6 July 2015
Llanbedr Aerodrome in north Wales is anxiously waiting for the government’s decision on the UK spaceport for which it is a leading contender. The decision is imminent, not least because the spaceport is meant to be up and running by 2018, and may be made at this month’s Space Conference in Liverpool.
Llanbedr Estates director David Young, a member of the Kemble based consortium which has the lease to the former MoD airfield, told FLYER that Llanbedr is perfect for the role as spaceport but will continue to encourage General Aviation. Llanbedr is also used for occasional UAV (drones) testing and has set up an online PPR system which highlights when in use by UAVs.
“The 2300-metre runway will need extending for spaceport but we have room for that,” said Young. ”
Llanbedr now has avgas, with Jet A1 to follow soon with self-service pumps. A cafe is operating in the former Ops building, and a flight school established. The area is close to the Snowdonia National Park, the beaches of north and west Wales, and golf.
A masterplan for the aerodrome, created with partners QinetiQ, includes a science and technology business park, welcomed by the local community as a much-needed boost to jobs.
