Originally Posted by
POBJOY
Biggin Hill is not a charitable trust dedicated to promoting GA, it is a business that seeks to maximise its assets and also appease disgruntled locals. At the same time its landlord does not get any brownie points by 'helping' GA and wants a quiet life from the local 'electorate'. Result; GA/training will always loose out because they have no corporate clout, and no business clout to fight the situation. It is so sad that this proud bastion of fighting for freedom and protecting its country when in peril, has descended into the realms of being a 'profit centre' rather than its traditional home of aviation. Biggin has had a huge input over the years and seen its engineers and pilots making a real contribution to all levels of aviation all over the world. We are hopeless in this country at protecting such places that have nurtured the skills that 'oil the wheels', and the Oaks from Acorns scenario cuts no dice when 'Money' prevails.
But that's exactly as Gloucestershire Airport. It's owned by the local councils and has the same issues with noise (Churchdown mainly but all parts of the county moan) and manages to attract both corporate and leisure and previously scheduled services and doesn't do too badly. It's actually expanding with the businesses on site.