Runway improvement project

The first phase of the major runway improvement project is now complete.

There has been an Aerodrome at Goodwood since 1940. Between 1940 and 1946 as an RAF airfield (RAF Westhampnett) and then, from 1958, as a civil Aerodrome. Throughout this time there has been relatively light investment on improving the runways. This has changed and a major investment programme is underway. The first phase started in December 2016 and was completed on 11 August 2017, with the two principal runways reopening. This is part of a wider commitment into Goodwood Aerodrome to ensure that it remains a thriving centre of aviation for the future.

Why this investment was needed

With over fifty years of flying operations, the ground had become compacted and undulating, resulting in poor drainage. During periods of very wet weather the ground became saturated and the Aerodrome had to close for prolonged periods. To resolve this, a major investment has been made to improve the surface of the runways and the drainage on the Aerodrome.

Specialist consultants were employed to review and recommend a solution. After detailed geological and technical studies, they concluded that many areas become waterlogged because water is unable to penetrate the top 18 inches of the surface due to compaction. Below the surface compaction there is relatively free draining sub soil.

Taking into account these findings, the recommendation was that the surface be regraded and a drainage system built into the runways and aircraft movement areas.

A vertical drainage solution

Jacobs, one of the country's leading Civil Engineering companies, developed a vertical drainage solution which involved resurfacing and regrading the two principal runways 14/32 and 06/24 with a 1.5% crossfall on runways to aid drainage.

They designed a matrix of trenches across the manoeuvring area and around the perimeter of the runways, to drain water away from the surface down into the free draining sub soil below.

Preparing for the runway closures

As the two main runways 06/24 and 14/32 were going to be taken out of service for a considerable time, to remain open to fixed wing, we realigned and lengthened our subsidiary runway 10/28, so that it could become viable as the operational runway during the project, for the variety of aircraft that fly at Goodwood.

A few statistics

To date the runway improvement project has involved:

Digging 8km (5 miles) of drainage trenches.
Filling the trenches with over 7000 tonnes of recycled railway ballast.
Covering the stripped areas with 200mm of topsoil.
Moving over 100,000 tonnes of material.
The total area worked on is equivalent to 60 rugby pitches or 1000 tennis courts.
Removing over 266,000m³ of turf and topsoil from the two runways.

Specialist seeds

In March the whole works area was reseeded with pre germinated hydrogel grass seed.

A pioneering project

The runway improvement project is an exciting and pioneering project which will ensure the success and sustainability of the Aerodrome for many years to come.

The next phase of the project is likely to start in 2018, the scale of which will not impact operationally for any sustained period.

If you see standing water in places don't worry as this isto be expected; As the grass is fully established it starts to form part of the drainage solution. Also the network of aqua-lines, (the naturally occurring drainage in the soil), within the structure of the soil has been disturbed during the the work and these will take time to re-establish. Therefore the effectiveness of the drainage will improve over the first few years. Rest assured though, the impact of the work will massively improve the runways immediately.

The Schedule

DATES	PROCESS
December 2016	MJ Abbott, specialist contractor appointed
January to March 2017	9th January ground works started at the extremities of 28-10 to accommodate extension in runway length. Earthworks started with turf and topsoil removal across the majority of the Aerodrome, followed by the digging drainage trenches and regrading the disturbed areas.
April to June 2017	Re-seeding started with pre germinated hydrogel grass seed. Grass growth enhancement to establish a suitable surface for aircraft operations.
July/August 2017	Installation of runway markings and runway strength testing.
11 August 2017	Full re-opening of Aerodrome.

This is a ground breaking project which will have huge benefits in the long term to our loyal customers. Thanks for your support.

Dave Ford

Goodwood Aerodrome General Manager

Next few months

Over the next few months, we will be resting and treating the surfaces to ensure that they are in the best condition for next season. This does not mean that the runways will be closed throughout the winter, but traffic will be managed carefully. We will keep you fully informed.

Frosty Misty morning thro tree & portacabin.jpg

Maximising flying this winter

To maximise flying operations over the coming months a further £12,000 has been spent on repairing runway 28-10 from its wear sustained earlier in the year.