Biggin Hill CEO Strikes Again!!! - This time he comes for the Scouts
Press Notice
Gate Closes on Friday 30th September for Air Scouts at Biggin Hill
After more than 30 years, Air Scouts based at Biggin Hill have been told to pack up and push off after their lease was terminated 3½ years early, to provide parking for just a few more vehicles! They have been given six weeks to vacate their premises and remove valuable equipment including their Comet flight simulator.
The management team at Biggin Hill Airport Limited has decided they no longer want Scout Groups from across Bromley, South London and the Home Counties to benefit from an introduction to the aviation world or to have access to the various historic sites providing a tangible understanding of British 2nd World War history.
Whilst alternative accommodation was briefly offered to the Air Scouts, this was quickly withdrawn once BHAL decided the premises could be better and more profitably used for commercial purposes.
Scouts’ Air Adviser Ian Piper said: “We are all very sad that our association with the airport has come to an end. During our time here we have introduced over 10,000 young people to the delights of aviation and hopefully some of them will become our pilots of the future. We were prepared to meet all the stringent health, safety and security conditions put forward by the airport, on top of our own existing comprehensive care arrangements. Sadly this was not enough to secure our position at the airfield.
“Right now, we are all hoping for a solution that will prevent our historic Comet flight simulator from being scrapped. The flight simulator allows young people, many from underprivileged backgrounds to experience a unique flight experience by piloting a rare 1950’s airliner. This also poses questions to the viability of the other smaller businesses located on the airfield. We also feel that it is essential that the remaining historic WW2 structures at Biggin Hill be listed as quickly as possible to ensure they are protected for future generations.
“If there is anyone who thinks they could offer us assistance, we would welcome hearing from you.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Scout Aviation Centre (SAC) is operated by South London Scouts, a registered charity (reg no 303883) with leaders from South and South East London.
Scouts have used the facilities at Biggin Hill Airport since the 1960s with a Scout aviation building on the current site since 1985. It does not receive any public funding or subsidy and relies entirely on fees from users and donations for its upkeep. All staff are volunteers – there are no paid staff.
Its users comprise mostly Scout Association members from Bromley and other South London Boroughs, and visitors from nearby Scout campsites. It has also hosted young people from other youth organisations e.g. Air Training Corps and Girl Guides, as well as schools.
It gives young people an introduction to aviation in a practical environment, at an age when it will build their enthusiasm. The youngest users have been 6-7 year old Beaver Scouts.
The key purpose of the SAC is to give Scouts safe, supervised access to aircraft lent by private owners and flying clubs, and a chance to learn about our heritage through properly escorted tours.
An example of the excellent relationship the Scouts enjoy with companies on the Airport comes from Amarjit Singh Bamrah, owner of Falcon Flying Services, Surrey & Kent Flying Club and EFG Flying School. His team have been actively supporting the Scouts for decades and commented ‘You all are part of Biggin Hill’s Heritage and an important part of our community as many scouts have learnt flying and progressed to greater careers. You have our full support and we pray some situation is sorted out soon’.
The current lease (15 years) does not expire until June 2018. It is coming to an end only because BHAL decided in January to terminate it 3½ years early.
We have not benefitted from a ‘heavily subsidised’ or peppercorn rent for the site. The rent per square foot is in line with local market conditions. It may seem relatively low because we provided the building and the services connections ourselves, so we were only renting the ground it stands on.
The Comet Flight Simulator was restored by the Scouts over a period of years at a cost of £3,000 with computer screens replacing the original analogue instruments. It can simulate flights to most civil airports in the UK and the rest of the world.
The SAC sits on the footprint of a wartime RAF fighter Squadron dispersal area, appropriate given that the Air Scout branch took off following interest generated by the Battle of Britain. Until recently the Scouts learnt about the history through tours of the surviving wartime installations and once a year access for the general public at Open House events.
The last event programmed to be held at the Centre is a Flight Simulator experience day on Monday 30 August. Media visitors are welcome on that occasion.
For enquiries please DM