ABOVE: From wings to wheels – aircraft are no longer welcome inside the 98 year old hangar
Bicester Motion – the classic car company at Oxfordshire’s Bicester Aerodrome – has unveiled its plans to build an electric go-kart track inside Hangar 137, which all resident aircraft were ousted from this summer.
A planning application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council for the intended change of use, with the proposed two-level track to be constructed inside the 31,000 square foot Grade 2 Listed building. In February of this year, all airfield tenants (including the local gliding club) were asked to vacate by June, with resident aircraft owners speculating that a go-kart track would formally be proposed.
“The partnership will enable Bicester Motion to invest £4 million to restore, rejuvenate and conserve the historic hangar’s external building fabric,” explained Bicester Motion in a statement, describing the proposed venture as “a long-term, viable use to facilitate the hangar’s repair and conservation”. It added that TeamSport’s new track will “support Bicester Motion’s strategy to continue to boost future mobility”.
Bicester Motion also recently received planning permission for a first-of-its kind vertiport, to serve as a testbed for the electric air taxi sector. “Today, we continue to welcome aircraft from all eras including new mobility technologies to provide a viable future for our historic airfield,” stated Daniel Geoghegan, Chief Executive at Bicester Motion.
The company did not respond to Pilot Magazine’s request for comment or clarification on what provision and facilities, including hangarage, will be made available to visiting aircraft.
IMAGE: BICESTER MOTION
