Compton Abbas Airfield Photos

Compton Abbas Airfield

Compton Abbas Airfield

Compton Abbas Airfield

Compton Abbas Airfield

Compton Abbas Airfield

Compton Abbas Airfield

Flew into Compton Abbas from Kemble in a PA28. Fantastic A/G service, very professional sounding - on a par with a full ATC unit in fact. Received a friendly welcome at the desk and enjoyed a few drinks outside in the sun watching others come and go. Wide range of drinks available and good quality food on offer (hot food served from midday to 2:30pm). The airfield looked fantastic with the local scenery and the glorious weather with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere - top marks all round!

I made a first visit to Compton Abbas on 1 September as part of the fly-out I had organized for Westair at Blackpool. We flew in in a C172 and out in a DR400. I had heard that Compton was a lovely scenic airfield, but to be honest, that is an understatement. This has to be one of the prettiest and most stunning locations I have ever been to in England. The views are wonderful from the air and the ground – we loved it. The café has a great reputation and it is certainly good, but we found the food to be a good average rather than outstanding. However, the service was very friendly and the seating both inside and outside had superb views. On the day we were there, there were two Tiger Moths and a Percival Proctor (in wartime camouflage) parked outside! The runway is grass and fairly smooth with drops at both ends – look lovely though! The refueling was a bit of a pantomime and we found it hard to follow their way of doing things on a first visit – but they took it in their stride. I loved this airfield – my ONLY complaint is that it seems to be the only airfield in the UK that I have come across that positively bans dogs. (And I have been to over 100 airfields from farm strips to international airports and had no problems). I’ll just have to leave the greyhounds at home when I next go……!

Visited Compton Abbas from Netherthorpe on 19/06/2012 in G-ROLY a Cessna 172. We routed via the TNT VOR and south. Lots of glider sites to the north west but we avoided them. Difficult to spot initially and the circuit diagram in Pooleys makes it hard to relate to the actual area. We were trying to avoid the noise sensitive areas on the Pooleys plate but ended up too wide we believe. Anyway once landed on the long but slightly bumpy runway we parked and had a look around. Very clean and tidy, lovely view all around. The airfield is situated on a hill with lots of greenery around. Lunch was excellent with a gourmet burger really hitting the spot, with a drink there was not much change from £10 though. We ate outside in the sunshine watching the aircraft, including aerobatic aircraft performing above the field. Taxi into Shaftesbury was around £9. Nice pilots room where we paid the landing fee and got the book so we could fuel up, this was self service. Friendly airfield and well worth a visit for the views and area.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Firefly of the Bustard Flying Club photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

DR400 of the Bustard Flying Club photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 04.09.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

The RNHF Swordfish did a fly past at Compton Abbas on 21.08.11 on its way back to Yeovilton from, I believe, Shoreham Airshow.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 21.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas, 05.08.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

At Compton Abbas on 26.06.11 for the aerobatic competition.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

At Compton Abbas for the aerobatic competition on 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 26.06.11.

Took one of my first passengers to this delightful part of the country. Nearby we flew near Bath, Longleat, Glastonbury Festival site, Wells.. loads to see. Helpful A/G on approach told us that heavy showers had made the runway slippery, recommending an early touchdown to give plenty of landing roll, and co-ordinated with other pilots a switch in direction as the wind moved round. Friendly and professional reception, which seemed busy and efficient as usual. Great selection of cakes. We were also treated to a free aerobatics formation display arranged for a wedding reception in a nearby field (advised when I called for PPR). With stunning scenery, this active and vibrant airfield made a very good impression to my guest of what private aviation and getting a PPL is all about.

The setting is beautiful, the R.T. is good, the welcome warm, the food excellent. This little gem is well worth a visit.

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

Photographed at Compton Abbas 22.04.11

I cannot speak more highly of this airfield. To my mind this is what GA is all about: Friendly/polite when phoning for PPR, great cafe, £10 landing fee (bearing in mind Blackbushe wanted £24 last week), air/ground was concise but helpful, and goodness me what a setting. I will be going back...often

Skyranger Swift Built By J Doswell in 2008

The sun doesn't always shine in August, but it did come out! Off to tea.

G-TEXN, operated by Thunderprop Ltd through the Real Flying Company at Shoreham. Pictured on a splendid August 'away day' to Compton Abbas.

Andy Bailey

Two classic Naval Aviation training aircraft in unusual grass and crosswind surroundings. An American Naval Harvard and our own British Naval Tiger Moth at Compton on 27th August 2006.

Diverting to Compton Abbas due to Wx to the NW. Planned destination was Gloucestershire. Note Cessna on final.

Windshear in a South Easterly. I am only a student but the windshear in a South Easterly can be pretty wicked. My instructor and I found ourselves with full power on and still sinking fairly dramatically in the downdraft off of the trees to the South. I subsequently visited the escarpment in the foreground of the picture to find some serious kite flyers flying their kites 'down the hill'! (right to left in photo) such was the downdraft.

Caution advised.

Compton Abbas on 21st June 2005 - Steve's first ever land away.

Eggesford's three flying AOP9's visit Compton Abbas in the snow

An unusual perspective of one of our many resident Yaks.

A favourite inhabitant of Compton Abbas - the very red YAK 18.

Coming into land on 26

This photo doesn't do the stunning views available from this airfield justice!

Two very different oldtimers vie for attention at the Compton Abbas 'Fly In' - May '05.

Unbelievable hover taxying skills - Joe Kool.

It all looks so smooth and level!!!

19th June 2005: After a very hot and busy flight from Shoreham, the laid-back RT at Compton Abbas was delightfully simple, mostly from pilot to pilot! The airstrip was unbelievably bumpy, and it was only when watching other landings from our lunch table that we realised we were not the only ones to struggle to float onto a downhill runway (08). A beautiful day, sun, aerobatics from the Moth, hunting birds catching their lunch and us eating ours. A great visit.

Paul Sengupta proudly celebrates the public announcement of his 5th place in the Pooley's Fly-In Spot Landing competition.

If we had actually seen the markers we were supposed to hit I reckon we might have got on the podium!

Must be the youngest co-pilot...........

The approach to possibly the most picturesque airfield in the UK. Eight hundred feet up and Eight Hundred metres to land in.

This pretty much sums up Compon Abbas - Yaks and Trees.

The pristine Tiger Moth resident at Compton Abbas is checked out prior to its next pleasure trip over Dorset. Note the 'Petit Pitt' - a new addition so the kids aren't disappointed when Dad goes flying on his own.

One of the display Yaks resident at Compton Abbas, awaiting a pre "wedding display" appointment at Yeovilton.

I did most of my PPL training in G-BZXK this year. Unfortunately she's been laid up with a busted spar since August. Hopefully she'll be back it operation inthe new year, although I have grown used to the Cherokees now.