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
No fuel information available.
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↓ 20 kt
→L 7 kt
Wind
220° · 21 kt
Temperature
11°C
Dew point
9°C
Visibility
8km
QNH
1001 hPa
Ceiling
2100 OVC
Cloud layers
5000
2500
0 ft
FEW 600ft
SCT 1000ft
OVC 2100ft
METAR: 14 mins · aviationweather.gov
| Rwy | Cross | Head |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | →L 7 kt | 20 kt ↑ |
| 06 | ←R 7 kt | 20 kt ↓ |
15:00Z → 17:00Z
MVFR
[BECMG 23020G30KT 9999 SCT012 BKN020]
Becoming (BECMG)
230° 20 kt G30 · 9.7 km · Scattered (SCT) 1200ft · Broken (BKN) 2000ft
15:00Z → 17:00Z
LIFR
[PROB30 TEMPO 2494 +RA RA DZ BKN001]
Probability (PROB) 30 Temporary (TEMPO)
2.5 km · Heavy Rain (+RA), Rain (RA), Drizzle (DZ) · Broken (BKN) 100ft
High probability of severe conditions in the forecast.
PROB30 LIFR
Reduced visibility or low ceiling conditions.
BKN001
15:00Z → 17:00Z
IFR
[TEMPO 6003 RA BKN009]
Temporary (TEMPO)
6.0 km · Rain (RA) · Broken (BKN) 900ft
15:00Z → 17:00Z
MVFR
[19035G45KT 9999 SCT012 BKN020]
190° 35 kt G45 · 9.7 km · Scattered (SCT) 1200ft · Broken (BKN) 2000ft
Wind shear or significant gust spread.
19035G45KT
Wind shear or significant gust spread.
19035G45KT
METAR EGPL 141650Z AUTO 22021KT 8000 -RA FEW006/// SCT010/// OVC021/// 11/09 Q1001 RERA TAF AMD EGPL 141523Z 1415/1417 19035G45KT 9999 SCT012 BKN020 BECMG 1415/1417 23020G30KT TEMPO 1415/1417 6000 RA BKN009 PROB30 TEMPO 1415/1417 2500 +RA RADZ BKN001
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.