Another Regional Airport Rip-Off
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: .
Age: 37
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
groundhand - You'd be correct in assuming that all complaints are indeed from those of us who fly GA. After all that's what the thread is about.
Airports are indeed commercial operations - that we all understand. I don't think any of us would be silly enough to expect to waltz into airports with absolutely no charge whatsoever. Of course we need to pay.
But the main point is: Why do the charges have to be so expensive? And why do we need costly compulsory handling when it is in many cases unnecissary?
I think this is especially relevant considering the, ahem, "inflated" landing fees many airports charge.
Airports are indeed commercial operations - that we all understand. I don't think any of us would be silly enough to expect to waltz into airports with absolutely no charge whatsoever. Of course we need to pay.
But the main point is: Why do the charges have to be so expensive? And why do we need costly compulsory handling when it is in many cases unnecissary?
I think this is especially relevant considering the, ahem, "inflated" landing fees many airports charge.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Midlands
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some have forgotten that all most GA aircraft need to operate is 600 m of flat grass (or less). If the regional airports want to charge you lots of dosh and you are VFR and flying for fun chances are there is a closer alternative with a 50/50 chance of a small donation or a landing fee of around £10. If you are IFR and flying for work then work pays, but you could go by other means.
Rod1
Rod1
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Inside CAS
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lets just cut to the chase. The UK is not really the place to be if you want to do serious private flying. Weather, costs, culture, airfields - its all stacked up against us in, unfortunately, increasing amounts.
What happened to the spirit of aviation over here?
There is only real solution. A one-way flightplan over the FIR boundary.
Au-revoir
What happened to the spirit of aviation over here?
There is only real solution. A one-way flightplan over the FIR boundary.
Au-revoir
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aberdeen is another charge thats hard to swallow. My last quote for a C172 and overnight parking was £108 inc VAT.
Its all the wee things that add up, there are the Nav Fees,landing,handling departure etc etc.
An alternative at Aberdeen is to nip into Whiterashes where you can land for a fiver and overnight for an additional 15 quid. You will recieve nearly all the services provided by ATC, (and you will need them for this visit) for a fraction of the cost. OK its a bit further out of town but it depands what your visit is for.
Whiterashes is not in Pooleys though so check the AFE VFR guide.
I agree there have to be charges and you use up a lot of peoples time at some facilities and they also need to be paid to fund their own hobbies so thankfully there are usually alternatives.
For Edinburgh you have Kirknewton, also no longer in Pooleys but still available. Last time I was in there it was donations.......
Its all the wee things that add up, there are the Nav Fees,landing,handling departure etc etc.
An alternative at Aberdeen is to nip into Whiterashes where you can land for a fiver and overnight for an additional 15 quid. You will recieve nearly all the services provided by ATC, (and you will need them for this visit) for a fraction of the cost. OK its a bit further out of town but it depands what your visit is for.
Whiterashes is not in Pooleys though so check the AFE VFR guide.
I agree there have to be charges and you use up a lot of peoples time at some facilities and they also need to be paid to fund their own hobbies so thankfully there are usually alternatives.
For Edinburgh you have Kirknewton, also no longer in Pooleys but still available. Last time I was in there it was donations.......
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Midlands
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lets just cut to the chase. The UK is not really the place to be if you want to do serious private flying. Weather, costs, culture, airfields - its all stacked up against us in, unfortunately, increasing amounts.
What happened to the spirit of aviation over here?
Depends on your definition of “serious”. If you are talking your own aircraft, lots of flying for fun and lots of camaraderie then it is alive and well, has avoided most of the costs, does not have a hi ves vest and does not fly from regional airfields, but mostly form farm strips – find your local LAA/BMAA group.
If you mean IFR for business, then that is a completely different problem…
Rod1
What happened to the spirit of aviation over here?
Depends on your definition of “serious”. If you are talking your own aircraft, lots of flying for fun and lots of camaraderie then it is alive and well, has avoided most of the costs, does not have a hi ves vest and does not fly from regional airfields, but mostly form farm strips – find your local LAA/BMAA group.
If you mean IFR for business, then that is a completely different problem…
Rod1
