Oban/Glenforsa News
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What ever the outcome I feel sorry for the present staff that find their jobs on the line especially at this festive time....what ever anyone says they have done their best to operate whilst being governed by a bunch of council numpties it appears....guys and gals it has been a pleasure to work with you during the past year or so and good luck to you all in the future. 
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Originally Posted by Johnm
The staff on the ground as well as Paul Keegan have been unfailingly helpful and courteous I too wish them all well.
Shame if they lose their jobs at no fault of their own.Its sad that its come to this.
Hopefully there will still be a runway we can use when this is all over. And it would be real nice if there was still a source of jammie dodgers.
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This could either be the worst or the best thing that could happen to Oban.
If it closes for good, that will be a tragedy. If it is handed over to people who know what they are doing and left to prosper, then this would be a very nice Christmas present indeed.
Somehow, I don't think the council will allow it to close completely. I imagine that it will be handed over to someone else to run for quite an attractive price and if Paul doesn't nab it, then I can imagine someone else who would.
If it closes for good, that will be a tragedy. If it is handed over to people who know what they are doing and left to prosper, then this would be a very nice Christmas present indeed.
Somehow, I don't think the council will allow it to close completely. I imagine that it will be handed over to someone else to run for quite an attractive price and if Paul doesn't nab it, then I can imagine someone else who would.
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I suspect that the very last person the airfield will go to is Paul. Small town politics, particularly in the West coast where the sins of ancestors 3 hundred years ago have not been forgotten would mean that the council would bulldozr the entire site rather than let their arch critic back ib control.
A very sad situation. To those talking about ACS and other operators - be careful what you wish for - ACS particularly are of the same mindset as ABC - a right bunch of 'jobsworths' - but in the private sector!
I would love it to be possible to 'turn the clock back' and Paul to be in charge - but it isn't going to happen - more's the pity!!!
A very sad situation. To those talking about ACS and other operators - be careful what you wish for - ACS particularly are of the same mindset as ABC - a right bunch of 'jobsworths' - but in the private sector!
I would love it to be possible to 'turn the clock back' and Paul to be in charge - but it isn't going to happen - more's the pity!!!
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Holy Christ
ACSIM is spot on, Scene 1, chapter16.
Sad as the news is, the whole scenario is financially bonkers, and without massive subsidy, which will now not be available, I would suggest that no one could make money from it. And that of course is the purpose of any commercial venture.
It will be very interesting to see how the cooncil play this. They may well just shut it utilising 'elfin safey', and that would be very sad indeed.
IM is spot on, Scene 1, chapter16.Sad as the news is, the whole scenario is financially bonkers, and without massive subsidy, which will now not be available, I would suggest that no one could make money from it. And that of course is the purpose of any commercial venture.
It will be very interesting to see how the cooncil play this. They may well just shut it utilising 'elfin safey', and that would be very sad indeed.
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Sadly I fear the end is near .......The council have failed and are not going to step back and watch someone else make a success out of it....not that that will ever be possible on a commercial scale. Within the year I guess you may see some nice building plots for sale....land up there with PP is at a premium, especialy with the views that one on the airfield would command....sad, very sad but I fail to see any other option...
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I'm really not so sure about that.
I'm certain that the council would rather see the airfield being used and then spin a tale about ownership, rather than admit they'd blown £10 mil of public money for no good reason.
I just can't see ABC allowing the place to die so quickly after spanking so much on it. It'd be an absolute disaster, not matter which party were in power.
Someone will be given a nice cheap lease to run it, of that I'm fairly certain.
I'm certain that the council would rather see the airfield being used and then spin a tale about ownership, rather than admit they'd blown £10 mil of public money for no good reason.
I just can't see ABC allowing the place to die so quickly after spanking so much on it. It'd be an absolute disaster, not matter which party were in power.
Someone will be given a nice cheap lease to run it, of that I'm fairly certain.
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Good point SAS, and we should perhaps think about running a press campaign if the airfield shows definite signs of shutting (I guess that people/groups holding leases will have to be give notice to quit). Its too vital an airfield to lose.
On another point, is Glenforsa safe? I would hope so, but think it worth asking the question...
Merry Christmas & happy safe aviating in 2011
On another point, is Glenforsa safe? I would hope so, but think it worth asking the question...
Merry Christmas & happy safe aviating in 2011
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A field
Glenforsa will be fine.It did not get International status with 9 mill spent on it.
PK to the rescue
It is the fuel that makes the difference commercially. A cheap lease/ sale to Paul, (if he still has the fire), and the venture may have a future. Go back to the no nonsense approach, open all hours, made to feel welcome, the 'good wee airfield' it always was. That may work
PK to the rescue
It is the fuel that makes the difference commercially. A cheap lease/ sale to Paul, (if he still has the fire), and the venture may have a future. Go back to the no nonsense approach, open all hours, made to feel welcome, the 'good wee airfield' it always was. That may work
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With regard to access, there is several points around the airfield which is accessible. Each club respectively have their own access. The terminal is used for the PSO and for visiting pilots to report and pay landing fees and such like.
I strongly agree with SAS, and doubt very much it will close and then be subsequently developed. The scoop that made the Oban Times was sensationalized to the point that by making the firefighters redundant could lead to a scenario where they could be needed but are not available and lives could be lost.
Personally I think it will revert to type and will be run un-licensed like it was in the good old days. The service will continue for the time being and the word on the street is that at least 9 fire fighters will be made redundant Barry McCaig is history and the remaining staff will be on an auxiliary basis to operate as and when required.
I spoke to PK yesterday and surprisingly he was fairly cheerful. He never said a great deal, but what he did say gives me optimism. I hope the status quo returns to Connel Airport and I will still be able to set up my microlight flying school in March.
Regards
MF26
I strongly agree with SAS, and doubt very much it will close and then be subsequently developed. The scoop that made the Oban Times was sensationalized to the point that by making the firefighters redundant could lead to a scenario where they could be needed but are not available and lives could be lost.
Personally I think it will revert to type and will be run un-licensed like it was in the good old days. The service will continue for the time being and the word on the street is that at least 9 fire fighters will be made redundant Barry McCaig is history and the remaining staff will be on an auxiliary basis to operate as and when required.
I spoke to PK yesterday and surprisingly he was fairly cheerful. He never said a great deal, but what he did say gives me optimism. I hope the status quo returns to Connel Airport and I will still be able to set up my microlight flying school in March.
Regards
MF26
Last edited by madflyer26; 26th Dec 2010 at 14:18.
How much EU money went into Oban, Coll, and Colonsay? Is there a time within which this must be repayed if the facilities it was spent on are no longer used for the purpose the money was provided for?
Last edited by Maoraigh1; 25th Dec 2010 at 20:37. Reason: SPELLING
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EU Money
My understanding is that a substantial EU grant was given, I have the exact figure in the office, and that 'terms' exist for repayment of that grant. From memory it was based a passenger number throughput, all of which was pipedream bollox.
The terms of the grant are therefore broken.
Numerous letters to the authority over the piece, were met with unusual silence. Even letters to Central (Salmond and co),went 'whitewashed'.
Look,a massive amount of taxpayers money was spent, and produced a very usable airport. The operations,without fuel sales uplift, make it, commercially, a white elephant. The fights and issues with PK, are an aside. PK made the place, the council pinched it, and he will resurrect it I am sure.
Oban, is a marvellous place to visit, uplift fuel, have lunch, and then fly further up the West Coast. I fully look forward to many visits 2011
The terms of the grant are therefore broken.Numerous letters to the authority over the piece, were met with unusual silence. Even letters to Central (Salmond and co),went 'whitewashed'.
Look,a massive amount of taxpayers money was spent, and produced a very usable airport. The operations,without fuel sales uplift, make it, commercially, a white elephant. The fights and issues with PK, are an aside. PK made the place, the council pinched it, and he will resurrect it I am sure.
Oban, is a marvellous place to visit, uplift fuel, have lunch, and then fly further up the West Coast. I fully look forward to many visits 2011
Better red than ...
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The most important thing about Oban is fuel. Without this fuel stop most far out places in the Isles are impossible (closest fuel stop apart from here is Islay but thats a 30mins + ROA lost for further north trips.
Correspondents may like to recall about 1000+ pages ago on this thread the consultants that helped get the money in the first place and their involvement in the 'other' closed new airport of the UK in Sheffield.
Sits there doing nothing except for a base for 1 police and 1 air ambulance.
Long live the ancient regieme of Oban 1996 - 2004
Correspondents may like to recall about 1000+ pages ago on this thread the consultants that helped get the money in the first place and their involvement in the 'other' closed new airport of the UK in Sheffield.
Sits there doing nothing except for a base for 1 police and 1 air ambulance.
Long live the ancient regieme of Oban 1996 - 2004
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h-r is absolutely, 100%, correct. It's about the fuel. Islay isn't an option - too far south and west. Glenforsa - tight, even if it had fuel, can't suit everyone. Perth is too far east.
I have two "missions" that emphasise the importance of Oban for me - I'm sure all of you out there in pprune-land have your own. But for me:
(i) Prestwick-Inverness in our Chipmunk 22 via the Great Glen. 1h 45min with 2h 20 to dry tanks. 35 min hold/divert at Inv, even VFR, doesn't really bear thinking about;
(ii) Prestwick-Oban-Prestwick, same machine, no uplift at Oban. Back at Pik with 90 min out of the tanks, 50 min to hold then get to Cumbernauld if needed. Tight.
Paul, bless him, would come out to put dribbles in our machine just to reduce that pucker factor. I've seen him come out to put 30l or less in. Irrespective of the personalities involved it comes down to: no fuel, no go.
As I said, h-r has it in one. Fuel, fuel, fuel.
I have two "missions" that emphasise the importance of Oban for me - I'm sure all of you out there in pprune-land have your own. But for me:
(i) Prestwick-Inverness in our Chipmunk 22 via the Great Glen. 1h 45min with 2h 20 to dry tanks. 35 min hold/divert at Inv, even VFR, doesn't really bear thinking about;
(ii) Prestwick-Oban-Prestwick, same machine, no uplift at Oban. Back at Pik with 90 min out of the tanks, 50 min to hold then get to Cumbernauld if needed. Tight.
Paul, bless him, would come out to put dribbles in our machine just to reduce that pucker factor. I've seen him come out to put 30l or less in. Irrespective of the personalities involved it comes down to: no fuel, no go.
As I said, h-r has it in one. Fuel, fuel, fuel.