Publications
Brief History of Shoreham Airport, by Richard Almond, published 1984 in Sussex Industrial History (issue No. 14, article, pp.11-16) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:The history of Shoreham Airport goes back to the very beginning of English flying; it was one of the first half dozen flying fields in the country. Only three of the original still remain, and Shoreham is the only one still operating as a public licensed airport. In May 1910, artist and past pupil of Lancing College, Mr. Harold Piffard, began testing a 40 hp pusher biplane that he had designed and built at his studio in London. Remembering a suitably flat area in the brooks south of the College he hired a small field and hoisted a red flag to warn the local residents whenever tests were to be carried out. The landlord of the nearby 'Sussex Pad' seeing the goings on bet a crate of champagne that the machine would not fly the length of the field, but after delays waiting for suitable weather 'Piff' was successful on the 10th July, so winning the wager and becoming the first to fly a powered aircraft over Sussex.
By early 1911 a recognised aerodrome existed, and a race from Brooklands to Shoreham on the 6th May was won by Gustav Hamel in a Blériot monoplane. In June ten wooden hangars and a grandstand were built for the 'Circuit of Europe' and 'Round Britain' air races, the first truly international events to be held. Shoreham was a refuelling and timed staging post and the field was extended to 500 yards square. A official opening ceremony for the new Brighton (Shoreham) Aerodrome, as it was then known, was held on the 20th June attended by the Mayors of Brighton, Hove and Worthing.
By early 1911 a recognised aerodrome existed, and a race from Brooklands to Shoreham on the 6th May was won by Gustav Hamel in a Blériot monoplane. In June ten wooden hangars and a grandstand were built for the 'Circuit of Europe' and 'Round Britain' air races, the first truly international events to be held. Shoreham was a refuelling and timed staging post and the field was extended to 500 yards square. A official opening ceremony for the new Brighton (Shoreham) Aerodrome, as it was then known, was held on the 20th June attended by the Mayors of Brighton, Hove and Worthing.