Kent Aviation

Kent has a strong connection to the history of Aviation and can lay claim to being the birthplace of British aviation, on the Isle of Sheppey. Three brothers - Horace, Eustace and Oswald Shorts - built the world's first ever aircraft factory in 1909. Sheppey was the ideal location for flying, as it was flat, windy and also close to London. The first British flight also took place in 1909, when John Brabazon (the first Englishman to fly) flew his plane 500 yards over the Leysdown fields. An aviation memorial is located in the middle of Eastchurch, opposite the village Church to remember all the Early Pioneer Airmen and historical events that took place.

On the 25th July 1909, Louis Blériot became the first person to fly over the Channel in an aeroplane. A memorial can be now be found in Dover where Blériot landed after his flight across the Channel, in the form of a stone silhouette in the shape of his plane.

In 1916, Manston was a station for the Royal Navy. By 1917, the airfield developed to accommodate 4 underground hangars, a railway line to Birchington, a power station generating electricity, barracks for 3,000 men and also an indoor swimming pool. During WWII, Manston held the longest and widest runway in Southern England for all damaged aircraft. In 1999, it was announced that the RAF Manston would be closing. The site is now the London Manston Airport (Kent International).

Kent played a vital frontline role throughout WWII as the coastline was just 22 miles from German occupied territory. Dunkirk, Battle of Britain and preparations for D-Day were all important events where Kent had an important part to play.

Gravesend Airport ran from 1932 to 1956. The majority of this time was spent occupied by the RAF during the Second World War. Primarily, the space was used to manufacture aircraft parts, however, this was later extended to accommodate three squadrons of American Fighters. Bomber aircraft returning from around the continent also used this airfield as an emergency runway. After the War, the RAF left the airfield and the space was returned to civilian use. As such, the airfield is now a housing estate.

Airports

Kent now has several airports, with the most well known being Kent International at Manston, and also Kent London Ashford Airport in Lydd.

Kent International Airport was previously known as RAF Manston. The site was first used in 1915-1916, for emergency landings during the First World War, however is now completely commercial with over 2,700m of runway.

Lydd airport was the first airport built in the UK after the Second World War, in 1956. It currently handles around 4,500 passengers each year.

Since the 1950's the airfield at Headcorn has been for private aviation only. Headcorn aerodrome offers flying lessons through several independent companies. The air warfare museum contains wartime articles from Lashenden and Headcorn, Kent.

Attractions

Shoreham Aircraft Museum holds hundreds of exhibits from the Battle of Britain, including uniforms and a Giant "Herman" bomb discovered in 1987. There are also memorial displays for the Pilots that lost their lives during the Battle, within a ten mile radius of the museum.

The Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, is the oldest established Battle of Britain museum with the largest amount of artefacts. Nearby is the National Memorial to the Few, a striking stone statue of a pilot looking out over the English Channel. Close to the memorial are replicas of a Spitfire and Hurricane alongside a commemorative wall listing the names of almost 3,000 men who took part in the Battle of Britain.

Otford Heritage Centre currently has models of Percy Pilcher and his glider and Otford Tudor Palace on show.  Percy Pilcher was the first man in the UK to experiment in an unpowered flight in the late 19th Century.

The RAF Manston Museum displays civil and military history of Manston since the opening in 1916. The RAF Manston Spitfire and Hurricane museum is located next door, displaying restored WWII aircraft.

The Aviation Bookshop at Tunbridge Wells has been running since the late 1940's, and has been in Kent since 2004 due to its prime location. Here you can find books on many different topics ranging from WWI to WWII, private flying to helicopters, and much more.

 

Experiences

Kent offers great opportunities to view the county from a completely different perspective. AV8 Helicopters operate from Rochester airport, offering an exciting, first class experience for both leisure and charter helicopters. Thurston Helicopters is located in a historic airfield that operated before the Second World War in Headcorn. They offer experience flights, introductory lessons, and also charter flights.

Whether you are an expert at flying or wanting to learn, the Kent flying school at Marden offers lessons and experiences for all. Beginners can take an introductory flight experience to gain confidence and the more experienced can build a plane with the help of an expert, take it to the field to test it out and take it home at the end of the day!

Fly alongside a Spitfire above the White Cliffs, recreating scenes from the Battle of Britain as you watch a MkVb Spitfire in the skies. Aboard a helicopter, offering unrivalled views of the Kent countryside, you can watch the Spitfire at eye level being put through its paces for an unforgettable experience.

Helitours offer flights over Kent, with 3 different options to choose from. Take a tour of the White Cliffs and Battle of Britain, or Canterbury, Whitstable and Thanet, or even a mini tour of Thanet.

T G Aviation operates Thanet Flying Club, and provides light aircraft for training and self hire. Polar Helicopters is based at Kent International Airport. They offer lessons and courses that are tailored to suit individual needs, as well as self hire options.