NORTHGATE:    Private airstrip?




Note:  The first two pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©. The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.




 

Location:  About 0.75nm WNW of Gosberton village centre, roughly 6nm NNW of Spalding town centre

Period of operation:  Unknown?  Possibly from 2015 to -


Runways:  2016   =    13/31   150   grass        2020 =   12/30   130   grass

Note:  Assuming these are runways, the 2016 strip was south of, and roughly parallel with the later strip.


NOTES:  We have Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for drawing our attention to this location.

One of the great pleasures, and indeed considerable frustrations, in compiling this 'Guide', is that very often a site like this crops up with all the classic hallmarks of a private airstrip, but being marginal in terms of operations. Especially, as in this case, potential obstructions situated very close to the strip. But, this said, this has often been the case over the years. Standing crops often being a major hazard if the aircraft fails to align itself with the centre of the airstrip.

Also over the years when I was flying, I can recall at least two occassions when I landed and took off from strips, not much wider than the width of the undercarriage. Then again, if we think about it, the standard widths of runways at most major airports around the world, are pretty narrow if, for example, landing a Boeing 747 or Airbus 380 in a howling crosswind. And of course, even much smaller airliners.

If anybody can kindly offer advice and information, this will be much appreciated.