http://www.aviation-news.co.uksecondary landing strip (11/29, 2,585ft/788m)
was temporarily closed for repairs in early- The airport subsequently announced
in August of that year that it would not reopen
due to low number of aircraft that used it and
the cost of maintenance could not be justi ed.
On the plus side, it now gives a large area for
over ow parking of visiting aircraft.
BIZJET BASE
Biggin Hill has 60 resident business jets
and a substantial population of 200 general
aviation aircraft. Its operator has made a
major investment in infrastructure with large
additional aircraft parking areas and a new
re station. Two extra business aircraft
hangars have been added, the rst opening
in 2011 with the second completed last year.
The airport operator has its own handling
company based in the terminal building,
but some aircraft owners prefer to use the
Signature Flight Support facility at Hangar- Station Manager Kelly McCarthy
explained: “We have a facility here which
offers our worldwide customers the excellent
Signature service they will experience in
our network of FBOs [ xed-base operators].
We have a beautiful and relaxing lounge
facility, rated amongst the nest in Europe,
and guarantee a smooth and welcoming
experience to all of our visitors”.
Elsewhere on the airport there is the
international motor racing organisation,
Formula 1, which has its own hangarage to
house its business jets. Another resident
is Zenith Aviation which provides private
jet charter services. The company was
launched in 2013, ying a pair of Bombardier
Learjet 45s and a Challenger 604. Led by
Managing Director Stuart Mulholland, it now
operates a Citation XLS and four Learjet 75s.
Inter ight offers private jet charter
services and is among the companies on theair eld that have maintenance, repair and
overhaul (MRO) facilities. Its maintenance
division looks after Hawker business jets.
Helicopter company Castle Air has its eet
available for hire as well as a range of
engineering services.
Additionally, on site is Biggin Hill Heritage
Hangar with an airworthy eet that currently
boasts seven Supermarine Spit res, a
Hawker Hurricane, Messerschmitt Bf.109E4,
North American T-6 Texan and Piper L-4H.
The pair of two-seat Spit res are kept
busy with air experience ights, sometimes
numbering a dozen a day. When it comes
to old aircraft, the long-established Shipping
and Airlines give tender loving care to a ne
collection of classic machines including a
de Havilland Dragon y and the world’s only
airworthy Civilian Coupe.
There are several ight training operators
including the Surrey and Kent Flying
School, which operates Piper PA-28s, and
the Alouette Flying Club. Both have been
at Biggin Hill since 1959. The Falcon27London Biggin Hill Airport is only 12 miles from the centre of the city. Mike Rivett – FotomotionBiggin Hill Heritage Hangar has an impressive
eet of warbirds, including Spit res, two of
which have a second seat enabling a passenger
to experience ying in the legendary ghter.
Andy Patsalides26-29_biggin_hillDC.mf.indd 27 02/05/2018 12:51