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The Deeside MAC's Broken Bank flying field is located on an industrial reclamation site
on the Wirral shore of the Dee Estuary close to the New Dee Crossing. The site is bordered
on its landward side by an MOD small-arms firing range, and to seaward by the Dee marshes
which are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. The open aspect of the flying
field, with no trees or other obstructions in the near vicinity, is ideal for the
operation of radio-controlled model aircraft, and its remote location makes it a very
peaceful site, with excellent views both down the Dee Estuary towards the Irish Sea and
across it to the Flintshire coast.
Being a reclamation site, the "natural" surface of the flying field has a
high rock content and is very harsh....... crashed models tend to stay
crashed! However, the quality of the site is steadily improving as vegetation cover
increases with the passage of time. The main DMAC flying strip is
rectangular in shape
(approximately 130 metres long by 25 metres wide) and aligned with the prevailing
northwesterly/southeasterly winds. A smaller (90 metres by 14 metres)
cross-strip is used in the
less common easterly/westerly winds. The strip is of much higher quality than the
surrounding land, having been created by addition of a levelled layer of topsoil several
inches deep; grass cover on this topsoiled area is comparatively dense, affording a good
takeoff and landing area suitable for all types of aircraft, and permitting models without
undercarriages to be landed without damage. |
The Broken Bank flying site in summer
Aerial view of the Broken Bank flying site
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A pits area approximately 50 metres by 10 metres has also been topsoiled and seeded, and,
as can be seen in the photograph on the left, has developed into a pleasantly grassy area.
Ample car parking space for club members and visitors is available to the rear of the pits
area.To cater for the needs of rotary-wing fliers, there is a separate helicopter
hovering area. This circular heli-pad, approximately 30 metres in diameter, is situated
well clear of the pits area and car park in an area designated as a "no fly
zone" for fixed wing aircraft. Like the main flying strip, it has been topsoiled,
levelled and seeded to provide a good grassy surface.
During 1999/2000 the site was further improved by the spreading of
a layer of artificial soil over the "outfield" for a radius of
approximately 75 metres around the flying strip. This soil (which shows up
as the light-coloured area in the aerial photograph on the left)
affords a much smoother and softer surface for off-strip forced landings
(and crashes!), and it supports a dense grass cover that further cushions
unplanned "arrivals".
The main flying days at the site are Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, but there is no
limit on flying hours and DMAC members use the site most days of the week when the weather
is fine. Friday evenings are particularly popular in summer, with a number of members
going to the field straight from work and then cooking an evening meal on the 'barbie'
between flights - idyllic! |
Hardy souls braving the Broken Bank flying site in Winter
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The very attributes which make Broken Bank so desirable as a flying site (i.e. its
openness and isolation) mean that it can be very inhospitable in winter, with icy winds
blowing unchecked across the field. Some form of shelter from the Arctic blast is
essential, and the DMAC club hut really comes into its own in these conditions. A
gas-powered heater provides warmth, and a gas barbecue is available for the preparation of
hot meals at midday.Since the site is secured by locked security gates, it is necessary
for guest fliers to contact the DMAC before visiting the flying field. Providing that such
prior contact is made, there should be no problem in arranging for the guest to gain
access to the site by accompanying one of our club members. Arrangements may be initiated
by contacting the email address at the foot of this page.
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