Red Arrows to move from RAF Scampton to one of three sites
Just to float a couple of Scottish options, how about Leuchars or Kinloss?
I guess certainly the latter could be awkward regarding transit distances to most of the display locations through the season and would there be possible conflict with Lossiemouth?
I guess certainly the latter could be awkward regarding transit distances to most of the display locations through the season and would there be possible conflict with Lossiemouth?
tezzer,
You’ve obviously not been to Leconfield recently. They havel done a LOT more to the site than just install traffic lights on the runway!
It would probably be cheaper and quicker to build on a brand new a greenfield site.
Oh, and one that doesn’t have a large town right off the end of the runway.
You’ve obviously not been to Leconfield recently. They havel done a LOT more to the site than just install traffic lights on the runway!
It would probably be cheaper and quicker to build on a brand new a greenfield site.
Oh, and one that doesn’t have a large town right off the end of the runway.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Starring at an Airfield Near you
Posts: 371
Received 15 Likes
on
7 Posts
Because they're based at Leeming doesn't mean they to practise over that airfield; the then recently closed LOO might provide an ideal location for a relocated airspace avoid, far enough away from built up areas, the A1, Robin Hood and DTVA while leaving homeplate free for 100 Sqn.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Starring at an Airfield Near you
Posts: 371
Received 15 Likes
on
7 Posts
There is one option not being discussed! Disband the Reds! Saves lots of money and saves the pen pushers having to sort out where they would operate from! SIMPLES.............OK..............It’s a joke!!��
The best place for the Reds would be Linton-on-Ouse - remote with plenty of open space around. It's not too late yet...
Leeming has to be worst location as no practices could be achieved using the main runway, which is essential for build-up with newer pilots, as the surrounding area is populated and close to the A1.
Waddo is surely too busy and the A15 will restrict display zones.
Wittering could work if the training area is shifted west towards Collyweston, mitigating impact on A1. Not perfect though.
My call - reactivate Cottesmore, joint base share with army, new hangar & facilities on old TTTE pan. Just the runway lights to put back in. Commutable from Scampton too.
Leeming has to be worst location as no practices could be achieved using the main runway, which is essential for build-up with newer pilots, as the surrounding area is populated and close to the A1.
Waddo is surely too busy and the A15 will restrict display zones.
Wittering could work if the training area is shifted west towards Collyweston, mitigating impact on A1. Not perfect though.
My call - reactivate Cottesmore, joint base share with army, new hangar & facilities on old TTTE pan. Just the runway lights to put back in. Commutable from Scampton too.
The best place for the Reds would be Linton-on-Ouse - remote with plenty of open space around. It's not too late yet...
Leeming has to be worst location as no practices could be achieved using the main runway, which is essential for build-up with newer pilots, as the surrounding area is populated and close to the A1.
Waddo is surely too busy and the A15 will restrict display zones.
Wittering could work if the training area is shifted west towards Collyweston, mitigating impact on A1. Not perfect though.
My call - reactivate Cottesmore, joint base share with army, new hangar & facilities on old TTTE pan. Just the runway lights to put back in. Commutable from Scampton too.
Leeming has to be worst location as no practices could be achieved using the main runway, which is essential for build-up with newer pilots, as the surrounding area is populated and close to the A1.
Waddo is surely too busy and the A15 will restrict display zones.
Wittering could work if the training area is shifted west towards Collyweston, mitigating impact on A1. Not perfect though.
My call - reactivate Cottesmore, joint base share with army, new hangar & facilities on old TTTE pan. Just the runway lights to put back in. Commutable from Scampton too.
Cheers
Wait a minute...
All this talk of centralising assets. I can see why people think it makes sense but just consider a few things.
The Reds jets are maintained by RAF Engineers. 100 Sqn jets are maintained by civilian contractors.
Having the jets sat on the same airfield doesn’t necessarily mean everyone can start to share tools.
I’m not an engineer and don’t pretend to know much about the trade but some people’s idea of ‘simple’ may need rethinking.
BV
The Reds jets are maintained by RAF Engineers. 100 Sqn jets are maintained by civilian contractors.
Having the jets sat on the same airfield doesn’t necessarily mean everyone can start to share tools.
I’m not an engineer and don’t pretend to know much about the trade but some people’s idea of ‘simple’ may need rethinking.
BV
Also worth noting that the last effort to move the Red's airspace reservation fell flat on its face. The 'fix' was to continue to use Scampton despite the team moving to Cranwell, before moving back to Scampton again. With the final disposal of Scampton the current airspace reservation will expire with it. Finding a new location for R313 may be quite a challenge. As it is the Civil Aviation airspace restriction is only reserved for 12 months at a time and is signed into legislation via a Statutory Instrument under the 'public interest' test.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: England
Age: 60
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recall there was a plan to move RAFAT to Leeming about 10-15 years ago, but it was kiboshed by North Yorkshire Police due to the their perceived risk of major RTAs on the A1(M) as Joe Public slowed to watch the daily "airshow".
If Wittering is the chosen home I hope the lawyers are ready for the chap who lives in the big house on the extended centreline. He didn't like the Harriers so don't think he's going to be too happy with the Reds practising several times a day (plus the coloured smoke). Also, wonder how many crashes on the A1 they will cause...? Unless, of course, they are going to continue to rehearse at Scampton.
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The house referred to on the Wittering centreline isn't Burghley House. I think Burghley is owned by the Cecil family.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Age: 54
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
BV seems to make a valid point. No economies there if the Reds Hawks are engineered and have supply chains entirely seperate to Leemings resident units.
