.........and I never mentioned the OPS Director, anxious to impress, took over a survey project, got 02 & 20 mixed up, and had the survey done on the wrong end of the runway!
In the 1990s the CAA recognised that there was a distinct lack of technical expertise at many UK airports. These were the days of non aviation companies looking at airports as gold mines and snapping them up, what ever happened to National Express' venture into the airport business? The CAA brought out a document (CAP 700) to set out technical skills necessary to manage airports, problem it is only a code of practice, albeit that the ANO Article 211 requires that an applicant for an Aerodrome Licence is "competent". Unlike pilots or controllers you don't have to take exams to prove competency to become an Aerodrome Licence holder. A fancy CV will do!