Hayling Island flying sites
Note: This map only gives the location of Hayling Island within the UK.
HAYLING ISLAND: Temporary aerodrome
Location: Near to Norfolk Crescent
Period of operation: October 1911
NOTES: The ‘Aviation in Hampshire’ website shows two pictures of Mr E Howard Pixton’s Bristol Biplane ‘No.19’ which he had flown from AMESBURY (WILTSHIRE). This was, without much doubt, a flight from the LARKHILL base in Salisbury Plain established as a flying school by The British and Colonial Aeroplane Company.
It is claimed he made several flights “in testing conditions" and one photograph shows the aeroplane positioned at the western end of Norfolk Crescent.
At that point it appears that Howard Pixton was a pilot employed by 'Bristol', (The British and Colonial Aeroplane Co). To quote from the excellent book, British Aviation - The Pioneer Years, by Harald Penrose, first published in 1967: " In October, Howard Pixton, who had now become a Bristol pilot at £250 a year, undertook a series of over-water flights with a Boxkite from Hayling Island, taking as a passenger the son of Admiral Sir Cecil Burney, Lieut. Charles Dennistoun Burney, R.N., who wanted to investigate the possibility of operating naval aircraft independently of shore bases."
HAYLING ISLAND: Temporary beach aerodrome?
NOTES: In conversation Xmas 2012 I was told by a family friend of his first ever flight – a pleasure flight from Hayling Island in the 1949 to 1951 period. He was fairly certain the operation took place from a beach and from his description it would seem fairly likely the aircraft used was a DH85 Leopard Moth. Can anybody add more to this?
HAYLING ISLAND: Civil aerodrome
Note: Both of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: ?
1932 to 1934: Air Transport and Sales Ltd? 1934 to 1936: Air Trips?
Note: It now appears that Pauline Gower and Dorothy Spicer moved their Air Trips operation here from November 1936.
1936 to 1938: Hayling Island Flying Club
Flying Club: Hayling Island Flying Club
Pleasure flights: Air Transport and Sales Ltd, Air Trips
Note: This is evidence that Joy Davidson was, in the 1930s, giving pleasure flights with a DH.60 Moth "from a field" on Hayling Island. Did she operate from here - or another site?
Location: Just SE of the bridge to the mainland, with Havant Road to the W and Northney Road to the S.
Period of operation: From 1929 until 1938
Runway: Originally 402 grass (Lengthened in 1936?)
NOTES: Some say that pleasure flights terminated in 1936 although I’ve come across a mention for the 1937 summer season. It is also claimed the Hayling Island Flying Club enlarged the airfield when they took over in 1936 but prior to this some GA activity, (like occasional visits), appears very likely over many years.
It seems a Miss Helen M Morrison was operating the Spartan G-ABET from here in the 1930s
From 1932 to 1937 Air Transport & Sales operated five Spartan 3-Str types. G-ABRA, G-ABRB, G-ABYH and G-ABTR. The identity of the fifth Spartan appears unknown? They also operated a Blackburn Bluebird Mk.4, possibly G-AAUX? They also operated from EASTOKE on the east end of the island and HORNDEAN.
HAYLING ISLAND: Private airstrip
NOTES: Interesting this, the AAIB report EW/G2006/07/46 describes a landing incident on Hayling Island but doesn’t give any further details. Is it just possible the site listed above is still used?
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