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View Full Version : Airstrip near M56 - identification?


750XL
7th Mar 2020, 20:31
This is purely a post through sheer curiosity than anything more meaningful!

Driving back to Manchester from North Wales yesterday (Friday 6th March) around 1700-1800 and as I headed Eastbound on the M56, somewhere between Frodsham and High Leigh, I saw a dark coloured aircraft descending below the treeline and disappear just south of the M56. The sun was setting, but it looked to be a dark red/orange coloured aircraft, possibly a PA28?

Just curious if anyone knows what aircraft it could've been, or where it could've been flying into. I wasn't aware of any airfields in this area.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1379x799/clipboard011_d964cc03273122de2363f6b3f4c71d923923fc23.jpg

Repos
8th Mar 2020, 09:22
RNAS Stretton? Closed 1958though
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNAS_Stretton_(HMS_Blackcap)

ETOPS
8th Mar 2020, 10:16
It's Hawksview airstrip. Mainly flexwing microlights but there are a few 3 axis machines there as well.

In deference to their extremely low profile operation that's enough detail.

Jan Olieslagers
8th Mar 2020, 10:27
Thanks for the pointer. Do we really need to be so secretive? With all respect if they wish to keep a low profile, since you "gave away" the name it is not hard to find. Could it be there's another airstrip to the north-east, very nearby, possibly on the (remains of) the same peripheral road?

ETOPS
8th Mar 2020, 10:48
No - the owner there has sold his aircraft and no longer uses that section.

750XL
8th Mar 2020, 15:09
Thanks for the replies, that aistrip seems to fit the bill.

Curious as to what aircraft I saw, had a very distinctive paint scheme to it... Quick google and it looked similar to G-FRGN. No idea if that operates in the area, though

ETOPS
9th Mar 2020, 09:33
That particular PA-28 has been re-registered in Guernsey although not nescessarily based there.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x538/33645171998_de1bf0d1f7_b_7bac8bd0fa589f8904c5119b1edc23b243c bd95d.jpg