Austen Aviation Services, owner of Oaksey Park airfield in the UK, is experiencing increased activity and is offering more services to airfield users. Located roughly two nautical miles south-east of Kemble airport, Oaksey Park is home to more than 40 based aircraft, offering fixed wing and helicopter maintenance. Director Andrew Austen also oversees private flying activities at the airfield, which hosts a JetRanger and three MD500s.

“The helicopters are mostly used for personal business and VIP charter,” he says. “Most of the aircraft we deal with have private owners who bring their aircraft to us for maintenance. My father has a JetRanger and he uses it solely for pleasure, but has also used it in the past for business activities. We used to own circuses and travel around using the helicopter between the circus sites.

“The onsite maintenance facilities are structurally integral to our operation here at Oaksey as they provide us with a diverse and sizeable audience to cater for. The companies that operate here offer a professional and thorough service to their clients and have made the airfield much more productive by giving all our residents the reassurance of not having to go off site for their maintenance needs.”

He is looking to increase traffic at the airfield from transient aircraft. “We have been full up in terms of hangarage for quite a few years and have quite a long waiting list. It's not something we can really improve on. But we are looking to do more business outside of the airfield and are planning on opening some upmarket overnight accommodation as well.

“It is a nice place to stay if you want to bring the family over for the weekend, and we may open up a spa on site too. The aviation side of things ties in with the wider business.”