PRESS RELEASE
The East Lothian Airfield Project
4th
APRIL 2006
Edinburgh Airport can no longer accommodate light aircraft at affordable rates. This leaves East Lothian without an airport for visiting light aircraft and recreational flying, Perth or Cumbernauld being the closest alternatives.
East Lothian has a strong tradition in aviation starting with airships at East fortune, early flying training at Macmerry, the famous Drem landing lights developed during the war. These airfields have all been developed for other uses and East Lothian finds itself without an airfield.
Six aviation enthusiasts nearing retirement have just applied for planning permission for an airfield at Castle Hill Farm, 1 kilometre South of Dirleton. The project is initially to be a grass strip, a clubhouse and a hangar.
The expanding aviation industry needs pilots, engineers, controllers along with a host of aviation related jobs. Traditionally many of these posts have been filled by Scots yet this tradition is fast dying out. The intention is to run courses open to anyone in full time education in Scotland to provide an introduction to the world of aviation.
This imaginative development will provide a vehicle for those with a lifetime of aviation experience to enjoy passing it on in order to inspire and motivate a new generation of Scots in aviation. Light aircraft owners and flying clubs will use the airfield facilities to introduce youngsters to all aspects of aviation.
The Popular Flying Association, one of the flying organisations involved have a very active East of Scotland “Strut” as it is called. They are plane builders and enthusiasts who have a complete machine shop and five or six aeroplanes under construction and as many flying. They also gave more than 200 youngsters experience flights last year as part of their youth program. This organisation desperately needs a base to continue
the good work.
Other flying Clubs along with the Air Training Corps have expressed an interest in using the proposed facilities along with aircraft owners who share our commitment to the concept of education in aviation. It is intended that revenue from the airfield operations will be used to finance the educational side. This is a non profit making venture which will to some extent be self financing.
Initially a recreational airfield with educational facilities it will also provide facilities for visiting light aircraft. Flying training and aircraft maintenance are also a possibility in the future. It is hoped that eventually the runway would be paved and this would allow East Lothian to be able to offer visiting tourists an airfield facility.
The East Lothian Airfield Project will be recreational, educational, and an economic asset to East Lothian as well as offering opportunities for youngsters across the whole of Scotland.