The area surrounding
RAF Kenley has changed greatly since the airfield was built. The airfield
is now situated in the middle of some of the busiest airspace in the
country. To the north is London Heathrow, to the south London Gatwick,
and to the east Biggin Hill. These airports have significant effects
on the operation at RAF Kenley. Directly above the airfield is a Heathrow
inbound airway and this restricts 615 VGS operations to 1900ft above
airfield height.
Another important
consideration is that the airspace below 1900ft above airfield height
is heavily used by General Aviation (GA) traffic in and out of Biggin
Hill. The existence of the Heathrow and Gatwick control zones to the
north and south respectively, effectively creates a corridor for GA
traffic straight over the top of Kenley. Although all pilots should
keep a good lookout, this is particularly the case when flying at RAF
Kenley.
RAF Kenley has also
changed somewhat on the ground in recent times. On 18th August 2001,
the Kenley Memorial was unveiled. Situated in a renovated original blast
pen, it serves as a constant reminder of the history behind the station.
The memorial has had another knock-on effect also. It has attracted
more pedestrians to the airfield.
The RAF Kenley
Memorial
The land outside
the perimeter track is Common Land and is popular with walkers. The
Ministry of Defence has painted a yellow line 1 to 2 metres in from
the common land on the perimeter track so that pedestrians may use a
portion of the perimeter track for walking. The general public may use
this footpath but are not allowed past it onto the rest of the perimeter
track or onto the grass and runways of the airfield either.
