Hendon Aerodrome was an aerodrome in London, England, that was an important centre for aviation from 1908 to 1968. It was situated in Colindale, seven miles (11 km) north west of Charing Cross. It nearly became a central hub of civil aviation ("the Charing Cross of [the UK's] international air routes"), but for the actions of the RAF after the First World War in reserving it for military aviation. It was known as a place of pioneering experiments including the first airmail, the first parachute descent from a powered aircraft, the first night flights, and the first aerial defence of a city.