What's wrong with Biggin

[IMC1]

I have always found Biggin very helpful, but, after a glorious days flying last week, my last sector back to Biggin (over 2 hours) placed me at Biggin at 20:05 according to my trusty GPS. All London info could gain for me was a short closing extension and a £250!!! Extension fee. While I accept it was my fault, I think £250 is a bit steep. Surely Biggin can allow for a small margin on these issues. FYI - I diverted elsewhere instead and saved the dosh…IMC

[Timothy]

I guess that it's a combination of having to pay all those controllers, firemen etc and not wanting to encourage you to do it again.

Where did you find open? MC?

[Hersham Boy]

I've had same issue at Redhill. 3 minutes too late on return from glorious IOW Sandown.

That said, once landed I was let-off with a 'don't do it again'...

So I guess my point is, 119.6 probably isn't the best divert frequency if you find yourself in same situation again! :O

Hersh

[SATCO Biggin]

Ok, a few points...

Firstly we operate in accordance with a lease agreement from the local council and that states what we can and cannot do. There are more than enough NIMBY's around the airfield boundary and cameras set up by the council trying to catch us out and give us a grilling.

Secondly we are allowed to extend the airport hours by one hour at either end of the day for specific reasons and provided a request has been filed with the aerodrome authority well in advance. For approved extensions we have to provide full ATC and Fire cover (not an ANO requirement but a local one) and that costs money.

Thirdly, in the past when we have let someone drop in a few minutes late it has led to people 'stretching' the point further and further. We once had an instructor up here who took great pleasure in arranging his landings to be just after published closing time, and then pushing it back minute by minute.

Fourthly, I dont know if I would plan a two hour flight to terminate close to an airport closing time. Not enough time for those little delaying factors that can occur. I normally plan to be on the ground half an hour before closing time. I get less grey hairs that way (and I have got enough already).

Sorry if you were inconvenienced but the operational staff do not write the rules around here....

Regards

[Whipping Boy's SATCO]

.... and absolutely nothing to do with the airport being under new management.

[IMC1]

Tkx for your reply SATCO Biggin. I understand your issues...it's just it was so frustrating.

Timothy FYI - Went to Southend open 24hrs.

[SATCO Biggin]

.... and absolutely nothing to do with the airport being under new management.

Correct, absolutely nothing to do with that as the Managers are all the same people. Actually the out of hours fee was dreamt up many many years ago long before this lot took over. In fact I do not think they have put the fee up at all in ages.

When I started in 19 'frozen over' it was down to the a/g operator at the time to decide if he was going to stay open for a late movement. Then he got to pocket the fee all for himself in cash off of the pilot. (not that it was £250 in those days). It made it more attractive to stay fro some strange reason. :rolleyes:

[Big Hilly]

I suppose, if you think about it, £250 isn't too bad a deal.

Look at it this way:
20 mins fuel either way to Sarfend: Let’s say £70
10 mins extra fuel on the ground: £10
Landing charge & overnight parking: (Don’t know what they charge but let’s say £25)
Hotel for the night: £100
Taxi to and from hotel: £20
Fish and chips: £5
Drink from the mini-bar: £20

Yup, that’s pretty much bang on £250. . . . and you get home that night and save yourself a lot of earache from the missus. . . . . .


BH