Deanland GA
DEANLAND: Private airfield
Note: All four of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Note: Picture by the author taken through perspex.
Operated by: 1970s (?) 1980s: Mr R C Chandless
2000: Messrs Brook & Price
Location: 1.5 nm SW of Golden Cross, W of A22, 4nm WNW of Hailsham, 6nm E of Lewes
Note: Not to be confused with the WW2 ALG - see seperate entry.
Period of operation: Since the 1970s?
Note: This map is reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runway: 1990: 06/24 457x27 grass
2000: 06/24 500x25 grass
NOTES:
2000: No landing fees but voluntary donations to World Wildlife Fund instead.
In 1977 the list of residents appeals to me: Jodel DR.250 G-ATZL, PA-32 Cherokee Six 260 G-AVTK, D.31 Turbulent G-AWDO, Jodel DR.253 Regent G-AWKP, Jodel DR.315 Petit Prince G-AXDK and Robin DR.400/160 G-BAHL. With the exception of the thundering American Piper obviously then an enclave devoted to the French style of flying . When I landed here in 1995 the mix of aeroplanes based here - really had changed.
MODEL FLYING
Note: Both of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Without any doubt whatsover DEANLAND has to be applauded for allowing model flying to be conducted alongside GA activity. Nobody would be flying any kind of aeroplane today if it wasn't for models. And indeed, nearly every aerodynamic advance in aviation today relies on models in wind-tunnels. But, when in France especially I loved to see, so often, aerodromes being used by disparate enthusiasts of aviation. Parachuting, gliding, hot-air balloons etc.
It is a trend we should definitely encourage in the U.K. These activites are not mutually exclusive - just a bit of common sense and kindness needs to be applied.
A SALUTARY LESSON
In more ways than one. Without too much doubt, the methods of flying instruction have advanced so much over the years, that the very best instructors could probably teach a chimpanzee to fly - and their human equivalents. One such monkey landed here a few years ago without gaining PPR in a PA.28, after a period of very heavy rainfall - and, it seems, sank in so far that it was supported by the wngs. Therefore blocking the runway for quite a long time before it could be retrieved.
A PERSONAL MEMORIES
I am glad to say that my only visit by air to DEANLAND, in the Cessna 172 from WYCOMBE AIR PARK, (G-WACW), on the 9th April 1995, went without incident. Short field landing - roughly 150 metres to a standstill with little if any braking. A lovely place to visit.
In April 2001 I was asked to move the Zenair Zodiac G-BVAB from DEANLAND to SLEAP (SHROPSHIRE). The trees along the access lane to the airfield were too low to allow access, so we loaded it in the lane outside.
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