The history of aviation at Eastchurch stretches back to the first decade of the 20th century when it was used as an airfield by members of the Royal Aero Club.

In 1910 it was operated by the Royal Navy as a training aerodrome and it was known as the Naval Flying School, Eastchurch.

The members of the Aero Club of Great Britain established their first flying ground near Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey in 1909.

Later Moore-Brabazon, Professor Huntington, Charles Rolls and Cecil Grace all used the flying club's services.

They then took lunch at Mussell Manor with members of the Aero Club and there was considerable discussion regarding the possibility of establishing a flying school in Sheppey.

The Admiralty accepted and on 6 December the Commander-in-Chief at the Nore promulgated the scheme to the officers under his jurisdiction, stipulating that applicants be unmarried and able to pay the membership fees of the Royal Aero Club.

[3] It was originally planned that Cecil Grace would be their instructor but, following his untimely death, George Cockburn took his place, giving his services free of charge.

[5] In 1913 Winston Churchill, then aged 38, and in the Cabinet as First Lord of the Admiralty, learned to fly here, despite warnings of the risk.

The main roads in the prison reflect the aviation links; Rolls Avenue and Airfield View, Short's Prospect and Wright's Way.