Welcome to Blackbushe School of Flying

Welcome to the Air First web site and Blackbushe School of Flying. The School has been in existence since 1985 - nearly quarter of a century - and since August 2011 has been under new private ownership.

Blackbushe Airport is a great place to take flying lessons. Our superb long runway and open countryside makes this an ideal airfield for the beginner and with our unique range of courses and products, it makes Blackbushe an excellent location at which to learn to fly.

The airport itself opened in late 1942 and was the operating base for RAF Hartfordbridge. It was active throughout the Second World War providing a base for squadrons of Spitfires and Mosquitos which took part in reconnaissance and fighter defense operations. It also entertained the Free French Squadron (Lorraine).

So good was RAF Hartfordbridge's all-weather record, it saw several notable arrivals, including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery.

At the end of the War, newly renamed RAF Blackbushe was transferred to RAF Transport Command and was used as a base for many Dakotas which served in the 1948 Berlin Airlift - as well as flight training purposes - listing HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as a successful student.

Become a qualified pilot

Qualifying as a Private Pilot is a very rewarding acheivement, and Air First have a range of flying packages to suit all pilots and pockets.

You can read about the courses on offer and download the Data Sheets from our Download Area. You can call in at the School and chat with our friendly staff and instructors who will be delighted to answer your questions.