Accommodation is scarce and expensive, especially in high season; B&Bs may be booked far in advance, and hotel rates can be high. The terminal area has a café serving food during shop hours; other food options exist in town within a 10-minute walk.

Ground transport includes taxis (which may need to be prearranged) and walking routes; the town is accessible in 7–15 minutes on foot from the airfield. The airport environment is scenic but busy with commercial traffic, requiring strict adherence to procedures and radio calls. No fuel or maintenance services are available on site.

A GAR form is required for arrivals from outside the UK; not needed when arriving from England. Weather can be variable with fog possible, especially mornings. Procedures vary; see AIP/NOTAM for current details. St Mary's offers a unique destination for GA pilots seeking challenging approaches and island scenery but requires careful planning due to operational constraints and limited services.