Starting up new airfield

[SNIFF R404a]

A group of us are considering re-opening an old airfield and setting up a flying school.

As we are all pilots and not airfield operators, and therefore not knowledgeable in this area; we were wondering whether or not any of you out there in PPRuNe-Land would have any experience with this or would be able to give us any advice.

. .Or are we completely out of our minds for even considering the idea? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[newswatcher]

Well what do you know! How about this as a starter for 10!

<a href="http://www.gaac.co.uk/planning/detailedc.htm" target="_blank">http://www.gaac.co.uk/planning/detailedc.htm</a>

Also, consider this from the South Cambrigeshire Council:

<a href="http://www.secret.demon.co.uk/SMALLAIRFIELDS.htm" target="_blank">http://www.secret.demon.co.uk/SMALLAIRFIELDS.htm</A>

There are also several "experience type stories, such as this:

<a href="http://www.hanley-airstrip.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hanley-airstrip.freeserve.co.uk /index.htm</a>

Good luck, especially in pleasing the NIMBYs!

[ 12 February 2002: Message edited by: newswatcher ]</p>

[Zlin526]

If the airfield is anywhere near habitation (=NIMBY's), take up golf instead - you'll save yourselves a shedload of cash.

If on the other hand, it's in the wilds of Scotland, Wales or on an island, then good luck to you.

And if you do go ahead, dont tell anyone about it, Dont put up a windsock, dont apply for planning permission for a flying school and keep it very very low key. IMHO, most airfields go down the pan once the owners start to expand, apply for planning permission, or start organising fly-ins.

Good luck :)

[Say again s l o w l y]

Ahh, where would a flying club be without the joy of local residents, especially when planning permission is needed.

The case of Earls Colne is a good one. At the moment there is an application in for a hard runway and lights. This seems to be causing all sorts of fun and games.. .At a meeting recently there was concern about "smug drugglers" who according to locals are landing at least twice a night, and that there are "Bin-Laden types" using the airfield after hours!!

The council is very much in favour of the plans, but must be seen to take local people thoughts into consideration. Which is fair enough.. .If you do have a problem, try to get the council on your side and get as many people to write in support as possible.. .Put the details of where you are planning to set up, and I'm sure most ppruner's will be glad to put pen to paper.

If anyone would like to help in the case of Earls Colne, they can write to:. .Head of Planning Services,. .Braintree District Council,. .Causeway House,. .Bocking End. .Braintree CM7 9HB

Application No. 01/01616/FUL

Cheers and good luck Sniff et al. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Zlin526]

Say again slowly,

This illustrates my point exactly! Earls Colne has been there for donkeys years, I landed there when it was just a farm strip on the old USAAF airfield owned by Eric Hobbs (I think that was his name). I got the impression that all the local opposition had been sorted out, but now the airfield is planning to expand again, and it all starts up again.

Crowfield, and Elmsett are others that spring to mind. They start as private strips and the locals just tolerate them. Next thing they know, they have mini-Heathrow's (Or so they think!)on their doorstep and they start the ban flying and anti-airfield lobby up.

I always thought Earls Colne lost its atmosphere when they moved the clubhouse to the western end, and built that monstrosity of a golf club on the airfield. O happy days when Sue was manning the radio......(Or should that be womanning?)

Less is more.............

[ianbishop]

Slight topic divergence here - maybe should be a new topic, but I'll try anyway.

I am aware of an unlicensed strip (single tarmac runway) that is currently used as a GA airfield, but has been thoroughly under-developed and the local council are keen for someone to take it on and bring it up to a 'Destination of Choice'. Due to its location, it is suitable for linking in with other local (existing) public transport services.

I am a lowly PPL, so would not be able to establish a training club there, but would be willing (with financial backers) to develop the field facilities to a point where a school might be keen to be there (if people know the places, something like Compton Abbas / Old Sarum / Thruxton / Dunkeswell).

What does it take to license it? Is it as simple as fire cover, A/G Radio, or is there more to consider (assuming planning perm isn't a problem)??

[scubawasp]

shame its not Dunsfold

[carbheatcold]

It might be worth talking to the PFA.

[rightbank]

I seem to remember reading in Sailplane and Gliding, the magazine of the British Gliding Association(BGA), a few years ago, an article regarding planning permission for airfields. The advice, if I remember it correctly, is to take the b*st*rds on directly rather than trying to keep it quiet. I'm afraid i don't have any links to give you nor any dates of backcopies of S&G, but if you give the BGA a call I'm sure they could point you in the right direction.

Good Luck