I flew from EGTO yesterday whilst the beeb where on the plot - they took some footage of me taxying and, and also one of my better landings.
I believe the vandalism was fairly recent and possibly provoked by the recent use of an Eastern parking area over by Toys'R'Us. ie, the w**kers spotted aeroplanes while they were out nicking playstation games and decided to round off their day with a bit of vandalism. I gather they easily gained access to the Cessnas, but Piper's door latching systems were too complicated for them.
I cannot believe there could be any conspiracy behind it. The only 'locals' trying to get the airfield closed are the eejit Labour and Lib Dem councillors - the overwhelming majority (85% in one survey) of their constituants want the airfield kept open (a fact which we will be reminding them of when the next local elections come around).
On the whole, Rochester's security is pretty damned good. Whenever I'm on the field late at night (commitee meetings), the guards pop in and see what's happening, and t'other evening I found myself locked in 'cos the gates were locked, and a security chappy arrived in less than 3 minutes to check me out and let me out.
Did anybody see the whole article?
Steve R