LOCAL MICROLIGHT AND FARM STRIPS BY MARK RIGBY

On this page, we will provide details, reports, updates and photo's of those Microlight Fields and Farm Strips in the region that often go unnoticed, but still provide homes to all those elusive light aircraft, often never seen outside the area. We must stress that any info displayed on this page is aimed as only a guide and must not be deemed as completely accurate.

Please note: All airfields mentioned are on private land with access over private roads and therefore a right of access cannot be assumed. However should access be sought, if only for courtesy, contact the field in question before deciding to visit. Moreover whilst on the visit please keep to the areas signed for the general public, in other words an unfamiliar face in an unexpected position may lead to at the best an embarrassing situation or at the worst a serious accident.

Black Nights Parachute Center, Patty's Farm, Cockerham, Lancashire

Location: This club is 1-2 miles north west of Cockerham at Patty's Farm.

Directions: Head north from Cockerham on the A588 and take the first turning too the left, if you see a sign for a left turn saying Cockersands Caravan Park you have gone too far. Follow this road through Hillam Village and after a mile there is a car park on the left by a banking. Go over the bank and the parachute center is down the path.

Residents: Aircraft based here are: G-BKPC Cessna A185F and G-BELF Islander. There is also a wreck here of a Cessna 172C, G-ARZE, which is used for practice jumps.

Ribble Valley/West Coast Microlight Clubs, Tarn Farm, Cockerham, Lancs

Location: This club is about 2-3 miles south west of Cockerham.

Directions: From Cockerham head west on the A588 and take the second road on the left, the first goes to houses. Follow this road for 1-2 miles and there is a turning too the right, this should be Gulf Lane. Follow this twisting road till it forks, there's a sign on the left saying microlights. Go up this road and park around the back of the buildings next to the portacabin.

Noted on a visit 22/2/03: G-BYPO X-Air, BYPO X-Air, BZAL M-Blade, BZFF X-Air, BZHY M-Blade, BZMJ Rans Coyote, CBII X-Air, MGUN Cyclone, MMXU M-G Flash, MNFP M-G-Flash, MNMU M-G-Flash, MNNJ M-G-Flash, MTMT M-G-Flash, MTVH M-G Flash, MVCZ M-G-Flash, MVOY Thruster, MVWW Aviasud Mistral, MVXS M-G-Flash, MVYS M-G-Flash, MWBP Hornet, MWKE Hornet, MWWE Minimax, MWWJ M-G-Flash, MYPA Rans Coyote, MYSW Pegasus, MYYC Pegasus, MZEL Cyclone, MZLD Pegasus

Noted on a visit 26/8/01: G-BYPO X-Air, BYYN Pegasus, BZAF X-Air, BZAL M-Blade, BZHY M-Blade, BZMJ Rans S-6 Coyote, MGUN Cyclone, MMTX M-Gemini 440, MNCG M-Gemini Flash, MNFP M-Gemini Flash, MNNJ (wreck), MNZE M-Gemini Flash, MTBZ Southdown Raven, MTGB Thruster, MTGS Thruster, MTGV CFM Shadow, MTJB M-Gemini Flash, MTTW M-Gemini Flash, MTZZ M-Gemini Flash, MVAD M-Gemini Flash, MVOY Thruster, MVWW Aviasud Mistral, MVXS M-Gemini Flash, MVXV Aviasud Mistral, MVZR Aviasud Mistral, MWBP Hornet, MWEY Hornet, MWKE Hornet, MWSH Pegasus, MWZR Pegasus, MYFY Cyclone, MYSW Pegasus, MYPA Rans S-6 Coyote, MYYC Pegasus, MZEL Cyclone, MZFK Whittaker MW.6, MZHJ M-Rapier, MZLD Pegasus.

Noted on a visit 19/4/02: G-BYPO  X-Air, BZAL  M-Blade, BZFF  X-Air, BZHY  M-Blade, BZMJ  Rans Coyote, CBII  X-Air, MGUN  Cyclone, MNFP  M-G-Flash, MNNJ  M-G-Flash, MTJB  M-G-Flash, MTTW  M-G-Flash, MTVH  M-G-Flash, MVAD  M-G-Flash, MVOY  Thruster, MVWW  Aviasud Mistral, MVXS  M-G-Flash, MVXV  Aviasud Mistral, MVYS  M-G-Flash, MWBP  Hornet, MWWE  Team Minimax, MYPA  Rans Coyote, MYYC  Pegasus, MZEL Cyclone, MZFK  Whittaker MW6 Merlin, MZHJ  M-Rapier

Noted on a visit 1/9/02: G-BYPO X-Air, BZAL M-Blade, BZHY M-Blade, BZMJ Rans Coyote, CBII X-Air, MGUN Cyclone, MIKI Rans Coyote, MNFP M-G-Flash, MNMV M-G-Flash, MNNJ M-G-Flash, MTMT M-G-Flash, MVAD M-G-Flash, MVOY Thruster, MVWW Aviasud Mistral, MVXS M-G-Flash, MWBP Hornet, MWKE Hornet, MWXV M-G-Flash, MYFU M-G-Flash, MYPA Rans Coyote, MYSW Pegasus, MYYC Pegasus, MZEL Cyclone, MZHL M-Rapier, MZLD Pegasus

Mercury Microlight Club, Nr. Moss Edge, Garstang, Lancashire

Location: This club is at Brook farm about 4 miles west of Garstang.

Directions: Head west from Cockerham on the A588, about 3-5 miles down the road there is a turning on the left onto a minor road signed Great Eccleston, just past a Post Office, be careful as this sign is obscured. After you go through a series of sharp bends, there is a very long straight road. Part way up there is a single gravel-covered road on the right, leading up to a house with a gate, if you reach the Village of Moss Edge you have gone to far. Go through the gate, shutting it behind you and round the back of the house is the club.

Noted on a visit 23/2/03: G-BZMR X-Air, CBIC X-Air, G-CBVY Icarus, G-CBWE EV-97 Eurostar, MMXD M-G Flash, G-MVAM Shadow, MVAO M-G Flash, MWFD Team Minimax, MWND Tiger Cub RL 5A, MWTJ CFM Shadow, MYBM M-G Flash, MYKF Cyclone, MYZC Cyclone, MZNN Team Minimax, NIGC Jabiru

Noted on a visit 26/8/01: G-BYZF X-Air, MTNS Thruster, MTRJ AMF Chevvron, MTXJ Pegasus, MVAO M-Gemini Flash, MWAW Whittaker MW.6, MWDI Hornet, MWFD Team Minimax, MWND Sherwood Ranger, MWTJ CFM Shadow, MYJD Rans, MYKF Cyclone, MYNF M-Mercury, MYRL Team Minimax, MYSK Team Minimax, MYZC Cyclone, MZIH M-Blade, MZNN Team Minimax, NIGC Jabiru.

Noted on a visit 11/7/02: G-BZMR X-Air, CBIC X-Air, MVZY Aerial Arts Chaser, MWAW Whittaker MW.6, MWDI Hornet, MWFD Team Minimax, MWND Sherwood Ranger, MWTJ CFM Shadow, MWXD M-G Flash, MYRL Team Minimax, MYSK Team Minimax, MYZC Cyclone, MZNN Team Minimax, NIGC Jabiru.

Noted on a visit 1/9/02: G-CBIC X-Air, MMXD M-G-Flash, MVAM CFM Shadow, MVAO M-G-Flash, MVZY Aerial Arts Chaser, MWND Tiger Cub Developments RL5A, MWTJ CFM-Shadow, MYBM Team Minimax, G-MYJD Rans Coyote, G-MYRL Team Minimax, G-MYSK Team Minimax, G-MZND M-Rapier, G-MZNN Team Minimax, G-NIGC Jabiru.

North Lancashire Microlight School, St. Michaels, Lancashire 

Location: This school is about 5 miles south west of Garstang.

Directions: From the M55 at junction 1 head north on the A6. Just before the village of Bilsborrow there is a left turn with the sign saying Myerscough agricultural college and Old Nells thatched pub (there is sometimes a microlight sign). Follow this road over the cannel, past the pub and the college until you go over a small bridge. Straight after this bridge there is another small one with a left turn before it. Follow the track without going on the grass and park near the caravans.

Noted on a visit 26/8/01: G-BWFZ Murphy Rebel, MNCG M-Gemini Flash, MNEV M-Gemini Flash, MTAC M-Gemini Flash, MTAF M-Gemini Flash, MTDF M-Gemini Flash, MTGA M-Gemini Flash, MTIB M-Gemini Flash, MTTP M-Gemini Flash, MTWX M-Gemini Flash, MVHF M-Gemini Flash, MWHP Rans, MWPB M-Gemini Flash, MYFT M-Scorcher, MYMT M-Mercury, MYRW M-Mercury, MYUC M-Blade, MYVB M-Blade, MZAG M-Blade, MZIW M-Blade, MZNC M-Blade, MZND M-Rapier. There are lockups here for 30-40 micro's.

Noted on a visit 25/4/02: G-BYHO  M-Blade, BYTL  M-Blade, CBHJ M-Blade, MMOB  Southdown Sprint, MNEV  M-G-Flash, MNTX  M-G-Flash, MTAC  M-G-Flash, MTDF  M-G-Flash, MTIB  M-G-Flash, MTTP  M-G-Flash, MWPB  M-G-Flash, MYHL  M-G-Flash, MYRW  M-Mercury, MYYA  M-Blade, MZAG  M-Blade, YARR  M-Blade.

Noted on a visit 11/7/02: G-MNBB Solar Wings Pegasus, MNTE  Southdown Raven, MYRW  M-Mercury, MYYA  M-Blade, MZAZ  M-Blade, MZIW  M-Blade, MZND M-Rapier.

Noted on a visit 27/7/02: A Fly-in was in 'full swing' and the following were seen ...

G-AZJY CeFRA150, G-BSUT Rans-Coyote, G-BUPW Kitfox, G-BYFM Jodel, G-BYTL M-Blade, G-BZDL M-Blade, G-BZFO M-Blade, G-BZGM M-Blade, G-CBHM M-Blade, G-CBLD M-Blade, G-CBTE M-Blade, G-CRES Kitfox, G-ENVY M-Blade, G-KDIX Jodel, G-MNEH M-G-Flash, G-MNMV M-G-Flash, G-MNRX M-G-Flash, G-MNUE SW Pegasus Flash, G-MTTP M-G-Flash, G-MVBL M-G-Flash, G-MVCW CFM Shadow, G-MVNW M-G-Flash, G-MYIP CFM Shadow, G-MYRV Cyclone, G-MYTD M-Blade, G-MYTZ Air Creation Fun, G-MYYA M-Blade, G-MZAZ M-Blade, G-MZDF M-Blade, G-MZDK M-Blade, G-MZFO Thruster, G-MZMB M-Blade, G-MZNC M-Blade, G-MZND M-Rapier, G-MZNY Thruster, G-NIGC Jabiru, G-PEGA Pegasus.

Noted on a visit 1/9/02: G-BYHO M-Blade, BZXM M-Blade, CBGO Maverick, ENVY M-Blade, MNUE Pegasus, MTTA M-Blade, MVYS M-G-Flash, MYRW M-Mercury, MYUC M-Blade.

Roach Bridge (Nr. Preston), Lancashire

Location: This private farm is 2-3 miles south of Salmesbury, east of Preston.

Directions: From the M6 junction 31 head east on the A59 towards Blackburn. From the motorway roundabout the road is a duel carriageway, keep in the right hand lane. After only half a mile there is a right turn saying Roach Bridge, take this turn under the opposite direction of traffic. When you come to the crossroads (B6230) go straight ahead past the pub on your right. After you go through the village the road climbs uphill, keep a lookout on the right, the windsock should be visible. At the top there is a track down to the farm on the right, ask in the farm for permission to look in the hangar/shed/barn.

Noted on a visit 26/8/01: G-CRES Denney Kitfox, MMXD M-Gemini Flash, MVAG Thruster, MVBL M-Gemini Flash, MWFU Quad City Challenger, MWHP Rans, MWPP Streak Shadow, MYKG M-Gemini Flash, MYXC Q-C-Challenger, MYXG Rans, MZCX Hunt Wing, MZJX M-Blade

Noted on a visit 19/4/02: G-CRES  Kitfox, MNIZ  M-G-Flash, MVAG  Thruster, MVCW  CFM Shadow, MWFU  Quad City Challenger, MWHP  Rans Coyote, MWPP  Streak Shadow, MYKG  M-G-Flash, MYXC  Quad City Challenger, MYXG  Rans Coyote, MYXS  Kolb Twinstar, MZJK  M-Blade, MZMB  M-Blade