Elstree Aerodrome

London Elstree Aerodrome (ICAO: EGTR) is an operational general aviation aerodrome located in Elstree, and is situated 2.6 nautical miles (4.8 km; 3.0 mi) east of Watford, Hertfordshire, England.

London Elstree Aerodrome
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerMontclare Shipping Co. Ltd
OperatorAldenham Aviation LLP
ServesElstree
LocationAldenham
Hertfordshire
Elevation AMSL332 ft / 101 m
Coordinates51°39′21″N 000°19′33″W
Map
EGTR is located in Hertfordshire
EGTR
EGTR
Location in Hertfordshire
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
08/26 651 2,136 Asphalt
Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1]

Elstree Aerodrome has Civil Aviation Authority Ordinary Licence P486, which allows flights for the purpose of the public transport of passengers and for the purpose of instruction in flying. It is licensed for night flying. The licensee is Montclare Shipping Company Ltd.[2]

The aerodrome has one asphalt runway (08/26) aligned roughly east–west. The runway is 651 meters (2,136 feet) in length making it suitable for most light aircraft up to the size of a King Air or Pilatus PC-12. The runway has a steep 9% gradient.[1]

History

During the Second World War, Westland Lysander aircraft were tested at Elstree.[3][4] Elstree also hosted a Link Trainer flight simulator. 124 Gliding School was formed at Elstree in August 1943.

The airfield is owned and operated by the Gibbs family,[5][6] who have long been associated with the Elstree area.

Operations
Elstree Airfield seen from the northwest

The aerodrome was returned to civil aircraft operations in 1946. There is a large wartime built Bellman hangar and a number of smaller hangars.

Residents include aeroplane and helicopter schools, charter companies and maintenance services.[7]

Some areas of the airfield are occasionally used for filming.

Airport information

Prior permission (PPR) is required to land. A flight information service for arriving, departing or transiting aircraft is provided by "Elstree Information" on the frequency of 122.405 MHz, and on the same frequency when required under the designation of "Elstree Radio" if the service requires downgrading due to staffing availability.[1]

Accidents
  • 29 November 1975 (1975-11-29): British Formula One champion Graham Hill was killed when the Piper Aztec he was piloting crashed on approach to the airfield in foggy conditions at night, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) east of the runway. The other five occupants of the twin-engine aircraft including driver Tony Brise, all members of the Embassy Hill racing team, were also killed.
  • 24 August 2022: A Cessna 182Q, registration G-RBBK, clipped a vehicle while landing at Finmere Aerodrome. The 63 year old pilot declared an emergency and decided to return to Elstree. It made a safe landing at Elstree and it was found no damage had been done to be aircraft. The AAIB concluded "The aircraft approached the aerodrome over a road lower than necessary to maintain a safe distance from traffic using the road."[8]

References
  1. "EGTR—ELSTREE". 12 January 2023.
  2. "Ordinary licences and boundary maps Public licences and boundary maps, Aerodromes A-E" (PDF). CAA. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  3. "No 161 SQUADRON LYSANDER Mk III (SD) MODEL | Tangmere Museum". Tangmere Military Aviation Museum. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  4. "Flight section log Fairfield Aviation Ltd., Elstree record of aircraft movements [1942-1945]". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  5. "MONTCLARE SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED persons with significant control – Find and update company information – GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk.
  6. "ALDENHAM AVIATION LLP persons with significant control – Find and update company information – GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  7. "Elstree – Our Residents". Elstree Site. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  8. "AAIB investigation to Cessna 182Q, G-BRRK". GOV.UK. 12 January 2023.

Bibliography
  • Richard Riding and Grant Peerless, Elstree Aerodrome: The Past in Pictures, The History Press Ltd (26 November 2003), ISBN 0-7509-3412-3, ISBN 978-0-7509-3412-1, 192 pages.
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