Manston Airport : Possible Closure
Thanet has gone 'hi tec' now Coff. To the west of Manston is this place.
Thanet Earth
Definitely not a place for supersonic flight...
The cabbages (and cauliflowers) are still grown outside though!
mmitch.
Thanet Earth
Definitely not a place for supersonic flight...
The cabbages (and cauliflowers) are still grown outside though!
mmitch.
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A further update ... couldn't have anything to do with a certain up and coming General Election and a certain Mr Farage standing as the South Thanet candidate 
Government pledges help to see Manston reopened at meeting of Transport Select Committee
Originally Posted by Kent Online
A minister today told representatives of investment firm RiverOak the government "would leave no stone unturned" in order to help find a way to "rescue" Manston airport.
At a meeting of the Transport Select Committee, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Robert Goodwill MP, said prime minister David Cameron took a "keen interest" in the future of the airport.
He said the Government would work with the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure Manston had a licence to operate and was “very optimistic.”
Mr Goodwill told Stephen DeNardo, chief executive officer of RiverOak that the Government "are keen to leave no stone unturned to facilitate any rescue that could take place”.
RiverOak has put its faith in Thanet council making a Compulsory Purchase Order for the airport. The company plans to run the airport as a freight hub, with some aircraft recycling at the site.
Mr DeNardo said: “As the minister acknowledged, freight traffic is growing and there is a very good case to have a point to point freight hub at Manston. We have identified the perishables market as being a successful way to operate and grow Manston.
“We thank the Department for Transport for its support and urge it to conclude its review of our business case as soon as possible to help ensure we have the best possible chance to reopen Manston Airport as quickly as we can.”
At a meeting of the Transport Select Committee, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Robert Goodwill MP, said prime minister David Cameron took a "keen interest" in the future of the airport.
He said the Government would work with the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure Manston had a licence to operate and was “very optimistic.”
Mr Goodwill told Stephen DeNardo, chief executive officer of RiverOak that the Government "are keen to leave no stone unturned to facilitate any rescue that could take place”.
RiverOak has put its faith in Thanet council making a Compulsory Purchase Order for the airport. The company plans to run the airport as a freight hub, with some aircraft recycling at the site.
Mr DeNardo said: “As the minister acknowledged, freight traffic is growing and there is a very good case to have a point to point freight hub at Manston. We have identified the perishables market as being a successful way to operate and grow Manston.
“We thank the Department for Transport for its support and urge it to conclude its review of our business case as soon as possible to help ensure we have the best possible chance to reopen Manston Airport as quickly as we can.”
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Fingers still crossed for Manston re-opening. I don't know if "care & maintenance" programme has been operated to keep the paved surfaces in good order since it last operated aircraft, but if not, when it does open again it could be quite expensive to re-commission. Equally, I don't know if equipment was stripped out from ATC or Fire Section premises.
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I attended The Aviation Select Committee today as chairman of TSMA. Your report on the Aviation Ministers remarks today are not actually what I heard, I believe Mr Goodwills comment was: "IF an Aviation Solution can be found then he (the minister) would support this initiative in negotiating a fast track re-licensing with the CAA". However when asked directly if he would be proactive in seeking an Aviation solution for Manston his responses were evasive at best. There is still much work to do, however the future does look promising.
It's downright frightening the way airfields seem to be closing across the UK. Filton, Woodford and Manston gone, Kemble looking like it's going the same way and Wellesbourne Mountford and now Hucknall. To say nothing of Coltishall, Leuchars and Lyneham.
At this rate we'll have the military at Brize Norton and everyone else at Heathrow.
At this rate we'll have the military at Brize Norton and everyone else at Heathrow.
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MtM
Manston's been off the MoD slop chit for some years now. In its most recent incarnation it was KIA (not 'killed in action', but Kent International Airport). During the time that I was the CAA aerodrome inspector for this place, it was obvious that it was never going to be a major player in either the passenger or freight market - for one thing, onward lines of communication were somewhat limiting. For potential passengers particularly, why would you pass several other major airports (with the 'London' appellation) to a very limited destination operation in North Kent?
Romantic or nostalgic as it might seem to keep the airport open, the reality is that it costs big bucks to operate and maintain such a facility, hence the previous three owners pulling put (and the reluctance of airline operators to use the place)...they just weren't making any profit.
P6D
There is/was no reason for a C&M programme once the latest owner pulled out - their intention was to maximise the investment (or at least not make a stonking great loss), not to hope for a resurgence in air travel inKent; again these things cost money. And without such a programme I can envisage the creep of vegetation from the tarmac/concrete areas adjacent to the runway onto, into and under the paved operating surfaces. As for the other assets, they would be saleable and have probably been disposed of (major fire engine, new, would cost in the order of Ł300,000). Don't know what the market for navaids is, but I'm sure that there is one.
As far as 're-licensing' goes, the rules are undergoing change; the CAA would have to issue an EASA certificate, using the criteria in the recently issued EASA ADR Rules (March 2014 - ED decision 2014/13/R). There is a caveat that could exempt KIA from the requirement for an EASA Certificate based on the number of passenger or freight movements, i.e. below the stipulated threshold, no EASA Certificate required, but still might need to conform to a less stringent set of national CAA criteria. But I'm sure that the Transport Select Committee is fully up to speed on all this (or they could get themselves briefed up by the CAA).
In any event, I don't envisage the Govt throwing a vast amount of public money at reopening KIA (aka Manston), when private ventures have been seen to fail, or not be adequate to make a profit.
Just filling in the gaps to paint the big picture.
Mister B
Manston's been off the MoD slop chit for some years now. In its most recent incarnation it was KIA (not 'killed in action', but Kent International Airport). During the time that I was the CAA aerodrome inspector for this place, it was obvious that it was never going to be a major player in either the passenger or freight market - for one thing, onward lines of communication were somewhat limiting. For potential passengers particularly, why would you pass several other major airports (with the 'London' appellation) to a very limited destination operation in North Kent?
Romantic or nostalgic as it might seem to keep the airport open, the reality is that it costs big bucks to operate and maintain such a facility, hence the previous three owners pulling put (and the reluctance of airline operators to use the place)...they just weren't making any profit.
P6D
There is/was no reason for a C&M programme once the latest owner pulled out - their intention was to maximise the investment (or at least not make a stonking great loss), not to hope for a resurgence in air travel inKent; again these things cost money. And without such a programme I can envisage the creep of vegetation from the tarmac/concrete areas adjacent to the runway onto, into and under the paved operating surfaces. As for the other assets, they would be saleable and have probably been disposed of (major fire engine, new, would cost in the order of Ł300,000). Don't know what the market for navaids is, but I'm sure that there is one.
As far as 're-licensing' goes, the rules are undergoing change; the CAA would have to issue an EASA certificate, using the criteria in the recently issued EASA ADR Rules (March 2014 - ED decision 2014/13/R). There is a caveat that could exempt KIA from the requirement for an EASA Certificate based on the number of passenger or freight movements, i.e. below the stipulated threshold, no EASA Certificate required, but still might need to conform to a less stringent set of national CAA criteria. But I'm sure that the Transport Select Committee is fully up to speed on all this (or they could get themselves briefed up by the CAA).
In any event, I don't envisage the Govt throwing a vast amount of public money at reopening KIA (aka Manston), when private ventures have been seen to fail, or not be adequate to make a profit.
Just filling in the gaps to paint the big picture.
Mister B
We have identified the perishables market as being a successful way to operate and grow Manston.
I was there yesterday having a look at the last GRI that the RAF is still responsible for. The vegetation is coming through the paveways at a great rate of knots & the whole place is falling apart TBH. The 2 frames that were outside the main terminal a couple of months ago had disappeared (presumably cut up). Can't see any future for the place apart from redevelopment.
Re-development to what though? Its at the wrong end of Kent and hardly the most salubrious of areas, Ramsgate and Margate make Gravesend look posh! I am surprised it lasted as long as it did. The locals kept banging on about it being London's 4th airport when i was there, but i just don't buy that people are going to drive past Gatwick, Heathrow or Stanstead to travel from Manston and the catchment area it had simply did not provide enough passengers. The freight operators that used it pulled out one after another because the profit was simply not there. Sad to see it go because it provided me with my first job (EU Jet) when i entered civvy street but it was always walking a fine line.
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News from Flight Global on the link below that Manston was to be used, but no more. They are not confirming where the SAR helicopters will be based yet.
Bristow kicks off final push to UK SAR operations - 2/26/2015 - Flight Global
Bristow kicks off final push to UK SAR operations - 2/26/2015 - Flight Global
Not sure if it is the same site but they have been demolishing an old fire station which apparently in a dangerous condition.
The MP for Folkstone has been quoted on local radio that Bristows are looking to move to Lydd airport.
mmitch.
The MP for Folkstone has been quoted on local radio that Bristows are looking to move to Lydd airport.
mmitch.
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Just found this little gem 
Manston 1955 with SAC F-86's and F-100's. I believe much of the colour footage was filmed on the 'Loop' which became farmland in the 60's. Note the B-36 visitor !
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RbMBSZmU7js
Manston 1955 with SAC F-86's and F-100's. I believe much of the colour footage was filmed on the 'Loop' which became farmland in the 60's. Note the B-36 visitor !
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RbMBSZmU7js
Manston 1955 with SAC F-86's and F-100's.
Nice footage of lots of types. However the F-100D's place it in the late 50's or so as the F-100D didn't enter squadron service until 1957/58...
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Manson, disruption preventer
With the managment of LHR, LGW & STN all wanting new runways and airport expansion it is clear that traffic volumes are set to increase, when something goes wrong at an airport in the London TMA the disruption is felt over all the south of the UK.
It is my opinion is that the granting of planning permission for expansion for the three major airports should include a duty to keep Manston open for diversion of Emegency traffic, recently the Virgin 747 incident resulted in much disruption at LGW and other airports with the LGW traffic diverting.
Manston is also in a area of low population so aircraft with technical problems or security issues won't have to be (as with LHR ) flown over densely populated areas.
The three major airports would have to subsidise Manston but if they are smart about using the airport for cargo, maintenance and GA they should keep the costs to a minimum and may be even cover the direct costs, the real cost recovery would be when there is a major incident and there is no resultant disruption at the major airports because the problem has gone to Manston.
If such an planning arrangement was arrived at I would also expect the other airports to be able to reduce their tax burden on the costs of maintaining Manston in the national interest.
It is my opinion is that the granting of planning permission for expansion for the three major airports should include a duty to keep Manston open for diversion of Emegency traffic, recently the Virgin 747 incident resulted in much disruption at LGW and other airports with the LGW traffic diverting.
Manston is also in a area of low population so aircraft with technical problems or security issues won't have to be (as with LHR ) flown over densely populated areas.
The three major airports would have to subsidise Manston but if they are smart about using the airport for cargo, maintenance and GA they should keep the costs to a minimum and may be even cover the direct costs, the real cost recovery would be when there is a major incident and there is no resultant disruption at the major airports because the problem has gone to Manston.
If such an planning arrangement was arrived at I would also expect the other airports to be able to reduce their tax burden on the costs of maintaining Manston in the national interest.
Spotter alert
Great film Coff - There are three F-84 Thunderstreaks taxying out around 2 minutes in. As a kid that was my favourite of the F-8 series - a proper futuristic design.
Great film Coff - There are three F-84 Thunderstreaks taxying out around 2 minutes in. As a kid that was my favourite of the F-8 series - a proper futuristic design.