Coll
COLL: Private airstrip/airport (Also know as BALLARD)
Note: This picture (2009) was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: 1980s: Coll Properties Ltd
2000: Mr A C Brodie
Location: N of B8070, in/near Ballard, Island of Coll, Inner Hebrides
Period of operation: ?
Runway: 1990/2000: 11/29 434x18 grass
2012: 02/20 480 hard
NOTES: It seems two landing sites for air ambulance duties had been identified for use on COLL. To quote, yet again, Iain Hutchison from his book Air Ambulance. “On 12th May (My note: 1956) David Barclay took the Heron for beach landings at Sollas and Harris to give route experience to Captain Paddy Calderwood for future ambulance flights. On the 28th May an era ended with the last Rapide flight, an ambulance run to Campeltown."
On 27th October the Isle of Coll was surveyed and an ambulance flight followed on 4th December. However on another familiarisation flight, on 20th February 1957, G-ANXA was damaged on the island. In reporting the incident the press described what had occurred, ‘The pilot, Captain P Calderwood, had to correct for a considerable amount of drift while making an approach on one of the island’s two emergency landing strips. When the aircraft touched down its nose wheel collapsed. The two starboard engines were also damaged. None of the crew of three was injured.”
In a 2001 flight guide a very important point is made, it says “The owner has no objection to the strip being used but takes no responsibility for its operation”. Bravo, why can’t we have more of this common sense approach?
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
