3 June 2025
Two important milestones have been reached by the Strategic Aerodrome Network (SAN): 200 airfields have now identified as having strategic value – and SAN now has its own website.
The Strategic Aerodrome Network was created by planning specialist and former airport manager Ann Bartaby and Louise Southern of the UK VFR Flight Guide. They have surveyed the UK’s airfields to produce a network of General Aviation aerodromes and their critical facilities and services offered – see the survey results below.
“Each newsletter will highlight common issues and challenge faced by Airfields and alongside will identify potential solutions to managing those challenges,” say Ann and Louise.
“We know how isolated Airfields can sometimes feel, but many challenges, innovations and experiences are faced by many and highlighting these will help to protect and sustain our Network of General Aviation Airfields.”
Hospital helipads are now included in the Network as they are vital to the survival of critically ill patients, but are often subject to planning applications being submitted close by.
Other items in the latest SAN newsletter include:
Sign up for the SAN newsletter and download the latest and previous newsletters here here: https://www.san-ga.co.uk/
What are the Airfield operating hours?
9 H24
70 SR-SS
85 PPR only
12 Out of Hrs cover
Is the Airfield Border Force designated?
79 Yes
105 No
Fuel availability
6 Electric
0 Hydrogen
59 Avgas 100LL
25 Jet A1
11 Mogas
29 UL91/94
Aircraft parking
141 Grass
33 Hard
Maintenance facilities
23 Part ML
10 Part CAO
5 BCAR
9 Part 145
20 Part 21
16 CAMO
0 Part 147
Does the Airfield have compulsory handling?
4 Yes
60 No
114 N/A
Airframe de-icing availability
10 Yes
173 No
Meteorological services available
8 METAR
7 TAF
6 ATIS Tel
6 ATIS Radio
54 Webcam
Noise abatement procedures
78 Yes
100 No
Fire cover
61 Yes
115 No
Ground support available
7 GPU
14 Electric charge
14 Handling
14 RR refuelling
Does the Airfield have heritage links
87 Yes
84 No
Is the Airfield at risk?
19 Short term
54 Medium Term
47 Long term
Does the Airfield provide services?
17 SAR
32 HEMS
29 Police
43 Military
23 Utility companies
Would you be interested in the new Drone infrastructure?
65 Yes
109 No
Activities on Airfield
96 Flight training
138 Recreational flying
21 AOC
16 Flying displays
33 Aviation related commercial activities
13 Airshows
Does the Airfield have flight training available?
72 PPL
73 NPPL
7 MEP
13 IR
12 CPL
57 Ground school
23 Aerobatics
Environmental measures
62 Habitat conservation
39 Biodiversity
30 Animal grazing
36 Land cultivation
Non-aviation activities
105 Yes
72 No
Does the Airfield engage with community groups?
72 School visits
80 Cadets/scouts
39 Aviation history clubs
18 Social learning groups
52 Voluntary groups
72 Open days
16 Flying displays
16 Apprenticeships
The SAN map has been updated to show all the airfields who have identified as strategically important.
Blackbushe, Blackpool, Caernarfon, Chichester Goodwood, Denham, Derby, Duxford, East Midlands, Elstree. Kirkwall, Lydd, Manchester Barton, Old Buckenham, Oxford, Popham, Rochester, Sherburn in Elmet, Shobdon, Sleap, Sumburgh, Teesside, Turweston
Aston Down, Bagby, Balado, Bodmin, Burn, Coventry, Compton Abbas, Cumbernauld, Currock Hill, Dunstable Downs, Eaglescott, Earls Colne, Enniskillen, Enstone, Eshott, Fairoaks, Fenland, Halton, Haverfordwest, Husbands Bosworth, Kemble, Lands End, Lasham, Lee on Solent, Little Gransden, Long Mynd, Manston, Old Warden, Parham, Perth, Portmoak, Scilly Isles, Strathaven, Sutton Bank, Swansea, Tibenham, Wellesbourne, White Waltham, Wickenby
Abbots Bromley, Barton Farm, Baxby, Beccles, Bellarena, Beverley, Bicester, Bolt Head, Breighton, Brent Tor, Cae Mawr, Camphill, Castle Kenedy, Challock, Chirk, Clench Common, Clipgate, Cromer, Dairy House Farm, Darlton, Dornoch, Eastbach, Eastchurch, Easter-ton, East Kirkby, Eday, Eggesford, Falgunzeon, Farway Common, Feshiebridge, Fife, Finmere, Full Sutton, Glenswinton, Grandsen Lodge, Halesland, Kenley, Kingstanding, Kirkbride, Kirton in Lindsey, Kittyhawk, Little Snoring, Lleweni Parc, Lundy Island, Lyveden, Membury, Milfield, Milson, Movenis, Netherthorpe, New Model Farm, North Hill, Nympsfield, Otherton, Pembrey, Ridgewell, Ringmer, Ripple, Rivar Hill, Saltby, Seighford, Shenington, Shipmeadow, Skegness, Snitterfield, Strubby, Talgarth, The Park, Tilstock, Upavon, Upwood, Walton Wood, West Wales
Ashcroft, Aughrim, Bargrug, Berrier, Berrow, Bognor, Charterhall, Chilbolton, Colerne, Cottered, Crowland, Deanland, Devizes-Coate, Easter, East Fortune East, Errol, Fadmoor, Felixkirk, Fisherwick, Garton Field, Glassonby, Glenforsa, Great Massingham, Hadfold Farm, Headon, Holmbeck, Home Farm – Ebrington, Hughley, Insch, Ledbury, Longside, Lydeway, Main Hall Farm, Midlem, Newhall Mains, New York, Newport City, Oaklands Farm – East Tytherley, Oakley, Pent Farm, Perranporth, Pitsford, Pocklington, Pointon, Rectory Farm, Rothwell, St Michaels, Salterford Farm, Scampton, Sollas, South Cave/Mount Airy, Stoke Golding, Strathallan, Strubby North, Talybont, Temple Bruer, Tibenham Priory Farm, Tiffenden, Troutbeck/Keswick, West Horndon, West Tisted, Weybourne, White Ox Mead, Whittles Farm, Willow Farm, Wooburn
