Lack of airfields
Have you noticed a large increase in military aircraft (mainly Helos) using small civilian airfields for fuel top up. Obviously due to the fact that we have just a handful of military airfields now in existence. Of course closing airfields saves HMG shed loads of loot, but I bet the cilvil servants did not take into account the commercial cost of using civil airfields. On Friday I was flying from Staverton and had to hold off whilst an Atlas made an approach. I know how much the MOD was charged for that approach; rather a lot! I suppose with all our assets in one basket, heavy AT from Brize will have to seek approaches elsewhere. When I instructed on VC10s we sometimes popped over to Lyneham for circuits. Now, not only is Lyneham closed, but all its Hercs are at Brize. Still, the increased trade for civil airfields is welcome news for their accounts, but it sure screws up the puddle-jump chaps. And just you try to do circuits at EGVN if you are a puddle-jumper!