Kemble Airport

Infobox Airport
name = Kemble Airport
nativename =
nativename-a =
nativename-r =


image-width =
caption = Kemble Airport control tower
IATA =
ICAO = EGBP
type = Private
owner =
operator = Kemble Air Services Limited
city-served =
location = Cirencester
elevation-f = 433
elevation-m = 132
coordinates = Coord|51|40|05|N|002|03|25|W|type:airport
website =
metric-elev =
metric-rwy =
r1-number = 08/26
r1-length-f = 6,591
r1-length-m = 2,009
r1-surface = Asphalt
r2-number = 08/26
"Unlicensed"
r2-length-f = 1,476
r2-length-m = 450
r2-surface = Grass
r3-number = 13/31
"Unlicensed"
r3-length-f = 3,281
r3-length-m = 1000
r3-surface = Asphalt
stat-year =
stat1-header =
stat1-data =
stat2-header =
stat2-data =
footnotes =

Kemble Airport airport codes|N/A|EGBP, is a general aviation airport, near the village of Kemble in Gloucestershire, England. It was built as an RAF base (RAF Kemble). The Red Arrows aerobatic team was based there until 1983. It is home to privately-owned ex-military aircraft such as the Hawker Hunter, Jet Provost, Folland Gnat and English Electric Canberra (operated by Delta Jets), and is used for the storage and scrapping of retired aircraft, as well as flying schools, clubs and local industry.

An air display and open day is held every year and the airfield is a venue for flying and vehicle rallies.

Kemble is in a good position for flying training as it is clear of controlled airspace allowing free movement for training aircraft. It is also centrally positioned between Cheltenham and Gloucester and Swindon with good road and rail links.

There was a threat of closure, due to a mistake the Cotswold District Council made relating to planning permission, when it was sold by the Ministry of Defence. However, this is no longer the case, and the planning status of the airfield has been changed to Airport. In July 2007 the airfield was again threatened by the council due to complaints from local residents of noise pollution.

In June 2008 the threat of closure has eased after the Cotswold District Council allowed flying to continue, but in September 2008, North Wilts District Council has sought to overturn this decision in the High Court as they say the original decision was flawed. Kemble Airport has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P863) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (Kemble Air Services Limited). The aerodrome is not licensed for night use [ [http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/375/srg_asd_ordinarylicences.pdf Civil Aviation Authority Aerodrome Ordinary Licences] ] .

Kemble Airport is also the home of the Bristol Aero Collection, a museum that shows aerospace items from the Filton area, mainly aircraft but including missiles and ground vehicles. The collection includes a Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1, Bristol Bloodhound surface to air missile, a life size mock-up of the Giotto spacecraft, a Bristol Sycamore helicopter and items related to Concorde.

Aston Down airfield lies three miles to the northwest, and has sometimes been mistaken for Kemble by visiting pilots. It formerly belonged to the RAF but is now used for gliding by the Cotswold Gliding Club.

References

:*United Kingdom AIP

External links

*WAD|EGBP
* [http://www.kemble.com/ Kemble Airport website]
* [http://www.cotswoldflyingclub.com/ Cotswold Flying Club @ Kemble]
* [http://www.trans-internationalairways.com/ Trans International Airways, Air Charter]
* [http://ukga.com/airfield/kemble EGBP weather, NOTAMs & pilot reviews]
* [http://www.flyingclubkemble.co.uk/ The Flying Club Kemble]
* [http://www.kemble.freeola.com/ Kemble airfield - pilot resources]
* [http://www.airshows.org.uk/2007/airshows/kemble/review.html Kemble Air Day 2007 pictures and review]
* [http://www.deltajets.com/ Delta Jets] Vintage jet aircraft and advanced flight training
* [http://www.bristolaero.com/ Bristol Aero Collection]
* [http://www.fly2help.org/ “fly2help” flying club] - a charity offering flying to the disabled
* [http://www.kemble-airfield.co.uk/ Kemble Airfield Links Site]
* [http://www.lawaviation.aero/ Litton AW Aviation (BCT), Aerial photography, hangarage and pilot services (NO AOC)]