August Nationals 2019

Has anyone heard if the hanger will be available in the evenings this year for indoor flying?

No Hanger will never be used again. Building has been condemned.

Thanks for the reply.

A real shame as the youngsters really looked forward to it.

A deal breaker for some.

Weathers not looking too bad, who's going what day ?

The original forecast last week looked dire and had it continued we'd have given Barkston a miss this year but now, unless things change again, we'll there from Friday until Monday in our old campervan. Unfortunately, my wife has a broken wrist and won't be able to go for her usual bike rides while I wander round the stands and flight-lines so I guess she'll walk a lot which is a common thing for her.

Geoff

Still a good weekend away, but the lack of the hangar for indoor flying and general socialising on a large scale has spoiled things for me somewhat. We've been around all this before, something to do with the hangar door H&S etc etc.Nothing to be done, it is what it is. Unfortunately, we can't make it this year. Old Warden in a few weeks time instead, weather permitting.

I see the same old "don't come before 1700 on Friday" is still being pushed. Every time I've done the right thing and arrived later at the time requested, the site's already been packed and we've had to drive about to find a decent pitch for the caravan. Seems to be a mixed message.

Cuban8

yes me too, we will be arriving about 5pm hedging our bets. Much depends on how fast the raf vacate the site.

Real sham about the hanger.

9am Sunday for the swapmeet me

Hope to see some of you there DC

I bet the site will already be packed out by 5pm. I've never found it to be otherwise - let us know how you fare. If the site was never released before 5pm, you'd still have loads of campers/vans booking in at 10pm after all the faffing at the narrow entrance with tickets. Doesn't happen. It's a hell of an organisational headache and it really goes pretty well all considering, pity I'll miss the good weather this year......... to those that put it together.

Yes a big thumbs up to all those involved in the organisation even the fun police.

Love it!

A few years ago I arrived at about 3.30 as like you in previous years I arrived later and site was packed. When we arrived at 3.30 we were all corralled into an area just inside the gate. When the RAF said site was clear it was like a caravan stampede !How nobody was hurt was a miracle. There were even arguments over sites? 

Do B&B now so won't arrive until Sat morning. Weather forecast is looking good so have a good weekend everyone.

Edited By Engine Doctor on 21/08/2019 20:42:45

Edited By Engine Doctor on 21/08/2019 20:44:27

At least the weather is favourable for us this year. Here's to a great weekend.

I arrived at 7.50 pm tonight. Drove straight in, showed pass and found a quiet spot to pitch caravan. No problem at all.

Thinking of an impromptu trip to the nats this evening to overnight with a small tent. Never having been before I have to ask are there toilets and showers / water at the campsite? Also what is the policy on cooking - I have a trangia or a portable charcoal BBQ but am aware some places don’t allow certain kinds of cooking systems. I can’t find mention of facilities or policies on the BMFA Nats site and obviously too late to prebook and talk to BMFA office at this point in time.

Thank you

Edited By Simon P on 24/08/2019 11:01:07

Edited By Simon P on 24/08/2019 11:01:39

There are both showers and toilets Simon plus water. There seems to be no strict policy on cooking. I think common sense applies and you will be fine with a trangia or bbq. They do recommend you keep a bucket of sand or water next to your tent. I'd get along PDQ and enjoy the flying and the camping. You will be fine.

Edited By Alan Gorham_ on 24/08/2019 11:17:52

Horses for courses naturally, but we always preferred to tent and caravan along by the main control tower - seems a bit quieter along there and only a minute's walk from toilets and showers. Can't make it this year ourselves, Simon, but do give it a go.

Thanks! That answers my Q’s so I’ll get going then.

Saw some flying and pretty much able to buy what I went for so decided to up sticks because it was just too hot to hang around.

The only gripe is, and I would appreciate an explanation from the BMFA, is why was I held in a queue until 18.30 since all full size flying had long finished? This spoiled it a bit for a lot of people.

Martin: Not speaking on behalf of the BMFA, but the BMFA can do nothing until the RAF officially hand the airfield over. Since we are there by their grace and favour, it would not be wise to push them too hard.

There was a rumour, a while ago, that we would not be able to get access to Barkston at all in future, so we need to be grateful for what we have.

--

Pete

A cracking day with weather to match