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North Weald Airfield lies in Epping Forest, Essex, a short distance north-east of London and close to the M11 corridor. Once the famous Battle of Britain fighter station RAF North Weald, it is today an active general aviation aerodrome noted for its warbirds, flying training and its role as base for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. Its uncontrolled airspace, close proximity to Stansted's Class D and Stapleford's ATZ, and busy summer weekends make it a rewarding but demanding VFR destination.
North Weald Airfield sits in the civil parish of North Weald Bassett within the Epping Forest district of Essex, and is operated by Epping Forest District Council. It is a working general aviation aerodrome that is home to a large number of private aircraft, historic and warbird types, an active flight training school, and the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance helicopter. For a visiting VFR pilot it combines genuine wartime heritage with a lively, sometimes crowded, modern flying scene.
North Weald lies in Class G uncontrolled airspace but pilots must be alert to nearby controlled and other regulated airspace. Stansted's Class D airspace sits directly overhead the field, beginning at 1500 feet QNH, so climbs and circuit work must stay well clear of it. Stapleford Airfield's ATZ lies approximately 3 miles to the south and should also be avoided. The airfield is roughly 2 miles south-east of Junction 7 of the M11 motorway (Harlow) and is close to the A414 Harlow to Chelmsford road, with the town of Epping and the village of North Weald Bassett nearby.
North Weald has two hard runways, both lit. The main runway, 02/20, is recorded at 5,038 feet on the 02 threshold and 5,619 feet on the 20 threshold. A shorter secondary runway, 12/30, is recorded at 2,757 feet on the 12 threshold and 2,344 feet on the 30 threshold. There is no ILS at the field.
The airfield is served by an air/ground station, North Weald Radio, on 123.525 MHz. There is no instrument approach or published navaid at North Weald, so arrivals should plan a visual approach and monitor the frequency for local traffic information.
Published circuit height is 800 feet QFE, approximately 1200 feet QNH. Powered circuits on runway 02/20 are generally flown to the west of the airfield. Pilots must take care to remain clear of Stansted's Class D airspace, which begins at 1500 feet QNH directly above the field, and to avoid Stapleford Airfield's ATZ about 3 miles to the south. Overflight of North Weald Bassett village should be avoided wherever possible, as should overflight of St Margaret's Hospital at the eastern end of Epping Town. A wide variety of aircraft use the circuit, from gliders and microlights to military jets and warbird formations, so extra caution and generous spacing are required. Published operating hours are 09:00 to 19:00 local time, or sunset if earlier. Prior permission is required before visiting by air, with online PPR procedures administered by Epping Forest District Council.
Useful visual references for locating and joining the field include the village of North Weald Bassett immediately adjacent to the airfield, the town of Epping to the east (near which St Margaret's Hospital should be avoided), and the M11 motorway, whose Junction 7 lies about 2 miles to the north-west. The A414 Harlow to Chelmsford road also passes close to the airfield and can assist with orientation on the approach.
North Weald Bassett aerodrome was established in the summer of 1916 by the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War, becoming a Royal Air Force station on 1 April 1918. Through the interwar years its infrastructure grew with large hangars and accommodation for RAF personnel. The airfield played a key part in the air defence of the United Kingdom in the Second World War: Hawker Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheim night fighters operated from North Weald, with its Hurricanes seeing action over the Dunkirk beaches and playing a significant role in the Battle of Britain. In 1940 two American Eagle Squadrons flying Spitfires moved in, and Norwegian squadrons were later assigned to the station. From 1949 jet fighters including Gloster Meteors and de Havilland Vampires were a familiar sight in the west Essex skies. The last front-line combat unit, No. 111 Squadron RAF flying Hawker Hunters, the Black Arrows of formation-aerobatics fame, left North Weald in 1958, and the RAF withdrew from the airfield entirely in 1964. The first Royal International Air Tattoo was held at North Weald in 1971. After periods of use by the British Army and Royal Navy, the airfield became surplus to Ministry of Defence requirements and was sold to Epping Forest District Council in 1979.
North Weald remains an operational general aviation aerodrome, home to a wide range of private aircraft and historic types including Spitfires, a Mustang, an Invader, Vampires, Hunters, Dakotas, Yaks and Jet Provosts, many of which can be seen flying on summer weekends. The field is also the base for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance helicopter and supports active flight training. The North Weald Airfield Museum, housed in the former RAF North Weald Station Office, tells the story of the airfield and its people from 1916 to the present day. Visiting pilots must obtain prior permission before flying in, using the online PPR procedure administered by Epping Forest District Council, and should note the airfield's stated operating hours of 09:00 to 19:00 local time, or sunset if earlier.'
