What the ####s happening at Oban?
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What the ####s happening at Oban?
OK - does anyone know that the 
s happening at Oban ?
From being Best Airfield 2003 and 2005, it now seems to be in limbo.
Argyll and Bute Council, who own it, obviously don't give a toss for continuity of operations, or for keeping the aviation community updated with what's happening.
What are they playing at ?
Answers please on a postcard ....
s happening at Oban ?From being Best Airfield 2003 and 2005, it now seems to be in limbo.
Argyll and Bute Council, who own it, obviously don't give a toss for continuity of operations, or for keeping the aviation community updated with what's happening.
What are they playing at ?
Answers please on a postcard ....
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There was something about it in the Press and Journal the other day. Basically (if i read it correctly) Paul Keegan's "contract" to run the place was not renewed and the council advertised for some one to run the airport. Paul applied for the job but was told his application was unsuccessful. Apparently the council want to meet him this week. Hope for Oban's sake Paul gets to run the show again, although I believe he is still open for fuel.
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Oban
Paul ran a great airfield operation. A warm welcome and free coffee and a biscuit. I sometimes flew in just for the crack. As for the 'Barra wash'.....
The council have transformed an income generating business into a loss of £500,000pa picked up by the taxpayer. I believe the Scottish Executive is picking up the tab.
I understand that now we have to phone the council, pay for the landing by credit card and its too bad if the wx is bad so we dont go. Progress?
The council have transformed an income generating business into a loss of £500,000pa picked up by the taxpayer. I believe the Scottish Executive is picking up the tab.
I understand that now we have to phone the council, pay for the landing by credit card and its too bad if the wx is bad so we dont go. Progress?
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A little birdie told me that the council's expert aviation consultants have a pipe dream of someone like Ryanair eventually operating a hub there .... bwahahahahahahaha
I think they have spent too much time playing 'Microsoft Airport Manager Simulator 2005'.
Oban is at best a small GA/commuter field. It's what the airfield could support, and it's what the surrounding countryside and terrain will allow.
The dreams of large scale commerical operations, and a desire for flights to/from the islands daily for schoolkids, etc, have taken no account of reality. Guaranteed ops in Scottish winter conditions (or some summer days for that matter) where it will be difficult if not impossible to devise a regularly useable instrument approach which gives even a half chance of landing simply highlight the basic physical problems that this development faces.
Oban under Paul was brilliant at what it is suited for. A real touch of class when it came to customer service and provision. It could be developed a little more (and I'm sure Paul and Brian were more than up to the job), for example, scenic flights during the summer, perhaps a floatplane facility by the shore, and a small scale inter island operation (probably seasonal again). Hard to see the market or operational possibilities of anything else.
I wonder how much the poor local council tax payers and UK/European tax payers in general have been fleeced for the provision of an unworkable dream ???
and from the Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd Board Meeting in April 2005, it seems Pauls card was already marked.
possibly started by this paragraph in the 'consultants' report
Full report is here
I think they have spent too much time playing 'Microsoft Airport Manager Simulator 2005'.
Oban is at best a small GA/commuter field. It's what the airfield could support, and it's what the surrounding countryside and terrain will allow.
The dreams of large scale commerical operations, and a desire for flights to/from the islands daily for schoolkids, etc, have taken no account of reality. Guaranteed ops in Scottish winter conditions (or some summer days for that matter) where it will be difficult if not impossible to devise a regularly useable instrument approach which gives even a half chance of landing simply highlight the basic physical problems that this development faces.
Oban under Paul was brilliant at what it is suited for. A real touch of class when it came to customer service and provision. It could be developed a little more (and I'm sure Paul and Brian were more than up to the job), for example, scenic flights during the summer, perhaps a floatplane facility by the shore, and a small scale inter island operation (probably seasonal again). Hard to see the market or operational possibilities of anything else.
I wonder how much the poor local council tax payers and UK/European tax payers in general have been fleeced for the provision of an unworkable dream ???
Mon, 07 Nov 2005 16:22:56
The announcement by the Scottish Executive of a £6m investment package to fund the creation of a regional air hub at Oban, and two new licensed airfields on Coll and Colonsay has been welcomed by Argyll and Bute Council.
Argyll and Bute Council Leader Allan Macaskill said. "This really is excellent news for Argyll, Oban and for our island communities. During the winter Coll, Colonsay and Tiree are serviced by three ferry journeys a week. The Argyll Air Services project will create a "hub" providing a daily connection to Oban, dramatically improving access to services and providing vital business and tourist links. This is a key factor in supporting the sustainable growth of some of Scotland's most fragile island communities.
"In the long term, I hope that the "hub" will link into the wider Highlands and Islands Air Services Network, contributing to the area's strategic transport network. The Scottish Executive funding will directly support the running costs of the improved airport at Oban. The funding received from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise and the European Development Fund has evidenced a real partnership approach to improving services to some of our most remote communities."
The project is HITRANS' top priority and involves the upgrading of Oban Airport and forming new airstrips on Coll and Colonsay to create licensed airfields which can support scheduled air services. This will allow the commencement of an Argyll islands air network feeding into the Oban hub.
The announcement by the Scottish Executive of a £6m investment package to fund the creation of a regional air hub at Oban, and two new licensed airfields on Coll and Colonsay has been welcomed by Argyll and Bute Council.
Argyll and Bute Council Leader Allan Macaskill said. "This really is excellent news for Argyll, Oban and for our island communities. During the winter Coll, Colonsay and Tiree are serviced by three ferry journeys a week. The Argyll Air Services project will create a "hub" providing a daily connection to Oban, dramatically improving access to services and providing vital business and tourist links. This is a key factor in supporting the sustainable growth of some of Scotland's most fragile island communities.
"In the long term, I hope that the "hub" will link into the wider Highlands and Islands Air Services Network, contributing to the area's strategic transport network. The Scottish Executive funding will directly support the running costs of the improved airport at Oban. The funding received from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise and the European Development Fund has evidenced a real partnership approach to improving services to some of our most remote communities."
The project is HITRANS' top priority and involves the upgrading of Oban Airport and forming new airstrips on Coll and Colonsay to create licensed airfields which can support scheduled air services. This will allow the commencement of an Argyll islands air network feeding into the Oban hub.
4.6 Oban Airport: Update
Mr Macleod had met with James McLellan, Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute Council on Friday 22 May. The Council had seen the pitfalls of their earlier proposals to transfer ownership given the ongoing contracts with the incumbent operator. The Council are content with the current direction which is that they will continue to own the airport and appoint a manager to oversee the project initially. In time they intend to put the operation of the airport out to tender. The Board agreed that in principle HIAL would be prepared to tender but wanted to be able to give detailed consideration to this at the appropriate time.
Mr Macleod had met with James McLellan, Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute Council on Friday 22 May. The Council had seen the pitfalls of their earlier proposals to transfer ownership given the ongoing contracts with the incumbent operator. The Council are content with the current direction which is that they will continue to own the airport and appoint a manager to oversee the project initially. In time they intend to put the operation of the airport out to tender. The Board agreed that in principle HIAL would be prepared to tender but wanted to be able to give detailed consideration to this at the appropriate time.
The airfield management (TLC) has attracted general and business aviation to the airport. The market, in which they operate, is for individuals who have the means and ability to use general aviation and therefore are likely to have a high propensity to spend which makes a positive contribution to the local economy. However, such services do not meet the objective of greater social inclusion and accessibility for the general public. It is the intention of TLC to grow the airport within this market, building on the growth they have achieved since they were franchised to run the airfield.
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Timely post. Oban is now to all intents and purposes unusable. Imagine - phone council, can't get through, no-fly, no fuel uplift - fuel facility then becomes untenable. Mmmmm. Method in the madness methinks. Or, phone council, get ppr, don't go. Will they then invoice on the basis that you've gone? We must try it soon, see what happens. Access to fuel is perhaps the most important operational issue here. We need easy, flexible, on-demand fuel on the West Coast between Pik and Inv.
The good news (and I'm not being facetious) is that we'll be getting two smashing island airstrips built for us. Coll and Colonsay have to be 2 of the nicest West Coast islands.
PPrune Radar - spot-on, concise post. Says it all. This is political remember - our lords and masters know best. And remember, whether local or 'national' level, we're not just dealing with any old politician. We're dealing with Scottish politicians - third-rate doesn't even begin to describe them.
Timely post. Oban is now to all intents and purposes unusable. Imagine - phone council, can't get through, no-fly, no fuel uplift - fuel facility then becomes untenable. Mmmmm. Method in the madness methinks. Or, phone council, get ppr, don't go. Will they then invoice on the basis that you've gone? We must try it soon, see what happens. Access to fuel is perhaps the most important operational issue here. We need easy, flexible, on-demand fuel on the West Coast between Pik and Inv.
The good news (and I'm not being facetious) is that we'll be getting two smashing island airstrips built for us. Coll and Colonsay have to be 2 of the nicest West Coast islands.
PPrune Radar - spot-on, concise post. Says it all. This is political remember - our lords and masters know best. And remember, whether local or 'national' level, we're not just dealing with any old politician. We're dealing with Scottish politicians - third-rate doesn't even begin to describe them.
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It's a scandal and a disgrace. I'm all for organising an entire bunch of a/c to trek up to Oban for the day and give Paul some support, but there is no way I'll be calling the council for "permission."
If we turn up en-mass, what are they likely to do. It would highlight what a farce is going on and allow us to show what a loss Oban is to the GA community in Scotland.
As for getting a 73 in on 20!!!.... I'll let someone else try it first! I'll watch with a roadsweeper, ready to brush up all the pieces.
Long live the Jammy Dodger! Perhaps we could get the Flying and feasting community together for a barbecue?
PM me if anyone is interested, I'll do a quick run around most of the clubs hereabouts. (Perth, Cumbernauld, Fife, Strathallan, Glasgow.)
If we turn up en-mass, what are they likely to do. It would highlight what a farce is going on and allow us to show what a loss Oban is to the GA community in Scotland.
As for getting a 73 in on 20!!!.... I'll let someone else try it first! I'll watch with a roadsweeper, ready to brush up all the pieces.
Long live the Jammy Dodger! Perhaps we could get the Flying and feasting community together for a barbecue?
PM me if anyone is interested, I'll do a quick run around most of the clubs hereabouts. (Perth, Cumbernauld, Fife, Strathallan, Glasgow.)
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Seems to me that a commercial service base don Trislanders or small turboprop might fly, but even with ILS there'll be a lot of no flying days.
Moreover I'm pretty sure they could leave it to Paul to organise all that and save a truckload of money. I wish.......
Moreover I'm pretty sure they could leave it to Paul to organise all that and save a truckload of money. I wish.......
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I have already recieved a bit of interest about a fly in to Oban from various people on this board and directly through the club, so I'll have a bit more of a think and see if we can't organise something.
I think I'll give the flying mags a look too and see if they can run story about it.
I think I'll give the flying mags a look too and see if they can run story about it.
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SAS,
Let the flying mags know. I don't think this is reported in any of them; it's the first I've heard about it. Oban is a favourite with many, many people (me included); I think you might well get a lot of support for a fly-in...and maybe anything else, if it's not too late to change things.
And I wanted to fly to Oban again next summer.
Let the flying mags know. I don't think this is reported in any of them; it's the first I've heard about it. Oban is a favourite with many, many people (me included); I think you might well get a lot of support for a fly-in...and maybe anything else, if it's not too late to change things.
And I wanted to fly to Oban again next summer.
As well as the flying mags, would be well worth getting the local (Oban) press involved too. Articles in Flyer/Pilot whatever wouldn't put much pressure on local councils IMHO. Have PM'd SAS over the flyin.
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16 a/c so far! one e-mail sent to Argyll and Bute council to ask what on earth is going on, but guess what? They are out of the office and don't give you any other contact details........... Back in on Monday however.
I think if we go after Christmas, it would be best, giving time to organise as many people as possible. A weekend obviously and some good weather would be nice!
Whirly, can you let me have some contact details for some of the Mags you've written for? I'd like to get in touch with them ASAP really. Thanks.
We could turn this into a Pprune fly in aswell at this rate!
I think if we go after Christmas, it would be best, giving time to organise as many people as possible. A weekend obviously and some good weather would be nice!
Whirly, can you let me have some contact details for some of the Mags you've written for? I'd like to get in touch with them ASAP really. Thanks.
We could turn this into a Pprune fly in aswell at this rate!
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As i said on previous posts on the subject of Oban.
The local politics of rural highlands are famous for this.
Someone has decided that Paul is gone and or the field. The airport currently doesn't actually help any of the local councillers.
Currently they are putting together schemes which they hope won't work. Paul was putting a spanner in the works by making the airfield work.
I wouldn't mind betting that in 10 years time there will be a small village of holiday homes on the land. Which is what the councillers want because it will put more money in the coffers of the businesses they run. And also they will sell the site for a mint.
And stop that moaning face bastard at the caravan site complaining all the time. He complains about everything and tried to get violent with me when we were diving the Breda and brought the rib into shore to drop someone off. Silly bugger tried to get me nicked for carry an offensive weapon. Thanks to Strathclyde police dive team for explaining to the local plod that a 6" serated knife is part of the safety equipment for a diver.
HIAL I think are about as interested in OBan as they are in Dundee but have to play thier cards close to thier chest because they are owed by the scottish exec.
MJ
The local politics of rural highlands are famous for this.
Someone has decided that Paul is gone and or the field. The airport currently doesn't actually help any of the local councillers.
Currently they are putting together schemes which they hope won't work. Paul was putting a spanner in the works by making the airfield work.
I wouldn't mind betting that in 10 years time there will be a small village of holiday homes on the land. Which is what the councillers want because it will put more money in the coffers of the businesses they run. And also they will sell the site for a mint.
And stop that moaning face bastard at the caravan site complaining all the time. He complains about everything and tried to get violent with me when we were diving the Breda and brought the rib into shore to drop someone off. Silly bugger tried to get me nicked for carry an offensive weapon. Thanks to Strathclyde police dive team for explaining to the local plod that a 6" serated knife is part of the safety equipment for a diver.
HIAL I think are about as interested in OBan as they are in Dundee but have to play thier cards close to thier chest because they are owed by the scottish exec.
MJ
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I have just spoken to the council at Oban to see what on earth is going on, I have been told that the council offices are closed at weekends, but if you want to fly up there, then you can give them a phone and get retrospective permission during the next week!!! To me this says we all have permission whenever we wish. Tel no: 01631 562 125.
How that works I have no idea, but I'll see who's up for trying it this weekend!
Oh and Paul's "given up." But may be around the airfield......
Sounded rather defensive as well.
How that works I have no idea, but I'll see who's up for trying it this weekend!
Oh and Paul's "given up." But may be around the airfield......
Sounded rather defensive as well.
Better red than ...
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The 'strategic importance' of Oban to GA (and the military) is the fuel.
There is nowhere else in the region within reasonable range of the Western Isles.
There is nowhere else in the region within reasonable range of the Western Isles.
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Here's a copy of an e-mail I've just received despite originally being told that the recipient would be away until Monday.
"Dear Mr Say again slowly,
You have to get PPR from the Council because Mr Keegan decided, after having previously agreed to continue on a short term basis until the new regime is in place, that he would not do so. We decided that with lower numbers of users in December we could operate without radio. We hope to get air/ground radio re established in January prior to work starting on upgrading the infrastructure.
I suggest you phone for PPR prior to the weekend.
We greatly hope Mr Keegan and TLC will continue to provide a service at Oban Airport.
Yours Sincerely,"
I think a phonecall to Paul tomorrow would be in order and I'll see what response I get from my latest e-mail.
"Dear Mr Say again slowly,
You have to get PPR from the Council because Mr Keegan decided, after having previously agreed to continue on a short term basis until the new regime is in place, that he would not do so. We decided that with lower numbers of users in December we could operate without radio. We hope to get air/ground radio re established in January prior to work starting on upgrading the infrastructure.
I suggest you phone for PPR prior to the weekend.
We greatly hope Mr Keegan and TLC will continue to provide a service at Oban Airport.
Yours Sincerely,"
I think a phonecall to Paul tomorrow would be in order and I'll see what response I get from my latest e-mail.
Last edited by Say again s l o w l y; 15th Dec 2005 at 18:21.
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SAS,
Count me in on the airtourer if no ones already commited the aircraft....but not on Christmas day! may be a w&b issue!
with regards to the 737 turning finals for rwy 20...the caravan park owner will no doubt have something useless to say...and in these nanny state times, noise abaitment procedures will no doubt result in an engines off landing!
Count me in on the airtourer if no ones already commited the aircraft....but not on Christmas day! may be a w&b issue!
with regards to the 737 turning finals for rwy 20...the caravan park owner will no doubt have something useless to say...and in these nanny state times, noise abaitment procedures will no doubt result in an engines off landing!
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Thanks to all who've replied and want to come, particular thanks to Whirly for the contact details.
At the moment it looks as if we'll need a 73 for everyone to come! I'm planning on going during January, 14th or 15th maybe? Earlier would be fine, so if anyone has any preferences, let me know. 7th/8th?14th/15th? Weekends would obviously be best.
I'll be away over Christmas, but I'll keep everyone upto date. I'm still awaiting a response from Argyll and Bute council on numerous points which I'll post here when I get a reply from them.
At the moment it looks as if we'll need a 73 for everyone to come! I'm planning on going during January, 14th or 15th maybe? Earlier would be fine, so if anyone has any preferences, let me know. 7th/8th?14th/15th? Weekends would obviously be best.
I'll be away over Christmas, but I'll keep everyone upto date. I'm still awaiting a response from Argyll and Bute council on numerous points which I'll post here when I get a reply from them.