Emerging from months of lockdown with onsite businesses re-opening, Salisbury’s historic Old Sarum Airfield’s GoSkydive, the tandem skydiving centre, has resumed tandem skydiving in line with Government and British Skydiving regulations.
During July, hundreds of first-time jumpers enjoyed the stunning views from the skies over Salisbury, although the tandem skydiving has adopted new safety and distancing measures. Arrival times have been staggered with a reduced amount of tandems on each flight. Customers are remote temperature checked on arrival and asked to bring gloves, face coverings and tubular bandannas where possible.
Aviation fans and enthusiasts are also taking to the skies again on training flights with GoFly flying school which resumed in July.
Old Sarum Airfield helps with animal health checks continuing on a permanent basis. Companies specialising in sensor technology to monitor the health of millions of poultry birds as well as the nation’s cows, sheep and pigs will use the airfield to transport vets across the UK to complete nationwide checks and to respond to health issues.
A number of businesses want to relocate to the airfield for flight operations, the airfield owners say, and they are exploring restoration for Hangar 3 to accommodate this demand.
Carl Griffiths of Goskydive, said “Skydiving is a great activity if you are doing a ‘staycation’ this summer. We appreciate our customers patience during the lockdown period, however, we are really looking forward to more skydiving from Old Sarum this year.”
A spokesperson for the airfield said: “It has been a very challenging time for everyone. We hope the airfield can continue to support business to get back on their feet as well as assisting with crucial flight operations.”
“The airfield has always been part of the local community, employing local people as well as being very proud to welcome visitors from across the UK and further afield. We look forward to welcoming businesses and visitors back as the green shoots of recovery start to show.”