Dunsley
NOTE: The map gives just an approximate location.
DUNSLEY: Civil Landing Ground (aka WHITBY)
Operated by: Mr Keith Pyman, Thornaby Hall
Location: S of the A174, just SE of Sandsend village, roughly 2nm W of Whitby town centre
Period of operation: 1930s only?
Runway: Max landing run: 329 grass
NOTES: Info source, ‘AA Landing Grounds’ publication, 1930s and one of many AA (Automobile Association) approved Landing Grounds. Rather unusually a hangar was listed on site but it is not known if this was available to visitors?
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
In April 2026 Mike Holder, a great long-term friend of this 'Guide', noticed that this listing lacked any maps, so has very kindly looked into what may be available to illustrate the listing, plus using his mapping skills. The result being that the exact location is now known.
Mike also found these items taken from the Trecanair project, Episode 15. Well worth a look on the interweb.
Whitby is situated on the east coast, north of the North York Moors, and therefore the flying conditions for light aircraft can often be swiftly changeable. I am familiar with the town as my brother lived there with his wife many years ago, and a visit is highly recommended. Lovely on a glorious summer day with clear skies of course. But for example, when flying back with a friend from a Fly-In at Perth in Scotland in late May 2004, following the coast in very fine conditions, as we approached Whitby we saw conditions that can only be described as truly awful for a private pilot. A combination of sea fog and very low cloud!
Informing ATC at Teeside that we intended to divert another pilot heading north advised us that conditions were fine west of the Moors, and indeed they were, so flying a circuitous route we landed at North Coates, again near the coast south-east of Grimsby. No sea fog, lovely flying cnditions once again.
These two pictures are from my Google Earth© derived database.
A QUICK NOTE
There is a common saying amongst private pilots, in the UK at least: Time to spare? Go by air.
k. andrews
This comment was written on: 2016-01-23 13:40:42Alan cobham flew here prior to the war it cost 6D a ride around Sandsend Bay
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