North Weald
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North Weald
I was wondering why no body had thought about taking on North Weald (Essex) and making it into an Executive jet airport for London like biggin hill or northolt.
Is right on the M11/M25, - 30 mins into the center of Lonon.
Has a masive area with large existing hangers that could be great for someone like jet aviation or a large Maintenance company to use for aircraft maintenance work.
Its got a very good solid runway. 1980 meters, which is bigger than Biggin , City, Oxford, Southend, and on par with Farnborough.
Its surrounded by open fields and farm land.
Its owned by Essex County Council and they are keen to sell, or develope the site for extra revenue (wants it to remain an airport).
I just thought that this is a little gold mine that could be developed.
Is right on the M11/M25, - 30 mins into the center of Lonon.
Has a masive area with large existing hangers that could be great for someone like jet aviation or a large Maintenance company to use for aircraft maintenance work.
Its got a very good solid runway. 1980 meters, which is bigger than Biggin , City, Oxford, Southend, and on par with Farnborough.
Its surrounded by open fields and farm land.
Its owned by Essex County Council and they are keen to sell, or develope the site for extra revenue (wants it to remain an airport).
I just thought that this is a little gold mine that could be developed.
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north weald
I dont think its got much in the way of equipment but, i recon this could be a great development opportunity.
Its still very active, with flying clubs, air shows, glider days. there are a few old Raf jets flying in and out on personal use. and a lot of war aircraft there in the hangers. ( private musum ).
Its still very active, with flying clubs, air shows, glider days. there are a few old Raf jets flying in and out on personal use. and a lot of war aircraft there in the hangers. ( private musum ).
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A group of people have been working on that for ages, but the proximity to Stansted means has precluded instrument approaches (at the moment anyway) and that is a showstopper for a business airport.
The team there were waiting for the results of the GPS approach at Shoreham if I recall correctly to see if that is something that could be used to avoid Stansted, but I suspect Airspace Policy will have the final say.
It could still server as a good VFR airport though I guess - unlicensed of course.
It would be very handy for the 2012 site too (if London City's really going to be closed for the duration as suggested).
The team there were waiting for the results of the GPS approach at Shoreham if I recall correctly to see if that is something that could be used to avoid Stansted, but I suspect Airspace Policy will have the final say.
It could still server as a good VFR airport though I guess - unlicensed of course.
It would be very handy for the 2012 site too (if London City's really going to be closed for the duration as suggested).
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It belongs to the council and the airport has actually been under threat of closure for many years now. Developers have been trying to get their hands on the land as well
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north Weald leaseholders?
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Who says LCY is closing for the Olympics?!!? Is that just an assumption because of the anticipated security issues?
Who owns the lease on North Weald these days and how long has that got to run? The Sunday market is huge and is a bit of an issue if you were trying to do anything seriously commercial. Blackbushe used to make a lot more from the market than they did from aviation-related revenues - probably the same at Wellesbourne?
You could say the same perhaps about Dunsfold - perhaps less airspace issues?
Who says LCY is closing for the Olympics?!!? Is that just an assumption because of the anticipated security issues?
Who owns the lease on North Weald these days and how long has that got to run? The Sunday market is huge and is a bit of an issue if you were trying to do anything seriously commercial. Blackbushe used to make a lot more from the market than they did from aviation-related revenues - probably the same at Wellesbourne?
You could say the same perhaps about Dunsfold - perhaps less airspace issues?
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The market is on a sat, its quite large but its well away from the runway and buildings, its on an area well away from any of the airport operations, and could acutually be fenced off.
In regards to oho ownes it , well essex county council owns it but is keen to do something with it, (except build houses).
I know its about 12 miles from Stansted but biggin hill is probably that from Gatwick, and you have a number of airfields close to Heathrow (northolt, blackbush, farnbrough, ect ect).
I think that North weald would be great if someone took it on is you can be in the center of London in about 20-30 mins from there, doen the M11/ or use the M25 or A13.
The runway is nearly 2000 meters paved, and has some masive hangers in place.
Would make a great Executive airport, and a base for private jets and choppers. Just need a good FBO to take it on, and add some equipment. I understand its un licenced but i am sure there is a way to fix this.
just seams like a good inversment.
In regards to oho ownes it , well essex county council owns it but is keen to do something with it, (except build houses).
I know its about 12 miles from Stansted but biggin hill is probably that from Gatwick, and you have a number of airfields close to Heathrow (northolt, blackbush, farnbrough, ect ect).
I think that North weald would be great if someone took it on is you can be in the center of London in about 20-30 mins from there, doen the M11/ or use the M25 or A13.
The runway is nearly 2000 meters paved, and has some masive hangers in place.
Would make a great Executive airport, and a base for private jets and choppers. Just need a good FBO to take it on, and add some equipment. I understand its un licenced but i am sure there is a way to fix this.
just seams like a good inversment.
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I think it's already been announced to the industry forums (real ones, not online ones) that LCY will be closed on the days of the opening and closing ceremonies of both the main Games and the Paralympics. And the impression that was given was that it was very much undecided what would happen inbetween for security reasons.
Dunsfold now suffers from NIMBY problems though I think? Or actually might have been reverse-NIMBY problems in that they wanted the airfield operational more than building the houses on the southern boundary of it - can't quite remember. Plus the road infrastructure at Dunsfold is pants, whereas North Weald even has its own motorway junction!
But I agree that NW is a great option - it's just a shame they decided that Hatfield and Leavesden were better as industrial complexes else we'd not be having this debate about airport access in the South East already...
Dunsfold now suffers from NIMBY problems though I think? Or actually might have been reverse-NIMBY problems in that they wanted the airfield operational more than building the houses on the southern boundary of it - can't quite remember. Plus the road infrastructure at Dunsfold is pants, whereas North Weald even has its own motorway junction!
But I agree that NW is a great option - it's just a shame they decided that Hatfield and Leavesden were better as industrial complexes else we'd not be having this debate about airport access in the South East already...
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Its been looked at & thought about for years...however, the bottom line is as good as the idea is, do we really need another GA airfield? not really!
Just look at Coventry! The best thing to do would be to develop either Blackbushe, Booker or even Fairoaks.
Just look at Coventry! The best thing to do would be to develop either Blackbushe, Booker or even Fairoaks.
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Yes there is that but, you have, biggin in the South East, Farnbrough in the West, you need someting in north London.
North Weald could take a lot of pressure away from Luton, Stansted. and is better placed than for London than, Cambridge, Fairoaks, Blackbush and Southend.
It has its own turning off the M11. Already had a 2000 meter runway in place Masive empty hangers.
All i am saying is its a good idea, and i think you will agree there are already a few options west of London so i dont think they need another Private aircraft airport.
Somewhere like North Weald would be ideal, given that ECC are looking at selling / developing it.
I would have thought it could have been an Ideal Base for LEA's Aircraft, and some of the smaller / start up companys to base their jets.
I also understand it has fuel and fire in place. as well as a working tower.
North Weald could take a lot of pressure away from Luton, Stansted. and is better placed than for London than, Cambridge, Fairoaks, Blackbush and Southend.
It has its own turning off the M11. Already had a 2000 meter runway in place Masive empty hangers.
All i am saying is its a good idea, and i think you will agree there are already a few options west of London so i dont think they need another Private aircraft airport.
Somewhere like North Weald would be ideal, given that ECC are looking at selling / developing it.
I would have thought it could have been an Ideal Base for LEA's Aircraft, and some of the smaller / start up companys to base their jets.
I also understand it has fuel and fire in place. as well as a working tower.
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I know what your saying but.......
To be honest in my personal opinion Cranfield could be the Biggin Hill of the North. With the M1 now upgraded it has excellent links to North London (Wembley) its basic infrastructure is already in place, it has a fantastic 1800 metre runway and has land for development. You could have a fantastic FBO facility there. Just like NetJets were proposing 24 months ago before the big recession.
All that needs to be done is a change of airport management, a team who wants to develop the airport further and before you know it all the Private Jets will be coming from Luton & Stansted and the old coventry. You can access London as well as the midlands with ease.
To be honest in my personal opinion Cranfield could be the Biggin Hill of the North. With the M1 now upgraded it has excellent links to North London (Wembley) its basic infrastructure is already in place, it has a fantastic 1800 metre runway and has land for development. You could have a fantastic FBO facility there. Just like NetJets were proposing 24 months ago before the big recession.
All that needs to be done is a change of airport management, a team who wants to develop the airport further and before you know it all the Private Jets will be coming from Luton & Stansted and the old coventry. You can access London as well as the midlands with ease.
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The main drawback at North Weald is the fact that it is owned and managed by the local council. Aviation is not their core business and they haven't got a clue how to run an airport. They are more interested in running model aero clubs on the main runway and telling real aircraft to bugger off so that they can demonstrate to Joe public that this is a great "leisure" facility for local council tax payers.....actually it isn't and the council should sell it and concentrate on providing real services that are desperately needed like decent bin collections and swimming pools etc.
The money that the council spends to keep open an airport that they don't want is unethical (no shortage of pick up trucks to jolly around in but no chance that we could clear a few inches of snow).
Yes a private FBO should buy this great airfield and get it running the way that it could and should be run !!
The money that the council spends to keep open an airport that they don't want is unethical (no shortage of pick up trucks to jolly around in but no chance that we could clear a few inches of snow).
Yes a private FBO should buy this great airfield and get it running the way that it could and should be run !!
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great answer.
Well its up for sale i ve been told so hopefully someone will take buy it or ask Ecc to run it.
This would be great for London. and the private Jet industry.
Well its up for sale i ve been told so hopefully someone will take buy it or ask Ecc to run it.
This would be great for London. and the private Jet industry.
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So all you need now is a player with many millions of cash going spare and willing to spend it with no guarantee of seeing a return on investment, probably ever.
You need to get the place a CAA Aerodrome Licence (by no means easy)
You need full aerodrome lighting for night ops.
You need instrument approaches (precision like ILS, not GPS)
You need licenced ATC and enough controllers to staff the place.
You need to upgrade fire cover to a much higher level.
You will need far greater fuel storage facilities.
Oh and a decent VIP terminal. The 'Squadron' will not make the grade, or their dodgy lavatories.
If it was a good business plan someone would have done it by now.
You need to get the place a CAA Aerodrome Licence (by no means easy)
You need full aerodrome lighting for night ops.
You need instrument approaches (precision like ILS, not GPS)
You need licenced ATC and enough controllers to staff the place.
You need to upgrade fire cover to a much higher level.
You will need far greater fuel storage facilities.
Oh and a decent VIP terminal. The 'Squadron' will not make the grade, or their dodgy lavatories.
If it was a good business plan someone would have done it by now.
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You need to get the place a CAA Aerodrome Licence (by no means easy)
This used to be an MOD base so should be a formality but CAA will want wads of dosh !
You need full aerodrome lighting for night ops.
Call a local electrician ? Ah yes CAA fee for OK
You need instrument approaches (precision like ILS, not GPS)
Why not lead the way and be the first precision GPS airfield ? (oh yes, I just remembered good old, pushing the envelope of technology not, CAA )
You need licenced ATC and enough controllers to staff the place. That will cause problems when the existing chaps are trying to get 40 winks !
You need to upgrade fire cover to a much higher level. There is a volunteer fire service ready and waiting with the best trucks I have seen at a local airfield, just not wanted by the local council
You will need far greater fuel storage facilities.
Oh and a decent VIP terminal. The 'Squadron' will not make the grade, or their dodgy lavatories. How about a marquee and some up-market portaloos ?
There are always obstacles and yes it will need investment but at the moment it is a terrible wasted opportunity, the main thing that is required is in place and that is a decent long runway.
This used to be an MOD base so should be a formality but CAA will want wads of dosh !
You need full aerodrome lighting for night ops.
Call a local electrician ? Ah yes CAA fee for OK
You need instrument approaches (precision like ILS, not GPS)
Why not lead the way and be the first precision GPS airfield ? (oh yes, I just remembered good old, pushing the envelope of technology not, CAA )
You need licenced ATC and enough controllers to staff the place. That will cause problems when the existing chaps are trying to get 40 winks !
You need to upgrade fire cover to a much higher level. There is a volunteer fire service ready and waiting with the best trucks I have seen at a local airfield, just not wanted by the local council
You will need far greater fuel storage facilities.
Oh and a decent VIP terminal. The 'Squadron' will not make the grade, or their dodgy lavatories. How about a marquee and some up-market portaloos ?
There are always obstacles and yes it will need investment but at the moment it is a terrible wasted opportunity, the main thing that is required is in place and that is a decent long runway.
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Daifly is right about LCY for the 2012 Olympics and makes very valid points about the possible development of North Weald.
Most GA operators would agree that it appears to be an attractive option for London as the road links into town are pretty good. We looked at relocating to North Weald in 2000 but there were restrictions on operating hours etc. We did base an aircraft there for a short while which worked quite well but wouldn’t have worked long term.
To develop NW as a London Airport would incur plenty of NIMBY opposition - which will need money and time to address before any investment can be made in airport equipment and infrastructure. Thereafter, to get North Weald up to the level that you're suggesting will take millions of pounds in investment with no real guarantee of custom.
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']The current residents at North Weald are always friendly and professional but I don’t think the kind of idea we’re talking about will ever become a reality.[/FONT]
XD
Most GA operators would agree that it appears to be an attractive option for London as the road links into town are pretty good. We looked at relocating to North Weald in 2000 but there were restrictions on operating hours etc. We did base an aircraft there for a short while which worked quite well but wouldn’t have worked long term.
To develop NW as a London Airport would incur plenty of NIMBY opposition - which will need money and time to address before any investment can be made in airport equipment and infrastructure. Thereafter, to get North Weald up to the level that you're suggesting will take millions of pounds in investment with no real guarantee of custom.
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']The current residents at North Weald are always friendly and professional but I don’t think the kind of idea we’re talking about will ever become a reality.[/FONT]
XD
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cost of redevelopment
Concur with much of the above but there are way too many barriers to making it into something useful
Farnborough has had over £100 million pumped into it since being taken over by TAG from its previous incarnation and that was one hell of a lot better equipped and in better condition than North Weald is today.
The Nimbys will kill off any hope unless you have a public enquiry and it's part of a national aviation policy to develop some of these old airfields - it isn't and so it won't happen.
Airspace issues are significant.
For what is required on the ground and by the CAA (or EASA one day), you will never get a return on the investment and you'll never be allowed scheduled services in all liklihood, which could expedite that ROI - so forget it.
Nice idea but way too much needs doing. Newquay just spent £58m tidying up the edges to appease the CAA. It's a great big lump of crumbling concrete stuck in the middle of Essex - that is all. Almost every single element, component, wire, drain, surface - you name it, has to be dug up and/or thrown away.
Farnborough has had over £100 million pumped into it since being taken over by TAG from its previous incarnation and that was one hell of a lot better equipped and in better condition than North Weald is today.
The Nimbys will kill off any hope unless you have a public enquiry and it's part of a national aviation policy to develop some of these old airfields - it isn't and so it won't happen.
Airspace issues are significant.
For what is required on the ground and by the CAA (or EASA one day), you will never get a return on the investment and you'll never be allowed scheduled services in all liklihood, which could expedite that ROI - so forget it.
Nice idea but way too much needs doing. Newquay just spent £58m tidying up the edges to appease the CAA. It's a great big lump of crumbling concrete stuck in the middle of Essex - that is all. Almost every single element, component, wire, drain, surface - you name it, has to be dug up and/or thrown away.
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Really what should drive the location of a London corporate aircraft airport location is simple.
How long does it take to get into the City. Is there a fast rail link that can whisk you in in less than 30 minutes door to door?
North Weald is excellent but its main drawback being the conflict with Stanstead and it needs an instrument approach to be workable.
The ideal is Northolt. The MOD should relinquish their hold on the airport and allow it to be fully developed as a business aircraft centre. Fast connections into central London.
All the others are way to far out in TIME or in areas of road congestion.
Southend could work with a regular high speed non stop rail link from Liverpool street.
Even Lydd with a rail connection from Ashford and a fast non stop rail service would work.
One of the best with a 20 minute rail service into Marlybone is Denham home of the leafy lanes, Golf courses and Hooray Henries. Dig up the Golf courses, widen and extend the runway
and we could give the idle resident associations years of purpose in their lives 
The marker should be can you get into the centre in 30 mins or less
Pace
How long does it take to get into the City. Is there a fast rail link that can whisk you in in less than 30 minutes door to door?
North Weald is excellent but its main drawback being the conflict with Stanstead and it needs an instrument approach to be workable.
The ideal is Northolt. The MOD should relinquish their hold on the airport and allow it to be fully developed as a business aircraft centre. Fast connections into central London.
All the others are way to far out in TIME or in areas of road congestion.
Southend could work with a regular high speed non stop rail link from Liverpool street.
Even Lydd with a rail connection from Ashford and a fast non stop rail service would work.
One of the best with a 20 minute rail service into Marlybone is Denham home of the leafy lanes, Golf courses and Hooray Henries. Dig up the Golf courses, widen and extend the runway
and we could give the idle resident associations years of purpose in their lives The marker should be can you get into the centre in 30 mins or less
Pace