Fly-in Communities (merged)
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Fly-in Communities
These are very popular in US and Canada.
Do you think there is any interest in developing something like this in Europe (UK, Germany, or elsewhere) ?
There is something going on in France and Spain...
What do you think ?
Would you be interested ?
Ptkay
Do you think there is any interest in developing something like this in Europe (UK, Germany, or elsewhere) ?
There is something going on in France and Spain...
What do you think ?
Would you be interested ?
Ptkay
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Fly-in Communities
These are very popular in US and Canada.
Do you think there is any interest in developing something like this in Europe (UK, Germany, or elsewhere) ?
There is something going on in France and Spain...
What do you think ?
Would you be interested ?
Ptkay
Do you think there is any interest in developing something like this in Europe (UK, Germany, or elsewhere) ?
There is something going on in France and Spain...
What do you think ?
Would you be interested ?
Ptkay
Carbonfibre-based lifeform
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: London
There's another one on the cards at Verchocq, just inland from Le Touquet.
See www.leisure-airpark.com
See www.leisure-airpark.com
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: don't know, I'll ask
two reasons , planners and nimbys. I think there have been a couple under consideration, one in east anglia and another in the SW, but they were shot down by the planners. Also old airfields tend to be used to park the over-supply from the car industry - it makes more money I suspect!
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 605
Likes: 10
From: UK
The one in the SW was to have been at Henstridge. Reportedly, it was turned down by 'Two Jabs' Prescott himself.
About 10 years prior to that, there was talk of a development near Telford. I was never sure if that was to be based around an existing airfield.
About 10 years prior to that, there was talk of a development near Telford. I was never sure if that was to be based around an existing airfield.
I'matightbastard
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
From: Texas
There are plenty of them in Texas.
The problem I see is that you go to the airport to get away from the wife/neighbours/house etc. If you live AT the airport, then you can't get away from these things and if you piss someone off then it could become a little troublesome.
They seem to be very popular though.
The problem I see is that you go to the airport to get away from the wife/neighbours/house etc. If you live AT the airport, then you can't get away from these things and if you piss someone off then it could become a little troublesome.
They seem to be very popular though.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: N.E. Derbyshire, UK
I know of one being built in south-east Spain, not far from Murcia. My guess is they are mainly aiming this at affluent people (who also have an aeroplane) as second/holiday homes. Last time I saw the website it showed the runway had been completed (1200m tarmac).
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Sorry, that was me...
I was not sure where to put it, so I did first JetBlast,
but I think this is the proper one.
Thanks for all the input.
Of course permanently living at the ap might be
not the thing, but as a second residence,
just for week-end or holidays...
Get there fast , no traffic jams, pure fun...
PTKay
I was not sure where to put it, so I did first JetBlast,
but I think this is the proper one.
Thanks for all the input.
Of course permanently living at the ap might be
not the thing, but as a second residence,
just for week-end or holidays...
Get there fast , no traffic jams, pure fun...
PTKay
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,261
Likes: 1
From: Europe
I was not sure where to put it, so I did first JetBlast,
but I think this is the proper one.
but I think this is the proper one.
and quick-t empered 
Moderators.Thank you
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
From: 5 nM S of TNT, UK
"About 10 years prior to that, there was talk of a development near Telford. I was never sure if that was to be based around an existing airfield"
That was at what used to be Bratton airfield during WW2. The plans got turned down by the council. It is still just farmer's fields AFAIK.
That was at what used to be Bratton airfield during WW2. The plans got turned down by the council. It is still just farmer's fields AFAIK.
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 605
Likes: 10
From: UK
Thanks for the info on Bratton, Muffin. Another of my life's mysteries solved!
As for fly-in communities, I've always been jealous of those such as the ones on the West Coast of the US, with their own radio operated security gate on the taxiway, 5 beds, 3 car garage at the front and two aircraft hangar at the back, nicely rounded off with a pool. Jealous of their weather as well
Jealousy is not an attractive trait, I grant you, but I do it so well
As for fly-in communities, I've always been jealous of those such as the ones on the West Coast of the US, with their own radio operated security gate on the taxiway, 5 beds, 3 car garage at the front and two aircraft hangar at the back, nicely rounded off with a pool. Jealous of their weather as well
Jealousy is not an attractive trait, I grant you, but I do it so well
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
From: EuroGA.org
The Murcia fly-in is at
http://www.murcia-fly-in.com/
It appears to be coming along very slowly. I was in contact with the developers about a year ago; despite being at all the air shows, they didn't really want to reply to correspondence. Perhaps they just wanted people with a suitcase of cash - the Spanish property market has been like that for a while.
They were developing some 700 properties around the airfield - this is more than the sum total of aircraft owners (ones that have any money, the min plot+house price was GBP 200k) in the whole of Europe.
Also a major international airport was planned just a few miles away.
This region is being heavily developed for the ex-Brit fish and chips / pint of bitter crowd.
I don't think large air parks will work in Europe. The French ones are much smaller, more expensive (GBP 400k+) but a lot nicer.
http://www.murcia-fly-in.com/
It appears to be coming along very slowly. I was in contact with the developers about a year ago; despite being at all the air shows, they didn't really want to reply to correspondence. Perhaps they just wanted people with a suitcase of cash - the Spanish property market has been like that for a while.
They were developing some 700 properties around the airfield - this is more than the sum total of aircraft owners (ones that have any money, the min plot+house price was GBP 200k) in the whole of Europe.
Also a major international airport was planned just a few miles away.
This region is being heavily developed for the ex-Brit fish and chips / pint of bitter crowd.
I don't think large air parks will work in Europe. The French ones are much smaller, more expensive (GBP 400k+) but a lot nicer.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Paros, Greece
If you have the kind of money to afford a place like that (that's SERIOUS money), either as main residence or second home, where would you spend it Spain? Arizona? Or Telford?
Sorry, it's a non-starter.
Sorry, it's a non-starter.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 0
From: 75N 16E
I have often thought about selling up, moving off to the USA, buying 40 acres of land in Arizona for $15000, build my 7000 sq foot house, with 3 car garage and hangar, building a runway, buying a good aircraft, and having no mortgage.....and still having change to spare from my house sale.....
I will probably never do it though
I will probably never do it though
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: 7nm N of LARCK
Verchocq (N. France)
I was intrigued by the reports of the fly-in community near Le Touquet / Boulogne / Calais, having heard about it at St. Omer as well as Fly Stimulator’s link above. Monday was a nice flying day, so armed with the Pilot freebie landing voucher for Le Touquet, a quick visit was in order.
They had some fliers for the project on the counter at Le Touquet. These have a form on the back to fill in if you are interested (you are invited to register and comment without commitment). On the return I routed back via Verchocq. Fortunately with the co-ordinates in the GPS(s) as it’s not that easy to find. At present there’s no development other than the existing farm strip and flying club. I’d not sought PPR so didn’t land, but it appears to be a 600m grass strip, sloping up towards the west.
Hopefully it will be a more economic proposition than Spruce Creek or Vendee, as they repeatedly mention microlights. Anything heavy might have problems with the short grass field. According to the flier they plan to extend the strip to 710m. There are also a couple of adverts from companies building wooden chalets etc, another indication that it might not be too expensive (relatively!)
Safe Flying.
Richard W.
They had some fliers for the project on the counter at Le Touquet. These have a form on the back to fill in if you are interested (you are invited to register and comment without commitment). On the return I routed back via Verchocq. Fortunately with the co-ordinates in the GPS(s) as it’s not that easy to find. At present there’s no development other than the existing farm strip and flying club. I’d not sought PPR so didn’t land, but it appears to be a 600m grass strip, sloping up towards the west.
Hopefully it will be a more economic proposition than Spruce Creek or Vendee, as they repeatedly mention microlights. Anything heavy might have problems with the short grass field. According to the flier they plan to extend the strip to 710m. There are also a couple of adverts from companies building wooden chalets etc, another indication that it might not be too expensive (relatively!)
Safe Flying.
Richard W.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
From: EuroGA.org
englishal
I think you'd find that in Arizona your brain would turn into jelly only marginally slower that it would do so in Spain
I've been there, can vouch for your property prices, but there is nothing to do there. Nothing except take thousands of pictures of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, Monument Valley (that's into Utah, where property is even cheaper...)
Retirement in Spain is for people who are mentally finished and are ready to spend the rest of their days sitting in the sun and drinking wine or whatever, chatting to their chums from Chelsmford, watching East Enders on Sky TV.
WKW
The Murcia air park is like that too. The runway is there and that's more or less it.
I think you'd find that in Arizona your brain would turn into jelly only marginally slower that it would do so in Spain
I've been there, can vouch for your property prices, but there is nothing to do there. Nothing except take thousands of pictures of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, Monument Valley (that's into Utah, where property is even cheaper...)
Retirement in Spain is for people who are mentally finished and are ready to spend the rest of their days sitting in the sun and drinking wine or whatever, chatting to their chums from Chelsmford, watching East Enders on Sky TV.
WKW
The Murcia air park is like that too. The runway is there and that's more or less it.