AAIB investigation to Piper PA-38-112, G-BPPF
Aircraft took off to the left of the runway, Compton Abbas Airfield, Salisbury, 6 September 2020.
Summary:
The UK Aeronautical Publication (AIP) page on Compton Abbas details the runway markings which include black and white runway threshold markers positioned to the side of the runway threshold. Figure 1 in the report is an image from Google Earth showing the boards and the chalk marked runway. The pilot of G-BPPF probably lined up between the marker board and the left side chalk line of the runway.
It is the AIP that contains validated aviation data, but image tools can be extremely useful to pilots who are visiting places that they may not be familiar with. Whilst they do not provide detailed, up to date information, they can add a visual image of what to expect.
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