Popham Airfield, UK 3-4th May 2025
Report by Peter Davison, Kim Davison & Colin Coulthard
This annual gathering has grown substantially in the UK show calendar even though the host aerodrome is under threat from housing development. The grass runways and predominantly canvas hangars provide a home for numerous microlight aircraft plus some based warbirds, a popular cafe and a local history. As ever with ultralight aviation the weather on the day makes a significant difference. This year Saturday started grey but soon the sky cleared though over a hundred aircraft had already arrived prior to the 10 am start.
Although there were a large quantity of ‘flexwings’ in attendance this sector has expanded following the availability of superior composite materials and lightweight engines. Hence many attendees came in conventional shaped aircraft with very smooth profiles as designs have matured.
Another area of interest that has grown in recent years is that of the autogyro; no longer resembling some sticks and string wrapped around an exposed pilot, engine and free spinning rotor but now more like a luxury sports car. Enclosed cabins, superior powerplants and excellent performance allow those with the appropriate skills and funds to mimic the independant travel the flying car industry strives to establish.
Both tandem seats and side by side options are now available with around thirty examples lined along the crowd line. The effective ground crew ensured safe operations with the fixed wing participants. As the day proceeded the overlap between arrivals and departures on the single runway was handled with professionalism and care.
Apart from the sharing of information and the social opportunity for visitors both airborne and via the nearby M3/A303 highways the British Microlight Association, Light Aircraft Association and Popular Flying Association occupy a large marquee with safety management and opportunities high on their agenda. A static line showcasing different types displayed about 40 aircraft, each with technical experts and sales staff. Overheard were many discussions about a youth market where families can introduce their children to ‘aviation’, many may well join flight training schools as they mature helping to address the worldwide pilot shortage.
On the Saturday there were over 300 aircraft on the field with over 50 staying overnight. Sunday was also well attended as the good weather continued. A few foreign visitors made the journey too with examples from Ireland, Germany and the Czech Republic taking advantage of the reliable fair weather. Let us hope the airfield survives the planners’ onslaught and remains the relaxed centre of microlight aviation for many years to come.
