Kirdford
KIRDFORD: Private airfield
Note: All four of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Location: Near Kirdford village, roughly 2nm N/W of Wisborough Green
Runways: N/S 400 grass E/W 400 grass
NOTES: I have been informed that there are/were two private airstrips in close proximity, roughly 2nm WNW of Wisborough Green. I had reckoned these were probably PEARTREE COTTAGE and SPARR FARM but it now appears that CHILSFOLD FARM which is just W of SPARR FARM and KIRDFORD was/is marked on half-mil charts in the mid 2000s. So it appears there have been, (or are), at least four airstrips in just this small area! A search on Google Earth certainly reveals an airstrip with two runways that seems to fit the bill of KIRDFORD having a N/S runway of 400 metres as mentioned in the AAIB report EW/G2014/04/07. It seems to be inferred in the AAIB report that the rare FLS Aerospace Sprint 160, G-SCLX, may have been based here.
It is just my opinion, but if the site has two runways (or more) it should be regarded as an airfield, rather than just an airstrip.
Similar situations exist elsewhere, EASTBACH (SPENCE) AIRFIELD in the Forest of Dean, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, being an excellent example with two more airstrips nearby. And this is exactly why I have been determined to include as many of these private airstrips and 'airfields' as possible in this 'Guide' - because they are a wonderful part of our unique aviation heritage.
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