Adding farm strips to Our Airports dot com
Thread Starter
Adding farm strips to Our Airports dot com
I had the idea (not very original, I'll admit) to create a repository of aerodromes, at least for where I fly or ever can hope to fly (which is basically Europe and not even all of it) by consolidating information from various publicly available resources.
Up till now, I have used the downloads from OurAirports as the base information, adding to it from French and German microlight federations, who both make their info available for public browsing. By way of reality check I implemented a comparison with aerodromes as mapped on www.openstreetmap.org and have been working, at a very slow rate, to reduce the number of discrepancies. I now found the vast number of aerodromes mentioned on osm but not elsewhere to be farm strips in England - below is an excerpt from the latest check report. Questions:
-) would it be worth the effort to feed all of these into ourairports.com ?
-) is there a better base repository than ourairports whose data can be downloaded wholesale, as a csv or such?
-) is ourairports used by many pilots at all?
-) what could be the source of the Xabc codes for certain UK farm strips in OSM?
report from latest discrepancy check:
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Centro Volo Campania ; coords = 40.9515272/14.4118806
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry LKCHAB = Chabeřice ; coords = 49.7475687/15.0642404
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Charterhall Airfield (RAF Charterhall) ; coords = 55.7075978/-2.3785037
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Chilsfold Farm ; coords = 51.0600362/-0.5936162
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry XCHI = Chirk ; coords = 52.9474365/-3.0460473
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Cliffe ; coords = 53.7857965/-0.9998435
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Clutton Hill ; coords = 51.3414043/-2.5224370
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Coleman Green ; coords = 51.7917097/-0.2750459
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Cottered ; coords = 51.9481015/-0.0981913
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Craysmarsh ; coords = 51.3636492/-2.0908580
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Croft ; coords = 53.1231227/0.2522559
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry XCRL = Crowland ; coords = 52.7095466/-0.1396686
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Cruglas Synod Inn ; coords = 52.1296089/-4.3664332
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Cuckoo Tye Farm ; coords = 52.0682234/0.7362014
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Debach ; coords = 52.1341341/1.2659579
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Ditton Priors ; coords = 52.5035800/-2.5625624
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Doles Wood / Bourne Park Airfield ; coords = 51.2643784/-1.4656348
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Dollys Grove ; coords = 53.4225363/-6.5461492
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Dunnyvadden ; coords = 54.8487273/-6.2069651
Up till now, I have used the downloads from OurAirports as the base information, adding to it from French and German microlight federations, who both make their info available for public browsing. By way of reality check I implemented a comparison with aerodromes as mapped on www.openstreetmap.org and have been working, at a very slow rate, to reduce the number of discrepancies. I now found the vast number of aerodromes mentioned on osm but not elsewhere to be farm strips in England - below is an excerpt from the latest check report. Questions:
-) would it be worth the effort to feed all of these into ourairports.com ?
-) is there a better base repository than ourairports whose data can be downloaded wholesale, as a csv or such?
-) is ourairports used by many pilots at all?
-) what could be the source of the Xabc codes for certain UK farm strips in OSM?
report from latest discrepancy check:
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Centro Volo Campania ; coords = 40.9515272/14.4118806
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry LKCHAB = Chabeřice ; coords = 49.7475687/15.0642404
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Charterhall Airfield (RAF Charterhall) ; coords = 55.7075978/-2.3785037
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Chilsfold Farm ; coords = 51.0600362/-0.5936162
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry XCHI = Chirk ; coords = 52.9474365/-3.0460473
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Cliffe ; coords = 53.7857965/-0.9998435
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Clutton Hill ; coords = 51.3414043/-2.5224370
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Coleman Green ; coords = 51.7917097/-0.2750459
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Cottered ; coords = 51.9481015/-0.0981913
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Craysmarsh ; coords = 51.3636492/-2.0908580
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Croft ; coords = 53.1231227/0.2522559
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry XCRL = Crowland ; coords = 52.7095466/-0.1396686
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Cruglas Synod Inn ; coords = 52.1296089/-4.3664332
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Cuckoo Tye Farm ; coords = 52.0682234/0.7362014
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Debach ; coords = 52.1341341/1.2659579
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Ditton Priors ; coords = 52.5035800/-2.5625624
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Doles Wood / Bourne Park Airfield ; coords = 51.2643784/-1.4656348
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Dollys Grove ; coords = 53.4225363/-6.5461492
OSM: no field found close, consider adding OSM entry = Dunnyvadden ; coords = 54.8487273/-6.2069651
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Never heard of it before. I usually prefer to check such aerodromes sites with a clear local focus and not an "everything on, world-wide" claim. My experience tells me to rely more on local cared sites because local specialities are taken care for much better.
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Well, typed my airfield's town into it.... and no mention!
(We have 34 aircraft and microlights based here, and it was founded 51 years ago)
What is the use of a database such as this, even if complete?
To be frank, the chart is usually my first port of call for an airfield that I might want to use. If none in the vicinity, then a phone call to an appropriate airfield often comes up with the details of a private field.
The airfield's web site is, hopefully, the most up-to-date record of its facilities. Again, a quick phone call is a great help. Not all fields are in the Air Pilot!
And, of course, there are the traditional paper flight guides (that now link into Sky Demon etc). But, you know, I still fancy that phone call!
Finally, as an airfield and flying school operator. I could spend my life updating other people's databases for them.
There's at least one person a week who seems to think they will become rich by setting up a web page that will.......whatever. And, hey! Your listing is free if you'll just spend 30 minutes registering, forming a profile, inputting data and photos etc etc etc.
(We have 34 aircraft and microlights based here, and it was founded 51 years ago)
What is the use of a database such as this, even if complete?
To be frank, the chart is usually my first port of call for an airfield that I might want to use. If none in the vicinity, then a phone call to an appropriate airfield often comes up with the details of a private field.
The airfield's web site is, hopefully, the most up-to-date record of its facilities. Again, a quick phone call is a great help. Not all fields are in the Air Pilot!
And, of course, there are the traditional paper flight guides (that now link into Sky Demon etc). But, you know, I still fancy that phone call!
Finally, as an airfield and flying school operator. I could spend my life updating other people's databases for them.
There's at least one person a week who seems to think they will become rich by setting up a web page that will.......whatever. And, hey! Your listing is free if you'll just spend 30 minutes registering, forming a profile, inputting data and photos etc etc etc.
Thread Starter
The idea of public data is that either it doesn't interest you, in which case you do nothing and neither say anything; or you do care and then you join up and add the info.
It's just like finding you have no article on Wikipedia: if you really think there ought to be one, it's up to you to create it (though apparently one can hire professionals, too, for that job).
That said I've added the field, please feel free to improve on my addition.
About the use of such a database: of course it will never be complete, neither will it ever be 100% up to date. I use it to generate the background information for my (homebrew) GPS. I absolutely agree with you that more firm information is required before flying to any one field, or even considering it as an alternate. OTOH I have less confidence in the reliability of aerodrome websites; many of the smaller fields are run by a club or another kind of not-for-profit organisation, and all work must be done by volunteers. Somebody warned me particularly about German aerodrome websites publishing information outdated by several years. And indeed, nothing better than a little friendly phone call before take-off.
Needless to state there was never any idea of financial profit, let alone getting rich. Not with me, at least.
It's just like finding you have no article on Wikipedia: if you really think there ought to be one, it's up to you to create it (though apparently one can hire professionals, too, for that job).
That said I've added the field, please feel free to improve on my addition.
About the use of such a database: of course it will never be complete, neither will it ever be 100% up to date. I use it to generate the background information for my (homebrew) GPS. I absolutely agree with you that more firm information is required before flying to any one field, or even considering it as an alternate. OTOH I have less confidence in the reliability of aerodrome websites; many of the smaller fields are run by a club or another kind of not-for-profit organisation, and all work must be done by volunteers. Somebody warned me particularly about German aerodrome websites publishing information outdated by several years. And indeed, nothing better than a little friendly phone call before take-off.
Needless to state there was never any idea of financial profit, let alone getting rich. Not with me, at least.
Last edited by Jan Olieslagers; 15th Oct 2015 at 16:27.
Jan,
A totally new facility to me. For fun I typed in Horsham, Sussex, UK.
It found many USA sites and loads of big and small UK fields apparently not in any order of size, type, country or by alphabet. Never the less could be useful once one got used to these oddities.
I then tried the actual chart name of my local strip, Jackrells Farm,but that totally confused it.
We have had visitors from France, Belgium and Switzerland, who presumably found my e-mail for PPO in one of the usual guides. So long as, in my case, I get asked and establish the a/c size, pilot's suitable experience of strips and not a business activity (I am uninsured) I am happy to issue approach/landing details by e-mail to folk who want to drop by. Winter & Spring it is often too soft to permit any landings here, so another good reason for demanding PPO.
mike hallam.
A totally new facility to me. For fun I typed in Horsham, Sussex, UK.
It found many USA sites and loads of big and small UK fields apparently not in any order of size, type, country or by alphabet. Never the less could be useful once one got used to these oddities.
I then tried the actual chart name of my local strip, Jackrells Farm,but that totally confused it.
We have had visitors from France, Belgium and Switzerland, who presumably found my e-mail for PPO in one of the usual guides. So long as, in my case, I get asked and establish the a/c size, pilot's suitable experience of strips and not a business activity (I am uninsured) I am happy to issue approach/landing details by e-mail to folk who want to drop by. Winter & Spring it is often too soft to permit any landings here, so another good reason for demanding PPO.
mike hallam.
Thread Starter
Yes Mike, that is rather bewildering: your field actually is mentioned there! Yet the search facilities seem unable to find it.
One thing that annoys me about this site is that I never got an answer to any e-mail.
To make sure for yourself: point your browser to
http: // ourairports.com /airports/GB-0176/#lat=51.08969659185133,lon=-0.2575886147183115,zoom=10,type=Map,airport=GB-0176
(blanks inserted to avoid extrapolation)
One thing that annoys me about this site is that I never got an answer to any e-mail.
To make sure for yourself: point your browser to
http: // ourairports.com /airports/GB-0176/#lat=51.08969659185133,lon=-0.2575886147183115,zoom=10,type=Map,airport=GB-0176
(blanks inserted to avoid extrapolation)
Capt. K,
I've an idea you're wrong !
Round my field & within 800 metres there are three others not listed out of 5 in the area, plus two more at the next village nr. Mannings Heath.
Two reduced to one plus a Pop Star's own, just west of Billingshurst - all West Sussex. Then Partridge Green, and a nice one under the South Downs close to Fishbourne.
My Chart has very many inked in that I see from the air or have landed at. None of the Guides (Pooleys, Lockyears, AFE) dare print any info. even if for safety reasons, without the owner knowing and replying to them & that's even if the Guides' managements even know !
The Police have a whole list but refuse to divulge anything & I tried under the 'Freedom of Information' Act - no dice.
There are lots more within Surrey/Sussex/Hampshire apart from the above examples that I could readily recall from memory.
So Jan's objective is laudable.
mike hallam.
I've an idea you're wrong !
Round my field & within 800 metres there are three others not listed out of 5 in the area, plus two more at the next village nr. Mannings Heath.
Two reduced to one plus a Pop Star's own, just west of Billingshurst - all West Sussex. Then Partridge Green, and a nice one under the South Downs close to Fishbourne.
My Chart has very many inked in that I see from the air or have landed at. None of the Guides (Pooleys, Lockyears, AFE) dare print any info. even if for safety reasons, without the owner knowing and replying to them & that's even if the Guides' managements even know !
The Police have a whole list but refuse to divulge anything & I tried under the 'Freedom of Information' Act - no dice.
There are lots more within Surrey/Sussex/Hampshire apart from the above examples that I could readily recall from memory.
So Jan's objective is laudable.
mike hallam.
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Also missing
It seems that German glider fields ("Segelfluggelände") and microlight fields are also missing. French altiports and altisurfaces are not described as such.
I'm in favour of adding as much as possible, but then the site would need better filtering options to be usable. The following would be useful for most hobby pilots IMO:
* Is is a private field? What's the national category of airfield?
* What kind of airplanes may land (SEP / UL / glider / ...)?
* Is the field PPR?
* Is Avgas and Mogas available?
* Is dining / lodging / transport nearby?
* What's the price category of the landing fees?
I'm in favour of adding as much as possible, but then the site would need better filtering options to be usable. The following would be useful for most hobby pilots IMO:
* Is is a private field? What's the national category of airfield?
* What kind of airplanes may land (SEP / UL / glider / ...)?
* Is the field PPR?
* Is Avgas and Mogas available?
* Is dining / lodging / transport nearby?
* What's the price category of the landing fees?
Thread Starter
@zonkor: certainly not as yet, they are in a very primitive state - I am not going to make a fool of myself by publishing these 
However do feel free to send me a p/m if you have any interest in this "project".
As for the fields in Germany: some microlight fields have already been added, and more are to follow. The aim is to have all fields mentioned at www.dulv.de also in our airports. I have as yet not found a publicly readable list of glider fields, not in Germany nor elsewhere, however I did already add a few that were found on openstreetmap.org .
Regarding the completeness of the data: I feel it may be more than I can achieve to already get complete the very basic information, i.e. coordinates, elevation, radio frq (if any) runway length and orientation. Adding AND keeping up to date the extensive list that you mentioned would require several full time collaborators.
However do feel free to send me a p/m if you have any interest in this "project".
As for the fields in Germany: some microlight fields have already been added, and more are to follow. The aim is to have all fields mentioned at www.dulv.de also in our airports. I have as yet not found a publicly readable list of glider fields, not in Germany nor elsewhere, however I did already add a few that were found on openstreetmap.org .
Regarding the completeness of the data: I feel it may be more than I can achieve to already get complete the very basic information, i.e. coordinates, elevation, radio frq (if any) runway length and orientation. Adding AND keeping up to date the extensive list that you mentioned would require several full time collaborators.
Thread Starter
Well, after all the feedback I got, and after some more observation, I decided to go for it. Very quietly, adding a handful of strips every week, and there's very many to go yet.
I do am concerned though that foreigners might turn up at these strips, and merrily land there without ever checking the terms of operation; bringing all kind of trouble to the owner/operator of the runway.
Comments (and collaboration) welcome.
I do am concerned though that foreigners might turn up at these strips, and merrily land there without ever checking the terms of operation; bringing all kind of trouble to the owner/operator of the runway.
Comments (and collaboration) welcome.
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I do am concerned though that foreigners might turn up at these strips, and merrily land there without ever checking the terms of operation; bringing all kind of trouble to the owner/operator of the runway.
I wouldn't want mine in such a directory with such wide potential distribution.
Our strip has noise sensitive areas all round it: PPR is essential and freely given(usually - but I have turned down a request from the RAF for a three day training period for a fourship of Griffin Helos to practice off-airfield landings) but punters have to hunt for it: We deliberately do not have runway numbers or white markings for this reason.
Selfish? Mebbe, Pragmatic? Yup!
