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RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus)

August 21, 2023

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Daedalus.

Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) was one of the primary shore airfields of the Fleet Air Arm. First established as a seaplane base in 1917 during the First World War, it later became the main training establishment and administrative centre of the Fleet Air Arm. Situated near Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire, approximately four miles west of Portsmouth on the coast of the Solent at grid reference SU560019, the airfield closed for military use in 1996 and passed through several owners until 2014 when the current owners Fareham Borough Council bought the airfield and re-branded as Solent Airport. The airfield hosts the Solent Enterprise Zone.

RNAS Lee-on-Solent

Summary
Airport typeGeneral Aviation
OwnerFareham Borough Council
OperatorRoyal Navy (historical)
Royal Air Force (historical)
Regional & City Airports
ServesFareham
LocationLee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire
Built1917
In use1917–1996 (military)
1996–current (general aviation)
Elevation AMSL30 ft / 9 m
Coordinates50°48′54″N 001°12′16″W / 50.81500°N 1.20444°W / 50.81500; -1.20444
Websitehttps://www.solentairport.co.uk/
Map
RNAS Lee-on-Solent
Location in Hampshire
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
05/23 3,376 1,029[1] Asphalt
05R/23L 2,723 830 Grass

History

Naval aviation began at Lee-on-Solent on 30 July 1917 when the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) opened the Naval Seaplane Training School as an extension to the seaplane training station at nearby Calshot. The school's first commander was Squadron Commander Douglas Evill. Initially, aircraft had to be transported from their temporary hangars to the top of the nearby cliff, then lowered by crane onto a trolley which ran on rails into the sea. Permanent hangars, workshops, accommodation and a new double slipway were soon constructed, however.[2]

Royal Air Force use

On 1 April 1918, the RNAS combined with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to form the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Lee-on-Solent Naval Seaplane Training School became an RAF station. Naval aviation training continued throughout the 1920s under the RAF with both Calshot and Lee-on-Solent providing training in operating seaplanes - initially using the wartime Short Type 184s and, from late 1921, the new Fairey IIID.[3] On 1 April 1924, the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force was formed, encompassing those RAF units that normally embarked on aircraft carriers and fighting ships (including those at shore bases such as Lee-on-Solent).[4]

In 1931 the first grass airstrip at Lee was constructed to the west of the town, Lee-on-Solent became HQ RAF Coastal Area, and a major rebuilding programme ensued.[5] On 14 July 1936, an expanded RAF Coastal Area became RAF Coastal Command, with the HQ remaining at Lee-on-Solent.[3]

Royal Navy use

With the expansion of the RAF during the 1930s, however, Parliament decided that the Fleet Air Arm should transfer to the Admiralty.[5] As a consequence, on 24 May 1939, HQ RAF Coastal Command moved to Northwood and Lee-on-Solent was commissioned as HMS Daedalus, becoming Headquarters of Flag Officer Air (Home).[3]

Second World War

During the Second World War a number of naval air squadrons were posted or formed here at some point.

Post-war

 
4 SAR Flight Wessex airborne at once for a flypast of the Lee Tower. Westland Wesex HU.5, 781 Squadron, Lee-On-Solent SAR Flight. 1980.

Post-war she continued to play a significant role, being renamed HMS Ariel on 31 October 1959 to reflect her electrical, radar and ground training emphasis; she took over the work of the Royal Naval Air Electrical Training Establishment, Worthy Down prior to its closure in 1961.[6] In 1962 the Joint Service Hovercraft Unit was formed with the aim of testing hovercraft in an operational military environment, and soon after the Air Station reverted to the name HMS Daedalus on 5 October 1965.[3]

She was home to the Naval Air Trial Installation Unit (NATIU), formed to install and test new systems in a variety of flying test bed aircraft including a Hawker Hunter and a De Havilland Devon.

Units

The following units were here at some point:[7]

Post-Royal Navy use (1996–2014)

In 2003 it was the subject of much controversy over the proposal to use a small part of it as a refuge for asylum-seekers.

In March 2006 the site was split, with ownership of the central area including the runways transferred to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) who have continued to use it as a base for their air sea rescue helicopters. Hampshire Constabulary's fixed wing aircraft also continued to use the airfield. The outlying areas, including the former accommodation and technical area and surrounding land, hangars, and dispersals, were transferred to the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).[10]

In April 2006, Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils issued a oint Planning Statement for Daedalus[11] stating that "There should be provision of leisure and community facilities which could complement existing facilities to the benefit of local residents" and "Future development should seek to maximise the benefit of the existing runways for general and private aviation use."

In April/May 2006, whilst conducting repairs to the runway, building crews discovered a giant unexploded land mine over 60 feet long that had been placed underneath the runway in the 1940s to cripple the airfield's operational capabilities in the event of a German invasion. The bomb (along with 19 others subsequently discovered) was scheduled to be removed in September 2006. The work was completed on 24 October 2006.

During its RN ownership the airfield had been used for a variety of groups, including the Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club (PNGC).[12] The Lee Bees Model Flying Club, The Tigers Children's Motorcycle Display Team and two flying schools, and a number of privately owned aircraft were based at the airfield. When the RN moved out in 1996, operational management of the airfield was taken over by Hampshire Police Air Support Unit (HPASU). This management continued until October 2010, with HPASU being tenants of the MCA, which is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport. In October 2010 Hampshire Police Air Support Unit was closed and its tasks taken over by the newly formed South East Air Support Unit covering Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey from bases at RAF Odiham and Shoreham Airport.

On acquiring their land SEEDA stated "The lack of availability of serviced employment land and new business space has been identified as an important requirement in South Hampshire. Our intention is that development of the site will focus on new aviation and marine related businesses, exploiting access to the existing runways and the Solent. Plans are to create a quality business location that will attract inward investment and provide accommodation for start-up, growing and established businesses". Aviation-related businesses, including an aircraft maintenance organisation, a microlight aircraft manufacturer and a flying school, became tenants of SEEDA in 2006, as did the owners of around 50 aircraft based on the site.

The aerodrome is strategically important. The growth of commercial air transport at Southampton Airport some years ago left it with no capacity for general aviation (GA) aircraft. This leaves Lee-on-Solent as the only airfield in southern Hampshire with a hard runway available for general aviation, the nearest alternative in Hampshire being Farnborough Airfield.[citation needed]

On 18 October 2007, users were given 30 days notice by the Airfield Manager that the aerodrome would be closed to all existing users except MCA, HPASU and PNGC from 16 November 2007. The closure was successfully challenged by Lee Flying Association which worked with other agencies such as the Civil Aviation Authority and AOPA to develop new operating procedures, an Airfield Manual and an air-to-ground radio service and the airfield is now operating as a licensed general aviation airfield.[13] In May 2008 the closure decision was reversed.

From 1 April 2011, the airfield was leased to the British aircraft manufacturer, Britten-Norman[14] under its airfield operations subsidiary, Fly BN.[15] Britten-Norman established corporate offices at the Daedalus Airfield site as well as a manufacturing base for its subsidiary Britten-Norman Aircraft[16] and MRO facilities for two other subsidiaries, BN Defence[17] and BN Aviation.[18] In 2010 the Regional Development Agencies were abolished and ownership of the land owned by SEEDA was transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency Now managed by Fly BN on behalf of the airfield's new owner, the Homes and Communities Agency, the airfield was prepared for licensed operations.

In August 2011 the government announced that the airfield would host an enterprise zone named the Solent Enterprise Zone.[19]

Solent Airport Daedalus (2025-present)

In 2015 the area of land containing the runways and the surrounding land formerly owned by SEEDA, with the exception of the former technical area to the south of the operational airfield were acquired by Fareham Borough Council, who renamed the site "Solent Airport at Daedalus". The technical site remained in the ownership of HCA and is being developed for mixed industrial and residential use.

On 1 April 2015 the airfield owners, Fareham Borough Council, appointed Regional and City Airports Management on a 5-year contract to manage the airfield. New entrances have been constructed to eliminate the need for runway crossings by vehicles and redevelopment is underway. CEMAST (Centre of Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training), part of Fareham College is completed on previously undeveloped land in the south east corner of the airfield. Wartime Hangar A has been demolished to make way for a new Innovation Centre of business starter units to the south of the South Apron on the east side. The old MARTSU building together with hangars G, H, J, K, L M N and O have been demolished. This area is now known as Faraday Business Park and has been developed with new landside factory units that do not have access to the runway. Six new hangars (Nos 4-9) and a fuel farm have been built on the east side of the disused runway 17/35. The hangars are intended for corporate use and incorporate office space and domestic facilities. The former fire ground towards the north end of the old eastern taxiway has been developed as a new hangar complex with three hangars to the north (Nos 15, 16, 17) and two to the south (Nos 13 & 14) plus a facilities block and car park to the east. Hangars 13 and 14 are occupied by Bournemouth Avionics.

In September 2017 it was announced that Solent Airport (Daedalus) is to open up scheduled flights, with destinations possibly including Alderney, Cardiff, Swansea and Exeter. The Daily Echo reports that there may also be a small passenger terminal to accommodate the up to 20 seater planes.[20] By 2021 this had not happened.

In May 2018, Portsmouth Naval Gliding Centre announced that it would not be remaining at the site after its eviction notice on 31 May 2018. The charity stated this was because the airfield owners, Fareham Borough Council, had been unable to offer them a viable replacement to their current hangar, Belman 4, from which they had been served eviction notice for. On 31 May 2018, exactly 69 years to the day of the centre's formation, the last 'pure' glider flight from Lee-on-the-Solent flew. The centre has resumed flying at Middle Wallop .[21]

In 2021 the newly built IFA2 converter station came on stream. Built on land in the north-east part of the airfield and south of the extended runway centreline it links to the UK electricity grid at Chilling, near Warsash to the French electricity grid via a similar converter station at Tourbe in France. The converter station converts between alternating current used in the UK grid and direct current used for the cross-channel link. It is connected to the UK and French grids by cables running across the airfield and entering The Solent to the west.

Land to the south of the eastern end of northern boundary of the airfield has been converted to public open space and was due to open for public use in 2021 after delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As well as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's search and rescue helicopters the airfield also houses a Coastguard Training Centre[22] and a Driving Test Centre.[23]

Fixed-base operators (FBO) at the airfield include:

  • Bournemouth Avionics LTD[24]
  • BN Aviation
  • Hampshire Aeroplane Club[25]
  • HM Coastguard Search and Rescue (flying the Leonardo AW189[26])
  • Phoenix Aviation[27]
  • Solent Microlight Flying Group[28]
  • Spitfires.com - The Spitfire Academy[29] Operates Spitfire Tr.9 SM520 (G-ILDA) on pleasure flights during the Spring and Autumn.

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ "Pilot Information - Solent Airport". www.solentairport.co.uk.
  2. ^ . FAA Archive. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d . Fleet Air Arm Archive Archive. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008.
  4. ^ RAF Museum Milestones of Flight - 1924 2 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ a b . Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
  6. ^ "Copy of government briefing paper" (PDF).
  7. ^ "Lee-on-Solent". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  8. ^ R.A.F. Form 543 T/Cpl Thomas Barker Fitt IIE. Date of Movement 30/08/41 to 'X' Squadron Lee
  9. ^ Howard 2011, p. 62.
  10. ^ South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
  11. ^ Joint Planning Statement for Daedalus (PDF)
  12. ^ Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club (PNGC)
  13. ^ "Lee Flying Association history".
  14. ^ "Britten-Norman - Aircraft Design and Manufacturer". britten-norman.com.
  15. ^ Fly BN
  16. ^ Britten-Norman Aircraft
  17. ^ BN Defence
  18. ^ BN Aviation
  19. ^ "New 'enterprise zones' announced around England". BBC News Online. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  20. ^ "Plans unveiled to offer commercial flights from airport near Fareham".
  21. ^ "'Council rent hike' shuts Portsmouth gliding club". BBC News. 5 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Work starts on new Coastguard training centre at Daedalus". www.gov.uk.
  23. ^ "Driving Test Centre". www.driving-test-centre.com.
  24. ^ "Bournemouth Avionics, Best Priced Avionics - All Leading Brands". www.bavionics.co.uk.
  25. ^ "Flying school | Hampshire Aeroplane Club | Hampshire". www.flyhac.co.uk.
  26. ^ "Latest News - bristowgroup.com". bristowgroup.com. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  27. ^ "Trial Flying Lessons | Phoenix Aviation | Lee-on-the-Solent". www.phoenixaviation.co.uk.
  28. ^ "Solent Microlight Flying Group".
  29. ^ "Spitfires.com - Two Seat Spitfire Flights from West Sussex, UK". www.spitfires.com.

Bibliography

  • Howard, L; Burrow, M; Myall, E (2011). Fleet Air Arm helicopters since 1943. UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-304-8.

External links

  •   Media related to RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) at Wikimedia Commons
  • Solent Airport
  • Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus

August 21, 2023
rnas, solent, daedalus, other, ships, with, same, name, daedalus, request, that, this, article, title, changed, solent, airport, daedalus, under, discussion, please, move, this, article, until, discussion, closed, royal, naval, station, solent, daedalus, prima. For other ships with the same name see HMS Daedalus A request that this article title be changed to Solent Airport Daedalus is under discussion Please do not move this article until the discussion is closed Royal Naval Air Station Lee on Solent HMS Daedalus was one of the primary shore airfields of the Fleet Air Arm First established as a seaplane base in 1917 during the First World War it later became the main training establishment and administrative centre of the Fleet Air Arm Situated near Lee on the Solent in Hampshire approximately four miles west of Portsmouth on the coast of the Solent at grid reference SU560019 the airfield closed for military use in 1996 and passed through several owners until 2014 when the current owners Fareham Borough Council bought the airfield and re branded as Solent Airport The airfield hosts the Solent Enterprise Zone RNAS Lee on SolentIATA noneICAO EGHFSummaryAirport typeGeneral AviationOwnerFareham Borough CouncilOperatorRoyal Navy historical Royal Air Force historical Regional amp City AirportsServesFarehamLocationLee on the Solent HampshireBuilt1917In use1917 1996 military 1996 current general aviation Elevation AMSL30 ft 9 mCoordinates50 48 54 N 001 12 16 W 50 81500 N 1 20444 W 50 81500 1 20444Websitehttps www solentairport co uk MapRNAS Lee on SolentLocation in HampshireRunwaysDirection Length Surfaceft m05 23 3 376 1 029 1 Asphalt05R 23L 2 723 830 Grass Contents 1 History 1 1 Royal Air Force use 1 2 Royal Navy use 1 2 1 Second World War 1 2 2 Post war 1 2 3 Units 1 3 Post Royal Navy use 1996 2014 2 Solent Airport Daedalus 2025 present 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Citations 4 2 Bibliography 5 External linksHistory EditNaval aviation began at Lee on Solent on 30 July 1917 when the Royal Naval Air Service RNAS opened the Naval Seaplane Training School as an extension to the seaplane training station at nearby Calshot The school s first commander was Squadron Commander Douglas Evill Initially aircraft had to be transported from their temporary hangars to the top of the nearby cliff then lowered by crane onto a trolley which ran on rails into the sea Permanent hangars workshops accommodation and a new double slipway were soon constructed however 2 Royal Air Force use Edit On 1 April 1918 the RNAS combined with the Royal Flying Corps RFC to form the Royal Air Force RAF and the Lee on Solent Naval Seaplane Training School became an RAF station Naval aviation training continued throughout the 1920s under the RAF with both Calshot and Lee on Solent providing training in operating seaplanes initially using the wartime Short Type 184s and from late 1921 the new Fairey IIID 3 On 1 April 1924 the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force was formed encompassing those RAF units that normally embarked on aircraft carriers and fighting ships including those at shore bases such as Lee on Solent 4 In 1931 the first grass airstrip at Lee was constructed to the west of the town Lee on Solent became HQ RAF Coastal Area and a major rebuilding programme ensued 5 On 14 July 1936 an expanded RAF Coastal Area became RAF Coastal Command with the HQ remaining at Lee on Solent 3 Royal Navy use Edit This section needs expansion You can help by adding to it June 2008 With the expansion of the RAF during the 1930s however Parliament decided that the Fleet Air Arm should transfer to the Admiralty 5 As a consequence on 24 May 1939 HQ RAF Coastal Command moved to Northwood and Lee on Solent was commissioned as HMS Daedalus becoming Headquarters of Flag Officer Air Home 3 Second World War Edit During the Second World War a number of naval air squadrons were posted or formed here at some point Post war Edit 4 SAR Flight Wessex airborne at once for a flypast of the Lee Tower Westland Wesex HU 5 781 Squadron Lee On Solent SAR Flight 1980 Post war she continued to play a significant role being renamed HMS Ariel on 31 October 1959 to reflect her electrical radar and ground training emphasis she took over the work of the Royal Naval Air Electrical Training Establishment Worthy Down prior to its closure in 1961 6 In 1962 the Joint Service Hovercraft Unit was formed with the aim of testing hovercraft in an operational military environment and soon after the Air Station reverted to the name HMS Daedalus on 5 October 1965 3 She was home to the Naval Air Trial Installation Unit NATIU formed to install and test new systems in a variety of flying test bed aircraft including a Hawker Hunter and a De Havilland Devon Units Edit The following units were here at some point 7 700 Naval Air Squadron 701 Naval Air Squadron 702 Naval Air Squadron 703 Naval Air Squadron 705 Naval Air Squadron 708 Naval Air Squadron 710 Naval Air Squadron 712 Naval Air Squadron 716 Naval Air Squadron 728C Naval Air Squadron 739 Naval Air Squadron 746 Naval Air Squadron 752 Naval Air Squadron 753 Naval Air Squadron 754 Naval Air Squadron 760 Naval Air Squadron 763 Naval Air Squadron 764 Naval Air Squadron 765 Naval Air Squadron 770 Naval Air Squadron X Squadron 8 771 Naval Air Squadron 772 Naval Air Squadron 773 Naval Air Squadron 776 Naval Air Squadron 778 Naval Air Squadron 780 Naval Air Squadron 781 Naval Air Squadron 782 Naval Air Squadron 783 Naval Air Squadron 784 Naval Air Squadron 793 Naval Air Squadron 798 Naval Air Squadron 799 Naval Air Squadron 800 Naval Air Squadron 801 Naval Air Squadron 802 Naval Air Squadron 803 Naval Air Squadron 804 Naval Air Squadron 805 Naval Air Squadron 807 Naval Air Squadron 808 Naval Air Squadron 809 Naval Air Squadron 810 Naval Air Squadron 811 Naval Air Squadron 812 Naval Air Squadron 813 Naval Air Squadron 814 Naval Air Squadron 815 Naval Air Squadron 816 Naval Air Squadron 817 Naval Air Squadron 818 Naval Air Squadron 819 Naval Air Squadron 820 Naval Air Squadron 821 Naval Air Squadron 822 Naval Air Squadron 823 Naval Air Squadron 824 Naval Air Squadron 825 Naval Air Squadron 826 Naval Air Squadron 827 Naval Air Squadron 828 Naval Air Squadron 829 Naval Air Squadron 830 Naval Air Squadron 831 Naval Air Squadron 832 Naval Air Squadron 833 Naval Air Squadron 835 Naval Air Squadron 836 Naval Air Squadron 837 Naval Air Squadron 841 Naval Air Squadron 842 Naval Air Squadron 845 Naval Air Squadron 847 Naval Air Squadron 848 Naval Air Squadron 849 Naval Air Squadron 850 Naval Air Squadron 854 Naval Air Squadron 855 Naval Air Squadron 878 Naval Air Squadron 881 Naval Air Squadron 884 Naval Air Squadron 885 Naval Air Squadron 886 Naval Air Squadron 887 Naval Air Squadron 888 Naval Air Squadron 891 Naval Air Squadron 892 Naval Air Squadron 894 Naval Air Squadron 895 Naval Air Squadron 897 Naval Air Squadron No 1320 Abdullah Flight RAF 1700 Naval Air Squadron 1701 Naval Air Squadron 1702 Naval Air Squadron 1703 Naval Air Squadron 1791 Naval Air Squadron 1792 Naval Air Squadron 1831 Naval Air Squadron Naval Air Radio Installation Unit 9 Post Royal Navy use 1996 2014 Edit In 2003 it was the subject of much controversy over the proposal to use a small part of it as a refuge for asylum seekers In March 2006 the site was split with ownership of the central area including the runways transferred to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency MCA who have continued to use it as a base for their air sea rescue helicopters Hampshire Constabulary s fixed wing aircraft also continued to use the airfield The outlying areas including the former accommodation and technical area and surrounding land hangars and dispersals were transferred to the South East England Development Agency SEEDA 10 In April 2006 Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils issued a oint Planning Statement for Daedalus 11 stating that There should be provision of leisure and community facilities which could complement existing facilities to the benefit of local residents and Future development should seek to maximise the benefit of the existing runways for general and private aviation use In April May 2006 whilst conducting repairs to the runway building crews discovered a giant unexploded land mine over 60 feet long that had been placed underneath the runway in the 1940s to cripple the airfield s operational capabilities in the event of a German invasion The bomb along with 19 others subsequently discovered was scheduled to be removed in September 2006 The work was completed on 24 October 2006 During its RN ownership the airfield had been used for a variety of groups including the Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club PNGC 12 The Lee Bees Model Flying Club The Tigers Children s Motorcycle Display Team and two flying schools and a number of privately owned aircraft were based at the airfield When the RN moved out in 1996 operational management of the airfield was taken over by Hampshire Police Air Support Unit HPASU This management continued until October 2010 with HPASU being tenants of the MCA which is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport In October 2010 Hampshire Police Air Support Unit was closed and its tasks taken over by the newly formed South East Air Support Unit covering Hampshire Sussex and Surrey from bases at RAF Odiham and Shoreham Airport On acquiring their land SEEDA stated The lack of availability of serviced employment land and new business space has been identified as an important requirement in South Hampshire Our intention is that development of the site will focus on new aviation and marine related businesses exploiting access to the existing runways and the Solent Plans are to create a quality business location that will attract inward investment and provide accommodation for start up growing and established businesses Aviation related businesses including an aircraft maintenance organisation a microlight aircraft manufacturer and a flying school became tenants of SEEDA in 2006 as did the owners of around 50 aircraft based on the site The aerodrome is strategically important The growth of commercial air transport at Southampton Airport some years ago left it with no capacity for general aviation GA aircraft This leaves Lee on Solent as the only airfield in southern Hampshire with a hard runway available for general aviation the nearest alternative in Hampshire being Farnborough Airfield citation needed On 18 October 2007 users were given 30 days notice by the Airfield Manager that the aerodrome would be closed to all existing users except MCA HPASU and PNGC from 16 November 2007 The closure was successfully challenged by Lee Flying Association which worked with other agencies such as the Civil Aviation Authority and AOPA to develop new operating procedures an Airfield Manual and an air to ground radio service and the airfield is now operating as a licensed general aviation airfield 13 In May 2008 the closure decision was reversed From 1 April 2011 the airfield was leased to the British aircraft manufacturer Britten Norman 14 under its airfield operations subsidiary Fly BN 15 Britten Norman established corporate offices at the Daedalus Airfield site as well as a manufacturing base for its subsidiary Britten Norman Aircraft 16 and MRO facilities for two other subsidiaries BN Defence 17 and BN Aviation 18 In 2010 the Regional Development Agencies were abolished and ownership of the land owned by SEEDA was transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency Now managed by Fly BN on behalf of the airfield s new owner the Homes and Communities Agency the airfield was prepared for licensed operations In August 2011 the government announced that the airfield would host an enterprise zone named the Solent Enterprise Zone 19 Solent Airport Daedalus 2025 present EditIn 2015 the area of land containing the runways and the surrounding land formerly owned by SEEDA with the exception of the former technical area to the south of the operational airfield were acquired by Fareham Borough Council who renamed the site Solent Airport at Daedalus The technical site remained in the ownership of HCA and is being developed for mixed industrial and residential use On 1 April 2015 the airfield owners Fareham Borough Council appointed Regional and City Airports Management on a 5 year contract to manage the airfield New entrances have been constructed to eliminate the need for runway crossings by vehicles and redevelopment is underway CEMAST Centre of Engineering Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training part of Fareham College is completed on previously undeveloped land in the south east corner of the airfield Wartime Hangar A has been demolished to make way for a new Innovation Centre of business starter units to the south of the South Apron on the east side The old MARTSU building together with hangars G H J K L M N and O have been demolished This area is now known as Faraday Business Park and has been developed with new landside factory units that do not have access to the runway Six new hangars Nos 4 9 and a fuel farm have been built on the east side of the disused runway 17 35 The hangars are intended for corporate use and incorporate office space and domestic facilities The former fire ground towards the north end of the old eastern taxiway has been developed as a new hangar complex with three hangars to the north Nos 15 16 17 and two to the south Nos 13 amp 14 plus a facilities block and car park to the east Hangars 13 and 14 are occupied by Bournemouth Avionics In September 2017 it was announced that Solent Airport Daedalus is to open up scheduled flights with destinations possibly including Alderney Cardiff Swansea and Exeter The Daily Echo reports that there may also be a small passenger terminal to accommodate the up to 20 seater planes 20 By 2021 this had not happened In May 2018 Portsmouth Naval Gliding Centre announced that it would not be remaining at the site after its eviction notice on 31 May 2018 The charity stated this was because the airfield owners Fareham Borough Council had been unable to offer them a viable replacement to their current hangar Belman 4 from which they had been served eviction notice for On 31 May 2018 exactly 69 years to the day of the centre s formation the last pure glider flight from Lee on the Solent flew The centre has resumed flying at Middle Wallop 21 In 2021 the newly built IFA2 converter station came on stream Built on land in the north east part of the airfield and south of the extended runway centreline it links to the UK electricity grid at Chilling near Warsash to the French electricity grid via a similar converter station at Tourbe in France The converter station converts between alternating current used in the UK grid and direct current used for the cross channel link It is connected to the UK and French grids by cables running across the airfield and entering The Solent to the west Land to the south of the eastern end of northern boundary of the airfield has been converted to public open space and was due to open for public use in 2021 after delays caused by the Covid 19 pandemic As well as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency s search and rescue helicopters the airfield also houses a Coastguard Training Centre 22 and a Driving Test Centre 23 Fixed base operators FBO at the airfield include Bournemouth Avionics LTD 24 BN Aviation Hampshire Aeroplane Club 25 HM Coastguard Search and Rescue flying the Leonardo AW189 26 Phoenix Aviation 27 Solent Microlight Flying Group 28 Spitfires com The Spitfire Academy 29 Operates Spitfire Tr 9 SM520 G ILDA on pleasure flights during the Spring and Autumn See also EditBritten Norman Calshot Naval Air Station Hovercraft Museum situated on the site List of former Royal Air Force stations List of air stations of the Royal Navy RNAS KingsnorthReferences EditCitations Edit Pilot Information Solent Airport www solentairport co uk Fleet Air Arm FAA Archive Archived from the original on 9 May 2008 a b c d HMS DAEDALUS HERITAGE 1930s Fleet Air Arm Archive Archive Archived from the original on 11 May 2008 RAF Museum Milestones of Flight 1924 Archived 2 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine a b Report on HMS Daedalus for the Defence Heritage and Tourism Panel Hampshire County Council 30 November 1999 Archived from the original on 30 September 2007 Copy of government briefing paper PDF Lee on Solent Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust Retrieved 14 April 2015 R A F Form 543 T Cpl Thomas Barker Fitt IIE Date of Movement 30 08 41 to X Squadron Lee Howard 2011 p 62 South East England Development Agency SEEDA Joint Planning Statement for Daedalus PDF Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club PNGC Lee Flying Association history Britten Norman Aircraft Design and Manufacturer britten norman com Fly BN Britten Norman Aircraft BN Defence BN Aviation New enterprise zones announced around England BBC News Online 17 August 2011 Retrieved 7 March 2015 Plans unveiled to offer commercial flights from airport near Fareham Council rent hike shuts Portsmouth gliding club BBC News 5 May 2018 Work starts on new Coastguard training centre at Daedalus www gov uk Driving Test Centre www driving test centre com Bournemouth Avionics Best Priced Avionics All Leading Brands www bavionics co uk Flying school Hampshire Aeroplane Club Hampshire www flyhac co uk Latest News bristowgroup com bristowgroup com Retrieved 9 June 2020 Trial Flying Lessons Phoenix Aviation Lee on the Solent www phoenixaviation co uk Solent Microlight Flying Group Spitfires com Two Seat Spitfire Flights from West Sussex UK www spitfires com Bibliography Edit Howard L Burrow M Myall E 2011 Fleet Air Arm helicopters since 1943 UK Air Britain Historians Ltd ISBN 978 0 85130 304 8 External links Edit Media related to RNAS Lee on Solent HMS Daedalus at Wikimedia Commons Solent Airport Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title RNAS Lee on Solent HMS Daedalus amp oldid 1171023612, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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