Construction of the airfield was completed in 1941 during the Second World War, using the standard RAF specification of three co-intersecting runways.

16 Elementary Flying Training School from RAF Burnaston used part of the airfield as a Relief Landing Ground.

27 Operational Training Unit, Bomber Command used Vickers Wellington and Avro Anson aircraft.

21 Maintenance Unit arrived after the disastrous explosion at their nearby station of RAF Fauld.

A wartime Bellman hangar located at the northeast corner remains in use for aircraft servicing and repairs.

The 08/26 runway is licensed for use at 1,190 m (3,904 ft) length and can handle a wide range of general aviation aircraft, including jets.

Based at the airfield are Tatenhill Flying School, who operate aircraft from Tatenhill Aviation such as the Piper PA-24, Piper PA-28, Cessna 152 and Bellanca Decathlon; and the Merlin Flying Club (Rolls-Royce plc employees') who moved here when Hucknall Aerodrome was closed on 1 March 2015: they operate Cessna 150 Aerobat, Robin DR.200, Auster AOP.9 and Pitts Special aircraft.

Each July the airfield hosts a charity fly-in organized by East Staffordshire Flying Club which is also based here.