Oban/Glenforsa News
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Jockistan
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I have to say that I agree with JohnM and Helen49.
The situation at Oban is a shambles. However I generally find the guys and gals on the ground extremely helpful.
It is my view that they are just doing the job being ask of them by their superiors. However they have insufficient prior experience/exposure to running a similar facility to appreciate the impact of some of their actions.
If you want to attack anyone please target the chiefs and leave the indians alone.
The situation at Oban is a shambles. However I generally find the guys and gals on the ground extremely helpful.
It is my view that they are just doing the job being ask of them by their superiors. However they have insufficient prior experience/exposure to running a similar facility to appreciate the impact of some of their actions.
If you want to attack anyone please target the chiefs and leave the indians alone.
Join Date: Jan 2004
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However I generally find the guys and gals on the ground extremely helpful.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: GLASGOW
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My job
Everyone who has commented agrees that the staff are helpful and congenial, why would'nt they be, however, the staff are also looking after their own jobs. Their own agenda in other words. Seven, or eight of them, sitting around playing scrabble, whilst we all pay for it, and deal with the airfield restrictions, is not good enough. The MOR'S say it all. Also in mid summer, to close the field at 5.00, or is it 6?? is ludicrous. Additional revenue can come from operating the field in a million differing ways. This has, however, been done to death. 
Back onto the pen and paper.
Back onto the pen and paper.
Join Date: May 2001
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Stick a complaint into Audit scotland and see what the next 6 months comes up with.
If they are having to chop school buses; after the emergency budget has been announced 2 million for a couple of airports ain't going to get past the budget committee. And the scottish parliment is going to have enough trouble balancing its own books to be handing out cash for it. I suspect 1 or 2 HIAL airports might be having to justify there budget as well.
I can't see them shutting the place after spending 8 mil on it.
But neither can I see them giving up and letting it go back to the old days. Its a fairly common issue with scottish councils that they hate the idea of anyone running a buisness and making a profit off the back of council property. Without the council having some sort of control over it and getting a cut. Which to be honest I think is the route cause of the issues with both sites.
If they are having to chop school buses; after the emergency budget has been announced 2 million for a couple of airports ain't going to get past the budget committee. And the scottish parliment is going to have enough trouble balancing its own books to be handing out cash for it. I suspect 1 or 2 HIAL airports might be having to justify there budget as well.
I can't see them shutting the place after spending 8 mil on it.
But neither can I see them giving up and letting it go back to the old days. Its a fairly common issue with scottish councils that they hate the idea of anyone running a buisness and making a profit off the back of council property. Without the council having some sort of control over it and getting a cut. Which to be honest I think is the route cause of the issues with both sites.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Way out
The problem now may well be that there is no way out. The place does not, and may never make money. The 9 mill spent on it, frankly you can kiss bye bye to. The wage bill alone runs to over 1/4 mil each year. Beautiful facility, but...................even HIAL wont touch it!
However, if someone can persuade the cooncil to give a large subsidy, to an LLP, them maybe, just maybe, a living could be got. That would get the cooncil off the hook, but also remember who operates can not get fuel revenue. That is a small issue
However, if someone can persuade the cooncil to give a large subsidy, to an LLP, them maybe, just maybe, a living could be got. That would get the cooncil off the hook, but also remember who operates can not get fuel revenue. That is a small issue
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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Oban Follies
Please correct me if I'm mistaken, but did not the airport previously
make some money for the council with zero outlay to themselves.
And if movements returned to the levels of when it was voted best GA airport two years running, would it not provide an income stream to the council instead of a wacking great loss?
WW
make some money for the council with zero outlay to themselves.
And if movements returned to the levels of when it was voted best GA airport two years running, would it not provide an income stream to the council instead of a wacking great loss?
WW
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Send you concerns to audit scotland.
But I can tell you now the idiots in charge will prefer that both airfields shut than either of the 2 local personalites have any hint on the horizon that they will be running things.
But I can tell you now the idiots in charge will prefer that both airfields shut than either of the 2 local personalites have any hint on the horizon that they will be running things.
Last edited by mad_jock; 8th Jun 2010 at 19:27.
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Oban Follies
I think, if you were to enquire of the '2 local personalites' you would find that, they would be more than satisfied if they were just allowed to operate their business's without 'let or hinderence'.
WW
WW
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You know that, I know that but....
Its a fairly common issue with scottish councils that they hate the idea of anyone running a buisness and making a profit off the back of council property. Without the council having some sort of control over it and getting a cut. Which to be honest I think is the route cause of the issues with both sites.
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Oban Follies
Letter in the Oban Times today that appears to blame Paul Keegan for everything that is wrong at Oban airport including, depriving the public of an air ambulance service, denying larger aircraft access to the airport therefore depriving local business's of potential customers, and stopping our brave boys from training in their Tucano's 'at a time when our forces are so stretched'!
We are then asked to 'abandon the constant sniping of a petty vendetta' beforethe author goes on to tell us that 'the facility is well received and appreciated by users from around the world', but presumably, just the ones who can get there before 5 o'clock!
If these views are typical of the guys that work at Oban Airport, then any sympathy I might of had for their position has now disappeared.
So I wish 'four pensions' the author of this scurrilous piece of garbage, and his mates, the best of luck in the forthcoming round of council cuts.
Rant over, tin hat on.
WW
We are then asked to 'abandon the constant sniping of a petty vendetta' beforethe author goes on to tell us that 'the facility is well received and appreciated by users from around the world', but presumably, just the ones who can get there before 5 o'clock!
If these views are typical of the guys that work at Oban Airport, then any sympathy I might of had for their position has now disappeared.
So I wish 'four pensions' the author of this scurrilous piece of garbage, and his mates, the best of luck in the forthcoming round of council cuts.
Rant over, tin hat on.
WW
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Light plane crash lands at Oban airport - The Oban Times Newspaper
Whats the story here??......was the gear down and collapsed on landing or was the approach flown without gear??.....
I know back in my runway caravan days a good pair of binoculars saved the MOD a hefty bill.....a quick scan of every aircraft approaching can save much embarrasment..
Whats the story here??......was the gear down and collapsed on landing or was the approach flown without gear??.....
I know back in my runway caravan days a good pair of binoculars saved the MOD a hefty bill.....a quick scan of every aircraft approaching can save much embarrasment..
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Oban Follies
Whats the story here??......
Hat, coat.
WW
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Oban Follies
Perhaps the tower was distracted by their letter writing activities and did not notice the lack of gear
S&S
A little less conversation,
a little more aviation...
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Letter in the Oban Times today that appears to blame Paul Keegan for everything that is wrong at Oban airport including, depriving the public of an air ambulance service, denying larger aircraft access to the airport therefore depriving local business's of potential customers, and stopping our brave boys from training in their Tucano's 'at a time when our forces are so stretched'!
We are then asked to 'abandon the constant sniping of a petty vendetta' beforethe author goes on to tell us that 'the facility is well received and appreciated by users from around the world', but presumably, just the ones who can get there before 5 o'clock!
If these views are typical of the guys that work at Oban Airport, then any sympathy I might of had for their position has now disappeared.
So I wish 'four pensions' the author of this scurrilous piece of garbage, and his mates, the best of luck in the forthcoming round of council cuts.
Rant over, tin hat on.
WW
We are then asked to 'abandon the constant sniping of a petty vendetta' beforethe author goes on to tell us that 'the facility is well received and appreciated by users from around the world', but presumably, just the ones who can get there before 5 o'clock!
If these views are typical of the guys that work at Oban Airport, then any sympathy I might of had for their position has now disappeared.
So I wish 'four pensions' the author of this scurrilous piece of garbage, and his mates, the best of luck in the forthcoming round of council cuts.
Rant over, tin hat on.
WW
The fraggle-rock contingent who pretend to the title of 'Airfield Management' are operating little more than a thinly disguised protection racket....and the Spanish have a lovely term for the situation, roughly translated as "For every pig, there is a roasting".
I suspect the roasting has begun, and hence the squealing you've witnessed in the Oban Times.
Bide your time. The best pork crackling takes care and patience to prepare.
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It is patently clear from anyone who visits the place who the hardest working person on the airfield is, and he's the chap who will be putting fuel in your aircraft, tea and jammy-dodgers in your tum, and cheer in your heart.