Types

MAJOR

A more permanently defined and fully designated place (excluding helipads, heliports and winch launched glider sites) on land or water, currently or previously regularly used by full-sized aircraft for their take-off and landing. Each place also possesses or has possessed significant facilities and/or a prominent history.

London Heathrow Airport from the south. © Thomas Nugent and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence 

MINOR

A both less permanent and less recognised place (excluding helipads, heliports and winch-launched glider sites) on land or water, currently or previously used to a less regular extent by full-sized aircraft for their take-off and landing. Each place is also distinguished from a major airfield by currently or previously possessing few, if any, facilities and a much less prominent history.

Dalby Hall Estate in Lincolnshire, including private airstrip. © Chris and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

DECOY

An area of land deliberately intended to simulate a place regularly used by full-sized aircraft for their take-off and landing, in order to lure enemy aircraft away from genuine major airfields and attack it instead. Each place is equipped with facilities for either day and/or night operation but not designed for aircraft use, though some locations have previously seen use as major airfields or alternatively have later become primarily major airfields.

Hagnaby in Lincolnshire was used as a decoy airfield during the Second World War. It later became RAF East Kirkby. © Chris and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

WINCH LAUNCHED GLIDING SITE

 An area of land of varying permanency and history, solely or almost entirely for the use of gliders and sailplanes launched by winch (or occasional other ground-based device). Each place is or was not intended for use by full-sized powered aircraft for their take-off and landing, although there may have occurred minor use by microlight and ultralight aircraft.

A Schleicher Ka2 glider landing at Falgunzeon, home of the Dumfries and District Gliding Club, with clubhouse and hangar beyond, 25 July 1982.