Swansea Downscaling?
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Join Date: May 2004
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Swansea Downscaling?
It's been heard that Air Wales is pulling out of Swansea and commercial operations ceasing in October. Apparently, voluntary redundancies are being offered with only a handful of staff being kept on.
This has come out only a week or so after an announcement that landing fees, hangarage and fuel costs are being increased.
It seems that the Approach Control facility will go and be replaced by an AG service only. But for how long?
Watch this space for future developments.
This has come out only a week or so after an announcement that landing fees, hangarage and fuel costs are being increased.
It seems that the Approach Control facility will go and be replaced by an AG service only. But for how long?
Watch this space for future developments.
Simultaneously, the University of Wales at Swansea has created a degree in aerospace engineering, and is making a point of advertising that it's next to an airport where it's students will be able to gain exposure to real aeroplanes.
Strange world we live in isn't it.
G
Strange world we live in isn't it.
G
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Students will be able to gain exposure to real aeroplanes.
Or maybe the purpose of the course is to establish once and for all the true definition of a Real Aeroplane
In the context of a university course in aeronautics, a real aeroplane is one with real wings and engine, that is capable of leaving the ground with somebody in it.
As opposed to one that is drawn, simulated, mathematically modelled, thought deeply about, has been taken apart and all that remains is half a wing in the back of a laboratory, or possibly exists somewhere and is flying, but you couldn't possibly allow students near it.
G
As opposed to one that is drawn, simulated, mathematically modelled, thought deeply about, has been taken apart and all that remains is half a wing in the back of a laboratory, or possibly exists somewhere and is flying, but you couldn't possibly allow students near it.
G
Current AFE guide quotes SE landig fee as £9, and 50% off with fuel uplift.
That's cos it's an airport at the moment with paying punters going through it rather than an airfield. Delusions of grandeur methinks which would put my back up if I was based there.
The only saving grace about the whole issue is that the land won't suffer developer's interest. When the RAF built RAF Fairwood Common (aka Swansea International Spaceport) part of the contract/charter was that if the land was no longer to be used as an airfield then it had to be returned to the common land that it was pre-construction.
It's a shame that it's all so unstable, it's a nice enough place. It's close to the lovely beaches of the Gower Peninsular, a great gateway to exploring West and Mid-Wales and has decent facilites and runways (two less recently though according to the NOTAMS).
Ah well, good luck to those that are left, I hope it all settles down satisfactorily for you.
The only saving grace about the whole issue is that the land won't suffer developer's interest. When the RAF built RAF Fairwood Common (aka Swansea International Spaceport) part of the contract/charter was that if the land was no longer to be used as an airfield then it had to be returned to the common land that it was pre-construction.
It's a shame that it's all so unstable, it's a nice enough place. It's close to the lovely beaches of the Gower Peninsular, a great gateway to exploring West and Mid-Wales and has decent facilites and runways (two less recently though according to the NOTAMS).
Ah well, good luck to those that are left, I hope it all settles down satisfactorily for you.
Join Date: Jun 2004
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The problem SWS has is that nobody has ever really invested in the infrastructure.
ILS - Can't be used due marking and geographical problems.
Hangar - Circa 1940's with the same repair state
Tower - OLD wooden clad building with SERIOUS visibility problems
Oh, and everything else is made of portacabins.
If a "tenant" (Council actually own the airport) actually made the place at least look like a serious airfield, then maybe more paying punters would have taken it seriously.
Thoughts...?
D
ILS - Can't be used due marking and geographical problems.
Hangar - Circa 1940's with the same repair state
Tower - OLD wooden clad building with SERIOUS visibility problems
Oh, and everything else is made of portacabins.
If a "tenant" (Council actually own the airport) actually made the place at least look like a serious airfield, then maybe more paying punters would have taken it seriously.
Thoughts...?
D
