GA circuit height is 800ft. 08LH, 26RH. TORA/LDA 803m. There is a 100m unlicensed extension beyond each runway end, and runway distance remaining markers to the north of the runway to help with decision making. Note there is no longer a microlight circuit. Overhead Joins.

Rwy 08 – A normal approach, but please avoid getting low on final approach or using excessive power settings when overflying Compton Village.
Rwy 26 – A normal approach.

Rwy 08 – As soon as practicable, on passing the end of the runway, turn left in order to avoid overflying Hatts Barn Farmhouse.
Rwy 26 – As soon as practicable, on passing the end of the runway, turn right in order to cross the top of the Melbury Hill. Avoid overflying any part of Compton Abbas village.

Turbulence will be encountered on both runways when the wind has a southerly component in excess of 8 -10 knots. Low approach paths combined with excess speed is not recommended when these conditions prevail. Such approaches will place the aircraft in the worst of the turbulent air and will result in a touchdown point well along the runway length.

All taxying is to the south of the runway. To the East of the strobe, in the line of aircraft closest to the runway. No parking in front of the building or on the apron please.

We’ll always answer your initial call and any special requests. However, to enable us to provide a good service in reception, please prefix your calls with ‘Compton Traffic’ if your call does not require a response ie ‘Compton Traffic G-CK downwind’. We are unable to accept non-radio aircraft to the airfield.

£15 light single, £10 microlight, £20 twin. Larger aircraft P.O.A. Stay over for £10 per night. Touch and gos are charged at £15 each.
NO MONDAY LANDINGS
However…landings will be £10 for GA if you upload 50 litres or more of Avgas 100LL (please print receipt from fuel pump as proof) or £6 for Microlights for 20 litres or more upload of Avgas UL91.

We are a customs designated airfield. 100LL is pay at pump & UL91 is self serve with both available at competitive prices. Lubricants available too. We have a ‘Fast track’ system for pilots – which enables you to order ahead of the general public – and save queuing. Great if you are on a tight schedule!

As we’re in the middle of the beautiful countryside – we recommend giving the taxi firms a call with at least an hours notice. Shaftesbury (North). Use 01747 prefix; Hilltop: 855555, Country Cars: 850950, Shaftesbury Taxis: 855009, Hansom Cabs: 852020. Blandford (South). Use 01258 prefix; Oakwood: 455555, Edwards: 860730. Have a look at the Visit Dorset website for information on local accommodation and activities: https://www.visit-dorset.com/visitor-information/shaftesbury-tourist-information-centre-p1408343.

We​ are waterlogged only on extremely rare occasions. However, inevitably, in the winter we do have a soft field after heavy rain. We ask very nicely that you adhere to the following in order to keep the runway serviceable for everyone and in the good condition we try so hard to keep it. Thank you very much for your co-operation in advance:

Please use minimum braking, slow taxi speeds and execute large radius turns on the field. With 800 meters of grass to play with you shouldn’t need to use the brakes as friction will slow you down quickly. Braking on a soft field can cause a lot of damage to the extent where we cannot operate – especially if the ground freezes after indentations have been made through braking.

We have two webcams looking at Runway 08 and Runway 26 which we encourage you to use to see the current conditions.

View our webcams here

Dear All,
For your operational reference, please download the attached satellite image showing the Compton
Abbas Circuit pattern.
And the Compton Specific Overhead Join pictorial.
Could l please ask all recipients to study these reference documents. There have been
observations (from airfield management and others) that Circuits and rejoin procedures are not
being executed properly.
This is particularly evident with incorrect Overhead joins being flown. Some pilots are flying the
aerodrome noise abatement departure procedure, after reaching the Overhead Crosswind
position. This is not correct. The correct action is to fly a crosswind leg at 90 degrees to the
upwind end of the Runway.
The noise abatement procedure is part of the take-off profile and Circuit and does NOT modify
the published structure of the ‘Standard Overhead Join’.
N.B. SkyDemon and similar navigation apps should not be used as sole reference for flying the
Circuit or executing the Overhead Join; in fact SkyDemon seems to include the noise abatement
procedure in the join and, as such, is erroneous in this context.
Additionally, should anybody require a ground school session with regard to the above (or even a
quick trip out and back, for the rejoin, in their own aircraft), then you are very welcome to contact
me for a chat or a flight. There will be no charge for this.
Thank you for everyone’s assistance in complying with the above.
Peter Peers-Johnson (PPJ).
Head of Training & Standards
CAAL