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Aviation Fibreturf provides grass roots solution for army's Middle Wallop airfield

22 Jul 2002

Aviation Fibreturf has been chosen by the UK Ministry of Defence for extensive grass runway repairs at the School of Army Aviation, Middle Wallop.

BAE Systems Infrastructure Solutions, part of Customer Solutions & Support group has developed Aviation Fibreturf in partnership with Fibresand International for aviation customers. An earlier version of the material first saw use in sporting applications. These include golf courses; pitches such as Derby County's Pride Park, Newcastle United's St James' Park and the Cardiff Millennium Stadium; and all-weather racecourses including Haydock Park and Singapore.

Property manager at the school John Geany says that the material solved a problem. 'Fibreturf has quickly provided an innovative, eco-friendly, value-for-money solution to ruts developing. We also found the team very helpful to deal with - very "Wilco", as we say around here.'

Aviation Fibreturf airfield surfacing material is an inert polymer fibre matrix with organic material into which grass is sown to provide an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to concrete or asphalt. It has a wide range of airfield applications, including the strengthening of grass runways, stop ends, aprons and verges and is suitable for military and civil aviation.

The MOD joins privately owned Exeter and BAA's Glasgow airports in choosing this innovative new material to support operations. At Glasgow, owned by the British Airports Authority, Aviation Fibreturf is used for the air ambulance and at Exeter for a general aviation taxiway.

Advantages of Aviation Fibreturf include low cost and speed of laying compared with alternatives. It is naturally draining, requiring no piped drainage system, and resistant to drought. It can be laid on most types of soil in temperate climates with minimal preparation (the top layer is unrolled like a carpet onto a prepared surface) and can be ready for use within a week.

Fibreturf has been tested for 10 tonne wheel load and performance in saturated conditions at Cranfield University. Using a control (sand) mixture the test wheel sank up to axle on first pass. The Fibreturf was still going after 51 passes.

Grass type is selected to suit location and maintenance is no greater than that required for existing airfield turf. You can see a 500 square metre installation of Aviation Fibreturf at Farnborough International 2002 in the aircraft static parking area.