| White Waltham Airfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: none – ICAO: EGLM | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Private | ||
| Operator | White Waltham Airfield Limited | ||
| Location | White Waltham, Berkshire | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 133 ft / 41 m | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Website | |||
| Map | |||
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EGLM
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| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| m | ft | ||
| 07/25 | 1,110 | 3,330 | Grass |
| 11/29 | 930 | 2,790 | Grass |
| 03/21 | 1,025 | 3,075 | Grass |
| Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1] | |||
White Waltham Airfield (ICAO: EGLM), is located at White Waltham, 2 NM (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) southwest of Maidenhead,[1] in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. The airfield is privately owned and is the home of the West London Aero Club, the largest flying club in the United Kingdom.
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The airfield was set up in 1928 when the de Havilland family bought 196 acres (0.79 km2) of grassland to house the de Havilland Flying School. In 1938 the airfield was taken over by the government, and during World War II was the home base of the Air Transport Auxiliary between its formation in 1940 and disbandment in September 1945.[2] The airfield was also home to Fairey Aviation, which tested aircraft built at their Hayes factory. These included the Fairey Gannet, one example of which is stored at the airfield awaiting restoration. The unique Fairey Rotodyne VTOL airliner was also assembled and tested here.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was taught to fly at White Waltham in 1952, flying a de Havilland Chipmunk belonging to HQ RAF Home Command Communications Squadron (HCCS) of the Royal Air Force (RAF). This squadron was based at the airfield from 1950 until 1959.[3]
The airfield stayed under RAF control until 1982, when it was purchased by the current owners. Until 2007 it was the base of Thames Valley air ambulance helicopter.[4][5][6]
Approximately 150 light aircraft are based at the airfield, which with three runways is reportedly the largest grass airfield in civilian use in Europe. The airfield holds Civil Aviation Authority Public Use Aerodrome Licence Number P773, that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flight training.[7][8]
On 24 June 1989, the Fairey Hangar, on the north side of the airfield, was the venue for one of the largest acid house raves to be held at that time. The Sunrise Midsummer Party was attended by over 11,000 ravers, and attracted about 1,000 vehicles. This caused 3-mile (4.8 km) tailbacks on the approach to the airfield. The Sun newspaper ran a headline "Ecstasy Airport" the next day.
Since the demise of the popular local steam rally at Knowl Hill, about a mile to the NW of the airfield, an annual vintage transport event is now held at White Waltham in August.
The airfield has been used as a filming location on numerous occasions, perhaps most notably appearing several times in episodes of the popular 1970s ITV series The Professionals.
In October 2010, the airfield was turned into a 1950s London Heathrow Airport for the filming of the 2011 film My Week with Marilyn.[9]