Blackbushe Airport

Blackbushe Airport. It is a general aviation airfield located in Hampshire, England, situated approximately southwest of central London. Originally constructed as a Royal Air Force station during the Second World War, it played a significant role in military transport and glider operations. Today, it serves as a busy hub for private flying, business aviation, and flight training, while also hosting major events like the Blackbushe Festival.

History

The airfield was originally built in 1942 as RAF Blackbushe, a key base for the RAF Transport Command during the Second World War. It was heavily utilized for operations supporting the Allied invasion of Normandy and later served as a base for Airborne forces and glider units. Post-war, it was a major staging point for the Berlin Airlift, with aircraft like the Douglas Dakota and Avro York operating from its runways. The site was transferred to civilian use in the 1960s, with ownership passing through entities including the Crown Estate and Bristol Aeroplane Company. It gained fame in the 1970s as a base for Dan-Air and was the location for the 1978 Blackbushe Festival, a major rock concert featuring Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton.

Facilities

The airport operates a single main asphalt runway, 06/24, which is long and wide, suitable for a wide range of general aviation aircraft. Key infrastructure includes the main terminal building, which houses National Air Traffic Services (NATS) air traffic control services, and several large hangars operated by companies like Aircraft Restoration Company and Blackbushe Aviation. Fuel services are provided by Shell and BP, with both Avgas and Jet A-1 available. Other facilities include maintenance organizations approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, a popular on-site Caffyns café, and extensive parking for based and visiting aircraft.

Operations

Blackbushe is a designated general aviation airfield with no scheduled passenger services, focusing instead on private flying, corporate travel, and flight training. It is a base for several flying schools, including Flight Training London and Aeros Flight Training, which offer courses for the Private Pilot Licence and Commercial Pilot Licence. The airport is a hub for business aviation, frequently handling flights for companies based in the Thames Valley and London. It also supports aerial work such as aerial survey, light aircraft manufacturing, and serves as the home for the Historic Aircraft Collection and the Bristol Blenheim project. Air traffic control operates during daylight hours, providing a ATZ service.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has experienced several notable accidents throughout its history. In July 1951, a Douglas DC-3 operated by Airwork Limited crashed on approach in poor weather, resulting in fatalities. A significant incident occurred in August 1978 when a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 freight aircraft overran the runway after a rejected takeoff, causing substantial damage but no fatalities. More recently, in 2015, a Piper PA-28 Cherokee involved in a training flight from London Biggin Hill Airport made a forced landing in a field near the airfield following engine failure, with minor injuries reported. These events are investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

In popular culture

The airport has served as a filming location for numerous television productions and movies, capitalizing on its historic World War II era architecture and open spaces. It featured prominently in the BBC series 'Allo 'Allo! and has been used in episodes of Doctor Who and *The Great Escape*. The airfield and its vintage aircraft have appeared in films such as *The Battle of Britain* and *The Da Vinci Code*. Its most famous cultural association remains the 1978 Blackbushe Festival, a landmark music event that attracted over 200,000 people to see acts like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Joan Armatrading.

Category:Airports in England Category:Transport in Hampshire Category:Buildings and structures in Hart District