AIRSTRIP - MANBY MOTORPLEX

Do you own or share ownership of a light aircraft and sometimes want to fly but haven’t a destination or excuse for flying somewhere. Well now you have.

Manby Motorplex has a variety of driving and spectating activities that you can get involved in. We have had planning permission for our airstrip since 1993 and have a small number of regular users each year.

With the British roads getting more congested each year, more and more people are taking the opportunity to come to visit Manby Motorplex by air. There are many half and full day driving activities that you can fly in to attend.

For corporate events this can be part of the entertainment. Apart from the Manby Motorplex driving activities there are many events that take place at the Showground. There are many motoring clubs who hold car rallies, 4X4 trials, comp. safaris, and hill rallies at the venue, not to mention Junior and senior quad racing, Solo’s, Superlite motocross and Supermotos all of which take place regularly throughout the year.
These events are open to public spectators at no charge! (See calendar for details of what's on).

If you wish to stay overnight, security for your aircraft can be arranged for an additional fee as can car hire.

Some of the more popular aeroplanes that have landed at Manby since 1993 are the Cessna and Piper, Grumman. As for sport and hobby aeroplanes we have had Yak, Tiger Moth, RV, Stampe, Pits, Robin, Glassair, Bulldog and Harvard to list but few

For details regarding the use of our airstrip please see the following:

Manby Showground: Unlicensed Airstrip


A strip of mown grass 20m wide by 500m long has been set aside on the NW corner of the central grass area of the former RAF Manby airfield, approximately on the line of the old runway and terminating at the perimeter track on the far (W) side. (Grid referenceTF384866 marks the centre of the strip which is aligned 08/26.

Helicopter arrivals should be from the west or South onto the South Apron, grid reference TF394866. This apron lies outside the fence surrounding the hangers.
These facilities are available for use only under the following conditions, all of which must be met for each arrival: -

1. Exclusively for private visitors having business with Manby Showground or Manby Motorplex .

2. With prior permission, requested on 01507 328855 (9-5 Mon-Fri) or 07831 585211 at any other time;

3. Entirely at the risk of the visitor, who must produce the Certificate of Insurance covering his operation of the aircraft to be used;

4. On payment of a landing fee of £10, by credit card payment or cash to Manby Motorplex on arrival;

5. Visitors will be advised of any known hazards when permission is granted, and will be met and marshalled, but are responsible for satisfying themselves on arrival that there is no conflicting traffic, that it is safe to land, the best direction of approach and making a precautionary circuit if necessary.

6. All circuits to be SOUTH of the strip, avoiding all dwellings and built up areas.

7. A windsock has yet to be provided. The marshal will be at the downwind end.

8. Aircraft should in general be taxied off the airstrip westwards, and either parked on the grass to the South, well clear of the airstrip, or taxied to the left around the southern perimeter track towards the South Apron (National Grid ref. TF 394866), where it can be parked. This is within a few hundred yards on foot of all 3 destinations listed above. At certain times aircraft will taxi from the eastern end in a straight line with the airstrip and halt just prior to the concrete apron.

Pilots should be aware of motor rallying activities and grazing animals on adjacent areas, and be vigilant for obstacles and defects in the concrete surface of the perimeter track.

Pilots are forbidden to use the straight length of perimeter track on the north side of the airfield (adjacent to B1200 road) in any circumstances. This is the main access from the road and is constantly used by traffic and pedestrians unaware of any danger from aircraft.
Pilots to avoid overflying the farm and surrounding grass fields north of the main entrance, as horses are kept there.

9. Visitors are responsible for the security of their aircraft during their stay and are advised to bring a passenger who can stay with it throughout the visit. If the visitor is visiting Manby Motorplex to attend a driving activity this should not be necessary.

NB: No fuel, maintenance, air traffic control or radio facilities are available at Manby.

For more information please call our venue office on 01507 01507 328855 / 07831 585211