Aberporth Airport ( cy, Maes Awyr Aber-porth) is situated southwest of
Aberporth,
Ceredigion
Ceredigion ( , , ) is a county in the west of Wales, corresponding to the historic county of Cardiganshire. During the second half of the first millennium Ceredigion was a minor kingdom. It has been administered as a county since 1282. Cer ...
,
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
. The
airport
An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. Airports usually consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surfa ...
is being developed as West Wales Airport for domestic flights. It is also developing as a centre for the deployment of civil and military
unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controll ...
s (UAVs), known as 'drones'. The airport underwent major improvements in 2008 which extended the length of the runway from .
History
The following military units were posted here at some point:
* 'B' Flight of
No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF
This is a List of Anti-aircraft co-operation units of the Royal Air Force.
Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Units
* Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight RAF (1931–36) became Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF
* Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight, ...
(1 AACU)
* 'L' Flight of 1 AACU
* 'O' Flight of 1 AACU
* 'Q' Flight of 1 AACU
* 'X' Flight of 1 AACU
*
No. 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF
*
No. 6 Air Observers School RAF
*
No. 7 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF
*
No. 7 Maintenance Unit RAF
*
No. 595 Squadron RAF
*
No. 636 Volunteer Gliding Squadron RAF
*
No. 1608 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
*
No. 1609 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
*
No. 1621 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
*
No. 2758 Squadron RAF Regiment
* Combined Services Projectile Development Establishment
*
University of Wales Air Squadron
The Universities of Wales Air Squadron is a University Air Squadron of the Royal Air Force's Volunteer Reserve for students from Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Swansea University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (for ...
Current use
The nearby range,
MoD Aberporth, is used for testing rockets by the
British military, as well as for launching civilian rockets for
atmospheric research. The site is currently managed by
QinetiQ.
Aberporth Aerodrome has a
CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P859) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee. The aerodrome is not licensed for night use.
Civil Aviation Authority Aerodrome Ordinary Licences
The airfield is being used as a base for Thales Watchkeeper WK450 military unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controll ...
(UAV) trials over Cardigan Bay
Cardigan Bay ( cy, Bae Ceredigion) is a large inlet of the Irish Sea, indenting the west coast of Wales between Bardsey Island, Gwynedd in the north, and Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire at its southern end. It is the largest bay in Wales.
Geo ...
. On 13 June 2018 a Watchkeeper crashed into a lane near the airfield; there were no injuries.
References
External links
Aberporth Technology Park and West Wales Airport – An Overview of Proposals, Innovations and Benefits.
()
{{authority control
Transport in Ceredigion
Airports in Wales
Buildings and structures in Ceredigion