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The development of the new Hangers and Control tower is proceeding well, both having been fully erected. Affectivity, all work has been completed from the enthusiast’s end of things, although the airport still has to be connected to the mains!

On the other side of the field, most of the operations have moved out, and only the customs office is still in operation, along with the flying clubs. The Café has moved into the new terminal building, as has all of the other airports operations, including the control tower, and the fire services. But from the pilot’s point of view, the aerodrome is long from completion - planning permission is still being sought to activate lighting, and VOR/DME at the field, as well as licensing the runway extension to 1410m, from 799m.

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Airport Details…

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And over 1,000 people a month could see your advertisement! *

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Weston Airport is a General Aviation (GA) field on the Westside of Dublin, the Dublin, Kildare border actually cuts the field in two, so it is up to you which county the aerodrome is in, but we agree with the airport authority, that it truly is “Dublin’s Second Airport”. The airport is currently under development, from a grass strip, with one small tarmac runway, to medium sized private/training/flying club airport. It the moment, it is officially Ireland’s second busiest airport, and it’s capacity is set to increase, which may lead to some congestion in the future, but for the moment, there is plenty of ramp space available for aircraft upto G4 sized aircraft, infact the field is home to about 60 aircraft at any one time, including about 15 helicopters, and about 5 private jets.

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*Based On Visitor Trends To Date, Cannot Be Guaranteed.

Runway Information:

RWY07/25

Details:

799m X 23m* Asphalt / Active (Lighting Is Pending)

*License Only Covers 799m of 1410m Runway, but is currently pending licensing

RWY18/36

925.1m X 29.0m Grass / CLOSED

RWY11/29

New Training Runway, No Further Details Known, Not Yet Active, Designed To Replace Closed Runway 18/36 / CLOSED

Airport Frequencies:

Tower/ Traffic:

122.40

- BAL APP: 122.00 (S/SW)

- DUB CTR: 129.175 (N/NE)

- DUB CTR: 124.65 (SE/E)

Airport Fuel:

JET A1	No Restrictions
100LL	No Restrictions

Special Conditions:

Traffic:

Contact Baldonnel On: 122.00 From Southern Approach / Departure \\\/// Contact DUB CTR when in Zone DUB CTR: 129.175 (N/NE) / DUB CTR: 124.65 (SE/E)

Noise:

Residents To End Of RWY 25, Refer To Flight Guide, Must Climb To 500ft On Departure At Both Runway Departures ASAP.

Operated By Weston Limited: www.westonairport.ie

CHECK WITH AIRPORT ALWAYS BEFORE FLYING – ONLY FOR NON-FLYING USAGE.

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Airport Map…

Aviation Map Of Weston, Courtesy Of BS MEDIA Ireland. Reproduction Of Map Prohibited Without Prior Permission,

Not For Navigational Usage.

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Spotters Information…

Weston is a very interesting airport to spot at, with General Aviation of all different sizes and types, from humble microlights, multi-million euro Cessna Citation’s and a good few Helicopters in between, it is truly the home of the rich and famous, as far as aviation goes in Ireland. Many rock stars and famous personalities keep their aircraft at Weston, forget the VIP ramp at Dublin Airport, Weston’s new terminal, provides all the facilities the rich and famous need, and also at a much faster rate than at Dublin, with check in and customs, not taking much longer than 15 minutes most of the time, so you might be lucky and spot some interesting personalities around the place. Enthusiasts can sit in the warm, comfortable Café at the airport.

Skyview Café not only offers really, really good meals, at a good price (I have not been bribed to say this, it is just really good for an airport!), but you also get amazing views of the Dublin Mountains, as well as aircraft and the entire field. This is really the best place to spot at Weston, but if you like the cold, and wet (where we all had to spot from before), go around to the old ops area of the airport, and have a look around, you can get really close to many aircraft, so it is well worth a visit.

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Photographs…

The Photographic Archives Have Been Moved To Their Own Page… Simply Click Here To View!

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Airport History…

Old Photographs Of Weston Are Needed- Please Send Any You May Have To: dubliaviation@eircom.net

Weston Aerodrome was founded in 1931, but was never licensed as an aerodrome until 1937, technically making it, Ireland’s second licensed civil aerodrome. Darby Kennedy founded the aerodrome as a flying school, having previously worked in Kildonan Aerodrome, Fingals for Iona National Airways and the Irish Aero Club, and then moving on, to work for Aer Lingus.

Over the next few decades not a lot happened in Weston, one of the highlights of the 1960’s in Weston, was the partial filming of the World War One epic, the Blue Max at the aerodrome, but most of the filming was conducted at Baldonnel Aerodrome, several miles down the road. It is clear to see, that very little development proceeded at Weston, from the 1930’s, but what is clear, is that in the 1970’s, a rebirth in aviation was prominent in Ireland, and throughout the 70’s and 80’s, the aerodrome expanded, and Operations building was constructed (Now the customs office), and several farm building were converted into hangers, as well as a new hanger being constructed in the late 1980’s (hangers surrounding the old apron). The aerodrome continued to grow, and helicopter operations became commonplace, as did larger aircraft, with the construction of a Tarmac Runway.

In 2001, Darby Kennedy, (now lives in Spain), decided to sell Weston, to allow for it’s growth. Mr. Jim Mansfield, owner of the Citywest Complex, and developer of the Citywest Area, in west Dublin, purchased the aerodrome, and unofficially renamed it “Citywest Airport”, although it officially still retains the title Weston Airport, (named after the estate the airport is build on). Mr. Mansfield set out a master plan to turn Weston into Ireland’s second airport, and in 2003 work commenced.

Despite planning difficulties, to date work has proceeded at a fast pace, and a new Terminal, new hangers, a runway extension, taxiway construction, construction of a new carpark, and construction of a new access road has been completed.

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Milestones…

1931	Weston Aerodrome is unofficially founded on the Westside of Dublin, near Lucan, in the Weston Park Estate.
1937	Weston Aerodrome is officially liecensed as Ireland’s second civil airport.
1980-1989	Major new delvelopment brings Weston upto general standards for aerodromes of it’s size in Ireland, including the construction of a Tarmac Runway and several new Operation and Hanger buildings- many new flying clubs move into Weston.
2001	Weston Airport is sold to Mr. Jim Mansfield, who plans massive new delvelopment at Weston Airport.
2003	Work Commences on a runway extension, and the opening of new taxiways, and a new apron, as well as the construction of a terminal building and several new Hangers
2006	Most of the work is set for completion.

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Flying @ Weston…

the ones I have flown were

parked too far away!

Flying in and out of Weston is an experience in itself. I have flown both Fixed Wing and Rotary out of Weston, both are very interesting, with the arrival and departure procedures! The staff are increditably friendly at Weston in general, particualarily the Operations and Catering Staff.

Both rotary and fixed wing flights will bring you through the customs office at Weston, then you are on the ramp! – Refueling isn’t much hassle, but sometimes there are small ques, refuelling a Piper Cub, is certainly an experience, having to hold it down at the same time, while a heli takes off! Unfortunately, I didn’t get to fly it on that occasion, but it really a great little aircraft!

When you get into your aircraft, it is standard procedure to request taxi from the Airport A/G, which is basically the same procedures as tower, except radar is not available, but it is always important to radio ahead for services.

The runway is pretty standard, flat enough, 799m licensed.

On departure you have to work the aircraft through some faily steep turns, and climb to through 500ft to 1000ft fairly quickly to avoid neighbours. You are also limited to the South and East, although you are not in controlled Tower airspace, once you clear about 2 miles from the field.

On arrival, you have to follow similarily difficult procedures to departure, then touch down, and call runway vacated, and ask for taxi, if active. Helicopters usually fly in to the left of RWY25 when weather permits, although they can T/O and Land on the runway, with special permission from the Tower.