The upcoming sale of Gloucestershire Airport is set to significantly benefit the county’s aviation sector, injecting much-needed investment and expertise into the facility. This positive outlook comes from Andy Clarke, a 59-year-old YouTuber who overcame his fear of flying and earned his pilot’s license at Staverton in 2020.
Andy runs the popular Phobic Flyer YouTube channel, streaming regularly from Gloucestershire Airport’s Aviator Pub. His coverage highlights the daily activity at the airport, featuring trainee pilots, visiting aircraft, and business operations.
Clarke criticized comments made by Councillor Andrew Bell (Community Independents, Grange) during a Gloucester City Council meeting, calling them “misinformed and disappointingly reductive.” Cllr Bell had described the airport as a “private flying club” and claimed he hadn’t seen “a decent plane such as a B-52 land there,” remarks made as the council approved the airport’s sale.
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In response, Clarke pointed out, “The B-52 is a U.S. bomber and would only operate from a U.S. airbase like RAF Fairford—not Gloucestershire Airport.” He further emphasized the airport’s rich history, which includes notable events such as a Concorde low pass in the 1980s, and a tribute flight by a Spitfire for Armed Forces Day just last week.
Gloucestershire Airport has welcomed many historic aircraft over the years, including American F-15s, Lancaster Bombers, Hurricanes, and the beloved Spitfire MK356, famously flown by RAF Squadron Leader Mark Long, a regular visitor before his tragic loss.
Beyond heritage, the airport remains a cornerstone of the South West’s aviation industry. It hosts a thriving cluster of aviation businesses and serves as a leading center for general and business aviation training. Clarke challenged Cllr Bell, rhetorically asking if he flies abroad, noting that many commercial pilots would have trained at Staverton.
While acknowledging potential drawbacks of dual council ownership, Clarke described suggestions to relocate jobs as “naïve.” He and many others believe the sale is long overdue, with new ownership bringing the expertise and investment crucial to upgrade infrastructure, ultimately benefiting local businesses and the wider community.
Covering 350 acres, Staverton Airport is jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council through Gloucestershire Airport Limited, established in 1993 with equal shareholdings. Despite its importance, the airport has faced commercial challenges.
In November 2023, both councils announced plans to sell the site, with leadership from Cheltenham and Gloucester approving the sale to a preferred bidder. The sale price is expected to exceed the initial £25 million guide price, with the identity of the buyer to be revealed soon.