Emily Mason • 14 January 2026

Popham Airfield’s Survival Guide to Winter Flying 

There is a specific kind of magic that happens at Popham on a crisp January morning. While the rest of the world is scraping ice off their windscreens and complaining about the dark, the light aircraft community is doing something much more productive: eyeing the ‘gin-clear’ horizon and checking the oil pressure.

Winter flying at Popham isn’t just a seasonal challenge; it’s an opportunity to see the Hampshire countryside under a pristine, frost-dusted lens. But as any regular at the Spitfire Flying Club will tell you, the transition from summer ‘bimbling’ to winter operations requires a bit more than just a thicker fleece.

The Performance Perk
If you feel like your aircraft is suddenly on steroids, you aren't imagining it. Cold air is denser air. This means:
  • Better Lift: Your wings find more ‘meat’ in the air.
  • Better Thrust: Your propeller bites harder.
  • Faster Climbs: You’ll find yourself reaching circuit height noticeably faster than you did in July.
Just remember that while the engine loves the cold, your carburettor might have other ideas. Popham’s proximity to the moisture-laden trees near the A303 makes carb ice a silent predator. Keep that carb heat knob in mind, especially during those long, low-power descents.

Navigating the ‘Popham Bog’

The legendary grass runways of Popham - 08/26 and 03/21 - take a beating in the British winter. If you're planning a visit, check the NOTAMs and call the Popham radio AGCS desk in advance.


In particularly wet spells, it might be requested that you use the south taxiway (the one running parallel to the A303) to avoid the muddier patches. Watch out for the threshold of Runway 03 - it has a reputation for being a bit soft when the water table rises. A soft-field takeoff technique isn't just a flight school exercise here - it's a survival skill for your wheel spats!


Essential Winter Prep

  1. Frost is a Flight-Killer: Never hope the frost will blow off during the takeoff roll. A layer of frost as thin as sandpaper can reduce lift by up to 40%.
  2. The Low Sun: Flying west on Runway 26 at 15:30? You’ll be staring directly into a blinding Hampshire sunset. Keep those sunglasses handy and your lookout sharp.
  3. Pre-Heat Your Engine: Cold oil is like treacle. If you’re based at Popham, a quick pre-heat can save your engine (and your battery) a world of hurt.



The Reward: Coffee and Community

The best part of a winter sortie at Popham? The landing. There is nothing quite like the smell of a bacon roll wafting from the clubhouse after a successful offset approach over the silos.

2025 events hit new heights

by Emily Mason • 11 June 2025
The start of May – days are getting longer, the sun is shining more often, and Popham Airfield hosts its annual Microlight Trade Fair. This year the weather didn’t disappoint – warm and sunny, we saw over 1,600 visitors throughout the weekend, with over 30 exhibitors present.

Popham’s summer evening BBQs off to a flying start!

by Emily Mason • 23 May 2025
A regular favourite of many a Popham supporter, the evening fly-in on 23rd May kicked off the BBQ season with a bang. Despite the weather threatening to dampen our spirits in the days leading up to the event, on the day, it stayed dry, if a little blustery and chilly for those braving it without a jacket!

Popham Events: Behind the Scenes

by Emily Mason • 10 December 2024
As you can imagine, a lot goes into planning the Popham events, but it’s not something many see, so here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes from this year’s goings-on... 1. Early starts (and late nights!) Inevitably, the team sometimes needs to work long days coming up to and during the events. Starts can be as early as 6am to meet with traders and exhibitors entering the site, and once the show closes, we have to make sure the site is clean and tidy for the next day’s activities. Sometimes (as with the Microlight Trade Show and Classic Car Show) we run back to back events – so the new setup has to be turned around between one show closing at 4pm and the next one opening at 10am the next day, which can be a bit full on! It is however lovely to witness the airfield early on a misty morning.

LAA Grass Roots Fly-in returns to Popham Airfield

by Mike Pearson • 8 April 2023
LAA Grass Roots Fly-in returns to Popham Airfield
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