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Nestled near the small market town of Brackley in Northamptonshire, Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield is one of our FlyDays venues with quite a history behind it. It was established on private land owned by the Harrison family, who acquired it in 1924.
With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, it was appropriated from them for military use, with the RAF Bomber Command building and opening a facility there in 1940. It eventually closed for such uses with the end of the war in 1945.
It finally came back into Harrison family hands in 1963, with civilian aviation activities slowly building and returning to what we know of it today, as the site of many magnificent flying experiences and days, boasting a 700 x 18 metre Asphalt runway and hangarage and fuelling facilities.
The airfield is not too far from the world famous Silverstone Race Circuit, and when the annual Formula 1 British Grand Prix is on, it is utilised as a ‘Park and Ride’ facility for people attending the race.
It is a unique venue in another way, as Walltree House, the Harrison family estate on the site of the airfield, is now used as a bed-and-breakfast guest house that can be booked into. On top of all this, Hinton-in-the-Hedges is also the home of the Banbury Gliding Club, a skydive centre and also a paintballing outlet.
Glide Like a Bird
Flying at such a grand and majestic venue as Hinton Airfield surely calls for a flying experience to match. And the range of introductory gliding lessons that are available here are just the right fit. Gliders are unique aircraft, in that they aren’t powered on a noisy engine like aeroplanes.
Instead it’s just you, and the four forces of lift, drag, weight and thrust keeping you airborne, as an expert gliding instructor shows you how to keep it in the air for longer, so you can build your confidence and take the controls yourself to demonstrate your aptitude.
So you can experience all the thrill of being in the cockpit without any of the noise or distraction, feeling as close as you could hope to that of a graceful bird swooping over this exquisite country estate.
Skydiving Thrills
But if you’re after something a little more high octane, then free falling from over 13,000 feet with our range of tandem skydiving packages will deliver and then some.
Tandem means that you’ll be leaving the aircraft strapped to an instructor, and as you plummet at G-force style speeds of up to 120 mph, they’ll release the harness on the parachute to deploy it as you gradually reduce speed and return floating safely back to base.
It is an adrenaline rush quite unlike any other you’ll have experienced, and it is most certainly not for those of a more meek disposition.
Train to Fly at Hinton
If you’re looking to build towards obtaining your Private Pilot’s Licence, you can do that with a variety of flying lessons that are on offer at Hinton-in-the-Hedges. They are run and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, so you can be assured you’re learning from the very best.
And whether you opt for a 30 minute or 60 minute session, you’ll start to gain the valuable experience and confidence you need to begin a promising career or hobby in aviation, with a signed Flight Certificate awaiting you when you’re back on the ground.
Booking to Fly at Hinton
Whether you book onto an available date for a flying experience of your choosing from our regularly updated Events calendar, or purchase an open gift voucher that makes a fantastic present idea whatever the special occasion may be, arranging your next flying experience at Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield with FlyDays takes minutes. All that you’ll need to do is get excited and get ready to make your flying dreams come true!