Oban/Glenforsa News

[flybymike]

Jock, as ever, brings us a note of delicate reflection...

[Phil Space]

It all adds colour and drama to a real life saga that betters a lot we see on tv.

I hope the fun continues as it often brightens up a dull morning

[mad_jock]

Emails winging to a divisional Commander asking him what the deal is. So far the flight plan is not a problem as I suspected.

PPR is getting looked into to see if it is civil or criminal.

If its civil no more visits to the field by the boys in Blue.

Has anyone bothered to write to the council/ MP about this completely stupid situation which is occurring.

[jonkil]

Had my first visit to Glenforsa this year. Beautiful place and the folk at the Glenforsa Hotel were great. Met with the guy at the airstrip to pay the landing fee, was OK........ why has such a beautiful place, with lets face it, not a hell of a GA traffic got so political and awkward. It is a simple grass airfield that isnt hard to keep, is it going to be destroyed by government the same way they destroy everything else ? As for spending 9,000,000 on Oban, my God what the hell were the people in charge thinking about, try doing such a stupid exercise in the private sector, you would be hung drawn and quartered..... heads NEED to roll regarding that one.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by madflyer26

Genghis,

Just an observation, why didn't you ask for an amended taxi clearance if you though you were taxiing into the unknown, or did you check where your tail-wheel was going to end up prior to swinging round.

I did, but in trying to position for a potential pushback I got it wrong - which is fully my fault.

Asking for POB on final is not a CAP 418 SOP but it's hardly worth reporting that on this forum. I am a local pilot and I have heard the RT and it's not great but you have to use your savy and decipher whats best for you. I would suggest that you visit the tower on your next trip and correct them on the error of their ways. These guys are all bar one non aviators, so unless there is a complaint all that's going to happen is perpetuating error.

I'll leave that to you locals - but I'd expect even a non-aviator A/G operator to be fully aware regardless that a pilot on finals is quite busy enough and doesn't need distracting.

By coming on here airing your grievances is in my opinion not the best course of action, affirmative action is much better and could go a long way to sorting the issues out. All you have done is highlight an issue but in retrospect could you have avoided it?

A minor whinge within the general discussion, it's still an airfield I plan to visit again. I can't avoid a A/G operator distracting me with unnecessary communication on short finals - that's his call not mine.

Phil Space,

Glad to meet you.

The waste of money thing has been done to death and unless you have a cunning scheme to recoup the said money, drop it as it's boring as hell. Most people know by now of the debacle that went on, but it's time to move on and encourage more to utilise this magnificent site.

Thanks for that, but it's my comment after my first trip in there since the change of airfield management so the changes were entirely new to me firsthand.

And yes, it is a magnificent site, and deserves to be used a lot.

G

[Sweet & Sour]

Its reassuring reading to see others have concerns regarding D.H. earlier on this thread I posted my concerns regarding his ability to act as airfield manager only to have them removed by the moderator, I wrote to the Oban management they weren't even professional enough to reply. I am sure its only a matter of time until ?????? happens then things may change.
S&S

[flybymike]

The reasons for removal by the mods were entirely understandable in view of what had been said. This is a difficult and sensitive area to deal with on a public forum but on the other hand there is a legitimate safety issue here as well. I have no idea whether these matters have been brought to the attention of his employers and whether after due diligence they have been dismissed as unjustified concerns, or whether the concerns have simply been ignored. However if his employers will not take action to at least investigate the matter then I do not know how it can be resolved until there is an accident.

[Mike Cross]

CAP 413, Radiotelephony Manual

5 Aerodrome Air/Ground Communication Service Phraseology

5.1.2 Messages will not be transmitted to an aircraft during take-off, the last part of final approach or the landing roll, unless it is necessary for safety reasons, because it will be distracting to the pilot at a time when the cockpit workload is often at its highest.

[BRL]

Sweet and Sour, your "Concerns" were a bit too personal and you know it so don't bother dredging that up as an excuse to have a pop. Look back through your posts, nothing constructive at all mate. PM me and we will discuss this further if you want

Mad Jock, I have had a complaint, please tone it down old chap

To all, I have had enough of people slagging everyone off, it's getting like the old days here now. This thread is for news/visits/reports please not vendettas.

[Cows getting bigger]

Still one of the finest airfields in the UK and somewhere that every aviator should visit, at least once.

[dont overfil]

I have been regularly flying to Glenforsa and Oban for over twenty years and have never had a problem. They are great places to visit.
I know there are relationship difficulties (in house) at both of these locations. Where isn't there? This has nothing to do with 99% of the people on this forum.
Perhaps if visitors turn up with preconceived ideas of the sort of service they are going to get they maybe don't treat these people with the respect they deserve. As a result they will not get good service.
Calling names in an anonymous forum is pretty cowardly.
If you have difficulty in getting ppr I provided a mobile number a few posts ago. (I don't know if I should have).
The Scottish islands are a small world. It is such a pity they are being depicted as small minded.
The origional GF (and Mrs) and DH have always given me courteous and efficient service and I'm sure they will provide it to you if you visit.

DO.

[mad_jock]

Wilco post removed.

PPR is apparently a bit of a nippy one and "no comment" is the answer.

[Kiltie]

I like David Howitt and his stories of the history of the airfield. I first met him in 1985 and have been flying to Mull ever since. I've never had any safety concerns there with what was being transmitted from the ground, as it has always been only information and it's up to me how I choose to act on it (or not). David explained to me years ago why PPR was essential. It's a council legal requirement; I understood his reasoning and haven't had a problem with it. His answerphone is always on and he returns my call every time.

I have stayed in the Glenforsa Hotel several times whilst under the ownership of 4 different people. I've decided to stay elsewhere during future visits.

[The Original GF]

Glenforsa Frolics

I've decided to stay elsewhere during future visits.

It that because the Hotel is always full?



OGF

[Kiltie]

No, I've never had a problem getting a room on the days I have visited.

[maxred]

Insults

I thought the mod had asked that we stop 'slagging and insulting' individuals on the forum. Kiltie, obviously the hotel does not suit your current requirements. For the record, the current owners run a friendly, comfortable and aviation related business. Scottish tourism is not a particularly easy business to be in, god knows in the current climate, it therefore should be applauded that the sites at Oban and Glenforsa afford some of the most beautiful flying in the UK.

Lets forget the spend and politic at Oban, and enjoy the facility that has been developed. Those who have followed the events over the past decade understand the real heroes and villians in this 'journey of West Coast Aviation'.

[Kiltie]

Maxred where have I slagged or insulted any individuals?

[Say again s l o w l y]

Why would the police need to be informed about a movement originating in the UK and ending in the UK?

NI, Channel Islands, IoM etc yes, but not at Glenforsa.

This is all to do with the incoming barrage of utter nightmares that is the new e-borders system. It ain't here yet though.

[helicopter-redeye]

The local police in the islands and W Coast are often quite proactive in checking out aircraft movements - how do they know where they have come from .... Its probably a good thing, the interactions are informal and friendly, and they are helping to protect us from the bad guys.

Sierra Bravo also quite active round Oban port - the suits give them away though

[Gelande Strasse]

Sierra Bravo also quite active round Oban port - the suits give them away though

I think they are probably just the 'cooncillors' minders

GS