Paucity of airfields in Kent

[fireflybob]

I was considering a flight to somewhere near Broadstairs but have been shocked by the lack of airfield in that part of Kent.

What happened to Canterbury?

Bring back Manston ASAP!

[DaveW]

There's a 650m grass strip at Maypole, a couple of miles NE of Canterbury. It's in Pooley's.

[Curlytips]

Canterbury closed after an accident when the resident PA 28 just made it over the road and descended into the trees. A lot of blame was made at the time, which I won't repeat.

There are a surprising number of private strips in Kent, but Maypole is the easiest to access - but ensure you get PPR or the charges will be very high (they have limited movements, so you need to tell Andy you are coming).

[Pegpilot]

Channel Gliding Club at Waldershare Park are a nice bunch, but I do suggest you contact them first. Bit of a trek from Broadstairs though, but Dover and Deal are not so far away if you're looking for fish n chips...

[HPMan]

There is also Clipgate Farm near Barham, NW of Dover. It is only 490m long and is surrounded by trees so not suitable for everyone. I have flown in a number of times and found them to be friendly.

[India Four Two]

Bob,

Until 1968, you could have flown into Ramsgate Airport - an old style grass field with a lovely Art Deco terminal:

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1350/754831475_8238e8185d_z.jpg?zz=1

It was effectively almost in Broadstairs. Now sadly buried under an industrial estate. They didn't even keep the terminal building.

I have a soft spot for it - the location of my first flight - a 7/6d joyride in a Dragon Rapide :)

[fireflybob]

Thanks for all the tips - such a shame so many airfields have closed or are closing now.

[trevs99uk]

Theres parsonage farm airstrip on the Isle of Sheppy near Eastchurch.

Eastchurch (http://www.airfieldcards.com/index.php/menu-echo/eastchurch)

[Sam Rutherford]

I've used Clipgate many times, very friendly!

[Pegpilot]

Good grief, I42. I lived in Broadstairs as a kid between 1970 and 1979 (first glider solo at Manston in 1977) but never knew of that old airfield ! But at least if you want to capture the ambience of the old Ramsgate terminal building you need only drop in at Sywell, my current neck of the woods in Northamptonshire. What a superb art Deco structure, currently home to the Aviator bar and restaurant.

[India Four Two]

Pegpilot,
It's a small world. I did my solo cross-country to Sywell and vaguely remember the terminal, although I didn't appreciate Art Deco architecture in those days.

My first air display was at Ramsgate, watching the Tiger Club perform. One of the displays was "crazy flying" where the pilot flew directly towards the water tower on Rumfields Road, missing it at the last second. Probably not allowed these days!