Oban/Glenforsa News
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and woe betide anyone who forgets to request permission before they hit 'submit reply' button
Last edited by 140KIAS; 15th Jul 2010 at 06:32. Reason: reworded to sound less anorack-ish
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I have just been up to Oban - Glenforsa area.
Having meet all concerned one thing seems to be less than obvious.
Everyone we met - without exception - was friendly and welcoming to us and we had a great time.
Certainly there are some problems and funny rules up there but don't let it put you off going to the area for the trip.
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Location: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
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Boy oh boy, this is amazing. I actually came on Pprune today to put a thread on about Oban Airfield but thought a quick search was prudent to make sure I wasn't repeating anything. What a shock!!
We did a patient transfer from Skye to Preston yesterday and used Oban as a refuelling stop. I planned to start a thread to tell everyone how excellent the service at the airfield was!! Pre flight was extremely helpful from ATC and refuellers. On landing we were given a lovely welcome message (nice touch if not iaw the CAP). The refuel was quick and efficient, tea from a pot with Jammie Dodgers was awesome and I just checked out there is a light on the pen, great! In the terminal, the admin staff were friendly, the firemen too. All in all, we all commented on how well they treated us. I am sure that some people have had issues, we did not at all. Oban, you are recommended to all by Jayteeto.
We did a patient transfer from Skye to Preston yesterday and used Oban as a refuelling stop. I planned to start a thread to tell everyone how excellent the service at the airfield was!! Pre flight was extremely helpful from ATC and refuellers. On landing we were given a lovely welcome message (nice touch if not iaw the CAP). The refuel was quick and efficient, tea from a pot with Jammie Dodgers was awesome and I just checked out there is a light on the pen, great! In the terminal, the admin staff were friendly, the firemen too. All in all, we all commented on how well they treated us. I am sure that some people have had issues, we did not at all. Oban, you are recommended to all by Jayteeto.
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I was in Oban this weekend and on the whole enjoyed the experience. I have enough range on my aircraft that a landing in Oban is optional on a highland trip and on the whole just for the experience and a cup of tea.
One piece of advice for whoever does the radio at "Oban Information", its not Heathrow mate and the way you come across I wouldn't be surprised if your next trick is to start a clearance delivery frequency.
I would suggest that you left engine start to the pilots discretion given you are basically a GA airfield, pretty much like everyone else in the entire world does and that you also tried to find a way to make the extra runway available as a starter extension (for example at pilots discretion, no information service available or something similar) as I would hate to see the day when you have an aircraft land in the caravan site for want of an extra bit of braking space for an aborted take-off. How about trying to balance the risk for your customers, or in the event that its more than your "jobsworth" to do so at least let the pilot balance his/her own risk with reasonable friendliness and grace from your side.
Thanks
rmac
One piece of advice for whoever does the radio at "Oban Information", its not Heathrow mate and the way you come across I wouldn't be surprised if your next trick is to start a clearance delivery frequency.
I would suggest that you left engine start to the pilots discretion given you are basically a GA airfield, pretty much like everyone else in the entire world does and that you also tried to find a way to make the extra runway available as a starter extension (for example at pilots discretion, no information service available or something similar) as I would hate to see the day when you have an aircraft land in the caravan site for want of an extra bit of braking space for an aborted take-off. How about trying to balance the risk for your customers, or in the event that its more than your "jobsworth" to do so at least let the pilot balance his/her own risk with reasonable friendliness and grace from your side.
Thanks
rmac
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rMac
I suggest you refer to the regulations of the airfield in question, they are available on the NATS website etc for all to see and to comply with.
Maxbear.
I suggest you refer to the regulations of the airfield in question, they are available on the NATS website etc for all to see and to comply with.
Maxbear.
1. Airport Regulations
a. Non radio aircraft must obtain PPR via telephone with ATS prior to flight.
b. Pilots are to contact Oban Information to request start-up clearance.
c. High visibility jackets mandatory whilst airside.
d. All arriving Crew/Passengers must walk directly to the terminal and report their intentions to Oban airpot staff. Directions will be given to those
needing to proceed elsewhere airside. No persons will be permitted to walk across the apron area unless heading directly to/from aircraft via
the terminal building.
e. All Crew/Passengers walking from H1 and H2 are required to use the designated walkway to/from the terminal. No persons will be permitted to
walk across the apron area.b. Pilots are to contact Oban Information to request start-up clearance.
c. High visibility jackets mandatory whilst airside.
d. All arriving Crew/Passengers must walk directly to the terminal and report their intentions to Oban airpot staff. Directions will be given to those
needing to proceed elsewhere airside. No persons will be permitted to walk across the apron area unless heading directly to/from aircraft via
the terminal building.
e. All Crew/Passengers walking from H1 and H2 are required to use the designated walkway to/from the terminal. No persons will be permitted to
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rMac
I suggest you refer to the regulations of the airfield in question, they are available on the NATS website etc for all to see and to comply with.
Maxbear.
1. Airport Regulations
a. Non radio aircraft must obtain PPR via telephone with ATS prior to flight.
b. Pilots are to contact Oban Information to request start-up clearance.
c. High visibility jackets mandatory whilst airside.
d. All arriving Crew/Passengers must walk directly to the terminal and report their intentions to Oban airpot staff. Directions will be given to those
needing to proceed elsewhere airside. No persons will be permitted to walk across the apron area unless heading directly to/from aircraft via
the terminal building.
e. All Crew/Passengers walking from H1 and H2 are required to use the designated walkway to/from the terminal. No persons will be permitted to
walk across the apron area.
I suggest you refer to the regulations of the airfield in question, they are available on the NATS website etc for all to see and to comply with.
Maxbear.
1. Airport Regulations
a. Non radio aircraft must obtain PPR via telephone with ATS prior to flight.
b. Pilots are to contact Oban Information to request start-up clearance.
c. High visibility jackets mandatory whilst airside.
d. All arriving Crew/Passengers must walk directly to the terminal and report their intentions to Oban airpot staff. Directions will be given to those
needing to proceed elsewhere airside. No persons will be permitted to walk across the apron area unless heading directly to/from aircraft via
the terminal building.
e. All Crew/Passengers walking from H1 and H2 are required to use the designated walkway to/from the terminal. No persons will be permitted to
walk across the apron area.
Start-up clearance at Oban... Seriously, what a load of w***.
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Rather missed the point there Maxbear. Didn't write that I wasn't aware of the "rules", just that I don't see the point of being that anal about how they run their airfield.
You might have noted that landing at Oban was optional in my case and for a little effort on their part they made a few quid towards the coffers and another few quid was spent in the local economy for lunch.
i.e. I am a customer and they are providing a service which I pay a fair price for and there must be some dynamic between service, price and recurring income.
Surprisingly enough quite a few others did get the point, so it must be you that has difficulty in understanding
You might have noted that landing at Oban was optional in my case and for a little effort on their part they made a few quid towards the coffers and another few quid was spent in the local economy for lunch.
i.e. I am a customer and they are providing a service which I pay a fair price for and there must be some dynamic between service, price and recurring income.
Surprisingly enough quite a few others did get the point, so it must be you that has difficulty in understanding
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All arriving Crew/Passengers must walk directly to the terminal and report their intentions to Oban airpot staff. Directions will be given to those
needing to proceed elsewhere airside. No persons will be permitted to walk across the apron area unless heading directly to/from aircraft via
the terminal building.
needing to proceed elsewhere airside. No persons will be permitted to walk across the apron area unless heading directly to/from aircraft via
the terminal building.
Nonsense - someone who thinks they understand risk management has been allowed to run a mock with the aerodrome manual.
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Hello,
Well it is clear that some of you have a problem with Oban, there is a simple answer, just give the place a miss then, all the more coffee and biscuits for us at what is a lovely convenient airfield.
Chill out and enjoy !
Maxbear.
Well it is clear that some of you have a problem with Oban, there is a simple answer, just give the place a miss then, all the more coffee and biscuits for us at what is a lovely convenient airfield.
Chill out and enjoy !
Maxbear.
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We've done this a thousand times now.
Let's all agree that the staff at the airport are generally friendly and helpful, but that the political and management regime is not helpful to anyone and creates an inappropriate framework for the smooth and efficient running of a GA aerodrome that supports a little bit of CAT.
They might like to find out how Wanaka in New Zealand operates. They manage to run CAT and GA with no ATC at all!
The nice lady who flies the King Air to and from Christchurch, just makes traffic calls like everyone else and negotiates joining the airways when airborne!
Let's all agree that the staff at the airport are generally friendly and helpful, but that the political and management regime is not helpful to anyone and creates an inappropriate framework for the smooth and efficient running of a GA aerodrome that supports a little bit of CAT.
They might like to find out how Wanaka in New Zealand operates. They manage to run CAT and GA with no ATC at all!
The nice lady who flies the King Air to and from Christchurch, just makes traffic calls like everyone else and negotiates joining the airways when airborne!
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Bewildered
Oh dear airpolice, you are allowing what is written here and, if accurate, a few minor inconveniences at Oban to stop you visiting? I respectfully suggest you reconsider as you are the one missing out on what you acknowledge as the place you should be going every weekend.
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People are funny like that. It doesn't make them wrong. If they think they are going to get poor service or be over-burdened with stupid rules, then people will avoid places.
Oban is a lovely place and most of the staff there are absolutely fine. In fact most are actually very nice. However, the stupid rules are unnecessary from both a regulatory and safety stand point. We aren't dealing with RYR offloading 189 people in one moment, but a few people who are highly unlikely to do anything stupid.
It's typical council nonsense though. They are so risk averse and have no real idea what safety management actually means, so they chuck in millions of tiny rules to try and protect themselves in the event of an incident. (That applies to all councils, not just ABC.)
Oban is a lovely place and most of the staff there are absolutely fine. In fact most are actually very nice. However, the stupid rules are unnecessary from both a regulatory and safety stand point. We aren't dealing with RYR offloading 189 people in one moment, but a few people who are highly unlikely to do anything stupid.
It's typical council nonsense though. They are so risk averse and have no real idea what safety management actually means, so they chuck in millions of tiny rules to try and protect themselves in the event of an incident. (That applies to all councils, not just ABC.)
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Not disputing what you say SAS.
What I find difficult to understand is how someone allows a few minor inconveniences to build up to the extent it stops them visiting Oban. The reality is that during a visit most of what you mention is not experienced. Sure the displaced threshold has you scratching your head, but whether the welcome when you have landed, or having to request permission to start causes a frown, anger, or simply a smile is up to the individual.
I doubt it stops you from visiting.
What I find difficult to understand is how someone allows a few minor inconveniences to build up to the extent it stops them visiting Oban. The reality is that during a visit most of what you mention is not experienced. Sure the displaced threshold has you scratching your head, but whether the welcome when you have landed, or having to request permission to start causes a frown, anger, or simply a smile is up to the individual.
I doubt it stops you from visiting.
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Flyingmac, my reference was whether it stopped SAS, or not.
You are quite entitled to choose not to smile and allow the 'inconveniences' to get to you.
For me I choose to shrug my shoulders and go anyway.
You are quite entitled to choose not to smile and allow the 'inconveniences' to get to you.
For me I choose to shrug my shoulders and go anyway.
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Oban is very convenient for Fuel. I was a regular visitor under Paul, but go in less now. I would not go in at all if it were not for the fuel. Why? I fly for fun and having to jump through lots of unnecessary bureaucracy and rules is not fun. If thre was a nearby strip with an arrangement to get mogas 
I would probably avoid the place altogether.
Rod1
I would probably avoid the place altogether.Rod1
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Can't help but think that a lot of the perceived inconvenience of the so called 'unnecessary bureaucracy' exists only in the minds of some (not suggesting in yours Rod1).
Sure the bureaucracy exists but how inconvenient can it make a landing and take off? Most of it does not have any impact on a light aircraft coming in and parking up for the occupants to nip down to the hotel for a spot of lunch.
Sure the bureaucracy exists but how inconvenient can it make a landing and take off? Most of it does not have any impact on a light aircraft coming in and parking up for the occupants to nip down to the hotel for a spot of lunch.