Blackbushe

[chevvron]

Apologies for a new thread but I couldn't find the original Premiair one.
BCA recently closed the sunday market which was adjacent to the old Premiair hangar. Subsequently, they sold the airfield to Blink, an operator of Citation Mustangs. Now they have filed a planning application for the north side of Blackbushe (which they have apparently retained) which indicates they intend to use the former Premiair site and the market site for the car auction business.
Meanwhile the Dubai Air Wing are operating their two A139s from Fairoaks with Starspeed also there having moved from Blackbushe several years ago.

[chevvron]

Amazing, over 1,000 views and no comments!
Perhaps I should add that there is nothing to prevent commercial helicopters using Blackbushe, there is just no dedicated handling or hangarage.

[John R81]

Never visited. Looked into it once, but dissuaded by the landing fee - £47 for an EC120?? Cheaper (at least a little) to go to Redhill, which is much better equipped.


Personal view - don't mind if anyone disagrees:


If Blackbushe wants to attract volume traffic, perhaps using a separate landing fee for helicopters would be a good step forward. Helicopters don't need or use the expanse of ground that a fixed-wing uses to land, doesn't need that area to be expensively prepared into a runway, doesn't need PAPI or other expensive landing aids. Landing helicopters should be cheaper than landing fixed-wing; it is certainly less costly to the airfield. Sticking with a fixed-wing based weight chart for charges is the best way to keep heli visitors out.


Just me tuppence

[ShyTorque]

Amazing, over 1,000 views and no comments!

Chevvron, I think that's because everyone already considers it a dead duck, following the Premiair debacle some time ago.

As for "London west Heliport"..... :rolleyes:

[chevvron]

For comparison, £44.40p incl VAT for an EC135 at Fairoaks; an EC120 might be less if it's lighter.

[John R81]

Chevron


It might surprise you that I avoid Fairoaks for the same reason.


My point is that their weight-based fee schedule is OK for fixed-wing (for which it was designed) but to apply the same weight-based schedule to helicopters is a rip-off. I feel you rip-a-me-off, I don't come.




Not trying to convince anyone, I fly my way and you fly yours; everybody happy.

[Brilliant Stuff]

Just an aside Old Sarum, who do have Jet A1, buy you lunch when you refuel there....:D:D

Don't forget Polar Air @ Manston, also a good alternative.