Past & Present Page 12

In spring 1971, the Leicestershire Aero Club was awarded the Lennox Boyd Trophy, for the Organisation which having achieved the most to further the cause of light civil aviation in this country.

The new prosperity of the Club was based on two key factors, the formation of a C.A.A. approved flying school set up as a business and producing a profit, out of which airfield expenses could be met. The second was a very popular annual Flying Display with a massive voluntary effort from the members organising and staging the event. Their continued enthusiasm has also carried out most of the physical work necessary to maintain and improve the airfield, the club receiving no financial help or subsidies whatsoever from anyone outside the club membership.

In 1974 the airfields designation was changed to "Leicester Airport", fully reflecting its new status.

The other two runways of the wartime triangle have now got tarmac landing strips on them and serve as useful alternatives when the wind is not favouring the main runway. Proper taxiways have been built and lit along with a brand new fuelling facility. There are now two additional private hangers, with a third planned, to take the engineers out of the big cold wartime hanger.

The Clubhouse is still in the old wartime control tower, which is regularly refurbished, with a comfortable lounge, clubroom and bar. A full time steward offers a full menu six days a week, and there is a comfortable and warm covered viewing balcony.

The club has full and part-time office and reception staff on duty seven days a week 364 days a year. Full briefing facilities for local and visiting pilots are provided with the Clubhouse and airfield open every day of the week.

The Club is still, as ever, totally independent and self supporting with no Council or Government subsidies or grants whatsoever, maybe the only small aero club in this country still running its own airfield its own way, a proud boast.

Angela Nowill.