Barton Aerodrome
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| Barton Aerodrome Manchester/Barton Aerodrome |
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| IATA: N/A - ICAO: EGCB | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Barton Aerodrome Operations Ltd | ||
| Serves | Manchester | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 73 ft (22 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 09R/27L | 2,037 | 621 | Grass |
| 09L/27R | 1,699 | 518 | Grass |
| 02/20 | 1,732 | 528 | Grass |
| 14/32 | 1,299 | 396 | Grass |
Manchester/Barton Aerodrome or Barton Aerodrome (IATA: N/A, ICAO: EGCB) is a general aviation airport in Eccles, Greater Manchester, England, which is 5 miles west of Manchester City Centre and was Britain's first municipal airport. The airport is currently undergoing a rebranding exercise and will be known as 'City Airport Manchester'. It features 4 grass runways and is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the UK. The airfield operates 7 days a week from 9am until sunset for fixed wing aircraft. Commercial, Military, Police and Air Ambulance helicopters can operate during the hours of darkness by arrangement as the airfield can be equipped with portable runway lighting.
The airport is an important stopping off point for light aircraft and helicopters flying up and down the UK as it is centrally located and has a large supply of aviation fuel, (Avgas 100LL and JetA1) available. However it lies on the edge of Chat Moss and the aircraft movements area still suffers from prolonged periods of waterlogging, restricting fixed wing operations at those times.
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[edit] History
Construction of Manchester's new municipal aerodrome at Barton started in autumn 1928 and the grass airfield and large hangar were completed in January 1930 when the first passenger charter flight occurred. Imperial Airways operated a subsidised scheduled service to London (Croydon) during Summer 1930.
A control tower and associated wireless station were completed in spring 1933, the first at a municipal airport outside London and able to communicate with aircraft in flight and give pilots bearings from the airfield. The tower is currently operational and is believed to be the oldest in Europe still in use for its original purpose.
Scheduled services resumed in summer 1934, when Croydon-based Railway Air Services commenced a Croydon-Barton-Glasgow route. Other smaller airlines operated services from Barton until June 1938, when all schedules transferred to the newly completed larger Ringway airport which between 1940 and 1957 also accommodated RAF Ringway.
During World War II, Barton was requisitioned and used for military aircraft repair and overhaul; also construction of over 700 Percival Proctor aircraft by F.Hills & Son of Trafford Park. There is a concrete air-raid bunker dating from this period hidden under overgrown vegetation near to the main road still at the site.
Lancashire Aero Club operated from Woodford Aerodrome before the war, but moved to Barton in 1946 and remain based until 2007. Manchester University Air Squadron were based in one of the wartime built western hangars between 1946 and 1953, when the unit moved to RAF Woodvale near Southport.
The airport was owned by Manchester City Council until 2003 when the Peel Holdings Group purchased the land, hangars and other buildings. The Aerodrome is now run on Peel's behalf by Barton Aerodrome Operations Ltd.
Barton Aerodrome has changed relatively little since its opening and is considered a good example of the airfields of the 1930s. There are several historical items of note at Barton, a small museum in the visitor centre displays documents from the history of the original Manchester Airport. The Bomber Command Association also has a display at Barton Aerodrome.
The control tower has been used in the making of many film and TV shows. The control tower underwent a major program of rebuilding and refurbishment in 2006. The tower is protected by grade II listed status.
[edit] Based Operators
[edit] Flight Academy
Flight Academy offer flying training in both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft
[edit] Greater Manchester Police Air Support Unit
Greater Manchester Police base their helicopter at the airfield in a remote secure area the unit is active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
[edit] Heli North West
Heli North West are a helicopter training school flying Robinson R22 and Enstrom helicopters.
[edit] LAC Flying School
LAC Flying school operates a range of aircraft types inclusing PA28s, Cessna 152/0s, Grob 115s and a Cessna 172 for both training and hire . The school also offers trial flights.
[edit] Malcolm Dobson Instructor Services
Malcolm Dobson Instructor Services provide training for the written examinations for Private Pilots Licence courses, specilising in RT exams.
[edit] Mainair
Mainair are a microlight training organisation flying both flex-wing and three axis Ikarus aircraft.
[edit] Manchester Helicopter Centre
Manchester Helicopter Centre provide helicopter flying training using Enstrom F28 aircraft.
[edit] Manchester Advanced Flight Training
Manchester Advanced Flight Training offer training for pilots to become flying instructors.
[edit] Ravenair
Ravenair base several Piper PA-38 Tomahawk aircraft at Barton providing Private Pilot Licence training and in support of aeronautical degrees for the nearby University of Salford. Ravenair have their offices in the former 'Airport Manager's House' on the airfield, this offers pilot information, classroom and briefing facilities in a comfortable setting.
[edit] Helicopter out of Hours Movements
Barton Aerodrome can operate during the hours of darkness by arrangement for Commercial, Military, Police and Air Ambulance helicopters as the airport can be equipped with portable runway lighting. This facility proves very popular, especially during football matches at nearby Old Trafford, (Manchester United) and City of Manchester Stadium (Manchester City). The airport is also a discreet and efficient location to drop off and collect VIPs visiting the local area.
[edit] Rescue and Fire fighting
Barton Aerodrome operates Category 1 Rescue and Fire fighting, utilising a Toyota Hilux Double Cab as a fire tender. Equipped with 80 Gallon of Foam/Water mix, a variety of extinguishers including Foam, Water, Co2, Powder and Halon.
The RFFS also carry first aid and rescue tools and is one of the only GA airfields to utilise full time dedicated staff to operate the RFFS all year. This ensures a speedy and efficient response to any aircraft finding themselves in difficulty on the airfield or local area.
[edit] Other attractions in the vicinity
The airport is part of a series of developments and services in the same locality, primarily operated by the Peel Group. Other developments and attractions include:
Sports & Lesuire
Trafford Centre Shopping and entertainment centre
Chill Factore an indoor ski and winter sports centre (under construction, due to open Nov 2007)
Salford Reds 'Barton Stadium' (under construction, completion due 2009)
JJB Soccerdome a football and sports centre
David Lloyd Health and leisure complex
Playgolf golf driving range
Retail
B&Q DIY warehouse
ASDA hypermarket
Costco wholesale discounter
Trafford Retail Park close to the centre with many high street names such as Carphone Warehouse, TK Maxx, etc
Hotels
Travelodge
Golden Tulip
Travel Inn
[edit] References
- United Kingdom AIP
- Manchester's early airfields: establishment, development and operations. R.A.Scholefield. An extensive article in Moving Manchester, Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, Manchester, 2004. ISSN 0950-4699.
- The Lancashire Aero Club : Three Score Years and Ten. Peter Maher, 1992. Lancashire Aero Club. No ISBN number.
