SHEFFIELD CITY

[jarvis123]

What is the state of play at EGSY, now that the 10 years that it had to stay an airport are up? Are there any signs that the proposed changes are going to happen. Or is the airport to continue to run 'as is' with all its runway remaing intacted?

[SteelCity]

Does this help?

www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1966794 (http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1966794)

[jarvis123]

Thanks for that.

Well only in Sheffield can a new airport be opened and closed within 10 years!

They can add it to other 'successes' like the World Student Games, Supertram and The Centre for Popular Music.

What will happen to the GA businesses there? I don't think Robin Hood will be welcoming them with open arms.

[captainyonder]

I can never understand why someone like Eastern Airways didn't come in and operate from the airport. The Belfast link was always popular under BA and could easily have continued.

[jongeman]

Flybe would work at Sheffield, or Aer Arran to Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, Jersey, Amsterdam.

[AlphaWhiskyRomeo]

Flybe would work at Sheffield, or Aer Arran to Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, Jersey, Amsterdam.


Would the runway length support decent loads in/out of EGSY on Dash 8s/Q400s?

And is their really sufficient demand with LBA and MAN within easy driving reach?

[airhumberside]

Flybe would work at Sheffield, or Aer Arran to Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, Jersey, Amsterdam.
Aer Arann tried and failed on Sheffield-DUB (and so did BA)

[niknak]

Sheffield was only ever developed as a planning SOP to get Robin Hood started.
Peel did what they had to do, much as MAN PLC allegedly took on HUY to get RWY 2 at MAN.

It's a shame, but unless anyone else is prepared to take on the running costs, why should the ratepayers of Yorkshire support it?

[UnkleAzazael]

It's been confirmed today. Sheffield City Airport will make way for yet another half empty business park.

[SNAFU.]

Confirmed where? When is this likely to happen? Things don't happen overnight and im told that plans can always be rejected and opposed, although this could be delaying the inevitable.

[Chilli Monster]

Admittedly the only place I could find was on the South Yorkshire part of the BBC news website - click on the radio news broadcast link, it was the first item in the 7.00 pm news

[UnkleAzazael]

Sorry, I should have qualified that last statement.

A planning meeting was held today and according to the BBC and Hallam FM's 18:00 News the decision was made to move in the bulldozers. There was no indication of timescale but I would expect details to be available from Sheffield City Council (http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/) over the next couple of days.

Either way, I doubt something like this will happen over night.

[GyroSteve]

http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1973838

[jongeman]

What a waste. I understand that Sheffield council tax payers cannot be expected to subsidise a loss-making facility, but surely with an urban population of 1.4 million, certain services (inc Belfast, Jersey and the rest) could have been viable.

Very easy to build a business park on a runway, but extremely difficult to change your mind twenty years later.

[Fokkerwokker]

I have used the facility on a fairly regular basis in a Cessna 340 over the last year and don't ever recollect seeing any other obvious business aircraft parked on a daystop there. A bit of local light aircraft training and some chopper movements apparent but not a lot else.

I wonder if some appropriate marketing would have helped? I would have thought instrument training alone (with a useable ILS installed) would have brought in a good cashflow or am I being naive?

I shall miss the free lunch offered to pilots of twins!

Shame - nice bunch up there.

FW

[Noah Zark.]

As I have remarked before, several companies moved to the area, lured by the proximity and prestige of the airport.
I wonder what their thoughts are?

[EGCA]

I understood that the Council in Sheffield had agreed to the closure, but cannot find anything specific via Google. Nothing on the airport website.

Anyone in South Yorkshire have any latest information please?

Thanks

EGCA

[niknak]

As far as I have been informed, the Company that bought it at the end of 2006, also have the right to covert it to non aviation use if their case is justified......
Whatever that means..........

[Mr Rowntree]

I was told the new owners are going to make it into the countries biggest heliport, I know the National Grid have a few choppers at the airport!

[diginagain]

Billund has Legoland.
Sheffield has.....er.

[nav3]

........Stainless Steel manufacturers with lots of Knives and Forks !! :p

[Noah Zark.]

Sheffield has.....er
.....A Dinosaur of a City Council!

[Marshman]

This the the latest from The Star, Sheffield http://www.thestar.co.uk/template/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=5079&ArticleID=1984788

[EGCA]

So...
When is it likely to close as a fixed-wing facility?

Without going too far off-topic, what a pity that none of the other possible sites for a Sheffield general aviation facility were never developed.

The still semi-derelict Norton RAF site (actually at Gleadless) was once a possibility, but has never been developed for..well, anything really! Something to do with the fact that AFAIK it actually lies within Derbyshire, and not South Yorkshire? Large site, but never had runways as such. Too built-around now.

Pre-war there was a grass airfield at what is now the Jordanthorpe housing estate, and my father recalls seeing Sir Alan Cobham's "flying circus" there.

There is also the current airfield at Coal Aston (actually Apperknowle) in North Derbyshire (EGCA) opened by United Steel Corp. in the 1960's. Unfortunately United Steel appeared to miss the trick by siting the strip on an undulating site with a tall stand of trees 150 yards from the Eastern end, guaranteeing some interesting go-arounds by their first execute twin, a big Piaggio P166 gull-wing pusher.

There was a much better level and potentially longer site for a strip about a quarter of a mile North, partly on the site of what is now Wards Garden Centre.

I guess the best that can be hoped for now is the retention of a decent helicopter facility on part of EGSY, and fixed wing goes to Finningley (if they will have them) Sandtoft, or Gamston (if they will have them)?

Not exactly progress is it?:bored:

EGCA

[EGCA]

Nothing new on the Sheffield City Airport website, so has anyone in the Sheffield area heard any recent news about a closure date for Sheffield City please?

Local press or radio maybe?

Thanks

EGCA

[Mr Rowntree]

Meadowhall as a heliport wouldn't be used by things like robbo 22's and the like though so thats 1 reason to not just make meadowhell a heliport

[EGCA]

Nothing new on the Airport website, or via Google. It has gone very quiet.

Anyone in the Steel City heard anything about closure? ...at least to fixed wing?

Thanks

EGCA

[pilotinthemakin]

No news as of yet mate.

I heard from a few guys at one of the schools that they don't even know when it's goin to stop fixed wings.

It's a shame though. Great airport except the left immediate left turn once you hit 500ft. A fair few bad comments about a flight school there though. But that's got nothing to do with it.

As soon as I here anything i'll let you know.

Rob:ok:

[EGCA]

Just bringing this back to the top....


Nothing new on the Sheffield City website, and good to see a shot of a well-populated apron at Sheffield City on the ITV News the other day, as their reporter boarded their helio for a tour round the worst of the flooded areas.

Maybe as far as the closure of Sheffield City is concerned, "no news is good news"...

EGCA

[jarvis123]

Flew over Sheffield today and the City Airport looks very much in one piece and active.

The other night I found the Sheffield Busines Park/ Blue Skies plans, which show a certain amount of runway intact. Does anyone know how much runway (i.e. length) will be left for aviation use if (or when) the Business Park plans go ahead?

[eltonioni]

400m, anticipated in around three years, heli only... maybe... perhaps.
Mind you, the first time EFATO might bring it early. Hope it's not me.

[jarvis123]

Why heli's only?

You would get some SEP fixed wings in on that...maybe... perhaps...just!

[BYALPHAINDIA]

I think it's days are over now??

I should think the people of Sheffield will be waiting for the £2 mill refunded that was wasted on this 'toy town airport':hmm:

[eltonioni]

"Why heli's only?"
Because they say so. Some of us might not be overly concerned at 400m of tarmac (aeroplane willing) but not everyone usually flies from Netherthorpe ;)

"Toy Town?"
What makes you say that? It's actually a very good GA airfield with good facilities and a nice runway with a A/G service that's not usually too big for its boots. The climb out on 28 might be woeful and there's not much parking but it's cheap, there is a dual carriageway right into the city centre, it's next to the motorway, and it's as good a GA airport as I can think of. Evidence of that is the number of bizjets, turboprops and biz-helis that come in and out. Nowt (much) wrong with it.



The politics of its demise is another story.

[BYALPHAINDIA]

As far as I know it was never designed for GA use, I am not saying it is not a good GA Airport, But it had big plans at it's opening.

It seems both the Airport's owners & the Sheffield council gave up on their 'Doorstep' Airport??:hmm:

[eltonioni]

Sadly Sheffield Council don't see past the bucket and spade brigade and simply don't understand what GA is and can be.

The location and facility is just superb for business but you have to remember that Sheffield is the city where only recently a leading Labour Councillor said 'Sheffield doesn't care about fancy shops because Sheffield women don't want posh frocks'. Sometimes the City seems to enjoy reverting in being 'solid working class and a bit thick int' 'ead.' :(

Peel as owners... well they have enough nouse to outwit ten Sheffield Councils. They now have a shiney business park site that cost them precisely one pound for the land.

[REMF123]

Elton.

I agree. Cracking place to earn your spurs. Lots of potential to build on. Should be booming with the business growth in the area. What idiot is deciding to close EGSY? What is happening now the monkey at Doncaster has gone?

[SFCC]

Would you be reffering to Mr. R***l?

[EGCA]

Nothing new on the airport website. Last "news" was a job vacancy last August.
Helicopter-wise the police have a base there, and I thought I read that the second Yorkshire air ambulance is to be based at Sheffield City?

Sheffield still needs a suitable GA airfield, if you discount Netherthorpe (short runways) and Coal Aston ( low weekly movements limit), where else is there?
I assume also that Finningley can be discounted GA-wise? Or not?

EGCA

[A.Agincourt]

Heard today that the staff have been given 90 days notice. If correct then the field will effectively be closed to GA. Either this is a scare or Peel and co are trying to get rid of staff before possible redundancy payments etc. Anyone got any info?

[SteelCity]

According to another Forum I read, the closure date has been given as 22 April 2008 :(

[niknak]

Peel bought the site circa 2002 shortly after it had proven beyond all doubt that it had no future as a commercial enterprise, but they agreed to fund it's continuing existence until such time as they could get planning permission and develop Finningly.

Peel spent in the region of £8m purchasing and running Sheffield to date, the local ratepayers have contributed virtually nothing through local taxes, nearly all the original development costs came from the EEC and Central Government.

The site will contribute far more to the local economy as an industrial estate than it ever did or ever will as an airport.

What will happen to the existing businesses? well that's entirely down to them. There is room at Doncaster for a Flying Training Organisation, it's a question of if anyone in the aviation community has the nouse to go and thrash out a deal with Peel.

Finally, as far as I understand it, the site has a limited life as an airport due to the fact that is basically built on the site of an open cast mine and slag heap, which is continually moving to the extent that it would be OK for industrial use but not for the maintenace of a licensed runway.

Any of you who run your own businesses will know that this is the real world, so if anyone wants to buy the site - open your cheque book.

[Pielots]

Is it true Sheffield City Airport is closing, and all aircraft is to go. Except police and air amubulance.

What about TAMS?

[jarvis123]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=310041

[Rescue One]

Peel To Close Airport Officially April 21st, Fire Cover To Remain Until End Of April And Then The Runway Will Be Dug Up And Developed Into A Business Park. So The Prime Land Gets To Be Purchased For £1. Because The Airport Was Not Viable. It Was Never Run To Be Viable. I Wish I Could Do Deals Like That !.

What About The Large Operators Who Have Tried Recently To Establish Sheffield As An Operating Base Which Could Have Kept The Airport Alive With Charter Ops ??. Turned Away.

Sheffield Council Should Be Ashamed Of Themselves Allowing This To Happen.

[nema/robin hood]

1. There is already a thread under SHEFFIELD CITY:=

2. What's with all the CAPITAL letter's at the start of each word in your post???:confused:

[Sky Conductor]

Yeah..Dont Come On Here Unless You Know How To Write Properly!!

[TURIN]

Superb news.

Cross country flights back on from Bradwell Edge then. :D

[Suzeman]

What About The Large Operators Who Have Tried Recently To Establish Sheffield As An Operating Base Which Could Have Kept The Airport Alive With Charter Ops ??. Turned Away.


And which Large Operators would that be who could use Sheffield's very short runway with its interesting obstacle regime with the type of aircraft that the charter operators use? :confused:

Suzeman

[Rescue One]

Queens flight managed ok in a shorts 360, Citation jets manage ok, how much runway do you need !!
KLM used to manage ok, do you get my message

[call100]

Make a lot of money out of the Queens flight????:rolleyes:

[Andy_S]

Do many charter op's use Citation Jet's and Flying Shed's??

[FlyboyUK]

I used to enjoy flying in there in the J41 for BRAL, pity it never worked for them

[SteelCity]

It's official "The Star can reveal"

http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Airport-to-close-due-to.3758371.jp

[MAN777]

Why cant I get deals in life like that !!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:

[ara01jbb]

It's finally over ... license expired this evening at 20h00 BST. Here come the bulldozers and another business park. :(

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7359213.stm

Sheffield reclaims its pre-SZD title as the largest city in Europe without its own airport. And no. DSA doesn't count. :E

Your thoughts, opinions, eulogies, reminiscences ... ?

[Wiggly Bob]

Peel blame the 9/11 attacks for the failure of the airport! What a crock of sh*t.

[StoneyBridge Radar]

It's going to court....

http://www.uk-airport-news.info/sheffield-airport-news-200408.htm

Stoney

[jarvis123]

I wouldn't hold up too much hope... I believe that Hatfield came very close to being saved. The developers there just dug up the centre section of the runway...'whoops sorry guys' hey prestothe airport was beyond saving.

Court case or not the same will probably happen at SZD, the day Sheffield City Airport closes...the diggers will move in, and it will be 'sorry what court case?' Again the airport will be beyond saving. Sadly that is the nature of developers, let nothing get in the way of 'profit'.

[EGCA]

Anyone from the Sheffield area heard whether the court hearing has taken place, or is it "bulldozers to standby"?

Very sad if that runway is dug.

EGCA

[helicopter-redeye]

There are some big X's painted on the runway

[Noah Zark.]

I don't know how to make the magic work, but click on this>http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/77toot8/2149.jpg?t=1209857333

[N707ZS]

If Peel want to dig it up Peel will they accidently flattened a listed farm house/gun turret at Durham Tees Valley when they cleared the South side.

[EGCA]

Has anyone from the Sheffield area heard if Andrew Cook's attempt to buy/save the airport has made any progress?

EGCA

[ara01jbb]

Sheffield's gossip forum (sorry, "discussion forum") reports that an a/c landed and then took off again at SZD early this afternoon. Caused a large scale police response.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=349521

No word yet in local media, I'll keep an eye out for this evening's Star...

[x933]

Cloud 9 Ride again...there were only 2 aircraft left there impounded, G-LFSK (A piper PA28-161 I did my PPL on) and G-FLOP, a battered C152.

IF - big IF - it was one of them...then the guy may be banned from directing a company but he's A) incredibly brave B) incredibly stupid - SYPD helicopter based on site, police fast cars in a garage just around the corner...

[EGCA]

Has anyone heard if Sheffield businessman Andrew Cook is still trying to buy Sheffield City Airport, or is it now doomed to become half trading estate and half heliport?

Thanks

EGCA