Author Archives: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Caernarfon airport was once-upon-a-time known as RAF Llandwrog and a training base for bomber crews.  The Air Observers School there also flew Avro Anson and Westland Lysander aircraft.

Its exquisite position at the shoulder of the Lleyn Peninsula makes it a magnet for flyers.  The sea on one side, Yr Eifl on the other and the whole of Snowdonia behind you.  Oh, and Anglesey is just a hop across the Menai Straits.

Two runways, cafe/bistro, refuelling, aviation museum and the seaside right off the end of the runway.  Fill up at Welshpool (it’s cheaper here) and off you go.

Caernarfon Radio (A/G) 122.25
Phone: 01286 830800
Website: www.caernarfonairport.co.uk/
Distance from Welshpool: 52nm

Erstwhile base for RAF No.1 Glider Training School preparing glider pilots for Normandy and Arnhem landings.  Today a thriving rural airfield and always lots going on with visitors and spectators encouraged.
Flying schools, camp site, bar lounge and a cafe of no little renown. Shobdon is just a wee hop over the Shropshire hills for us Welshpool flyers.

Shobdon Information (AFIS & A/G) 123.50
Phone: 01568 708369
Website: http://herefordshireaeroclub.com/
Distance from Welshpool: 25nm

Sleap aerodrome, 10nm north of Shrewsbury is our nearest neighbour airfield-wise. Former WW2 base for Whitley Bombers, Horsa Glider training and then Wellington Bombers.  Still used by the RAF as an overspill for its Squirrel Helicopter training based at Shawbury.  Therefore some care required when flying in, and as you should everywhere, observe the local rules.

Two runways, control tower cafe and a small aviation museum.

Sleap A/G 122.450
Phone: 01939 232882
Website: http://www.shropshireaeroclub.co.uk
Distance from Welshpool: 18nm

Former WW2 RAF air base, Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green is now a thriving base for General Aviation.  Three runways, control-tower cafe, fuel, maintenance and the West Midlands metropolis just a modest taxi ride away.

Halfpenny Green Information (AFIS) 123.00
Phone:  01384 221 378
Web site: www.wolverhamptonairport.co.uk/
Distance from Welshpool: 33nm