STEM events at Nottingham City Airport

The 6th of June was the saddest day when Nottingham City Airport closed its doors, specifically Vistry Homes which owns it did. Although there is no planning permission they believe that they are more likely to get it if the airport is no longer operational.

However Save Nottingham Airfield Group (SNAG) have been highlighting the significant issues of the land contamination with forever chemicals, asbestos and radioactive materials since the times when the airfield was used as a field repair unit during the war and where hundreds of aircraft were scrapped using bash, burn and bury technique after the war. These issues make clearing the site to build houses unrealistic.

Unfortunately the aircraft was away and unable to participate in SNAG activities. However as always we were very pleased to welcome many young people to our monthly STEM events which highlighted the importance of keeping the airfield open for the future generations. The youngest participants were as young as 3 which just proves it is never too early or too late to aviate!

Please donate on https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jp-t52 to help return the aircraft to the sky so she can welcome our visitors once again.

Young Aviator Day

Young Aviator Day at Sywell was very busy. Andre Faehndrich, the organiser, says: “Initial numbers, yet to be confirmed: we flew 150 – 28 adults and 100 Scouts, 22 Non-Scouts, on a total of 122 flights on 19 aircraft flown by 22 pilots. We also carried out lots of STEM (Jet Provost and Scouts (extra badges, etc), Space Store, Static Aircraft and BGA flight simulator which was flat out all day!!). So all-in-all another terrific day. YA 2023 (17th Annual YA) is scheduled for Sat 09/09/23.”

Lots and lots of kids got to meet the T52 in person and lots of fun was had by all. The event was sponsored by AOPA and was a great success inspiring young people.

Many thanks to Viv Porteus for capturing the event to brilliantly.

Join Chocks Away Open day

Chocks Away cafe is celebrating its 10 years’ anniversary and we are there to partake in the festivities.

After a nice cuppa please feel free to visit us to have a close look at the unique aircraft and talk to the team. We hope to see you soon. We are always grateful to all our supporters and people who love the airfield and Chocks Away just like we do.

Keeping Pilots Current

Would you like to stay current and up to date with your fast jet flying skills?

Easy. We provide training using RAF based syllabus seamlessly adapted for civilian pilots.

Loops, rolls, barrel rolls, rolls of the top, Derry rolls, half cubans, horizontal eights etc are included. (Straight and level flight is also possible…)

Photography John Stiles

FAQ:

do I need a share to go solo? No.

do I need a pilot licence? Yes, a current ICAO licence (PPL (A) at least) is required.

is it expensive? Not really. About half of the cost of a Spitfire flight. You are in control, the flights are longer, the aircraft is completely authentic – including patched up bullet holes in the fuselage.