Clacton
CLACTON: Civil aerodrome
Note: First two pictures (and others) by the author unless specified. The fourth picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Clacton Aero Club Ltd
Flying school: Clacton Aero Club
Maintenance: 2001: CAS Engineering
Note: This picture from a postcard was kindly sent by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection. See, www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
The caption says that these are "Pleasure flying aircraft", but I rather doubt this is the case. Aircraft used for Pleasure Flights are classed as commercial operations, need a commercial pilot and are subject to far more stringent procedures. A look into the history of these three aircraft appears to indicate that they have been individually privately owned. But, this is certainly not proof that they haven't been used for Pleasure Flight duties. Can anybody kindly offer advice?
I always like to point out, having flown over sixty examples of the type, that the Cessna 172 Skyhawk really is the 'Classic' aircraft of all time. This is not a popular view amongst most pilots, but the facts speak for themselves. First flown in 1955 and with continuous tweeks, the 172 remains in production with over 44,000 built - and rising. This is many more than any other aircraft type in the entire history of powered aviation.
On a more nerdy note, all three were actually built in France, at a aerodrome near to and east of Reims (Prunay). G-ASUH, the oldest, is a F172E built in 1964. As this was withdrawn from service in 1989, this probably dates this picture from the 1980s? G-AWMP is a F172H and was built in 1968, and last but not least G-BAVB is a F172M built in 1973.
Location: 2 nm W of Clacton
Period of operation: 1963 to -
Note: This map is reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways: 1990: 18/36 610x18 grass 12/30 364x18 grass
2000: 18/36 610x18 grass
(Runway 18 is also listed as 502 mtrs at an earlier date)
NOTES: In 1977 no aircraft were recorded as being based here. The aerodrome listed as being used for pleasure-flying only in the summer. On a web-site for this aerodrome viewed in 2013 it was claimed this aerodrome had been in existence for fifty years, which suggests it opened in 1963 and therefore has no connection with the 1930s airfields of EARLS HALL FARM , PLOUGH LANE and ALTON PARK used in the 1930s. (See CLACTON flying sites).
PERSONAL MEMORIES
My first visit was on the 1st June 1996 when Guy Browning and I flew in from TOP FARM in the Cessna 172, G-BGIU. In the foreground is the Piper PA-18-135 Super Cub, G-BIMM, which for some reason appears in an AAIB report as being a Piper L21B (modified). Perhaps somebody can explain?
MORE MEMORIES
In October 2018 I was kindly contacted by David Payne who has these memories. "My parents used to take me on holiday to Jaywick (nearby) in the 1970s. I certainly recall pleasure flying from G-AVVZ (and occasionally VIE?). They were Cessna 172s which had some kind of link to Air Anglia? and were in a yellow colour scheme. I recall VVZ flying over again and again and you could choose several local routes along the coast, eg Walton on the Naze / Frinton or Clacton or Brightlingsea and back."
"VVZ should be returned to Clacton as it flew so many times on these trips." My note: Probably very unlikely as G-AVVZ was sold to Norway on the 7th May 1976 as LN-HHB.
"I also recall other 172s doing this service after VVZ departed and for one season I recall a Bell 47J doing the same. I recall it being very noisy and slow. The airfield is still a great little place which I visit every few weeks as my parents retired nearby about 30 years ago. For info, I reckon I saw VVZ around 1973 to1975. I also recall catching several trains to Southend to watch the Carvairs etc which was brilliant."
AND ANOTHER FOND MEMORY
On June 2022 I was kindly contacted by Mr Alan Baird who had his first flight aged thirteen from CLACTON. This was in the Reims Cessna F172H Skyhawk G-AVVZ on the 5th August 1974. A bit of a delve reveals that Victor Zulu was registered to Travel Centre (Norwich) Ltd from 18.08.72 to 07.05.76, before then being sold to Norway.
Alan tells us twelve years later he had gained his PPL. It will never be known of course as to just how many people have been inspired to become pilots after having had a pleasure flight or trial lesson. And, this goes back to the earliest days of fixed wing aviation in the formative years of the twentieth century. Indeed, many went on to pursue careers commercially and in the military, which really does prove the value to aviation of this, lets face it, rather lowly regarded end of the market.
David Parker
This comment was written on: 2020-07-10 22:23:26Hi I'm 62 and used to fly a lot from Clacton airfield from the age of about 3 or 4. My parents had a lot to do with the organisation of the airfield when it first opened and we're possibly founder members. I remember as a young child making silver foil/paper wing pins for sale to help pay for the Clacton airshow. They came on sheets of gummed paper as a pair joined at the top and we're licked and folded down over a pin. Both of my parents had a ppl and we often flew from Clacton to Ipswich airport in an auster and back again. We also flew a great deal from Ipswich. All of this ended just as I turned 8 as my parents split because of my father's violence but my memories are of flying with my mother more than my father and I would often take control of the auster (but not the rudder pedals) and knew how to fly and the checks done prior to flight. I still have 1 photo of my mums auster with my mum, grandfather (mums dad) and myself when I was 2 and would be willing to send it to you if you're interested. Cheers David Parker
Dick Flute
This comment was written on: 2020-07-11 18:05:44Hi David, I would very much like to see that picture. Can you kindly send a scan as a J-peg? A file size not larger then 500KB would be ideal. Best regards, Dick
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
