Bristol Filton Airport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bristol Filton Airport
Filton Aerodrome
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Operator | BAE SYSTEMS Aviation Services Ltd | ||||||||||
| Serves | Bristol | ||||||||||
| Location | Filton | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 226 ft / 69 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 51°31′10″N 002°35′27″W / 51.51944°N 2.59083°W | ||||||||||
| Website | www.bristolfilton.co.uk | ||||||||||
| Runway | |||||||||||
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Sources: UK AIP at NATS
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Bristol Filton Airport, also known as Filton Aerodrome, is an airfield located near Bristol, England. It sits on the border between Filton and Patchway, within South Gloucestershire. For many years, this airport was a very important place for building and testing airplanes. It played a big role in aviation history.
Contents
What Was Filton Airport?
Filton Airport (IATA: FZO, ICAO: EGTG) was an airfield that opened in 1915. It was first used during World War I for military purposes. Over time, it became a major center for aircraft design and manufacturing. Many famous planes were built or tested here.
Why Was Filton So Important?
Filton was special because it had large hangars and a long runway. This made it perfect for building big aircraft. It was also home to Bristol Aeroplane Company, a famous aircraft maker. This company designed and built many different types of planes.
Aircraft Built at Filton
One of the most famous planes linked to Filton is the Concorde. This supersonic passenger jet was partly designed and built here. The very first British Concorde flew from Filton in 1969. It was an amazing plane that could fly faster than the speed of sound. Filton was also involved in building other important aircraft. These included Avro Vulcan bombers and various commercial planes.
What Happened to Filton Airport?
Filton Airport officially closed for general aviation in 2012. This meant that regular flights stopped. The land was then used for other purposes. However, its aviation history is still remembered.
Aerospace Bristol Museum
Even though the airport closed, a special museum was created at Filton. It is called Aerospace Bristol. This museum celebrates the area's rich aviation past. It is home to one of the preserved Concorde jets. Visitors can go inside the Concorde and learn all about its history. The museum helps keep the spirit of aviation alive in Filton.
Filton's Legacy Today
Today, parts of the former airfield have been redeveloped. However, the area still has strong links to aerospace. Some companies continue to work on aircraft technology nearby. Filton remains an important place in the story of British aviation.
Images for kids
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"Map of Air Routes and Landing Places in Great Britain, as temporarily arranged by the Air Ministry for civilian flying", published in 1919, showing Filton as a "civil station", with a connection to Hounslow, near London.
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An Avro Vulcan B1A V bomber parked on one of the rapid dispersal points at Filton during a public air display in the 1960s
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A preserved ex-British Airways Concorde at Filton Airfield. The plane has since been moved to Aerospace Bristol, where it can be accessed by the public.
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The control tower and a visiting Learjet 60 business jet
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A Bell 206B Jet Ranger III in 2006, stationed at Filton for electricity pylon patrols
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The Western Counties Air Operations Unit Eurocopter EC 135 T2 providing law enforcement and medical assistance in the Avon and Somerset Police, and Gloucestershire Police areas, was based at the airport. This role has since been taken up by the National Police Air Service.
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