MoD Boscombe Down (EGDM)
Medium airport · Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom
Airport data
| Name | MoD Boscombe Down |
|---|---|
| ICAO | EGDM |
| Elevation | 407 ft (124 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 51°9'8" W 1°44'51" 51.15220, -1.74741 |
| Location | Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 10,538 ft (3212 m) | 150 ft | PEM | Yes |
| 05N/23N | 2,513 ft (766 m) | — | ASP | No |
| 17/35 | 6,278 ft (1914 m) | 150 ft | PEM | No |
MoD Boscombe Down at a glance
MoD Boscombe Down is a medium airport in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom. The field elevation of 407 ft (124 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at EGDM are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 3 runways, the longest — 05/23 — offers 10,538 ft (3212 m) of pem surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05 points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for EGDM shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to MoD Boscombe Down
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Southampton Airport | EGHI | 35 km (19 NM) |
| Bournemouth Airport | EGHH | 42 km (23 NM) |
| Lasham Airfield | EGHL | 50 km (27 NM) |
| RAF Odiham | EGVO | 57 km (31 NM) |
| RAF Fairford | EGVA | 59 km (32 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for MoD Boscombe Down
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 407 ft field elevation of MoD Boscombe Down can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 88 airports and airfields we list for United Kingdom — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about MoD Boscombe Down
What is the ICAO code of MoD Boscombe Down?
The ICAO identifier of MoD Boscombe Down is EGDM, and it has no IATA code assigned. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is MoD Boscombe Down above sea level?
MoD Boscombe Down sits at an elevation of 407 feet (124 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is MoD Boscombe Down located?
The airport lies at 51.1522, -1.7474 — in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Southampton Airport, about 35 km away.
Does EGDM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for EGDM appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at MoD Boscombe Down?
MoD Boscombe Down has 3 runways. The longest, 05/23, measures 10,538 ft (3212 m) with a PEM surface.