Location, location, location... why airfields are important

Location. That’s the number one reason that airfields consider themselves to be important, according to the first results of a survey conducted by the new Strategic Airfield Network (SAN) at the end of January.

“Strategic location is the most frequently mentioned reason – either proximity to a major urban area or the function of the airfield in a rural area,” said a statement from SAN, which is run by Ann Bartaby of the Airfield Operators Group and Louise Southern of the UK VFR Guide.

“Most previous work to categorise airfields has focussed on the range of services, which are also frequently mentioned in our survey but geographic context is judged as being of equivalent importance.

“It is also important to note that many airfields have drawn attention to their community role – they are meeting more than a strict ‘aviation’ function in their locality.”

• Strategic Aerodrome Network launched to protect airfields

The airfields which are happy to be named are:

• Aughrim
• Beccles
• Bicester
• Blackbushe
• Bodmin
• Bognor
• Castle Kennedy
• Chirk
• Cumbernauld
• Denham
• Derby
• Eastchurch
• Enstone
• Farway Common
• Kirkbride
• Lands End
• Ledbury
• Main Hall Farm
• Manchester Barton
• Membury
• Newport City
• Old Buckenham
• Popham
• Stoke Golding
• Strathaven
• Turweston

Bodmin Airfield has been recognised as the largest traditional wildlife meadow in the southwest and now has County Wildlife Site status

Other reasons given why airfields consider themselves important include:

• Increasing airfield closures around, full ‘offering’
• Flying training
• Military and other emergency/alternate
• Room to expand
• Community role
• Historic rarity and links
• Variety of activities
• Innovation (and embracing new technology)
• Maintenance

If you operate an airfield and have yet to take part in the online survey, please email Louise Southern at [email protected]