Regulated aerodrome:
Runways
1 RWY, 1837m/6026ft 1 Runway, longest: 1837m/6026ft (paved)
Source: OpenAIP
06/24
Asphalt
Length
1837m
6026ft
6026ft
06/24
Asphalt
Length
1837m/6026ft
1837m/6026ft
Strength
26/F/B/X/T
PCN
Fuel Availability
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↓ 13 kt
●
←R 16 kt
Wind
110° · 21 kt
Temperature
9°C
Dew point
8°C
Visibility
8km
QNH
988 hPa
Ceiling
1500 BKN
Cloud layers
5000
2500
0 ft
SCT 1200ft
BKN 1500ft
METAR: 26 mins · aviationweather.gov
| Rwy | Cross | Head |
|---|---|---|
| 06 | ● ←R 16 kt | 13 kt ↑ |
| 24 | ● →L 16 kt | 13 kt ↓ |
15:00Z → 18:00Z
MVFR
[BECMG 19024G38KT 9999 BKN010]
Becoming (BECMG)
190° 24 kt G38 · 9.7 km · Broken (BKN) 1000ft
Wind shear or significant gust spread.
19024G38KT
14:00Z → 18:00Z
LIFR
[PROB30 TEMPO 2993 +RA RA DZ BKN004]
Probability (PROB) 30 Temporary (TEMPO)
3.0 km · Heavy Rain (+RA), Rain (RA), Drizzle (DZ) · Broken (BKN) 400ft
High probability of severe conditions in the forecast.
PROB30 LIFR
14:00Z → 18:00Z
IFR
[TEMPO 6003 RA -RA -DZ BKN006]
Temporary (TEMPO)
6.0 km · Rain (RA), Light Rain (-RA), Light Drizzle (-DZ) · Broken (BKN) 600ft
12:00Z → 14:00Z
MVFR
[PROB40 TEMPO 6003 RA]
Probability (PROB) 40 Temporary (TEMPO)
6.0 km · Rain (RA)
12:00Z → 14:00Z
MVFR
[TEMPO 7998 -RA]
Temporary (TEMPO)
8.0 km · Light Rain (-RA)
12:00Z → 15:00Z
MVFR
[BECMG 15024G38KT 9999 BKN010]
Becoming (BECMG)
150° 24 kt G38 · 9.7 km · Broken (BKN) 1000ft
Wind shear or significant gust spread.
15024G38KT
12:00Z → 18:00Z
VFR
[12018G30KT 9999 SCT010]
120° 18 kt G30 · 9.7 km · Scattered (SCT) 1000ft
METAR EGPL 261150Z 11021KT 8000 RA SCT012 BKN015 09/08 Q0988 TAF EGPL 261059Z 2612/2618 12018G30KT 9999 SCT010 BECMG 2612/2613 15024G38KT BKN010 TEMPO 2612/2614 8000 -RA PROB40 TEMPO 2612/2614 6000 RA TEMPO 2614/2618 6000 RA -RADZ BKN006 PROB30 TEMPO 2614/2618 3000 +RA RADZ BKN004 BECMG 2615/2618 19024G38KT
Flight Times
DD . MM . YYYY
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DD . MM . YYYY
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Pilot Comments for EGPL
Peter
Life in the Outer Hebrides is often described as “Living on the edge” and for an outsider this certainly seems true: Sparse population, all with a unique single DNA; few trees; isolated shops & eating places; and limited accommodation..
Add to that the fact that on eight bus trips I was the only person NOT speaking Gallic and you will understand the challenge of Walking The Hebridean Way. https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/hebrideanway/walking
To do this, I started at Barra https://airfield.directory/airfield/EGPR and then came on to Benbecula.
Airfield: An old Second World War creation, it still has the feel of its military past. Two long tarmac runways with (currently) VOR/DME & NDB Approaches [I say ‘currently’ because steps are fairly advanced to replace them with RNP’s.] and friendly ATC (as far as I can work out, everyone in the tower comes from the same family!).
It’s ‘military’ past, though, still lingers on because the Islands are the site of the Hebridean Rocket Range https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Sea_Range#:~:text=It%20is%20situated%20in%20the,all%20sites%20of%20the%20range. which should ensure that the airfield is maintained for many years to come.
Good parking - but bring tie-downs since the wind can be very strong here. If you come from Barra, the firemen will kindly hose down your undercarriage.
Transport: There is an infrequent Bus Sevice https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/media/15707/w17-south-uist-eriskay-to-balivanich.pdf which runs up & down the spine of the island which includes the Airfield- which can be flagged down anywhere on its route. At other times, pre-booked taxis are needed: AM/PM Taxis, Daliburgh 07957 798374; Aitken’s 01878 710333; Tam’S Taxi 07717 862999; Alda’s Taxi 01876 500215;
Accommodation: This can be quite spread out and limited and heavily booked in the summer. I found it sometimes necessary to backtrack to a previous venue in order to find a bed/food.
I used: The Borrodale Hotel and The Dark Island Hotel https://www.isleshotelgroup.co.uk/ [Both in the same group]. A very well presented and highly recommended B & B near Benbecula is Borge Guest House. https://borve.scot/ Whilst staying there I used The Dark Island Hotel for sustenance.
Pit Stops: Places to get sustenance are very few and far between except for hotels (at hotel prices!). Two venues I would recommend are: In South Uist, Kilbride Cafe 9 HS8 5TT which does wonderful 'Fish & Chips'; and in Balavanich, The Stepping Stone Restaurant https://www.facebook.com/TheSteppingStoneRestaurant/
AirfieldBot
PPR is required for arrivals and is granted for a specific time; holding outside the ATZ may be necessary due to IFR traffic. No fuel is available, including Jet A-1, and PPR for fuel is not granted. Facilities on the ground are minimal, with only brief access to the tower for restroom use. The island is best explored by bicycle, and accommodation such as the Dark Island Hotel is available nearby.