Aberporth Airport (ICAO: EGFA) (Welsh: Maes Awyr Aber-porth) is situated southwest of Aberporth, Ceredigion, Wales. The airport is being developed as West Wales Airport for domestic flights.[2] It is also developing as a centre for the deployment of civil and military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), known as 'drones'. The airport underwent major improvements in 2008 which extended the length of the runway from 945 to 1,257 m (3,100 to 4,124 ft).
The nearby range, MoD Aberporth started out as a Second World War British Army firing range. Due to the threat of Nazi Germany invasion, the Projectile Development Establishment moved from Fort Halstead to the range during 1940, with the Royal Air Force Combined Services Projectile Development Establishment being in existence between September 1943 and January 1945.[24] With the site being an outstation of PDE Fort Halstead and Royal Arsenal Woolwich.
The range was previously the Aberporth Anti-Aircraft Artillery Range and the Projectile Development Range[25] along with The Aberporth Range.[26] The Clausen Rolling Platform was built there to test radar and launchers against the rolling motion of ships at sea, without needing to go to sea.
For the current UAV focused site, see ParcAberporth.
The airport is mainly used for testing unmanned aerial vehicles in a area called the West Wales UAV Centre which is connected to the Welsh Government created ParcAberporth.
Aberporth Aerodrome has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P859) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee. The aerodrome is not licensed for night use.[30]
Delve, Ken (2007). The Military Airfields of Britain - Wales and West Midlands. Marlborough, UK: Crowood Press. ISBN978-1-86126-917-1.
Jefford, C. G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife. ISBN1-85310-053-6.
Jones, Ivor (2007). Airfields and Landing Grounds of Wales: West. Stroud, UK: Tempus Publishing. ISBN978-0-7524-4418-5.
Phillips, Alan (2006). Military Airfields of Wales. Wrexham, UK: Bridge Books. ISBN1-84494-019-5.
Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN978-0851-3036-59.