Bournemouth Airport

[papasmurf]

Hello

As of this week, a number of the access points for resident pilots have been padlocked shut. This is going to cause difficulty for the Flying Club and anyone based with one of the maintenance companies there, especially out of hours.

One of the maintenance companies has put up a webpage explaining new procedure for their Bournemouth-based pilots.
(Airside Access at Bournemouth Airport. | Airtime Maintenance (http://airtimeaviation.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26:airside-access-at-bournemouth-airport&catid=6&Itemid=15))

[Nibbler]

Very interesting and the document on the website is the only news I've heard of this new 'initiative', thanks for posting it.

This is going to be a bit of a pain for those of us who use the facilities at Bournemouth, particularly when tying to access these outside normal working hours.

:ugh:

[N707ZS]

If you read the link in your post it is self explanatory. Dft just doing there job.

[papasmurf]

DfT being Dept for Transport??

If they stop transport, then their job seems to be self defeating and means, eventually, the department won't be needed.

All it will do is drive GA onto the grass strips to annoy residents.

[Nibbler]

The part about "DfT Inspectors managed to “tailgate” pilots through the airside gate (following pilots through without being challenged)" will still happen as pilots with passes are not being asked to challenge anyone, or is the inference that we should? I'm not sure I would given the potential reaction of any serious intruder with malicious intent.

Seriously if I were of a mind to gain access to the airfield it definitely wouldn't be opportunistic as suggested or even attempted through a security gate. Anyone researching the area would find easier methods of access. In fact a determined individual with a simple readily available tool from any good hardware store can gain access to an airfield unnoticed given the length and nature of perimeter fences.

These security cards usually require a CRB check and that's for every pilot operating out of Bournemouth.

It does beg the questions; Who is paying for this and what or whom are the DfT attempting to protect the airfield from exactly?

[Johnm]

Security is no longer risk based it is a ritual and heretics will be punished.:ugh:

[A and C]

You have hit the nail on the head, the whole security thing in the UK is just being ramped up as a way or the parasitic security industry to make more money and the DfT just run along with it because they don't want to be seen to be weak on security.

They are lining there pockets while forcing more costs onto business with unrealistic regulation.

[IMC1]

Is the issue just with the gates at Airtime? I cant see any other notices on the web
Also a notice reminding pilots of their responsibility would have been enough. Even a warning shot would have been good.
A number of the fences at Bournemouth are still only 4 feet high, so if they were really serious about security, i would tackle that first....

[Bob Upanddown]

You are all talking out of your a@#es.

25 years or so ago, I frequented international airports in my PA-28.
The Flying Show at the NEC reminds me that 25 years ago, it was reasonable (on grounds of both cost and convenience) to fly into Birmingham to visit the NEC or the motorcycle museum. 25 years ago, they let you use the main terminal but, before returning to your aircraft, you went through the same baggage and ID checks that the peasants suffered (bag searched and x-rayed). Then they led you to that special door.

So what has changed??
Now you are handled because the airport can't be bothered with you but you end up with a big bill. But, from my POV, the security is not as invasive as it was. Instead of being subject to full body scans, pat-downs, etc, the last big airport I flew into still allowed me to carry large bottles of water, my leatherman, my life jackets and luggage onto my aircraft without subjecting it to search (or worse, confiscation) because I was not going through the main terminal but through the flying club.
We, in our puddle-jumpers, enjoy a good deal more freedom that the general travelling public.

[Halfbaked_Boy]

Just take a ladder. It's not breaking and entering because you're not breaking anything. And it's not unlawful access if you have a right to be there...

The assumption must be that not every pilot will have access to their website.

[papasmurf]

Is the issue just with the gates at Airtime? I cant see any other notices on the web

The whole North side of the airport subject to restrictions, including the flying clubs and commercial schools.

[peterh337]

Just take a ladder. It's not breaking and entering because you're not breaking anything. And it's not unlawful access if you have a right to be there...

I am sure that is correct, but airports are known for kicking based pilots out for no good reason, and then what will you do?

[Bob Upanddown]

Just take a ladder. It's not breaking and entering because you're not breaking anything. And it's not unlawful access if you have a right to be there...

Brilliant. That's probably just what they want you to do so they can then justify their existence by arresting you. It will demonstrate just what they want - man with ladder threat to A380. Someone with a ladder will show that people will commit an offence to get onto the airport. Can't have that. So security will be ramped up so that we all have to go through the full body search, x-rays, no liquids, no leathermans... at any airfield that handles the odd charter or air-taxi flight once in a while, like Stapleford for example.

Grow up guys. If you are based at such an airport, it seems very low-key security to me.

[soaringhigh650]

Department for Transport or Department against Transport? :ugh:

[peterh337]

In most cases these sudden restrictions are the result of somebody taking the micky. Because it is a civil matter, the airport has no (practical) sanction against that person/operator.

At Shoreham, we lost the out of hours concession because a certain outfit there was abusing it. The airport cannot do anything about them, cannot terminate the lease before it's up, and anyway needs the rental income, so we got the predictable kneejerk reaction.

And when anything like this happens, the H&S yellow-jacketed crowd get an immediate upper hand which they positively delight in using. These incidents are a godsend to them. If nothing bad happened they would be superfluous.

Same in an ISO9000 business. If somebody cocks up, the ISO9000 manager :yuk:ends up running the company - until the management wakes up and winds him back into his hole. But often the management doesn't wake up...

[martello]

it is disappointing that some here dismissed this as DfT just doing their job.

As a matter of fact it affected all airside locations not just Airtime. Airtime is the only one which has tried to communicate with its based pilots. Kevin's notice on the Airtime website downplays it quite a bit so might give wrong impression.

In reality there was a huge hoo ha at several establishments. EGHH Security had several individual meetings during the week leading up to last Friday and as usual ignored everything then Friday padlocks were slapped on all gates.

For those who are happy that this is just DfT doing their job or 'what do you expect at such an airport' please realise the powers that be read these fora hungrily and seize on such statements as evidence that their actions are the 'norm' and anyone objecting is 'out of line'.

The fact is the measures were rushed (driven by a draconian DfT enforcement notice) ill thought out and not only inconveniencing but commercially damaging. Many pilots this weekend were simply locked out from their aircraft - no option of going through scanners or being patted down - just prevented from using their aircraft.

Those of you who have expressed the opinion that 'its only to be expected' - Do you really think that access should be restricted to the working week? Maintenance businesses are obviously damaged because the padlocks prevent out of hours drop offs.

Anyway there has been a lot of talking and some shouting and there is now a little more flexibility from local security (more keys - previously only 2 issued and only available to senior people from the facility lessee not pilots). Some minor workarounds might be achieved by this weekend but not without a lot more inconvenience.

There are problems looming around the proposed new system which will be turnstiles. For example how to you get luggage through, how do passengers without smart cards get through - visitors etc. - what about emergency egress.

As AOPA rep I have been engaged in the discussions (very much post crisis as EGHH do not proactively consult with the pilot community - you have to knock on their door) to try to come up with a fair system.

AOPA cannot and does not object to security but measures which simply ignore the patterns of GA and impose costs and inconvenience should be challenged (thanks a bunch to those of you who broadcast 'its all normal' (for normal read acceptable).

We believe it is more important to introduce a photo id card worn visibly to be airside than it is to have the most restrictive sorts of gates. Pilots can and should be expected to take responsibility for their party and to challenge any stranger trying to push through without ID but if the security powers ignore these pilots needs and make life difficult, such pilots are likely to say 'up yours' and refuse to be part of the solution.

I know Dft and EGHH security read this so can they please take note of this fact of life - this has to be done together with sensible measures not just imposed without consultation.

For any EGHH based pilots reading here, please speak to whoever you park with. Each organisation is making its own interim arrangements. Also remember that in addition to gate access arrangements you and any passengers must now carry an 'authorisation' chit signed by the facility management at ALL times when airside. Security patrols have been multiplied manyfold so you are likely to be challenged.

Anyone visiting for maintenance - obviously - call your maintenance shop urgently - dont just turn up.

For other visitors no doubt you'll be going to Bournemouth Handling (who are also padlocked) Call them and ask what their arrangements are going to be. Each visit will have to be planned


JM

will try to post updates here and other places - Also Kevin at Airtime shares the AOPA role and provide good general info on the Airtime website which is useful for non Airtime pilots also.

[peterh337]

I wonder what the "draconian DfT enforcement notice" was and what brought it about...

[soaringhigh650]

It is so important that Bournemouth doesn't evolve into another Edinburgh - with £95 handling fees, £50 security charges and 20% tax on top.

GA was here first, not BizCorp Airways PLC.

Beneficiary pays principle is vital.

[peterh337]

Yes but it isn't so simple because if an airport can live off scheduled services alone, yet the bulk of its "security issues" (whether real or perceived) come from GA, they will just kick out GA.

That is how it works here in Europe. That is the sort of airport management which is present at most places. It's the result of the "Univ of Upper Warlingham MBA" and "Masters in Risk Management" culture which has penetrated through Europe, and presumably the USA too but they have lots more safeguards there in GA.

Scheduled service passengers can be funnelled through a small gate, like cattle, whereas Bournemouth is a huge place, with countless aviation businesses around the periphery.

I've been there countless times and there are so many entrance points that the chance of a taxi driver meeting you at the correct one is very small :)

The saviour of Bournemouth is ultimately likely to be its huge commercial property portfolio which is mostly aviation related and needs airside access. The place will go bust if it ever relies on scheduled services.

If you let this kind if stuff get out of hand, you end up with say Gatwick, which herds scheduled services through cattle gates (where the security is easy to do) and where GA is handled by Harrods or Signature Handling who have set up £400+ cartels which have excluded light GA access.

[soaringhigh650]

Yes but it isn't so simple because if an airport can live off scheduled services alone, yet the bulk of its "security issues" (whether real or perceived) come from GA, they will just kick out GA.

That is how it works here in Europe. That is the sort of airport management which is present at most places.

peter, this is not the first time I've seen you throw your arms up in despair. It's good that you are creating awareness among the public, but what exactly are YOU doing about it or do you just sit on your armchair and keyboard to have a rant? :}

[peterh337]

I do my bit for UK GA but in a different way (http://www.peter2000.co.uk/aviation/), soaringhigh650.

I don't throw my arms up, but I do quite often end up explaining to you that the UK is not in the USA ;)

[martello]

Soaring high
I understand your sentiment as one of nature's 'take parters'. However I've always (well nearly always) found Peter's observations/take on things to be spot on and very welcome whether or not he chooses to be an activist. The reason for that conciliatoriness towards a non activist is that there are many others who don't take part, but into the bargain they are contrary, critical and often put down genuine activist efforts. I may be misinterpreting things but I've always seen Peter as onside on issues such as this one. It's his prerogative to express despair. We'll just keep plugging away winning where we can.

Lying behind this particular issue at Bournemouth is somewhere a public paid official making/interpreting operational regulation and having to take no account of the consequences of his actions. That is the rocky road to totalitarianism. Freedoms are constantly being eroded. It happens all the time in many sections of our society but is usually pushed back by organised objection. Sadly the pilot community is disparate and often disinterested. try getting someone to join AOPA .
john murray

[maxred]

My take

Symptom - Environmental Awareness Despair.

Cure - The wonder drug, IGNOREITALL. Freely available from Boots.

We all care, and all attempt to do our bit, problem is, you are dealing with Officialdom, in all its nasty forms. Be it the over zealous security chap, the over zealous corporate career chaser, the over zealous call centre worker, who just has to take you through security, to get your gas bill balance.... My God.:sad:

The issue is that Mr Biz Jet Handling Agent, is trying to run a business, and is trying to appease his landlord (The Airport Owner/Authority), who in turn is trying to appease the Local Authority (In its many forms). The sad fact is that Free Thinkers and Spirits, are no longer welcome in the zoo. Tread carefully is the motto, or as Peter says, you just might get chucked out and banned. Very sad, but very true I am afraid.

As a footnote, try David Icke - Rise up off your knees world:8

[Bob Upanddown]

Maxred

This has nothing to do with Bizjets or handling agents and all to do with the pilots of small aircraft being denied access to their aircraft.

If you fly a nice new Cirrus, maybe you park it at an airport with an ILS, lighting and customs so you can use your Cirrus the way it was intended to be used. The down-side is you might have to go through a bit of security to get to it but think how secure your aircraft is.
If you have an old vfr-equipped PA28-140, maybe it lives in a barn on a grass strip where security is zero and your avgas gets nicked.

I don't see the need to call on David Icke to contemplate the answer. Which will be Purple.