Swansea Downscaling?

[2close]

It's been heard that Air Wales is pulling out of Swansea and commercial operations ceasing in October. Apparently, voluntary redundancies are being offered with only a handful of staff being kept on.

This has come out only a week or so after an announcement that landing fees, hangarage and fuel costs are being increased.

It seems that the Approach Control facility will go and be replaced by an AG service only. But for how long?

Watch this space for future developments.

[Flyin'Dutch']

The up and downgrading of Swansea seems to be as regular as the tide in the estuary.

Sorry to see that it has not worked out as well as hoped.

FD

[Genghis the Engineer]

Simultaneously, the University of Wales at Swansea has created a degree in aerospace engineering, and is making a point of advertising that it's next to an airport where it's students will be able to gain exposure to real aeroplanes.

Strange world we live in isn't it.

G

[Kolibear]

Students will be able to gain exposure to real aeroplanes.

Which will re-open the debate ''Whats a REAL aeroplane? Taildragger? Biplane? Spamcan? etc

Or maybe the purpose of the course is to establish once and for all the true definition of a Real Aeroplane

:O

[Flyin'Dutch']

No debate needed!

Our pride and joy:

http://members.lycos.nl/aviator/aviation/images/G-BVFT-13106-big.jpg

As you can see it is suitably equipped for IF practice.

:D

FD

[Genghis the Engineer]

In the context of a university course in aeronautics, a real aeroplane is one with real wings and engine, that is capable of leaving the ground with somebody in it.

As opposed to one that is drawn, simulated, mathematically modelled, thought deeply about, has been taken apart and all that remains is half a wing in the back of a laboratory, or possibly exists somewhere and is flying, but you couldn't possibly allow students near it.

G

[Just Cruisin]

Only Slightly off-topic!
:( Current AFE guide quotes SE landig fee as £9, and 50% off with fuel uplift.
Phone call gives £11 and no discount.

[LowNSlow]

That's cos it's an airport at the moment with paying punters going through it rather than an airfield. Delusions of grandeur methinks which would put my back up if I was based there.

The only saving grace about the whole issue is that the land won't suffer developer's interest. When the RAF built RAF Fairwood Common (aka Swansea International Spaceport) part of the contract/charter was that if the land was no longer to be used as an airfield then it had to be returned to the common land that it was pre-construction.

It's a shame that it's all so unstable, it's a nice enough place. It's close to the lovely beaches of the Gower Peninsular, a great gateway to exploring West and Mid-Wales and has decent facilites and runways (two less recently though according to the NOTAMS).

Ah well, good luck to those that are left, I hope it all settles down satisfactorily for you.

[duality]

The problem SWS has is that nobody has ever really invested in the infrastructure.

ILS - Can't be used due marking and geographical problems.

Hangar - Circa 1940's with the same repair state

Tower - OLD wooden clad building with SERIOUS visibility problems

Oh, and everything else is made of portacabins.

If a "tenant" (Council actually own the airport) actually made the place at least look like a serious airfield, then maybe more paying punters would have taken it seriously.

Thoughts...?

D