Hay Mills Rotorstation
Note: This map only gives a rough estimation of the location. If anybody can kindly provide a more exact position, this advice will be much appreciated.
HAY MILLS: ‘Rotorstation’ (Heliport)
Operated by: British European Airways
Location: On Haybarn Recreation Ground, Hay Mills about 3nm E of Birmingham city centre
Period of operation: June 1951 to ?
NOTES:
Birmingham Corporation built the service road from Hob Moor Road.
It is reported that three-seater Sikorsky S-51s were used, maintained at ELMDON. I now suspect these were actually aircraft built by Westland in the UK as the WS-51 Dragonfly. It appears that ‘copping a seat' on the positioning flight for 7s-6d between ELMDON and HAY MILLS was very popular with the locals.
The helicopter captains, John Theilmann, Dennis Bryon, John Fay and Ron Dibb, lived in caravans parked behind the hangars at ELMDON. The common perception that those achieving airline captain status invariably live a life of luxury, has always been a myth by and large. Years ago those with the best jobs certainly did, but many on the lower career 'rungs' did not. Today even the top senior airline pilots with the world's most esteemed carriers generally enjoy far fewer privileges, but, they certainly don't live in caravans!.
Flying helicopters for a living has never been the safest job in aviation, and this was especially true in the early days - as this picture amply demonstrates.
Simon
This comment was written on: 2020-01-01 02:42:18Location is 52° 28' 08"N, 001° 49' 51"W
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