Airport encroachments and safety issues
The media reads posts to this site so perhaps it's time we all start to record the state of our airports and local airfields, and the development encroachments on and around them that potentially impact safety. Perhaps some keen investigative journalist might actually start asking questions about the people behind the appropriation of airport land and their influence?
At my home town, Shepparton Airport was outside the town boundary and there were opportunities to purchase adjoining farmland to extend the main and cross-strip runways. But the Council and the developers (funny that) saw the vacant land and it was subdivided instead. There are now houses and factories up against the aerodrome boundary and the difficulty of finding somewhere to go if there is an EFATO is increasing literally on a daily basis as more and more houses go up. This is in a country area with opportunities to expand in all directions but the airport is being built in.
Council owns the airport so stands to make a tidy sum if it gets turned over to developers. Along with some of the bright business people, Council is now talking about a new and bigger airport further out so that bigger aircraft can operate. Of course those of us who fly from there now will never be able to afdord the cost-recovery rates and other charges that will be levied so little GA will become even littler all over again.
"It's all about the money......!"
Kaz
Last edited by kaz3g; 25th Feb 2017 at 18:01.