Darley Moor Airfield
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Airways Airsports Logo
Summary
Airport typePrivate
Owner/OperatorAirways Airsports
LocationAdjacent to A515, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, UK
Built1942
In use1942 - 1955 (RAF) 1955 onwards (civilian)
Elevation AMSL580 ft / 177 m
Coordinates53°58′40″N 1°44′35″W / 53.97778°N 1.74306°W / 53.97778; -1.74306
Websitewww.airways-airsports.com
Map
Darley Moor Airfield is located in Derbyshire
Darley Moor Airfield
Darley Moor Airfield
Location in Ashbourne
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
02LH/ 20RH 2,132 650 Grass


Darley Moor Airfield in Ashbourne is operated by Airways Airsports providing training in almost every type of leisure flying. The WW2 runway has also been transformed into Darley Moor Racetrack [1] which is used for motorbike and cycle racing

The airfield is in 'G' airspace. Proximity to East Midlands Airport places the ceiling at 4000ft AMSL before restrictions apply.[2] The airpark covers 80 acres and while the main runway runs approximately N-S there are grass strips allowing takeoff/landing in all wind directions.

Airfield Facilities[3]

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  • Car parking
  • Aircraft parking and hangarage
  • Club house with toilets (including wheelchair accessible toilet)
  • Shop selling clothes and flying accessories
  • On site cafe open during summer months
  • Camping and caravan pitches
  • Classroom and teaching facilities
  • Free wifi available for visitors

Race Track and Track Records

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The majority of the concrete runways have been converted into Darley Moor Racetrack. This is primarily used for motocycle races and track days. The track is also used for closed circuit track cycling events.[4]

History

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The airfield was built in 1942 and used during WW2 for training purposes. Following the war it was in use until 1952 for ordnance servicing and storage. Since then it has been in use in it's current form - motorsport, leisure aviation and agriculture[5].

It is close to another WW2 airfield in Ashbourne that is now an industrial estate [6]. Nearby towns and villages include Ashbourne in the Derbyshire Dales [7] to the northwest is Snelston and South is Cubley

In 2010-2011 Airways Airsports developed the airfield by building a large hanger [8][9] to store aircraft used on a daily basis.

Procedures for visiting aircraft

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STRICTLY PPR - ALL VISITING AIRCRAFT MUST SPEAK TO SOMEONE AT DARLEY MOOR AIRFIELD AS WELL AS RECEIVE BRIEF PRIOR TO ARRIVAL[10]

Darley Moor airfield is a busy, noise sensitive and multi-discipline site. Large volumes of pilots, including students under tuition, may be present in the circuit on any given day on Hang gliders, Paragliders, FLPA and Microlight aircraft; Darley Moor Airfield is visiting aircraft friendly and tolerant provided airfield procedures are respected and a searching lookout for other aircraft is maintained at ALL times.

Visiting aircraft MUST make contact with the airfield before planning to fly in.


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References

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  1. ^ "Motorcycle Racing and Road Racing - Darley Moor MotorCycle Road Race Club 2011 Ashbourne (UK)". Darley Moor M.C.R.R.C. 2010-03-26. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  2. ^ "Amendments for England East". Civil Aviation Authority. 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  3. ^ "Airfield Information". Airways Airsports. 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  4. ^ "British Cycling Events at Darley Moor Rack Track 2011". British Cycling. 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  5. ^ "RAF Darley Moor - Derbyshire - Midlands Heritage". Chedd. 2009-09-20. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  6. ^ "RAF ASHBOURNE AND DARLEY MOOR: A Tale Of Two Airfields". Wildtrack Publishing. 2010-03-26. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  7. ^ "Ashbourne, Derbyshire - Official Web Site". Alan J. Fagg. 2011-03-8. Retrieved 2011-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Planning » Application Summary". Derbyshire Dales District Council. 2001-05-30. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  9. ^ "REPLACEMENT HANGERS AND ANCILLARY BUILDINGS, DARLEY MOOR AIRFIELD, DARLEY MOOR FOR MR. C. DAWES". Derbyshire Dales District Council. 2008-04-04. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  10. ^ "Darley Moor Joining Procedures". Airways Airsports. 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2011-07-01.