29 October 2019
Old Sarum Airfield will close to ALL movements from 16:45 on the 31st of October 2019.
That’s the bald statement on the website of Old Sarum Airfield today. Just two days remain to find a way of keeping open one of the UK’s best-loved, oldest and picturesque airfields.
Old Sarum Airfield dates back to 1917 when the site was requisitioned by the War Office for use by the Royal Flying Corps as a base for flying and fighter training.
“During 1917, German prisoners of war and the Chinese Labour Corps constructed three pairs of large aircraft hangars and one large aircraft repair hangar,” says the airfield. “The style built were General Purpose Sheds with Belfast Trusses, as they were quick and easy to assemble.
“Three of these hangars can still be seen at Old Sarum, some of just a few examples in the UK.”
The airfield also played an important role during WWII, and in 1956 the City of Salisbury gave the Freedom of the City to RAF Old Sarum. The military left Old Sarum in 1979.
The leaseholder of the airfield, Matthew Hudson, says losses have forced him to close the airfield after a proposal for a mixed use development, with housing, was turned down by the planning inspector.
Subject to weather, FLYER will be flying into Old Sarum on Thursday, 31 October. You’re welcome to join us in saying goodbye to this wonderful old airfield – at least for now.
30 comments
Having learnt to fly at Old Sarum during 1995 and been a member there until 2000, but subsequently flown into EGLS every year since, but also because my first experience of gliding was at Old Sarum with the Air Training Corps some time around 1973, I am sorry to see its passing as a flying site. Hopefully the weather will permit just one more landing and take-off in the short time remaining.
How sad.
Did all my instructor ratings with David Scouller at this excellent well run airfield.
Great memories, the authorities will rue the day these facilities are denied to General Aviation and allowed to be developed.
A sad loss !!
I completed my first matz/zone transit crossing via Middle Wallop, from Popham with the end destination Old Sarum. In my era of flying it seems like the norm to hear an airfield is being eyed up something. That something normally involves closure. To try an be positive about the situation, It’s great to hear Old Sarum’s history and stories from many aviators and like. I enjoyed my multiple visits, the breakfasts, and a good wonder around. I am truely happy to have flown in!
This is truely a big hit for the aviation community but do we flyers need to learn any lessons from Old Sarum, which may help protect our own airfields for the future… I wouldnt want this to happen to another airfield, but am sure more are in the pipeline… but what change can you make now to save your airfield? Do we need to do more for community? Do we need to help fix problems on the airfield to save money? Goverment petitions to protect not only airfields but airspace? It’s sad to gain from lessons learnt but what’s next for the aviation world?
Old Sarum, am sorry to hear of your ending, Well done on your achiviements and the many happy pilots and visitors throughout the years.
Yes things can still be done. A consortium and non profit entity. Safe guarding. A members list with any expertise noted. A business plan and action plan. FB save Old Sarum.
Very sad indeed. Ironic that we have one council apparently refusing a mixed use development which might have kept it open and another, in the case of Wellesbourne, currently accepting a mixed use development whilst still not totally ruling out a possible CPO.
We hear you, Mr. Shapps, but perhaps it’s time for some solid action if your apparent wishes are to be nothing more than wishes and before there is little or nothing left to protect.
Wellesbourne slightly different. Old Sarum lease holders. want a further development inside the perimeter. Thus not allowing the space for the current (past) commercial activities renting space. Wellesbourne not complicated with leaseholder. A big problem is value as it is v seller wanting development value.
My late father, joining the RAF in 1938, first landed there the following year, the first year of the war in which he went from wireless operator to pilot.
I learnt to fly at OS only about five years ago with Geoff Prout as my instructor. I was probably one of his last students before he retired. So sad to see this iconic airfield shut for good. I hope some plan can be agreed down the line to keep it operating as a GA airfield somehow!
Hi has the skydiving operation gone as well ?
I would think that the word”closure” answers that question!
The success of tenants in site is not reflected by the leaseholder closing the site.
It is very sweet knowing that the Hudson family have lost a large amount of money from their bet that they could buy the airfield, cease flying, and build on it.
No doubt in the future they will sell at a further loss but flying can resume.
The loss is a questionable state. Possibly the interest they charge for the investment? The deterring of activities reduced the income? The original application 2015 the planners noted the accounts did not reflect the loss claimed. Perhaps ensuring this situation was created post application?
I did AEF gliding with 1010 Squadron Air Training Corps during the 1960s, obtaining my A&B solo gliding certificates in 1969. One of our instructors was a flamboyant character called George Morgan who, if I recall correctly, would, given the chance, loop the T21 Sedbergh (as opposed to the T31) at the end of the days flying. Another of his tricks was to flying the aircraft into the hangar and park it neatly between the aircraft!(That’s probably an exaggerated version of what he actually did, coloured by the passage of time ?). I also fondly remember the magnificent breakfasts we used to have in the Airman’s Mess before a days flying (eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, fried bread…?). The RAF chef used to say, ”You can take as much as you like as long as you eat it all”! ?. I think the Airman’s Mess is where the Partridge Way houses now are ?.
Whats going to happen to the site? Crying shame if it gets built on!
I flew G-BUJE Cessna 177B Cardinal into Old Sarum on October 1st 1993 and it has lived there ever since until Monday when we had to fly it out of there for the last time. A very sad day for us.
It would be nice if the rumours about reopening bore fruit but in the mean time we are now based at Thruxton.
I hope to be at OS on Oct 31st to say farewell.
Like many others I undertook all my PPL training at OS and regarded it very much as my ‘flying home’. It’s a very sad day to see her closing. As a nation we don’t seem to have many cohesive infrastructure plans as the continuing loss of GA airfields demonstrates. It also appears that we can be rather casual with our history. Good luck and thanks to all the staff at OS who over the years made flying at OS so very enjoyable.