I am often amazed by the sheer lack of business acumen demonstrated by some airfields and the 29 mentioned above includes some. As a private pilot / owner, I choose where I go. If I am going to be charged £10 to land, I will avoid the place and go somewhere else if I can. (How many pubs and hotels do you know who charge you to pitch up and use their car-park?)
Secondly, when a pilot is facing a diversion decision, the financial standing of the local airfield is not on his mind. But the cost of landing there most definitely is. It's not just the landing fee, its the taxis, telephone calls, overnight parking charges, accommodation etc. which weigh on the mind and can (and do) cause push-on-itis. Twice I've had to divert because of weather this year. Once into Cranfield - they couldn't have been nicer. No fees and no parking charges as long as I flew out again at MY first opportunity which was 3 days later. I spent a small fortune in the cafe and I will DEFINITELY visit them next time I can. And pay the landing fees! This testimony alone must be worth a landing fee.The other time was in France. 'Oh no M'sieu. We don't charge single engines, only twins.....'
Finally, Conington. I called in by car the other day. Nice club, nice bar, good food. Ideal for me commuting up and down the country. But not for a tenner a time! So the only time I'll call in there is when I'm in the car.....
Airfields are years behind the rest of modern businesses in their approach to their customers. They've got to make it worthwhile for pilots to fly in, otherwise they will remain tumbleweed and nostalgia. Pah!
