COVENTRY
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Reality check
It has now looking too late to save the airport.
ADP were ther airports best chance as they were trying to find a way to run it at less of a loss and build it up to the point were it could make money. The airport is now is hoping a flying millionaire will support the airport for year to come. His accountants will be looking at the books for a few weeks and then will tell him just how costly running the airport will be. If it was a long way from any other airport or in the south east then it may be viable. Being so close to BHX it needs to be cheaper to get signifcant traffic and that means living on very low margins. The delay in getting restarted has lead to a loss of some buisness that cannot be quickly regained.
ADP were ther airports best chance as they were trying to find a way to run it at less of a loss and build it up to the point were it could make money. The airport is now is hoping a flying millionaire will support the airport for year to come. His accountants will be looking at the books for a few weeks and then will tell him just how costly running the airport will be. If it was a long way from any other airport or in the south east then it may be viable. Being so close to BHX it needs to be cheaper to get signifcant traffic and that means living on very low margins. The delay in getting restarted has lead to a loss of some buisness that cannot be quickly regained.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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There's an underlying theme running through the CVT saga and tht is the unstated feeling in Coventry City Council and shared by many Coventry people that without its own Airport, the city will lose it's status as a 'big' city.
There's also of course the hope that if CVT can be retained, the Airport's passenger business would one day rise phoenix like to challenge BHX.once again.
No one likes to see redundancy, God knows we have seen enough of it in Birmingham and for the record, BHX is still shedding staff!
So does Coventry actually need an airport?
How many people are actually directly employed at CVT? If the airport site was turned over to office parks and light industry I suspect the jobs created would outnumber those still existing at CVT.
Can't build on the airport land due to the infamous Covenent?
There's no such thing as a covenent which can't be overturned by a High Court Judge.
As for jobs, our Regional Development Agency AWM has bribed Severn Trent to move its Birmingham Headquarters to Coventry - that's 1,200 jobs for the city which probably dwarfs any job losses at CVT.
Sir Peter Rigby is of course a Trustee of the RAF Museum so perhaps he has a secret plan to move the Cosford branch to Coventry - now that would be the perfect solution.
There's also of course the hope that if CVT can be retained, the Airport's passenger business would one day rise phoenix like to challenge BHX.once again.
No one likes to see redundancy, God knows we have seen enough of it in Birmingham and for the record, BHX is still shedding staff!
So does Coventry actually need an airport?
How many people are actually directly employed at CVT? If the airport site was turned over to office parks and light industry I suspect the jobs created would outnumber those still existing at CVT.
Can't build on the airport land due to the infamous Covenent?
There's no such thing as a covenent which can't be overturned by a High Court Judge.
As for jobs, our Regional Development Agency AWM has bribed Severn Trent to move its Birmingham Headquarters to Coventry - that's 1,200 jobs for the city which probably dwarfs any job losses at CVT.
Sir Peter Rigby is of course a Trustee of the RAF Museum so perhaps he has a secret plan to move the Cosford branch to Coventry - now that would be the perfect solution.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Not close enough to my aircraft !
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I was in the pub at lunchtime today an overheard somebody saying JUST that about Cosford. Is the runway at Coventry long enough to get the TSR2 off ?
Join Date: Jan 2007
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I understand that the Atlantic freighters are using BHX at £5 a ton less than CVT were charging.....If that is the case, they were probably charging too much and will have to reduce. If they have to reduce then they will make even less money........It's a bitch of a time in aviation...
Join Date: May 2008
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"Jenny,
You seem to take so much joy out of Coventrys failings I can only assume you either live with the NImbys in Stoneleigh or are a disgruntled ex employee. I rather suspect the latter.
If not why the smugness at its failings? would you rather see houses or an airstrip from your ivory tower.
I just cant fathom why it failing is so enjoyable for you, particularly with so many peoples jobs at risk, especially as the previous incumbents who ran it so poorly have gone and now the site is looking for a new begining."
You seem to take so much joy out of Coventrys failings I can only assume you either live with the NImbys in Stoneleigh or are a disgruntled ex employee. I rather suspect the latter.
If not why the smugness at its failings? would you rather see houses or an airstrip from your ivory tower.
I just cant fathom why it failing is so enjoyable for you, particularly with so many peoples jobs at risk, especially as the previous incumbents who ran it so poorly have gone and now the site is looking for a new begining."
Never been an employee of the airport, disgruntled or otherwise.
Take no joy in the failings of the airport at all, If you check my postings on this thread merely posted with realism, rather than the unfounded optimism or rather delusion of some others.
Of course I take no joy that anybody's jobs are at risk, but at the same time have to say that anybody who hadn't noticed that the airport has been dying on it's arse for the last couple of years and that the current situation wasn't coming was willfully sticking their head in the sand.
Anybody who still has a business that depends on Coventry should, if they haven't already, be looking into alternatives. Passively waiting for some sugar daddy to take it over and run it at a loss so that you can run your business(whatever it is) as a strategy has no sympathy from me I'm afraid.
Last edited by JennyB; 17th Feb 2010 at 19:52.
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Latest local story here...Coventry Telegraph - News - Coventry News - Tycoon Sir Peter Rigby starts Coventry Airport takeover talks
Seems he wants to keep it small and for once no mention of any Airlines. But once again they get exclusive Due Diligence....So nothing to get excited about there then!!??
Seems he wants to keep it small and for once no mention of any Airlines. But once again they get exclusive Due Diligence....So nothing to get excited about there then!!??
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Jenny,
In respect of your recent post, thank you for taking the time to reply, and I fully respect what you have written, and I agree with a lot of what you have stated.
Seeing the airport implode as it has, from fairly close quarters has been depressing, more so due to the poor management involved, working with a seriously flawed buisness plan.
Personally I hope the airport is successfully taken over, with a sound and achievable buisnessplan in place, whatever that may be, focussing on a smaller and achievable operation, primarily so that those loyal firms who have been there through thick and thin can continue in buisness.
In respect of your recent post, thank you for taking the time to reply, and I fully respect what you have written, and I agree with a lot of what you have stated.
Seeing the airport implode as it has, from fairly close quarters has been depressing, more so due to the poor management involved, working with a seriously flawed buisness plan.
Personally I hope the airport is successfully taken over, with a sound and achievable buisnessplan in place, whatever that may be, focussing on a smaller and achievable operation, primarily so that those loyal firms who have been there through thick and thin can continue in buisness.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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... full time ground school stops tomorrow. A great shame, I did full time ATPL with them three years ago.
In future full time ground school will be in Jordan ( ah yes, I can see that people will go to a stable area like the Middle East for 6 months for just this purpose ) as wlll "hours buidling". Although I never knew of anyone who did do hours building at AFT.
Just the CPL and IR will be done in the UK, at Doncaster. Makes sense since they have not been able to use Coventry for 3 months.
Distance learning will still be available.
In future full time ground school will be in Jordan ( ah yes, I can see that people will go to a stable area like the Middle East for 6 months for just this purpose ) as wlll "hours buidling". Although I never knew of anyone who did do hours building at AFT.
Just the CPL and IR will be done in the UK, at Doncaster. Makes sense since they have not been able to use Coventry for 3 months.
Distance learning will still be available.
With respect, I'm not sure whether you're a current or former employee of AFT, but please get with the facts (Oh, and for the record, I'm an FI at AFT).
- A definitive decision on the future of ATPL Groundschool has not yet been made.
- A definitive decision on a possible relocation away from CVT has again not yet been made, although Doncaster (and other sites) remain an option.
- AFT has had a SHB ('Structured Hour Building' to you) programme for many years - I've sent and flown with many AFT students on hour-building trips.
- IR trips are currently been done out of Cranfield, with PPL and CPL flights out of Wellesbourne
I hope this clarifies.
HW
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Is that new applicants for G/S or groundschool itself that is ceasing?
If it is the latter,what about the guys that are currently doing the course?
Comes to something when you get news off a public forum first!
If it is the latter,what about the guys that are currently doing the course?
Comes to something when you get news off a public forum first!
Join Date: Feb 2010
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No more groundschool - and yes appalling if people have not been informed - not entirely surprising though - This is fairly typical of AFT these days I am afraid. I hope there are options in place which do not involve a spell in the desert!!
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This news just in CAA announces go-ahead for flying training from unlicensed aerodromes | CAA Newsroom | CAA
That means G-RICH wins the first set 3-2
New Balls please!
Sir George Cayley
That means G-RICH wins the first set 3-2
New Balls please!
Sir George Cayley
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Sir George
not quite 3-2 it still has to become law
quote from your link
"Until the change to the legislation has been made the regulation requiring flight training to take place at a licensed airfield remains in place. Once the Government completes the change the CAA will issue notification to the GA community."
so you still need a licensed AD until that time and if you want to fly instrument approaches then your hand will still have to dig deep into your pocket!
But hey at least its a step in the right direction
not quite 3-2 it still has to become law
quote from your link
"Until the change to the legislation has been made the regulation requiring flight training to take place at a licensed airfield remains in place. Once the Government completes the change the CAA will issue notification to the GA community."
so you still need a licensed AD until that time and if you want to fly instrument approaches then your hand will still have to dig deep into your pocket!
But hey at least its a step in the right direction
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Go to leicester.
You'll never get tarmac between kilo and bravo theres no need.
You don't need the ruwnay inspecting, why can't the planes do it?
I'd rather have a fireman than a tea maker.
What do you need 3 people in the tower for? Why don't you just use the person who's taking the landing fee's to pass the wind?
What happens when the CAA take the council or the person running the lease to court because of the number of airspace infringements at Birmingham? Its proven that with ATC and radar at cov it keeps the CAA happy and has reduced infringements substantially.
I would love to be the one pulling you out when your stuck on the alpha grass in your ford fiesta - but then as i've pointed out you don't even need that!
You have a mental health issue when it comes to high vis jackets. Why bother chocking aircraft? Its all for saftey all ultimatly recommended by the CAA - just pick and choose the bits that suit you ey?
Ever thought high vis jackets play other roles, ATC can spot you from the tower, you can be seen at night, people don't think your just some randomer walking round the airport. Any self respecting person would wear one for their saftey and other's saftey.
You know for someone who is into aviation you really don't like much about proper airports. The fact that Coventry has all the things it has is what makes it so great. Because small airports you can train at that are similar to larger airports do pilots a world of good, learning with full ATC, radar services, proper fire services and intergrating with larger aircraft. Clearly you would much prefer to land in a field and i suggest your probably better doing that.
You'll never get tarmac between kilo and bravo theres no need.
You don't need the ruwnay inspecting, why can't the planes do it?
I'd rather have a fireman than a tea maker.
What do you need 3 people in the tower for? Why don't you just use the person who's taking the landing fee's to pass the wind?
What happens when the CAA take the council or the person running the lease to court because of the number of airspace infringements at Birmingham? Its proven that with ATC and radar at cov it keeps the CAA happy and has reduced infringements substantially.
I would love to be the one pulling you out when your stuck on the alpha grass in your ford fiesta - but then as i've pointed out you don't even need that!
You have a mental health issue when it comes to high vis jackets. Why bother chocking aircraft? Its all for saftey all ultimatly recommended by the CAA - just pick and choose the bits that suit you ey?
Ever thought high vis jackets play other roles, ATC can spot you from the tower, you can be seen at night, people don't think your just some randomer walking round the airport. Any self respecting person would wear one for their saftey and other's saftey.
You know for someone who is into aviation you really don't like much about proper airports. The fact that Coventry has all the things it has is what makes it so great. Because small airports you can train at that are similar to larger airports do pilots a world of good, learning with full ATC, radar services, proper fire services and intergrating with larger aircraft. Clearly you would much prefer to land in a field and i suggest your probably better doing that.
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Doncaster
Just the CPL and IR will be done in the UK, at Doncaster.
The reason I ask is I'm looking for a training providor to start in May.
Many thanks.
manxcat
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Manx , im sure that valkyrie and HW will agree that maybe you should keep your options open at the mo to see if AFT stabilises after the recent upsets and alterations to the company structure / location , or else go 'pay as you fly' im currently trying to obtain the money back that i have had to pay out to them !
niknak
Join Date: Dec 2001
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On the basis of what has been revealed so far, i.e no organisaton with an ounce of commercial nouse is prepared to take on Coventry as a going commercial concern, then the local councils who own the land have an obligation to the local rate payers to sell it for the highest possible price.
If it was that simple one wonders why Mike Collet didnt do exactly that immediately instead of walking away and not coming back - perhaps he saw the light.
If that means it is sold to GRICH Ltd, who will then be free to run the place as he sees fit at considerable expense to himself, so be it.
Realistaclly chaps, no one is going to pick up the airport site for sixpence, your chance to that has long gone, what now remains is a huge site with huge potential - but never as an airport or an airfield of any kind.
If it was that simple one wonders why Mike Collet didnt do exactly that immediately instead of walking away and not coming back - perhaps he saw the light.
If that means it is sold to GRICH Ltd, who will then be free to run the place as he sees fit at considerable expense to himself, so be it.
Realistaclly chaps, no one is going to pick up the airport site for sixpence, your chance to that has long gone, what now remains is a huge site with huge potential - but never as an airport or an airfield of any kind.
Last edited by niknak; 20th Feb 2010 at 18:08.