OurAirports: Comments on airports in England, United Kingdom

[EGNA] "Runsways" by Anonymous Flier

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:22:52 -0500

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Hucknall Airfield, United Kingdom:

The runsways at Hucknall airfield are all grass .

[EGCC] "AIRPORT" by airbuskeith

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:26:48 -0500

Comment by @airbuskeith on Manchester Airport, United Kingdom:

HI MANCHESTER AIRPORT. IS A GREAT.

[EGBP] "re: Missing NDB at Kemble Apt" by david

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:19:08 -0500

Comment by @david on Kemble Airport, United Kingdom:

I took the information from the DAFIF, which was closed to public access around 2007 (IIRC), so the navaid data is falling further out of date each year without user updates.

[EGBP] "re: Missing NDB at Kemble Apt" by Anonymous Flier

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:05:09 -0500

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Kemble Airport, United Kingdom:

Reply to @david:

Hi, where did you get the informations for all the navaids?

[EGBP] "re: Missing NDB at Kemble Apt" by david

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:49:45 -0500

Comment by @david on Kemble Airport, United Kingdom:

Thank you for the information about the new NDB. There hasn't been a good source of international navaid data since the DAFIF stopped open distribution a few years ago, and it's wonderful news that the UK has actually commissioned a new NDB when so many are closing. I've added the NDB here: http://www.ourairports.com/navaids/KMB/Kemble_NDB_GB/

[EGBP] "Missing NDB at Kemble Apt" by Anonymous Flier

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:15:58 -0500

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Kemble Airport, United Kingdom:

Your map and navaids list do not list ndb KMB 349 kHz which was commissioned Mar 2009. 51 40 09 N, 002 04 08 W.

[GB-0023] "J-3 Flying" by nontexan

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:36:36 -0500

Comment by @nontexan on Shenstone Flying Strip, United Kingdom:

Back in 1991 I flew out of this air strip in one of my friend's J-3's, I recall using the roundabout to line find the runway.

[EGTG] "Cadet Flying" by nontexan

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:19:43 -0500

Comment by @nontexan on Bristol Filton Airport, United Kingdom:

When I was an RAF Air Cadet I flew a DHC Chipmunk from 'RAF Filton'.

[EGXY] "Gliding with the Air Cadets" by nontexan

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:18:46 -0500

Comment by @nontexan on RAF Syerston, United Kingdom:

When I was an RAF Air Cadet I attended a week long course here, flying the Grob 103 (Viking) glider, being aero-towed by a Robin DR400 (with a four blade prop for quite operations).

[EGHF] "Lee-on-the-Solent" by Anonymous Flier

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:37:36 -0500

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on RNAS Lee-On-Solent, United Kingdom:

LFA winning battle and airfield has gained enterprise zone status ,open to visiting a/c 7 days a week and has a healthy population of based light a/c and helicopters which is set to increase.

[EGCN] "BRIL!" by KJS607

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:21:15 -0400

Comment by @KJS607 on Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport, United Kingdom:

DSA is my home airport and I love it, never that busy and so much space, would definitely recommend it!

[EGLL] "HEATHROW DE LONDRES UN AEROPUERTO PROFESIONAL" by ELICE

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 06:36:28 -0400

Comment by @ELICE on London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom:

Como pasajero, las veces que me ha tocado visitar este aeropuerto, siempre destaca un aire de profesionalidad y buen hacer. Sabemos que tiene un factor en contra que cuando nos pueden sorprender las inclemencias.

[EGLA] "Bodmin" by spicetrader

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:03:23 -0400

Comment by @spicetrader on Bodmin Airfield, United Kingdom:

Great strip, relaxed.. scenic, friendly. Get down here!

[EGSU] "Flying at Duxford" by ChrisM

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:21:28 -0400

Comment by @ChrisM on Duxford Airport, United Kingdom:

First flew gliders at Duxford in November 1961 and my last logged flight here in June 1962.

My first introduction to a Motor tow launch.

Was based at RAF Waterbeach at the time and offered a chance to fly a Turbulent. Missed it!! John Delafield flew it though.

RAF Duxford was my first posting as a Boy Entrant (SAC qualified Air Radar Mech) in April 1959.

[EGDJ] "Moonrakers Soaring Club, RAFGSA" by ChrisM

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:08:59 -0400

Comment by @ChrisM on Upavon Aerodrome, United Kingdom:

This is where I learned to fly with John Williamson (CFI) and friends, in 1961.

For more info see: http://moonrakersglidingclub.blogspot.com/

[EGHJ] "Bembridge is now open all week for PPR" by Anonymous Flier

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 04:16:39 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Bembridge Airport, United Kingdom:

Bembridge is now open all week for PPR fixed wing and rotary. new website Please see vectis gliding club web site for full details.

[EGUN] "Old pics" by Anonymous Flier

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:56:35 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom:

I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall from 1968 thru 1971 and would love to see pics of the base from that time period I cannot find any of my old pics that I made while i was there, I am planning a trip in the fall to come for a visit this fall after 40 years and I know it has changed since then. My email address is james@hcvso1officer.com, I am a veterans service officer helping veterans with their benefits.

[EGTI] "Leavesden Aerodrome" by Anonymous Flier

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:10:47 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Leavesden Aerodrome, United Kingdom:

I grew up yards from the end of the runway! Fabulous place to grow up. We spent hours as kids with our noses pressed against the fence, watching the comings and goings of the learner pilots, executive jets, helicopters and airships!! Barry Bowles once used it to test his fast car - and we were there watching! We lived a few doors away from Rolls Royce's Press Officer and he let us in. I still remember everything shaking as Concorde did a flypast at an airshow in 1986 - simply amazing and still one of my favourite planes.

From memory - a potted history. It used to be the King George V playing fields, gifted to the people of Watford by the Crown. The land was requisitioned during the First World War and turned into an airfield. The land was then 'given' to Rolls Royce who sold it off in 1994 for profit when they closed down their Small Engine Division and moved production elswhere. The local folk fought the two Councils involved (Three Rivers and Watford Borough) to stop the land sale from going through but were unsuccessful. The deed from the original gifting from the Crown had mysteriously disappeared from County Hall and so ownership of the land couldn't be proved. Very sad.

I no longer live in Leavesden but I still expect to see aircraft landing when I come up Courtlands Drive to get to my parents' house.

[EGHJ] "Bembridge Airport" by Anonymous Flier

Sun, 15 May 2011 19:28:51 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Bembridge Airport, United Kingdom:

Bembridge is now open all week for PPR fixed wing and rotary. Please see vectis gliding club web site for full details.

[EGUA] "My time at RAF Heyford" by Anonymous Flier

Mon, 09 May 2011 11:28:08 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on RAF Upper Heyford, United Kingdom:

Would like to catch up with you gals and guys darylstew23@yahoo

[EGUA] "My time at RAF Heyford" by Anonymous Flier

Mon, 09 May 2011 11:20:51 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on RAF Upper Heyford, United Kingdom:

In 1980 I was a 18 year old from Flint, Michigan who was stationed at Heyford as a Security Police (B flt) and recalling great times and memories, would love to catch up with you gals and guys, Daryl Stewart

[EGSS] "Runway Designation" by Anonymous Flier

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 08:56:24 -0500

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on London Stansted Airport, United Kingdom:

FYI, EGSS runways have for the past 1 year plus been redesignated 04/22.

[EGVN] "re: Civilian carriers V Military aircraft" by ptomblin

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:15:04 -0500

Comment by @ptomblin on RAF Brize Norton, United Kingdom:

You refer to the DC-10 as an old airframe, and yet you prefer the VC-10, which first flew nearly 50 years ago? I'm willing to bet the DC-10 is *way* more fuel efficient and cheaper to operate. Probably safer too. And according to Wikipedia, the only flying VC-10s are tankers - the rest are there for spare parts.

Wikipedia also says that some of the Tristars passenger/tanker combos, and some of the passenger Tristars have counter measures against ground fire so they are used to fly people into possibly hostile places like Iraq and Afghanistan. So it's not that they don't use the Tristars, just that they don't waste them on moving people around in safe airspaces.

[EGVN] "Civilian carriers V Military aircraft" by Anonymous Flier

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:27:13 -0500

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on RAF Brize Norton, United Kingdom:

Why do we use Civilian carriers (normally the cheapest bidder, like the recently bust 'Fly Globespan', or the oldest airframes, like Omni Air's DC-10s) when the sides of the runway at Brize are lined with RAF VC-10s and Tristars? What is the point having RAF passenger aircraft if we don't use them regularly?

[EGCC] "Great!" by A330-300Fan

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:02:17 -0400

Comment by @A330-300Fan on Manchester Airport, United Kingdom:

Great for spotting, and a great airport to be in while waiting for your flight to depart.. :)

[EGLF] "Noise Abatement Procedure" by Chally

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:01:43 -0400

Comment by @Chally on Farnborough Airport, United Kingdom:

The Airport is located in a very noise sensitive area and a noise and track monitoring system is in use. Pilots are advised to strictly

follow the published Noise Abatement Procedures, unless otherwise instructed by ATC.

Unfortunately there are a lot of violation reports.

[GB-0001] "I'd not try landing here!" by Anonymous Flier

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:25:18 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on RAF Barford St. John, United Kingdom:

Now a comms station

[EGSB] "re: Bedford Castle Mill - gone" by ptomblin

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:10:59 -0400

Comment by @ptomblin on Castle Mill Airfield, United Kingdom:

The satellite picture corroborates what you said, so I'm marking it closed.

[EGSB] "Bedford Castle Mill - gone" by Anonymous Flier

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 06:19:34 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Castle Mill Airfield, United Kingdom:

This was a lovely aerodrome - now no longer; it has been developed as a gravel pit.

[EGLM] "History" by david

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 07:52:51 -0400

Comment by @david on White Waltham Airfield, United Kingdom:

While Waltham was founded in 1928 as the de Havilland Flying School. The RAF took it over in 1938, and it served as the home base of the Air Transport Auxiliary during World War II. The field stayed in RAF hands until 1982 (Prince Philip learned to fly here in 1952), and is now home of the West London Aero Club, with ~150 light aircraft based on the field.

[EGTF] "Fairoaks Airport near Chobham Surrey UK" by farnborough1

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:55:21 -0400

Comment by @farnborough1 on Fairoaks Airport, United Kingdom:

This is a very busy GA Airport with both Fixed wing and Helicopter traffic.

For many years it Housed the London met police helicopters and recently G-SURY the Surrey

POLICE helicopter was based there but due operational problems has now moved to RAF ODIHAM.

This Airfield is very busy during the Farnborough international Airshow.

For spotters and people wanting more information:

http://fairoaks.110mb.com/unofficial.htm

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/fairoaks/about?hl=en email list open to all

please do not enter Any part of this airfield without permission .

[EGHL] "lasham qla" by farnborough1

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:39:37 -0400

Comment by @farnborough1 on Lasham Airport, United Kingdom:

This is now a very busy airfield not just for gliding but for Various types of JETS .b737 757 BBJ A319

Many are for maint at ATC Lasham but there has been recently a number of airliners broken up.

Caution must be exercised at all times due to Gliders being Winch launched ,

There is no access to the ATC Site for spotters please do do stray onto the airfield

Access to the glider area is avail as is a Restuarant and public area .

for Spotters info see http://farnborough.proboards.com/index.cgi?

[EGLK] "BLACKBUSHE EGLK" by farnborough1

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:28:15 -0400

Comment by @farnborough1 on Blackbushe Airport, United Kingdom:

correct name HARTFORD BRIDGE FLATS but commonly known as BLACKBUSHE .Its in HAMPSHIRE Not as most people Say Surrey .Airfield has a long History used in WW2 by USAF CANMIL and

others before civil times with BEA and many others . Became a GA airfield in the 1960s after

bitter battles to keep it open.

Home to many types of GA Aircraft and Helicopters and some BIZ types .Is now the home

of BLINK CE560 Mustangs probably the easyiest place to see them .

The Natives are friendly lot and there is a spotters group as well.

[EGLF] "security" by farnborough1

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:30:18 -0400

Comment by @farnborough1 on Farnborough Airport, United Kingdom:

If you visit Farnborough to view the Aircraft please be aware that there are regular police

patrols in the area. They will ask you for ID and reasons for being there that is all .

they are pretty friendly and know most of the local Spotters.

On the perimeter there are few places to view from , nothing at all north side near the

TAG Terminal or entrances. you can view near EELMOOR Bridge near the canal or from

the Site of SBAC Show entrance on the A325Road please do not stray onto the AVIATOR

HOTEL Grounds security are not Friendly to spotters. Visit at weekend the FAST Museum

olso on the A325 10AM TO 4PM Well woth the visit and FREE .

[EGLF] "map on website" by Anonymous Flier

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:54:31 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Farnborough Airport, United Kingdom:

First time have seen this website very good idea but a big job

The Farnborough MAP is way way out of date as it does not show the new terminal thats

been built

TONY

EGLF Local

[EGWA] "Former airfield" by david

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:40:25 -0400

Comment by @david on Andover Airfield, United Kingdom:

This was once RAF Andover, and the remnants of the a runway are still visible in the satellite photo if you zoom out a bit. In 2008 there were plans to redevelop the site as a major Tesco warehouse.

[EGHR] "History" by david

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:28:04 -0400

Comment by @david on Chichester/Goodwood Airport, United Kingdom:

During World War II, this was RAF Westhampnett. Two fighter squadrons (145 and 602) were based here during the Battle of Britain. Later in the war, the USAAF also used the field. It became a civilian airfield after the war.

Since the late 1940s, a motor racing track, the "Goodwin Circuit", has run around the airport perimeter.

[EGTI] "Film lot" by david

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:50:24 -0400

Comment by @david on Leavesden Aerodrome, United Kingdom:

Leavesden, which hosted an important military Rolls-Royce factory during World War II, was taken over as a film lot in the 1990s:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leavesden_Film_Studios

[EGLL] "Scars" by Anonymous Flier

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:10:05 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom:

This is obviously an old photo (pre 17Jan) as you can clearly see the scars left by the undercarriage and engines of the BA38 on the grass area. It shows as a very bright green set of 'tracks'. Could google send their satellite over LHR again soon to see them please?

[EGTK] "June 2009 Visit - Oxford (Kidlington Airport)" by cashinhand

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:50:50 -0400

Comment by @cashinhand on Oxford (Kidlington) Airport, United Kingdom:

Popped in using free landing voucher (Pilot Magazine). Very well equipped IFR airfield - ILS/NDB, 1552m of runway and a very smart GA terminal. Small Costa Coffee bar and another restaurant within the Oxford pilot training school. Helpful operations staff and reception who got us a taxi and gave us a guide to the city.

Normal fees for a light piston (under 2.73 tonnes) is only £15+VAT weekdays or £10 including VAT at weekends, or free if you uplift 45 litres of Avgas.

Service - 5/5, Food - 3/5, Facilities - 5/5, Runway and Nav Aids - 4/5 (no radar other than BZN), Costs - 4/5

One of the better airports in the UK

George Cardew

[EGNF] "Sheffield Flying Club" by stu

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:55:11 -0400

Comment by @stu on Netherthorpe Airfield, United Kingdom:

EGNF is an active airstrip undertaking flying instruction, aircraft maintenance as well as general aviation. It has a CAA license, allowing flights for public transport of passengers as well as instruction. The flying Club opened in 1935 and is the oldest in South Yorkshire.

[EGCB] "Peel Airports" by stu

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:48:44 -0400

Comment by @stu on City Airport Manchester, United Kingdom:

Another one of their acquisitions. They tried closing it...like Sheffield (SCA). This time their local Council refused!

[EGSY] "Sheffield City Airport" by Anonymous Flier

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:30:37 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Sheffield City Heliport, United Kingdom:

Despite closure the matter has been raised with the European Parliament. A Petition arguing against closure has been presented. This is currently being investigated by the Europen Commission

[EGTB] "Busiest air park in Britain" by Anonymous Flier

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:37:36 -0400

Comment by an Anonymous Flier on Wycombe Air Park, United Kingdom:

Wycombe Air Park is in the top 10 airports in the country, ranked by movements, even when compared with the big international airports. It still handles in excess of 100k movements per annum.

Used to be all about gliding and fixed wing training, but in recent years helicopters have moved in and spoiled things. Not only that, it's bought the Air Park into conflict with residents, who are annoyed by some 20k movements per annum, often over urban areas. There's a DfT investigation going on into that right now.

The Air Park's also under threat because Wycombe Wanderers and Wasps and looking at it as a potential site for a new stadium. The lease is up in 2014 so there's a real possibility of change.

[EGHO] "Thruxton" by Miket67m

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:47:49 -0400

Comment by @Miket67m on Thruxton Aerodrome, United Kingdom:

Friendly airfield in Boscombe Down CMATZ

[EGXH] "RAF Honington" by Jamie88

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:03:54 -0400

Comment by @Jamie88 on RAF Honington, United Kingdom:

Spent a week here in 2002, slept in a Nuclear bunker for the whole duration!

[EGSY] "Airport closed 30 April 2008" by david

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:51:11 -0500

Comment by @david on Sheffield City Heliport, United Kingdom:

The airport was closed on 30 April, 2008, with plans to develop a business park. A heliport will stay open, however, for police and medevac use only.

[EGHL] "Repossessed jets" by david

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:50:20 -0500

Comment by @david on Lasham Airport, United Kingdom:

This former RAF base is now used mainly for gliding, but since the fall 2008 credit crunch, it's also been used to store repossessed passenger jets:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1083888/Pictured-The-graveyard-credit-crunched-budget-airlines-send-unwanted-passenger-jets.html

[EGUY] "WYTON RAF IN MY HEARTH, FOR EVER." by BRAVO

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:32:15 -0500

Comment by @BRAVO on RAF Wyton, United Kingdom:

AT THE END OF THE FALKLANDS "AFFAIR" ( I DON´T WANT TO SAY WAR ) I WENT TO WYTON RAF FOR A TRAINING COURSE ON CANBERRAS PR9. THREE OF THESE AIRCRAFTS FLEW TO SOUTH AMERICA AND BECAME PART OF THE CHILEAN AIR FORCE FLEET.

THERE IN HUNTINGDOM, I KNEW WONDERFULL PEOPLE AND I HAVE SPECIAL RECALLS OF THAT STAY.

[GB-0004] "History" by david

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:50:42 -0400

Comment by @david on RAF Molesworth, United Kingdom:

There was an airfield here from 1917 until the 1980s. It's still an active (non-flying) airbase belonging to the RAF and used by the U.S.