South Wales Aviation Group: St Athan

Bristow Group

Started operations on 04/10/15 from a new purpose-built hangar in the Southwestern corner of the airfield as part of the UK SAR contract. Two AgustaWestland AW189s replaced two AW139s in 08/18. Reduced to one helicopter late 2022, although a second visited when required. One AW139 replaced the AW189 in August 2025. Uses the ATC callsign "Coastguard/Rescue 388".

The following aircraft were used during 2025.

G-MCGS	Agusta-Westland AW189	92005	Bristow Helicopters Ltd	Departed

Arrived 19/12/24 from Lee-on-Solent. Departed 06/01/25 to Lee-on-Solent. Returned 25/04/25 from Lee-on-Solent. Departed 27/08/25 to Aberdeen

Picture credit Matthew Blunt

G-MCGU	Agusta-Westland AW189	92007	Bristow Helicopters Ltd	Departed

Arrived 20/03/25 from Lee-on-Solent. Departed 25/03/25 to Inverness

G-MCGV	Agusta-Westland AW189	92008	Bristow Helicopters Ltd	Departed

Arrived 11/02/25 from Lee-on-Solent. Departed 05/25 to Lee-on-Solent

Picture credit Malcolm Bradbury

G-MCGW	Agusta-Westland AW189	92009	Bristow Helicopters Ltd	Departed

Arrived 03/12/24 from Lee-on-Solent. Departed 11/02/25 to Lee-on-Solent

Picture credit Malcolm Bradbury

G-RESA	Agusta-Westland AW139	32037	Bristow Helicopters Ltd	Current

Arrived 01/12/25 from Lydd.

G-RESE	Agusta-Westland AW139	32055	Bristow Helicopters Ltd	Departed

Arrived 11/04/25 from Lydd for crew training. Departed 18/07/25 to Aberdeen

AgustaWestland AW139 G-RESE Bristow Coastguard

Picture credit James Thomas

G-RESF	Agusta-Westland AW139	32061	Bristow Helicopters Ltd	Departed

Arrived 17/10/25 from Lee-on-Solent. Departed 20/10/25 back to Lee-on-Solent.

G-RESH	Agusta-Westland AW139	32071	Bristow Helicopters Ltd	Current

Arrived 10/08/25 from Humberside

AgustaWestland AW139 G-RESH Coastguard Bristow

Picture credit James Thomas

G-RESI	Agusta-Westland AW139	32072	Bristow Helicopters Ltd	Departed

Arrived 24/07/25 from Lydd. Departed 08/09/25 to Lee-on-Solent

AgustaWestland AW139 G-RESI Coastguard Bristow

Picture credit James Thomas

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MOD St Athan Information - EGSY 07/25

To spot here you're best off taking the B4265 St Athan to Llantwit Major road. From here you will see a railway bridge that leads to a paved track that runs along the fence and runway. This track leads to an unmanned entrance gate and is under CCTV surveillance. If you use this track, please park at the far end, not on the verges, as it is used by wide farm vehicles and delivery lorries. All a/c in outside storage can be seen from the bridge itself. The track can also be accessed via St Athan village via Llantwit Road opposite the Church. To view the Caerdav hangar (Twin Peaks) and scrapping area continue westbound along the B4265, past the West Gate entrance and turn right at the traffic lights. Follow this road to the T-junction and turn right onto the new road. The entrance road to the South Wales Aviation Museum is left at the next traffic lights, views can also be had from here as it's the only convenient stopping place. Be aware there are regular Security and Police patrols around the airfield and you may be stopped and questioned.

Frequencies in use are:

122.865/419.1125 Tower/Ground

241.125 Tower (as directed)

130.560 ATIS

Click HERE for residents

OTT Information

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Here we will list some frequencies and other information to help those who like to spot aircraft on the upper airways & tacan routes over Southwest Britain

Swanwick Mil

128.700 Southwest sector
133.300 Southwest sector
133.900 Daventry sector (Includes TR1 VLN-BZN)
135.150 Southwest sector (Includes TR1 LND-VLN)
252.875 Daventry sector (Includes TR1 VLN-BZN)
278.600 Southwest sector (includes TR1 LND-VLN)
280.350 Mid Wales sector

London Control

126.075 Berry Head sector (South of Cardiff -FL305)
127.700 Spare frequency (for unservicabilities and emergencies)
128.815 Berry Head sector (South of Cardiff FL305+)
129.375 Strumble sector (West of Cardiff -FL305)
132.950 Lands End sector (Southwest of Cardiff all levels)
133.600 Brecon sector (North -FL335, East FL265-FL335)
134.460 London Upper sector (FL305+ from Compton East)
134.750 Sector 23 (for Cardiff BCN-ALVIN deps -FL265)
135.255 Strumble/Brecon (West, East and North, FL335+)

North Atlantic Oceanic Clearances

123.950 (aircraft registered West of 30 degrees West)
127.650 (Aircraft registered East of 30 degrees West)

Western Radar

132.3 (for aircraft wishing to join or leave Controlled Airspace)

London Information

124.75 (for low level traffic not receiving a LARS service)

For more information on the area covered click on the "airways map" tab at the top of the site.

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