Introduction
Most people are familiar with the major airports from which they fly for their holidays abroad - Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow etc.  Some of the major military bases, for example, Brize Norton and Lyneham are probably also well known.  However, these account for only a small proportion of total flying operations, so what does the rest comprise, how and where does it operate, and how necessary is it? 

These 'other' activities are grouped together under the heading 'General Aviation'. They cover a wide range of interests from business aviation, commercial flight training for the next generation of airline pilots, to gliding, recreational flying and  aeromodelling.  They all need suitable suitable facilities from which to operate, but they do not require the enormous concrete runways and vast airport complexes.  Local Aerodromes, some of which have been continuously in operation since the 1930s and 40s are more modest in their requirements, well integrated into the local infrastructure and harmonising well with the countryside.  Some have tarmac runways but many operate from grass runways.
 
This leaflet sets out to explain the various activities encompassed, the services that are provided, and the benefits to the community and the environment of a well planned and sited Local Aerodrome.

What is General Aviation
The term covers a wide range of activities, including:-
- Ambulance and Medical Flights
- Business Aviation
- Club and Recreational Flying
- Emergency and Rescue Flying
- Flying Training
- Gliding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Microlighting
- Model Aircraft Flying
- Pipeline and Power Line Patrolling
- Police Helicopter Patrols etc.
- Sport Aviation

Aerodromes and the Environment
We are all anxious to preserve the rural countryside and our environment.  in planning facilities for our sporting, recreational and business flying activities much useful information and advice is available from the Environment Agency, The Ramblers Association, The Royal Association for the Protection of Birds, Local Wildlife Trusts, and many other bodies.  These considerations help to ensure that the Local Aerodrome is well harmonised with the countryside.  In its guide 'More Considerate Flying' the General Aviation Awareness Council provides guidance to aerodrome operators and pilots on how to minimise any potential noise nuisance.  Department of Transport Surveys have shown that light aircraft are a relatively minor source noise nuisance to most people - however, such noise, whether 'real' or 'perceived' can be an irritant and the flying community seeks to operate in a responsible manner by adopting operating practices to avoid unnecessary nuisance. (in practice, the sound of light aircraft passing overhead at say 1,500ft is unlikely to be heard above the noise of lawnmowers, motor cycles, or neighbours transistor radios!). 
 
The Countryside
Small Aerodromes have expanses of grass, with hedgerows and large areas of undisturbed ground.  This can provide havens for flora and fauna, and wildlife that might otherwise be exterminated by alternative site developments.  (The GAAC leaflet 'How Green is your Airfield' is a guide to improving the natural history of small airfields).
 
Planning Considerations
Successive governments have recognised the need for Planning Policy Guidelines to ensure the integration of suitable facilities for Local Aerodromes in Structure and Local Plans.  This provides a clear policy framework for safeguarding existing aerodromes and for the development of future needs, from which planning decisions can be made.  It avoids creating a situation where for example, by lack of awareness and foresight, houses have been built at the end of the runway of a long established active airfield.  Newcomers have then moved in, well aware that their houses have been built beside an airfield, but have subsequently campaigned to have the airfield closed because they objected to the noise.
 
Into the Next Century
Some areas of the country are well provided with local aerodromes and these need to be safeguarded .  To cater for the projected expansion of General Aviation activities, new aerodrome sites will also be required, particularly in less well served areas.  It is less fortunate that some disused airfield sites (e.g. World War Two and Ministry of Defence Airfields) have been allowed to go for warehousing and lorry parks, waste tipping, quarrying or mineral extraction, rather than conversion to modern aerodromes.  "Half a mile of road goes nowhere, half a mile of tarmac runway... can take you across Europe and beyond.".
 
Some Questions

Q. We already have a large airport so why do we need a local aerodrome as well?
A. We hope that this leaflet has helped answer this question.  Smaller local aerodromes are more suited to the wide range of flying activities other than civil airline transport and the military.
 
Q. Why should we have to make provision for people who just want to fly for fun?
A. A local aerodrome forms part of the business and transport infrastructure, not just 'flying for fun'.  However recreation and leisure are also important factors in life and government and local authorities are responsible for ensuring adequate provision (whether it is for football, cricket, tennis, golf or flying).  Airshows are now the second biggest spectator sport, and the millions of passengers flying on the airlines to their holiday destinations are also 'flying for fun'.  More than a third of the highly professional airline flight crew  qualified by the club and private flying route, largely at their own expense.  Without them we would not be able to fly to our 'fun in the sun' holiday destinations!
 
Q. What about noise, and why do those little planes aeroplanes use my house as a turning point?
A. Yes, small aircraft do make some noise but the noise generated by training flights and local flying is generally infrequent and of short duration in comparison to say, road traffic noise, lawnmowers etc. No, they are not using your house as a turning point - they are flying a standard circuit as part of the essential training, but aerodrome operators and flyers are aware of the need to be "good neighbours" and the GAAC encourages this attitude by publishing guidance notes  in its leaflet 'More Considerate Flying'. 

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