RAF Kinloss RIP - fate of GA there?

[Kiltie]

I am sorry to hear the news of the imminent closure of RAF Kinloss. I appreciate it may be early days, but do the Moray Flying Club and other based light aircraft owners have any idea of whether they'll be allowed to continue operating there? If not I do hope they find a new home quickly (Lossie?). Whatever the choices I hope they manage to avoid Inverness and its micro-managed too-busy-for-GA attitude which has soured the place for many of us over the past few years.

[Dan the weegie]

Hi,

I suspect it's too early to tell but we're all certainly hoping that Mick and Angie find somewhere to keep going if they do indeed have to move. I suspect that it will take quite a while for the cuts to take effect so until then I'm sure it's business as usual.

As for Inverness, I wont disagree that there was a definite anti light aircraft sentiment here but there's been a significant change of heart in the last 2 years and while it's never going to be a light aircraft hub because of it's restrictions for public transport, it still provides reasonable landing fees, the cheapest fuel north of Perth, good parking, friendly ops crews, no mandatory handling charges and hangarage for light aircraft owners (music concerts notwithstanding ;) ). The flying school and the flying club are both doing well enough considering the recession and it's not been without significant support from the airport management.

[Neptunus Rex]

Kinloss has the best weather factor of any UK airfield. When it becomes "Nimrod Barracks" it should be considered as an AAC airfield. The close proximity of other Army units, mountainous terrain as well as flatlands would provide an ideal training environment. You could still have ATC and Firemen for most private flying, with "Uncontrolled Airfield" status when the AAC was stood down. Encourage the soldiers to join the Club, as both flying and social members. Why not?

With happy memories of flying a 120 Shack in the morning, a Chipmunk later the same day, then down to "The Crown" in the evening.

Best wishes,

Neppie

[Captain Smithy]

You're being far too common-sense there Neppie ;) After all we're talking about the same lot who just destroyed our only airborne long-range maritime patrol capability just as it was about to enter service :ugh:

Daft bastards :ugh:

Smithy