Bodmin
BODMIN: Civil aerodrome
Note: All pictures by the author unless specified.
PICTURE GALLERY IN SEPTEMBER 2018
Operated by: 1966: Mr Mike Robertson:
Since 1972: Cornwall Flying Club
Flying schools: Air Cornwall, Cornwall Flying Club, Moorgoods Helicopters
Location: 4 nm NE of Bodmin
Period of operation: 1966 (first licensed in 1976) to -
Note: Map reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways: 14/32 610x18 grass (originally 13/31)
03/21 480x18 grass
Helipad by the fuel pump in 2000
PERSONAL MEMORIES
One of the first aircraft moves I made in my truck was from BODMIN, a damaged Cessna 152 (G-WACF) owned by Wycombe Air Centre in 1993. I then transported this to EASTLEIGH when one of the wings was swopped with another of their 152s that had collided with a lighting post. See EASTLEIGH for other aspects of this job.
BODMIN PICTURES
My one and only flying visit was with my wife on the 30th April 2000, in the Cessna 172 G-JVMD. With a stiff easterly wind blowing, and runway 14 in use, I was mindful of the possibility of a severe downdraft occuring when passing over the A.30, so approached high and landed long. Something approved of by the locals I later found out when booking in.
A LATER DETAIL
On a visit in April 2025. this combination took my interest. Parked outside was the Auster J/1 Autocrat G-AIGD, a type very popular for many years after WW2, for flying training, joy rides and pretty much everything else a light aircraft could be employed for. This example being first registered in November 1946.
Nearby on the same apron was the Cessna 152, G-BNSM, (ex N68948). Built in 1981 it was imported and served with the Bodmin Flying Club from 30.03.90 until 18.04.2024. When American light aircraft imports were first allowed into the UK, in considerable numbers, during the 1960s, the metal versions were soon to become very popular with flying schools and clubs, not least because they could be kept outside - or so it was thought. It took a few years before it was realaised that American imports to the UK soon corrorded in our climate. Cessna decided to establish a new manufacturing plant at Prunay near Reims in France manufacturing aircraft painted with corrosion protection.
It was also a lesson learnt by vehicle manufactureres when the markets in Europe opened up. Models that could last for many years, could, when imported to the UK, rust away whilst you watched!
BODMIN TOWN HISTORICAL NOTES
It apears that the famed French aviator Henri Salmet had to make a forced landing near Bodmin in June 1912 in his 50hp Blériot monoplane (on a tour of the 'West Country' sponsored by the Daily Mail), when en route from Newquay to Liskeard. The nature of the problem he had seems lost? However, he did then continue his flight to Liskeard. Today one might wonder why Liskeard was selected as the point to end this tour - as opposed to Penzance or St Ives?
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