Welcome to Shoreham

Introduction

Shoreham is in an area known as Adur, which stretches inland from the Sussex Coast to the South Downs, and extends to the border with Worthing in the west to Hove's boundary in the east. The word 'Adur' is said to be of Celtic origin and comes from 'Dwyr' meaning water and the area takes its name from the River Adur, which divides Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick and Fishersgate to the east, from Coombes, Lancing and Sompting in the west. Roughly half of Adur is made up of undulating downland and yet it includes a thriving commercial port and one of the oldest licensed airports in the country. Within a small and compact area Adur enjoys the benefits of the sea, the Downs, village greens, places of historic and maritime interest and a friendly and active community. For conservation enthusiasts, Adur provides a wealth of natural habitats to enthrall people of all ages from bird and butterfly watchers to budding marine biologists.

Circuit Details

All fixed wing circuits are flown at 1100 feet. Helicopters are restricted to 600 feet within the zone. QNH and QFE are the same as the airfield is only just above sea level. Circuit direction is normally left hand.
The preferred runway is 02-20, though another may be in use at the same time. Unless otherwise instructed, arriving aircraft will overfly the airfield at 2000 feet, until instructed by ATC to descend on the dead side, and cross the upwind end of the runway at circuit height to join the downwind leg.
Aircraft arriving direct to the crosswind leg should position to cross the upwind end of the runway before turning downwind.
Circuit plans: Fixed wing   Helicopter

Radio Frequencies

• SHOREHAM TOWER (EGKA_TWR) - 125.40 (123.15 when Approach is not on line.)
• SHOREHAM APPROACH (EGKA_APP) - 123.15 (may also provide Tower services.)
• SHOREHAM Automatic Terminal Information Service (EGKA_ATIS) - 125.30

On VATSIM, if the lower control service is not online, cover is normally provided by the next higher control service. So, the Shoreham Approach frequency may also cover Tower communications. In the Real World, the same frequency is often used as Shoreham Radio, an Air Ground service.

Visual Reporting Points (VRPs)

The official VRPs are:

• Brighton Marina
• Lewes Intersection
• Littlehampton
• Washington Intersection

In addition, there are four unofficial VRPs, which are used by ATC and pilots:

• Lancing College
• Worthing Pier
• Cement works
• Shoreham Power Station

Nearby Airfields

Ford, now disused, now has commercial units erected on the site, and is famous for its market. The former aerodrome has been in existence since 1917 and was built mainly by German Prisoners of War. It was operational until 1920. Between the wars the airfield was occupied by various companies. It was operational during the Second World War, then recommissioned by the admiralty in 1945 as HMS Peregrine until 1958. The airfield finally closed in 1980. Many of the local roads are named after the aeroplanes which flew from the airfield during its history.

Goodwood (Chichester) is an active airfield with a twist. Circumnavigating the airfield is a race track, which still holds events like the Festival of Speed. Also just north of the airfield and nestled in the South Downs is the home of Goodwood race course if you prefer racing on four legs.

Tangmere, now disused, is home to Tangmere Aviation Museum. Founder member Tony Driver, our first Operations Director, was stationed at RAF Tangmere in 1962 while it was still an active RAF Airfield.