Compton Abbas Airfield update: New boss explains 2026 changes

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The FLYER Show. 7.30pm. Thursday, 22 January 2026. FLYER YouTube channel.

This week we visit Compton Abbas Airfield to talk with new Accountable Manager Ben Perkins and Head of Aviation James Wolstenholme about some welcome changes coming up at one of the UK’s most picturesque airfields, set in the Dorset countryside.

Plus we run through this week’s top news stories including:

• French Superstar: latest 2026 Daher TBM 980
• Update on the grounded N-reg aircraft
• Launch of Pooleys Dawn to Dusk Competition 2026
• Update on the Colin Hales and LAA situation
• Flying scholarships at Goodwood Flying School
• Popham Airfield: 1 day left to act

This week we also have ‘What Caught My Eye’ with Dave in raptures over a US YouTuber strapped to the loading ramp of an RAF A400M flying the Mach Loop (yes, you read that right), Ian on the very public row between Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary and X’s Elon Musk, and Ed spots an ad for a very thirsty, rare (and expensive) aircraft, a 1963 Howard 500.

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Links:

Popham Airfield consultation: https://flyer.co.uk/feature/save-popham-airfield-now-is-the-time/

Pooleys Dawn to Dusk 2026: https://flyer.co.uk/2026-international-dawn-to-dusk-competition-announced-by-pooleys/

Sam Eckholm A400M Mach Loop video: https://youtu.be/g60IkGJwkjU?si=uGi9FGHUhlJKZy3F

Howard 500 advertisement: https://www.platinumfighters.com/inventory/1963-dee-howard-500/

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