PILOT BRIEFING DOCUMENT
THIS BRIEFING IS FOR BOOKED AIRCRAFT ONLY. please book an arrival slot.
The Blackbushe Air Day Fly-In and Open Day is on Saturday 14th June 2025. We are expecting over 1 hundred visiting aircraft, and with a public attendance of around 3,500 people it is important that the arrival flow of aircraft is managed carefully. We will likely have an aircraft landing at least every 2 minutes throughout the day. The risks of unmanaged arrival flow, or of non-adherence to the procedures below include:
Infringement of the Farnborough Class D Airspace
Airprox between aircraft within the Blackbushe LFA / ATZ
Overflight of neighbouring noise sensitive areas resulting in noise complaints
A reduction in safety margins or of the ability of Blackbushe FISOs to be able to perform their functions
Your time in reading, understanding, and complying with the above is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact us on events@blackbusheairport.co.uk
JOINING
The below diagram demonstrates the arrival routes for aircraft from various points. The preferred join is for aircraft to arrive from the west, descending to 800ft on the deadside to join the circuit. Follow the dark blue circuit for RWY 25, and light blue for RWY 07.
RUNWAY 25 (NAVY CIRCUIT)
FROM THE NORTH OR WEST:
Descend on the deadside to 800ft aal & enter the circuit overhead the Car Auction centre to the west of the runway.
FROM THE SOUTH:
Overhead the aerodrome not above 1,600ft aal and make a left-hand descending turn on the deadside to 800ft.
FROM THE SOUTH EAST:
Via M3 J4 VRP must remain outside the ATZ, track around the ATZ and join from the North. Do not attempt to join on a long final for Runway 25 as you will end up overflying Yateley.
ALL ARRIVALS:
On downwind leg, turns to base are BEFORE Hawley Lake, if you extend over the lake, you will infringe the Farnborough controlled airspace.
If unable to maintain a safe distance from the aircraft in front, an early decision to go-around from the downwind leg should be made, remaining at 800ft on base leg, and then remaining southwest of the disused Rwy 14/32 to the deadside.
RUNWAY 07 (LIGHT BLUE CIRCUIT)
FROM THE NORTH OR WEST:
Descend on the deadside to 800ft aal & enter the circuit remaining south-west of the disused runway 14/32 and then entering the circuit overhead the tower at 800ft.
FROM THE SOUTH:
Overhead the aerodrome not above 1,600ft aal and make a right-hand descending turn on the deadside to 800ft.
FROM THE SOUTH EAST:
Via M3 J4 VRP must remain outside the ATZ, track around the ATZ and join from the North. Do not attempt to join downwind for 07.
ALL ARRIVALS:
On downwind leg, turns to base are BEFORE Elvetham Hotel, turning well before reaching the village of Hartley Wintney.
If unable to maintain a safe distance from the aircraft in front, an early decision to go-around from the downwind leg should be made, remaining at 800ft on base leg, and then positioning to the deadside.
SQUAWK
Aircraft within the circuit are required to Squawk 7010. This can be set when entering the ATZ.
Establish comms with EGLK ATSU on 122.305 with >4 miles to run.
Report entering the ATZ, and state you have set circuit squawk 7010.
VACATING THE RUNWAY & PARKING
FISOs are not permitted to encourage aircraft to expedite their departure from the runway. All visiting pilots should be aware however to be courteous to those behind.
Most aircraft should be capable of vacating at Taxiway C or Taxiway D and large yellow boards mark their location.
Once clear of the runway, pull clear until near to Taxiway E (to allow room for another aircraft behind) and then call for taxi to parking. The FISO will give you instructions on where to go.
North Weald Marshallers will be on hand to assist with parking.
Aircraft participating in the static park will arrive between 0900 and 1030 local in accordance with their allocated slot.
Fly-in visitors will arrive from 1100 local in accordance with their slot and be parked on the grass between Taxiway E and the runway. Follow the instructions of the marshals.
FUEL
If you need fuel, please do this before departure. The apron and Taxiways F and H will be closed on the day, which makes fuelling on arrival impossible without re-entering the runway.
When you go to depart, please get taxi instructions from Blackbushe Information on 122.305 and inform them you require fuel.
Please leave an email address with the refueller, and fuel will be invoiced after the event.
DEPARTING
All departures will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Aircraft must call before starting their engine. There may be ground-based movements which mean you will be held on the ground for 10-15 minutes.
Please do not follow marshalling instructions from the North Weald marshallers prior to establishing contact with the tower. They may be unaware of other movements.
RUNWAY 25 (NAVY CIRCUIT)
Taxi will be to holding point A1
Run-ups are to be done on Taxiway A whilst queuing for departure.
TO THE NORTH AND WEST:
Depart straight-out with a slight right turn to avoid the village of Hartley Wintney. Do not depart from the overhead as you’ll fly over Yateley or Eversley noise abatement areas.
TO THE SOUTH & SOUTH-EAST
Clearance required will be issued on the ground. Request this at start-up. It will likely be:
Standard M3 Junction 4 Departure (typical for RWY25, or for 07 departures to east)
GABCD, Farnborough clears you to cross Farnborough Control Zone, via M3 Junction 4, VFR, not above altitude 2000ft, hold north of M3 Junction 4. Squawk XXXX, QNH XXXX. Contact Farnborough Radar Frequency 133.440.
Please make sure when holding that you remain north of the M3, and outside of the Blackbushe ATZ.
Standard Fleet Pond Departure (more common on RWY07)
GABCD, Farnborough clears you to cross Farnborough Control Zone, via Fleet Pond, VFR, not above altitude 2000ft, hold north west of Fleet Pond. Squawk XXXX, QNH XXXX. Contact Farnborough Radar Frequency 133.440.
Please make sure when holding that you remain south of the M3, and outside of the Blackbushe ATZ.
RUNWAY 07 (LIGHT BLUE CIRCUIT)
Taxi will be to holding point E1
Run-ups are to be done on Taxiway E whilst queuing for departure.
All departing aircraft must set the 7010 circuit squawk on the ground unless in receipt of a Farnborough clearance as below.
All aircraft must turn right on climbout and enter the circuit.
TO THE NORTH AND WEST:
Turn right and enter the circuit, climb in the downwind leg and exit the ATZ to the NW. Remain below 1,600ft aal whilst in the LFA. Do not depart from the overhead as you’ll fly over Yateley or Eversley noise abatement areas.
TO THE SOUTH & SOUTH-EAST
Clearance required will be issued on the ground. Request this at start-up. It will likely be:
Standard M3 Junction 4 Departure (typical for RWY25, or for 07 departures to east)
GABCD, Farnborough clears you to cross Farnborough Control Zone, via M3 Junction 4, VFR, not above altitude 2000ft, hold north of M3 Junction 4. Squawk XXXX, QNH XXXX. Contact Farnborough Radar Frequency 133.440.
Please make sure when holding that you remain north of the M3, and outside of the Blackbushe ATZ.
Standard Fleet Pond Departure (more common on RWY07)
GABCD, Farnborough clears you to cross Farnborough Control Zone, via Fleet Pond, VFR, not above altitude 2000ft, hold north west of Fleet Pond. Squawk XXXX, QNH XXXX. Contact Farnborough Radar Frequency 133.440.
Please make sure when holding that you remain south of the M3, and outside of the Blackbushe ATZ.
FURTHER READING
If you’re so inclined, there is lots of information on Blackbushe via the following resources:
Airport Information: https://www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/vfr
Class D Airspace: https://www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/faqs-for-class-d
Thank you for taking the time to read this document, and for helping in making the operation at Blackbushe safe and efficient.