Hughes family signs off from Compton Abbas

“And we’re off!” The Hughes family has signed off from their 1987-2023 stint as owners and operators of Compton Abbas Airfield in north Dorset.

In a long, emotional post on the airfield’s Facebook page, they said, “There are far too many brilliant people and experiences to mention, particularly with 35 years worth to choose from. We feel fortunate and proud to be handing over this wonderful airfield, modelled as it has been over the years, by such a fantastic group of people.

“Our amazing team in the airfield cafe – all of whom are local and who are a close knit bunch, including mothers and daughters, friends and relatives – have all been a pleasure to work with.

“Our team in ops includes a staff member who joined us at the age of 16 washing up who has ended up being an operations supervisor. Some years ago a 16 year old girl applied for a bar job with no aviation interest or experience and went on to work as an executive jet pilot.

“In the past year our Head of Training tells us we have managed to get more students through their Private Pilots Licence than any other flying club in the UK.

“The airfield is full of people who we have trained with our amazing, accomplished and experienced team of flight instructors; amongst them Air Ambulance, ex fighter jet, and commercial pilots.

“We are associated with some great companies who are based here. Ian Browning Engineering has been the best maintenance company we could have wished for and has kept our fleet in the air and serviceable. Maverick Motorcycles have been an invaluable support and kept us all smiling. Fiona of Shadow Aviation has recently won a very prestigious award from the BMAA; she is held in great esteem by the wonderful microlight community we have here.

“Our brilliant volunteers who operate our air ground radio have been invaluable, particularly in the summer, their duties all carried out with a professional and cheery disposition, fuelled of course by coffee and cake.

“Our DH Heritage team, who lately have kept the Stearman, Harvard and Chipmunk sparkling and full of happy customers, really are the best team we could have hoped for, with dedicated ground crew, and hugely experienced ex Royal Navy, and an ex Empire Test Pilot instructor giving our excited passengers a wonderful unforgettable airborne experience.

“Moving on to our solo hirers and aircraft owners. We have such a fantastic variety of aircraft based here, from 1930s classics, our lovely bunch of flexwing pilots, to the iconic Stearman and everything in-between.

“We have worked with wonderful customers and suppliers over the years and have had some brilliant events with all sorts of charities and organisations. Compton was the first Pooleys Air Day location and the British Aerobatic Association have been holding their competitions here for decades.

“More recently, The Wing Walk Company have enabled numerous charities to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for their causes, and have become a much loved viewing activity.

“We would also like to say a huge thank you to our long suffering locals who, it must be said, have been very supportive and appreciated the fact that we had embraced them in much of our decision making over the years, particularly regarding noise abatement routings and operating hours. Your support has meant an awful lot to us.

“The airfield is now being handed over to Ashcombe Estates who are closing for February to carry out renovations. It will be interesting for everyone to see the changes that are to be made to this cherished, quintessential UK airfield.

“To sum up, we will miss you all, we are very grateful to everyone who’s been a part of this amazing airfield experience during the last 35 years, whether it be pilot, staff member, volunteer or just someone who got great joy from just looking up as the ‘planes fly by. An airfield such as ours is only as great as the people who make it so; and that is you so thank you.”

– The Hughes Family

Read the full post (and pages of comments and tributes) here.

Photos from Compton Abbas: