Compton Abbas
COMPTON ABBAS: Civil aerodrome
Note: This picture (2018) was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by:
1965: Shaftesbury Flying Club
1990/2000: Compton Abbas Airfield Ltd
Flying school: Abbas Air, Air Compton
Gliding: Listed in 1975
Location: 1nm E of A350, 3 nm SSE of Shaftesbury
Period of operation: Opened in the early 1960s to -
Note: These maps are reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runway:
1965: 09/27 600x91 grass
1990/2000: 08/26 803x30 grass
NOTES: The airfield operator, (Compton Abbas Airfield Ltd), is listed as being in WILTSHIRE.
SOMETHING NOVEL
During a brief visit in March 2017 I noticed an advert claiming that a wing-walking flight experience can be arranged - on the top of a Boeing Stearman biplane. However, I strongly suspect that a weight limit, and a reasonable degree of physical fitness is imposed. So bulky and elderly ex-truckers such as the author of this 'Guide' will probably be told, rather kindly, to 'get lost'.
A LOVELY STORY
In the September edition of Light Aviation magazine, this story was featured. "A 101-year old veteran pilot recently took to the skies in a Tiger Moth at Compton Abbas Airfield, some 80 years after he learned to fly the same type. Philip Allen was born in 1916 and enjoyed his Experience Flight, giving a thumbs up to his family on landing. During WW2 he flew as a Lieutenant Commander with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm."
PERSONAL NOTES & PICTURES
The pictures are all by the author unless specified.
I like this airfield very much and have flown in several times, but it can be tricky if a strong wind is blowing - especially if a large southerly component is involved.. The first picture is of the Cessna 182 G-LIGG which I had flown in on the 22nd January 1992, on a tour for some eager passengers of southern England, including the Isle of Wight. It was one of those rare but utterly beautiful clear and calm days we sometimes get in mid-winter.
My favourite memory of COMPTON ABBAS is flying down in the Cessna 172 G-WACY on the 29th October 1995 for a flight in the Boeing Stearman PT.17 G-ILLE with John Griffin to experience aerobatics. I was predictably useless (so I had improved!) but John could make this aeroplane talk. I was doubly impressed because G-ILLE was not a high-powered version and therefore energy management required considerable skill.
AND MORE PICTURES - MARCH 2017 (On a rather bleak day unfortunately)
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