Stapleford Aerodrome

Stapleford Aerodrome
IATA: none ICAO: EGSG
Summary
Airport type	Private
Operator	Stapleford Flight Centre
Location	Stapleford Tawney
Elevation AMSL	185 ft / 56 m
Coordinates	51°39′09″N 000°09′22″E / 51.65250°N 0.15611°E / 51.65250; 0.15611Coordinates: 51°39′09″N 000°09′22″E / 51.65250°N 0.15611°E / 51.65250; 0.15611
Map
EGSG Location in Essex
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 03R/21L 1,077 3,533 Grass/Asphalt insert 03L/21R 900 2,953 Grass 10/28 unlicensed 715 2,346 Grass
Sources: UK AIP at NATS

Stapleford Aerodrome (ICAO: EGSG) is an operational general aviation aerodrome in the Epping Forest district of Essex, England, near the village of Abridge. It is about 3.4 nautical miles (6.3 km; 3.9 mi) south of North Weald Airfield and 4.5 NM (8.3 km; 5.2 mi) north of Romford. The airfield is just within the M25, close to the junction with the M11.

Stapleford Aerodrome has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P472) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (Herts & Essex Aero Club Limited).

Stapleford opened as Essex Aerodrome in 1933 as a base for Hillman's Airways, which provided a service to Paris and other European cities using De Havilland DH.84 Dragon and DH.89 Dragon Rapide biplanes. Amy Johnson was one of the Hillman Airways pilots. After running into financial difficulties, Hillman was bought up by Whitehall Security Corporation Ltd and merged with three other airlines that they already owned to form British Airways Ltd. Operations began in 1936, but after 4 months all flights were moved to Heston Aerodrome, leaving just a small number of private aircraft.

The RAF took an interest in the airfield in 1937, and in 1938 No 21 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training school was established at Stapleford. Training was provided by Reid and Signist Ltd, under contract to the Air Ministry. One of the most famous students was J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson who became the RAF's top scoring pilot and reached the rank of Air Vice Marshal.