Nonstop flight route between Big Rapids, Michigan, United States and St Athan, Wales, United Kingdom:
Departure Airport:
Arrival Airport:
Distance from WBR to DGX:
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- About this route
- WBR Airport Information
- DGX Airport Information
- Facts about WBR
- Facts about DGX
- Map of Nearest Airports to WBR
- List of Nearest Airports to WBR
- Map of Furthest Airports from WBR
- List of Furthest Airports from WBR
- Map of Nearest Airports to DGX
- List of Nearest Airports to DGX
- Map of Furthest Airports from DGX
- List of Furthest Airports from DGX
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Roben-Hood Airport (WBR), Big Rapids, Michigan, United States and MoD St Athan (DGX), St Athan, Wales, United Kingdom would travel a Great Circle distance of 3,659 miles (or 5,889 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Roben-Hood Airport and MoD St Athan, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Roben-Hood Airport and MoD St Athan. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
IATA / ICAO Codes: | WBR / KRQB |
Airport Names: |
|
Location: | Big Rapids, Michigan, United States |
GPS Coordinates: | 43°43'20"N by 85°30'15"W |
Area Served: | Big Rapids, Michigan |
Operator/Owner: | City of Big Rapids |
Airport Type: | Public |
Elevation: | 990 feet (302 meters) |
# of Runways: | 2 |
View all routes: | Routes from WBR |
More Information: | WBR Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
IATA / ICAO Codes: | DGX / EGDX |
Airport Name: | MoD St Athan |
Location: | St Athan, Wales, United Kingdom |
GPS Coordinates: | 51°24'16"N by 3°26'8"W |
Operator/Owner: | Ministry of Defence |
Airport Type: | Military |
Elevation: | 163 feet (50 meters) |
# of Runways: | 1 |
View all routes: | Routes from DGX |
More Information: | DGX Maps & Info |
Facts about Roben-Hood Airport (WBR):
- Roben-Hood Airport (WBR) has 2 runways.
- The furthest airport from Roben-Hood Airport (WBR) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,143 miles (17,933 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
- In contrast to this decline, a new contingent of aviators became active at the airport, and increased the level of interest in that facility.
- On Sunday, July 27, 20 planes were entered in several entertaining events including speed races before an estimated crowd of 7500!
- Because of Roben-Hood Airport's relatively low elevation of 990 feet, planes can take off or land at Roben-Hood Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The closest airport to Roben-Hood Airport (WBR) is Nartron Field (RCT), which is located only 12 miles (20 kilometers) N of WBR.
- Other than a reported visit of 30 Civil Air Patrol airplanes on July 13, 1942, there is little reported activity at the airport until June 1950 when the County returned the field to the City because of CAA urging and other factors.
- In addition to being known as "Roben-Hood Airport", another name for WBR is "RQB".
Facts about MoD St Athan (DGX):
- MoD St Athan (DGX) currently has only 1 runway.
- In 2006, the Special Forces Support Group was raised at St Athan and the Welsh Guards returned to London.
- Because of MoD St Athan's relatively low elevation of 163 feet, planes can take off or land at MoD St Athan at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The furthest airport from MoD St Athan (DGX) is Dunedin International Airport (DUD), which is located 11,960 miles (19,248 kilometers) away in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
- RAF St Athan has been used to house a number of army units throughout its life and, in 2003, the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards moved from Aldershot to St Athan - the first time they have been based in Wales since they were formed in 1915.
- The only squadrons to operate out of St Athan on a regular basis are the University of Wales Air Squadron, flying Grob Tutors and No 634 Volunteer Gliding Squadron using Vigilant T.1s.
- After the war, airmen of the Airframe and Engine trades continued to train at St Athan, but in 1955 this training dispersed to RAF Kirkham and RAF Weeton.
- The closest airport to MoD St Athan (DGX) is Cardiff Airport (CWL), which is located only 4 miles (6 kilometers) E of DGX.
- In 2009 building work was due to commence on a new defence training academy with its heart at St Athan.