More a clumsy attempt at revenue creation, mandated at MoD level and a consequence of the endless defence cuts over the last couple of decades. Certainly not something easily changed or avoided. In fact it seemed to be such a bureaucratic pain in the arse, that in the space of 10 years in a green flying suit, I only ever flew a private aircraft into an RAF station on one occasion.
AS for your last paragraph, nice try, but you must try harder if you're looking for a bite.