Privatisation of Archerfield
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cairns
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Privatisation of Archerfield
I have been away flying elsewhere and have returned to find Archerfield airport sold to a private owner.
I do not know if this thread has been done before, if it has my apologies.
Without imcriminating whoever the owner is, I would like to know if privitising the Airport has made any significant impact on the Aviation community. Also, where did the money the Government make go, did it slip through hands or did it go to the enrichment of G.A.
If anyone has any comments, please, I would just like the facts.
From someone who believes in keeping General Aviation alive.
I do not know if this thread has been done before, if it has my apologies.
Without imcriminating whoever the owner is, I would like to know if privitising the Airport has made any significant impact on the Aviation community. Also, where did the money the Government make go, did it slip through hands or did it go to the enrichment of G.A.
If anyone has any comments, please, I would just like the facts.
From someone who believes in keeping General Aviation alive.
Pardon the cynicism but it tends to surface after a few calming ales. Archerfield was bought by a person who made their money in child care centres and has no previous association with, or industry knowledge of general aviation.This apparent lack of connection with our industry has seen a sharp rise in landing fees, an increase in parking fees, the subdivision of peripheral parcels of land for sale/lease to private enterprise and the mooted closure of the 04/22 runway complex to free up more land for sale.
Attempts at negotiation with this person usually prove futile and the relationship between many tenants and the owner are becoming strained to say the least.
In my opinion (and opinions are like ar*eholes, everyone's got one) this person is only in it for the quick buck and having bled the place dry will leave the mess for someone else to clean up.
Sermonising finished, climbs down from soapbox and disappears into the shadows!!
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Still in Paradise
Age: 60
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After getting stung $20 a throw to land there, plus some ridiculous amount to park for a 1/2 day, I thought I'd slink back to my old alma mater on the northside - YRED.Tragically, the dollar bug has struck there too, and the local council is now charging for parking. (They tried that a few years back and everyone just refused to pay. They had 'parking inspectors' who would walk up to pilots while they were tying down their just landed aeroplane and ask for their details. The pilots invariably would say "Nah, mate, this isn't mine, I'm just tying it down - dunno who owns it, sorry".)
YCAB is still free (but rough, short, no sealed surfaces and no decent parking) and YCDR is also free.
Bogger it; I'll leave the bird at home and DRIVE!
