[Robin Mosedale]

Kemble was always a pleasant place to visit when I lived close by, especially when AV8 was such a desirable restaurant, rather than an airport caff. Av8 has an excellent position, adjacent to the grass park up, and full panorama of the runway.

It was sad to see it replaced with a 'chuck wagon' serving burgers and plastic tea.

So I was delighted to see that it had reopened, and rather than fight through the clag at 1700 feet over most of Southern England today and go to Sandown, we decided to take a relatively short hop over Brize and pop into Kemble.

A quick call to Kemble revealed a most welcome and helpful tower, and so we trolled off for the relatively short hop over Brize Norton (smashing 'Traffic' service).

ATC extremely pleasant, welcoming and helpful, and parked up just in front of AV8, and eagerly trolled across to the cafe after settling landing fees in the Tower.

I think it's summed up by my flying buddy, "it looks as though they've transferred the Chuck Wagon to AV8, in fact I've had better chuck from a chuck wagon.

My 'double espresso' was smaller than the smallest single shot I've ever had, and in a paper cup.

Nothing but burgers and pizza, both I'm afraid my 'last resort' choices, and a bit of a cheek for £11.xx or something.

No plates, cutlery, just take out.


A crying shame, one of the best situated cafe/restaurants at airfields I've visited.

Kemble is a lovely airfield and excellent staff, take off a delight with a classic cold war jet practicing a display routine, and a pleasant flight back.
Such a contrast to my visit to Wolverhampton, Halfpenny Green, which has been breathed over, vastly improved with investment and a smashing cafe.