Chivenor... is it still active?

[tegwin]

Google doesn't seem to be helping me at the moment... Does anyone know what the current status of RAF Chivenor is?

I am aware there is/was a glider squadron and possibly a SAR flight there..... But I cant find any up to date information and I can't find a contact number that works....

Anyone have any ideas?

I have been tasked to conduct some survey work on the coast just inside the ATCZ and ideally, if there are aircraft coming and going, I need to talk to the ATC before I get started.

[chevvron]

I think it's Royal Marines now. If you can get a copy of the RAF Helicopter Landing Site booklet, it will have a phone number; listed in some places as A/G 130.2 but no phone number.
If the gliding unit was an Air Cadet one, they usually only operate at weekends and they're not too active at the moment - see the thread about Air Cadets grounded.
Having said all that, I've found an old copy of the HLS directory which gives a phone number as 01271 857220, but this may be the SAR unit which may not exist any more.

[falcon12]

Yes it is. Was playing cricket in village next door last month and there was a S61 SAR flying in and out most of the afternoon.

The runway appears to be open and the Royal Marines were seen as we drove past.

Hope that helps

[ColinB]

The wonders of WIKI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Marines_Base_Chivenor

[sharpend]

But they won't let you land :ugh:

[Sleeve Wing]

All details re: RMB Chivenor can be found on P.712 of Pooley’s Flight Guide.
Specifically, the airfield is still available for military operations with 1829m. of runway.
However a large gate can be run across the r/w when required !

Quote :-
OPR HRS. Strictly PPR 24hrs.CIVILIAN AND FIXED WING AIRCRAFT NOT ACCEPTED. ATZ 24hrs.
WARNING. Obstacles frequently placed on the runway, twys and aprons !

SAR operations are still operated H24…… and the ILS/DME27 is also maintained for their ‘exclusive' use (quote).

Having said that, a polite letter to the Station RM CO a few years ago did allow me to fly in.
The reason was to visit the resting place of a very good friend. He was killed in the 70s, off the end of 27, when a test flight out of Boscombe went disastrously wrong.

[flybeboy]

From Oct 1st no more ops at chiv with 22 a flt going all hels will use lomas with on fuel or crews at chiv refuel anything

[[email protected]]

But they won't let you land Correct - GA has never been allowed at Chiv as it is not an active airfield despite having 2 runways and an ILS.

The SAR flt stops operations on 1 Oct as flybeboy says and it probably won't be long before the ILS/DME is removed. If the VGS ever get ungrounded then there might be limited flying by them at Chiv but there won't be any other services.

[Courtney Mil]

Flybeboy, can you just expand on your previous post? I get that 22 goes on 1 Oct, but what is the rest of your post? Presumably the hells will be at Bideford, but I didn't quite get the rest. :ok:

[tegwin]

Thanks so much for your input guys. I have now managed to make contact :D


They are indeed winding the SAR down next week :(