PFA/Sywell fly-in
That's a new description, Sywell and HM Prison ! Aerodrome Security is a factor of post 9/11, is a requisite for European Skies ANSP Certification, and is a basic fact of aviation, it is not going to go away. Airside safety is paramount, fences work well in ensuring that.
There is a perfectly adequate viewing area in the Museum car park with access to the Aviator Hotel and it's lawn where good views can be had of all the aerodrome activites. If you were serious about learning to fly then you would ask to go the the flying school, either by prior arrangement, or on spec by asking someone at the aerodrome. Access details can be had from the Hotel, the Tower or any of the resident units when asked. We don't bite and are friendly ALL of the time despite peoples misconceptions ! With prior arrangement and subject to traffic levels I have and will continue to show visitors around the airfield and it's aircraft, so enough of this "Sywell unfriendly" nonsense. We have a great band of flyers and airfield staff here who all get on very well together with no internal bickering, some good banter, and it makes coming to work pleasurable.
As for the PFA weekend, well HAL-26 said it all. A cracking fly-in, with a great selection of aircraft and guys and gals. Over 300 stalls were invited, not our fault they didn't attend, probably something to do with Popham (again not Sywells fault !) Thanks for all the positive feedback for the weekend, the procedures were designed to lighten the load on pilots aswell as us Tower staff and it seemed to work well. 205 a/c Sat, 35 a/c sun was not bad for the first one given the weathers attempt to thwart proceedings. It seems, however, there are some people you just cannot please no matter what !
Jeff
Airfield Manager, Sywell