Preston Candover microlight
PRESTON CANDOVER: Possibly a private airfield used for STOL microlight type operatons?
Note: The first two pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©. The local area and area views are from my Google Earth © derived database.
Location: About 1.25nm NW of Preston Candover village on the B3046. Roughly 6.5nm SSW to SW of Basingstoke town centre
Period of operation: Unknown exactly? The dating system on Google Earth is renowned for being unreliable, (but why?), and both the first two pictures above are dated 2020. Bearing this in mind, there is no evidence in 2019 and by 2021 most traces had gone.
Runways: Two more or less parallel: 18/36 190 grass 18/36 120 grass
Two more or less parallel: Both - 11/29 grass
NOTES: We have Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide' to thank for pointing out this most unlikely and short lived location.
This location raises a few questions, not least why such an unusual arrangement? Perhaps because being mainly surrounded by mature trees every advantage of lessening rota effect with a reasonable wind blowing has to be taken? Also, is there any significance regarding that square area in the south-east corner? Perhaps letting my imagination run riot, could it have been used for a technique, which I have used from time to time, to start a take-off run at anything from even the opposite direction of the runway, to gain a few knots, (say five to ten), before entering a short runway? It can make a lot of difference!
As always, if anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome.
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