RAF Membury - Civil Use

Civil Use

With the end of military control, Membury was used for private and light commercial flying. However between 1966 and 1976 the Campbell Company, acquiring a lease at Membury, flight-tested their rotary aircraft known as gyrocopters.

Private flying continued from the airfield until the construction of the M4 motorway which essentially bisected northern end of the former airfield about halfway between exits 14 and 15. The Membury services area is on the northeast part of the former airfield.

Several gravel and aggregate companies have stripped most concreted runways, hardstands and the perimeter track, although most of the main runway still remains in a deteriorated condition.

Many small industries took over the old buildings on the former air depot technical site which are used for light industrial purposes. The former aircraft hangars are used for grain storage. The former airfield tower stood until 1998 when it was demolished.

Membury along with RAF Gatow and RAF Wunstorf, was the setting for much of the Hammond Innes novel Air Bridge. This was set during the Berlin Airlift and is notable for the accuracy of its descriptions of locations.

Membury is now jointly owned and operated by Southern Sailplanes / Flight Composites, an aircraft repair and maintenance company, and Aviation Enterprises Ltd.

In recent years the remaining runways have had new tarmac strips laid and new aircraft hangars were erected in 2010.