Peterlee

PETERLEE: Private airfield & parachuting centre

The Peterlee helipad in 2004

Aerial view

November Uniform being refuelled

Another view in May 2004

Note: Pictures by the author unless specified.

Operated by: 1980s to -: The Cleveland Parachute Club later Peterlee Parachute Club
 

Location: Between the B1280 & A19, adjacent to and NW of Shotton Colliery, 2nm W of Peterlee

Period of operation: 1980s to present day?

 

Runway: 2001: 12/30   640x23   grass

2008: 11/29   540   hard          11/29    690    grass

 

NOTES: I have a copy of a film made in the early 1990s which features PETERLEE and the parachuting club's Cessna 182Q Skylane G-PLEE (ex N95538). A look at the CAA web-site G-INFO (in 2014) indicates that this hard working aeroplane was still in harness at PETERLEE. Along with glider towing, being a drop-plane for parachutists is arguably the most punishing work for a light aircraft, mainly on the engine of course, but nevertheless I am still astonished just how much punishment these aircraft can take. And, I have little doubt, G-PLEE can continue doing this into the foreseeable future.

The Westland Gazelle HT.MK2 G-ZELE, in the hover

G-ZELE with HA-YDF

A closer view of the Turbo-Finist HA-YDF

Another view of HA-YDF with the Pegasus Quantum 15 G-MYPY beyond

A PERSONAL MEMORY
In May 2004, on the way back from the PFA Rally at PERTH, flying the Cessna 172 G-BDNU to and from ELSTREE, Linda Lavelle and I decided to land at PETERLEE. And what an interesting visit this was - so much going on. 

It can often be the case, whilst in transit and calling in for fuel, planning the next sector, asking advice of departure procedures etc, that little time can be spared to take a look around. In fact it was only in early 2017, when adding a couple more pictures to this listing that I took a close look at the picture with HA-YDF in it; which was acting as an express 'chair-lift' for parachutists. And, realising that I had no idea whatsoever, what type of aircraft this was.

It turns out that this is a Technoavia SM-92T Turbo-Finist, which surely must have been a very rare type in the UK as only around thirty were built. This example being registered in Hungary of course, but Technoavia were a Russian company, presumably being established after Glasnost?