For a more detailed timeline of Filton aerodrome history, read the "history" section of Andrew Appleton's Filton enthusiasts' website . For information on current airport facilities there go to Filton Aerodrome

Following is a brief summary. Please notify me of errors!

Geoff Green's "Bristol Aerospace since 1910" (buy it if you get the chance) places the original Filton 'flying ground' opposite Fairlawn Avenue in 1911, though at that time aircaft were usually taken by road to Brooklands or Larkhill for flight trials. But as the factory expanded with the outbreak of war it was built over and a new flying ground was created down the hill by Gipsy Patch Lane. This was to be used for both development and production test flying by British and Colonial, later Bristol Aeroplane Co. types, and also aircraft built by Parnall Aircraft in Easton and in Park Row until that Company moved to Yate.

In 1915 the Royal Flying Corps established the core of the present aerodrome, and built a hanger with pitched roof, next to which now stands the control tower. Various RFC squadrons passed through, and in that year the Bristol Fighter and M1C monoplane fighter first flew. While the aeroplane factory expanded on the hill, the RFC/RAF built several "Belfast" hangars with arched timber truss roofs, including 16U on the west side of the airfield, and a 3-bay hangar near the control-tower site. They also built a complex of 9 Belfast bays next to the A38 for No. 5 Aircraft Acceptance Park. As the war ended these provided homes to the manufacturer's development/test and engine departments, and in 1923 the RAF established No. 2 Flying (Reserve) Training School there.

In 1927 No. 501 (reserve) bomber squadron was formed with DH9s, and a permanent Officers' Mess building was begun together with other RAF accommodation. In 1929 the Bristol and Wessex Aeroplane Club decided the airfield was too crowded, and helped Bristol Corporation decide to launch Bristol Airport at Whitchurch, to which the Club moved in 1930. 501 Squadron used Wapiti and Wallace bombers before it became a Fighter Squadron with Hurricanes. In 1939 the squadron moved to Tangmere.

With the outbreak of war an east-west tarmac runway was constructed, followed by a NE-SW one. After the serious Luftwaffe raid on the aircraft works 504 Squadron was posted to Filton, and later rotated with 501 Squadron, both with Hurricanes. The RAF Flying School moved away, and a balloon barrage was established. Acceptance of the aircraft from the works by the RAF was for most of the war in the hands of various sub-units from No 5 Maintenance Unit whose HQ was at RAF Kemble.

After 1945 a new longer wider concrete runway was built, partly overlying the existing runways, and the Brabazon assembly hall, with its apron and taxiways reached by a level crossing over the railway line to Avonmouth. The Bristol Freighter went into production, and the Brabazon flew in 1949, but the main use of the assembly hall initially was for a lease to BOAC for maintenance of Constellations. The airfield was under the control of the Ministry of Aviation, and for a time there were fire brigades on the airfield belonging to MoA, the RAF, BAC and BOAC, while both the Bristol and Gloucestershire brigades could be asked to assist.

The 50s and 60s saw flight test of Britannia, Bristol 173 helicopter, and a range of engine flying test beds, as well as RAF strategic deterrent Vulcans on dispersal, and the Bristol University Air Squadron with Chipmunks and Bulldogs. Filton was not a serious contender to be the new Bristol Airport after Whitchurch, because it was (a) too busy already, (b) it was not for sale, unlike Lulsgate. However in the end the Government disposed of the airfield to British Aircraft Corporation, later BAe/BAE SYSTEMS.

Concorde development flying was from Fairford, but in the 1970s Concorde 202 was based at Filton to carry out a series of route-proving flights, It was retired to a purpose-built hangar on the north field as a spares bank for British Airways, and has since been moved to Brooklands Museum where it has been reinstated as a complete aircraft exhibit. In 2003 Concorde 216 was flown to Filton and is exhibited on the south side of the main runway pending construction of a permanent museum building for it, a project for which the Concorde Trust, an ad hoc charity, was formed in 2007.

Rolls Royce shut down its flight test centre adjoining the A38, and the buildings were leased to British European for several years to base a fleet of BAC 1-11s , until the site was bought by the Royal Mail in the 1990s. After several years Royal Mail began to use the airfield for post, despite local authority opposition. In the 1980s/90s the BAe factory modified a large number of F111 fighter bombers for the USAF and some VC10s for the RAF, all of which had to be flight tested. BAe ran a BAC1-11 service to Toulouse for Concorde and Airbus staff, which left regularly at about 6.30am. When British Aerospace made efforts to organise airline services from the airfield, there was successful local opposition, based on potential for noise nuisance, perhaps in part due to this service. Thus another attempt to make Filton an airport failed. In 2002 part of the North Field was sold to Bovis for housing development, and by the end of 2007 the pavements in that area had been excavated.

Nevertheless Filton continues to be a destination for corporate and business aircraft, offering ILS in both directions, freedom from delays and quick access to the centre of Bristol. With Beluga transports expected to carry A400M wings to Seville, communications flights by Airbus UK, and the lease of the assembly hall to airline maintenance companies, it seems to have an assured future as Bristol's second airport, although not for scheduled public air services. Its ground plan, designed for the 230-foot span Brabazon, means that it fully accommodates todays large aircraft including Airbus A380, Antonov 224/225, and Boeing 747.