Airfield near Trowbridge

[Holdposition]

Taking some folk down to near Trowbridge next weekend from Nottingham, anyone know of any airfields nearby suitable for SE (PA28), I know that Bristol and Filton etc are nearby but will need overnight parking etc and thinking costs. My guess is that Old Sarum is favorite but thats some distance by car so anywhere nearer be a big bonus. While I think on, what are the MATZ like for crossing etc at weekends in the area or are they likey be not active. Many thanks for any help, cheers

[Chilli Monster]

Get hold of a copy of Lockyers and give Garston Farm a ring (between Chippenham and Bath, just north of Colerne inside the ATZ). 800 metres grass but strictly PPR.

As for MATZ in the area - common mistake, there are none. They're Class 'D' control zones (Lyneham and Brize).

[The Nr Fairy]

Hold :

Try also Keevil - it's an active gliding site, and I think Bannerdown Gliding Club operates from there - they have a web page http://www.bannerdowngc.co.uk/ - it's about a 10 minute drive.

And as already suggested farm strips nearby may be available - I know of one at Sells Green, between Melksham and Trowbridge - but that's about it, I'm afraid.

[Chilli Monster]

Forget Keevil

Still owned by the military, use is restricted to gliding club operations and members or service personnel who have aircraft based there. In addition it can be removed from use at short notice as the C130 fleet use it as a practice DZ for dropping loads and paras onto.

Not a viable planning option I'm afraid

[squawking 7700]

Chilli,
Have you used Garston Farm? If you have, what's your opinion? field in good condition?

We've got some friends who live in Colerne village and it would be very convenient for a weekend stopover, mind you one of them works on the base and promises a free landing somehow,
you know what the military's like though.


7700

[Chilli Monster]

7700

Operated my Warrior out of there for a week when I was on my radar course. Lovely strip (800 metres of the smoothest grass I've ever flown from). Mike and his Dad who run it are great people. Well worth a visit but like all strips PPR by phone beforehand.

It's very rare that civil aircraft go into Colerne, but not impossible. You have to bear in mind that their opening hours are tied very much to the resident University Air Squadron. Term time operation tends to be Wed-Sun, but during holidays (like at the moment) it's Mon-Fri

[The Nr Fairy]

squawk :

A PPRuNer of some repute (mostly ill) works at Colerne - he may be able to help. I'll (nicely) ask if he can check out this thread.

[big.al]

I asked a similar question on here a while ago about 'Wingfield' - marked on the aeronautical charts just oustide Trowbridge. Never got any info. on it but this could be another location to consider. But it sounds like Garston Farm could be ideal for when I need to visit Trowbridge also....

Chilli Monster - do you have the address/post code or 'phone number for the farm please?

Cheers!

[squawking 7700]

big.al,
try this Garston Farm (http://www.garstonfarm.flyer.co.uk/)

Chilli, my preference would be Garston Farm but our friends
insist it can be 'wangled' 'suppose it's not what you know etc.



7700

[big.al]

7700 - many thanks - could be useful, but for the 100hrs minimum which I have yet to reach. As for being used to grass strips, until recently all my flying has been out of Netherthorpe, a good deal shorter than 850m!

Cheers anyway.

[squawking 7700]

big.al,
I fly out of Nethersludge too, if you can fly off 18/36 2 up in a 150, you can fly anywhere!!!


7700

[Holdposition]

Thanks for all the info and help folks, Chilli, have contacted Garston and that looks like the one for me, very helpful people it seems and the web site has all the info required, once again for the help, cheers

[Martinburney]

Hi

From my database of Airfields / Strips near Trowbridge are the following

Blackacre Farm, Holt, BA14 6PS owned by John Greenland on tel 01225-863121
grid ref St844624 or Lat / Long N5121.60-W00213.40

Keevil tel 01380-870411 at grid ref ST925573 or Lat / Long N5118.85-W00206.62

Rood Aston Manor, West Ashton, BA14 6AS, owned by Beverly Booty, tel 01380-871216
grid ref ST888559 or Lat / Long N5118-W00209

Garston Farm, Marshfield SN14 8LH, owned by Michael Ball on tel 01225-891418
grid ref ST792743 or Lat / Long N5127.61-W00218.01

One of the above should be able to help.

Regards Martin Burney