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ABOUT THE UK STRATEGIC AERODROME NETWORK

The Strategic Aerodrome Network (SAN) survey was launched by the UK VFR Flight Guide and the Airfield Operators Group (AOG) to protect airfields in January 2024. Lord Byron Davies recommended the instigation of a Network in his 2018 report that accompanied a Green Paper, Aviation 2050: The Future of UK Aviation. 

 

The purpose of the Network is to: 

  • Draw more attention to the range of General Aviation Airfields across the UK 

  • Highlight their economic, transport, connectivity, recreational, training, community, environmental and emergency service value 

  • Promote their importance now and for the future 

  • Help protect and ensure they are able adapt and meet future aviation needs 

  • Promote the sector to public bodies 

 

The survey is gathering not just aeronautical details but also details of the activities going on, the community linkages, history and thoughts on the future.

 

The information will be invaluable in helping to safeguard our General Aviation infrastructure, ensure the network is viable, remains available for current users and for transport, recreation, connectivity, training, environmental value, emergency services and as green spaces able to accommodate future innovation. 

 

The UK VFR Flight Guide has been helping to protect Airfields since it was first published and will continue to do so at no cost to the airfield. 

 

The AOG represents General Aviation airfields across the UK to promote their importance and to share information on all airfield operational issues and challenges.

Meet the SAN Team

Louise Southern

I am the Editor of the UK VFR Flight Guide and the Data Manager for Airspace/Airfields for Skydemon, updating 50 countries. I have been part of the APPG – airfields working group since 2018, currently the Vice Chair. During my spare time I enjoy cooking and collecting cookery books, 400 books so far and the collection is still growing.

Ann Bartaby

I am a Town Planner and was MD of Redhill Aerodrome.  I now help airfields across the UK respond to planning challenges. I am part of the APPG-Airfields Working Group, Head of Planning at the GAAC and support the AOG. I blame my dad who used to take me up on the roof of the Gatwick terminal on Sunday afternoons and we also watched the Tiger Club flying from Redhill.

Graham Fern

As a young child I used to go to what was Woodford Aerodrome for the annual airshow and that no doubt had an influence on my 14 years of military aviation experience, after which I setup a business and was the Technical Director of an Information Technology Company.

I now fly 3 axis Microlights for entertainment and help SAN with the "nerdy stuff"

Mary Spence

A Cartographic Design Consultant and publisher. In a career now spanning more than fifty years and with numerous award-winning maps to her credit. She was invested with an MBE in 2004 for Services to Cartographic Design.  She is a Chartered Geographer, a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and a Former President and Honorary Fellow of the British Cartographic Society.  

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