Pampisford
PAMPISFORD: Private airstrip
Note: Both of these pictures are from my Google Earth © derived database. The location in the local area view based on advice kindly given.
Operated by: Mr W J Bright?
Location: Just ESE of Pampisford village, S of A505, E of junction 10 (M.11), just W of the A11 and about 7nm SSE of Cambridge city centre
Period of operation: 1970s and 1980s only?
Runway: 14/32 810 grass
NOTES: Many years ago I made this comment in my notes: This ‘strip’ was marked on aviation charts for years as PAMPISFORD and I have often looked out for it without ever positively identifying it. In the mid 1970s it seems only one aircraft was based here; the Beech King Air 100 G-AYGY. Now then, the King Air is a very serious sort of aircraft rarely operated out of grass strips - which in turn suggests that PAMPISFORD was, in it’s day, a very ‘serious’ sort of strip - so why couldn’t I find it?
In 2017 when making this listing, I had a look at Google Earth and found what appears to be a runway, still clearly visible and matching the '800 metres' criteria - but looking to be long disused. As to why I never saw it, the Google Earth image (2006) clearly shows the answer. The 'runway' runs south of and parallel to a line of mature trees, and when flying nearby and wishing to remain well clear of the STANSTED CTA, it would have been invisible looking from the north.
If anybody can kindly confirm that I have indeed located this strip correctly, this advice will be most welcome, as indeed will any further information.
A BIT MORE INFO
In 2022 Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', told me that G-OWIN was based here around1984, sharing a hangar with a homebuilt type.
G-OWIN, (ex EI-AWM), is a Britten-Norman BN2A-8 Islander, (previously
G-AYXE), and at that time was registered to London Parachuting Ltd. (From 22.03.83 until 21.01.85). Later, in November 2023, Graham found this picture of G-OWIN, taken here, on AirHistory.net
Huw Thomas
This comment was written on: 2018-04-06 13:22:50The Beech King Air 100 was used by parachutists - in the 70's and 80's there was a parachute drop zone at Pampisford (the exact location of which you have correctly identified). The drop zone had to close because it was on the approach path to Duxford Aerodrome. I think they also had some sort of drama with STN Airspace.
Julie Knapp
This comment was written on: 2018-04-07 23:04:26I remember this strip which was, I believe, owned by a farmer in Sawston, a Mr. Barry Moore, member of Cambridge Flying Group like myself and my husband who lived not so far away on Royston Road, Whittlesford with a view on Duxford airfield. There was a hangar and I seem to remember that there was a scaled down replica of a Sea Fury which was based there. I obtained my licence in 1971 so the timing would have been around the mid 1970s
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Julie, Many thanks, there is clearly more to Pampisford than I had imagined. Best regards, Dick
Brian Peppercorn
This comment was written on: 2018-07-28 08:01:02I did a static line parachute jump at Pampisford, 1985 I think. The landing X was in the middle of the runway. At that time the parachute operation had two aircraft, a dark blue C172, door off, jump platform fitted over the wheel. The other was a Shorts, I suspect 330, for the bigger lifts. They affectionately called it FLUF, fat little ugly...........Have flown regulary over the area for 10 years (flying instructor) whilst training pilots on Cambridge instrument approaches, have never managed to spot Pampisford sadly.
Dave Whisler
This comment was written on: 2019-05-19 23:13:00Cambridge flying group flew their Tiger moths out of there when Marshalls was shut or too wet (tail skids tended to plough the grass) I have a picture of the sea fury with a piper colt and one CFGs tigers there
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Dave, Many thanks. Is there any chance of you sending me a j-peg of this picture you have? Best regards, Dick
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