Sywell Aerodrome

Sywell Aerodrome Northampton/Sywell Aerodrome
IATA: ORM – ICAO: EGBK
Summary
Airport type		Private
Owner/Operator		Sywell Aerodrome Ltd.
Serves		Northampton, Wellingborough, Kettering & Rushden
Location		Northampton
Elevation AMSL		424 ft / 129 m
Coordinates		52°18′22″N 000°47′29″W
Map
EGBK Location in Northamptonshire
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	m	ft
03R/21L	671	2,201	Grass
05/23	602	1,975	Grass
15/33	450	1,476	Grass
03L/21R	1,268	4,160	Concrete
Sources: UK AIP at NATS

Sywell Aerodrome (IATA: ORM, ICAO: EGBK) is the local aerodrome serving Northampton, Wellingborough, Kettering and Rushden as it is situated midway between these towns. The airport is located 5 NM (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) northeast of Northampton and was originally opened in 1928 on the edge of Sywell village.

The aerodrome caters for private flying, flight training and corporate flights. There is one fixed-wing flying school, one microlight school and a helicopter school. In addition there is a 1930s Art Deco hotel with bar and restaurant facilities. Aviation related industries and businesses are also located at the aerodrome.

Northampton (Sywell) Aerodrome has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P496) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (Sywell Aerodrome Limited).

A viewing area is also available for use by aircraft spotters.

World War II

The aerodrome opened in 1928 and during World War II the aerodrome was used as a training facility (Tiger Moths) and later an important base for the manufacture of Wellington bombers and extensive sheds from this time still remain on site.

Many aerial shots for the film Battle of Britain were taken over the airport and nearby area.

Expansion

Since 1999, the aerodrome has sought planning permission for a hard runway, which intended to allow operations to continue over the winter, when the grass runways often become waterlogged. In February 2010, the final inspection of the newly completed All-Weather hard runway was carried out by the CAA who confirmed that it could be licensed for use.

The organizations STARE (Stop The Aerodrome Runway Expansion) and CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) campaigned against this change, arguing that it would lead to more and larger aircraft flying over the area and disturb its "rural tranquility". Permission was granted for the runway on 22 November 2007 by the Department for Transport, and though campaigners vowed to fight the decision they were unsuccessful and construction of the runway began in 2008. It opened during summer 2009 and enabled safe operations during the winter of 2009/2010 and onwards.

Operations

Sywell has three all-grass operational runways and a fourth all-weather concrete runway. The aerodrome's operational hours are 0900-1700 during winter and 0800-1700 during summer. The aerodrome offers an Aerodrome Flight Information Service to pilots.

Aviation Museum at Sywell

Sywell Aviation Museum

The aereodrome also houses the Sywell Aviation Museum dedicated to telling the wartime history of the site and the airmen that used it. The museum was celebrated with a visit a flypast by three P-51 Mustangs.

Sywell Aerodrome

Brooklands Flying Club

Brooklands Flying Club are based at Sywell and fly the Aero AT-3 and Cessna 172 which are used as trainers for Private Pilot Licenses (PPL), Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) and night rating training. In addition the Club also offers flight experiences in a de Havilland Tiger Moth

Brooklands Flying Club was the first UK flight school to operate an online booking system.

Sywell Airshow

The aerodrome now hosts a bi-annual charity airshow put on in aid of the local Air Ambulance where there are many classic aircraft flying and on display such as the Catalina, Mustang, North American Harvards and the British classic, the Lancaster bomber. The Blades aerobatic display team who are based at Sywell also do a performance where they fly stunts and displays with smoke.

Light Aircraft Association Rally

The LAA, formerly the Popular Flying Association or PFA, is the UK's body for amateur aircraft construction, and recreational & sport flying. It used to hold its annual rally at Cranfield Airport, and then at Kemble Airport. In 2006 the LAA lost so much money through poor attendances resulting from poor weather that in 2007 & 2008, much smaller (and cheaper) "regional rallies" were held. These were unpopular; and in 2009 a revived (if cut-down) LAA Rally was held at Sywell. This proved successful, and as further LAA Rallies took place at Sywell in 2010 and 2011, the long-term future of the LAA Rally seems secure.

Music in Flight

Music in Flight is an airshow held at Sywell, where an orchestra play classical music to accompany flying aircraft, hot air balloons, the Red Devils parachute display team and a fireworks display.

Awards

In 2009, Sywell was awarded the Best General Aviation Airport 2009 airport member award by the Airport Operators Association (AOA). The award was determined by the following bodies; the British Air Transport Association (BATA), the Airport Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA).

Business park

There is also an industrial area in the complex which is home to firms, agencies, and other commercial businesses.

External links

• Sywell Aerodrome - official website
• Sywell Aviation Museum