Coventry Airport

[BoeingMEL]

So sad..Let's hope someone will step in...

Did my fixed-wing and helicopter PPLs at Cov starting in '69. Then first commercial job in '80 (AirCom) and IR renewals later too. Many happy memories of a relaxed atmosphere, top-drawer ATC and much more. Oh yes, my only genuine engine failure (downwind 23L) in '88. Genuinely hoping that someone steps in to save Cov for the present and future generations of flyers. Good Luck! bm

[Prangster]

How Many More Will Go Bust?

Given the appalling economic situation I'm wondering who will be next. Given the exodus of big boys from East Midlands and BMI's ropy outlook could they be next? It'll be a bugger trying to fit whats' left into Netherthorpe. (Only joking) I hope

[Sir George Cayley]

Winter is always a bleak time for flying training, the schools that provide this and the aerodromes whose business is built on it. (Natch)

2010 might see a huge change in allowing PPL A flight training from non-licensed fields like microlights. That may save a few from bankruptcy. However the delayed increase in CAA charges next year will affect full service airfields and have a negative impact on GA.

Add to this the OFCOM charges, EASA charges, higher taxation and global warming and to me the future looks dismal. Sorry.

Sir George Cayley

[tarnish26]

OK folks were all doomed.....going to moth ball the Gulfstream tonight....no call for it anymore.......got an offer of flying a sledge for the next 2 weeks so beggars cant be choosers!!.......Last time I stopped at Baggington I was waiting for a Silver City DC3 to EGJB......afraid its a sign of he times .....were all doomed Capt Manwering!!!

[Fried_Chicken]

There are rumours of a buyer but nothing solid yet

Coventry is still available as an unlicensed airfield. Most of the larger stuff (Atlantic freighters, RVL Cessna Twins etc) are operating out of Birmingham with much of the lighter stuff out of Wellesbourne. A couple of the aircraft were due to move out to a couple of the local strips (Wolvey, Stoke Golding, Baxterley etc) but with the recent weather, they may have stayed at Coventry or gone to somewhere else which has a hard runway.

Hopefully all will be resolved soon, even if it does mean a reduction in services (ie the ILS) to save money

FC

[Phil Space]

I wonder if Kemble are looking at Coventry.

It would seem to offer a lot more than Llanbedr.

[Sir George Cayley]

Except the scenery

Sir George Cayley

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Phil Space

I wonder if Kemble are looking at Coventry.

It would seem to offer a lot more than Llanbedr.

As I understand it, the only company that's gone bust has been the managing company - Coventry airport itself is owned by the local council.

That certainly creates an opportunity for a company with airport managing capabilities, but not to buy the airport. (I think).

G

[Sir George Cayley]

Don't forget that the company that just got wound up by HMCR convinced the landowner that they were capable (or should that culpable) of running COV. So will will the local authority be any better able to pick another winner?

Well maybe.

Sir George Cayley

[niknak]

This would be the Council which deliberately contributed to the demise of the airport by being deliberately obstructive in all planning applications eh?

There is not the remotest chance of them stepping in with any cash to revitalise as an airport when they could develop it as a business park with guaranteed Government help, guaranteed tax breaks for the new customers and a significant employment boost for the area.

Unless a miracle occurs or an idiot with money to burn turns up, Coventry is done and dusted as an airport.

[Daysleeper]

This would be the Council which deliberately contributed to the demise of the airport by being deliberately obstructive in all planning applications eh?

Er no.... the airport is owned by Coventry city council however for planning purposes it is in Warwickshire. I'd have thought a good idea would be to get the county boundary moved to let the airport sit within the area of the council which owns it!

As for business park land, there is an entire defunct Peugeot car plant next door so plenty of room for that AND an airport.

The problem really was that Warwickshire saw no advantage to having the airport, they were completely blind the the jobs that the airport created and sustained. THe fact that most of the better paid airport employees lived south of the airport in Warwickshire bought large houses and paid lots of council tax seemed to escape them. Attracting an operator like T fly to a permanent base would have massively increased the number of those jobs.

Anyhow sufficient thread drift back to what is happening with the flying clubs?

[Genghis the Engineer]

That's not atypical of councils.

I've had occasional skirmishes with Hillingdon town council - they have the pleasure of Heathrow Airport and Brunel University on their patch. As an organisation they seem to spend much of their time at war with these two - who are not only by far the largest employers of their constituents, but also so far as I can see very responsible employers and organisations who each bring millions into the patch.

And just ask anybody involved with North Weald...

It seems to be in the nature of councils that they are mostly comprised of people who are essentially negative about things, and struggle to be positive about anything in particular.

G

[Sir George Cayley]

And, sweeping generalisation coming, made up predominantly of middle-aged white professional types. Oh! how I'd like to get on our local council and shake 'em up a bit

Except I'm white, middle-aged and professional

Sad to think that, were there young black airminded citizens willing to stand for civic duties, our cause (aerial fun) might be better served. As it seems that General Aviation doesn't get a decent proportion of black people wanting to join, we may be the authors of our own predicament?

So from ignorant planners to ethnic diversity in one post

Sir George Cayley

[Art E. Fischler-Reisen]

Suffolk Council did a really good job with Ipswich Airport, especially by approving a major housing development right onto the boundary of the most commonly used runway.... now the county has no airport.

[cvt person]

For the sake of acuracy the council that was obstructive over planning permision was neither Coventry City Council nor Warwickshire it was Warwick District Council, the county council supported development.

['Chuffer' Dandridge]

Suffolk Council did a really good job with Ipswich Airport,

And also with Crowfield.. 'Permanent' planning permission granted, then taken away....

One only has to look at the UK planning system to realise that we are always going to be fighting a losing battle with airfields..

[Flyingvisitor]

Let's get our facts right please with regard to Ipswich and Crowfield. Planning matters are the remit of the borough/district council, not the county council (unless it's unitary authority). Ipswich was closed by Ipswich Borough Council. The Crowfield planning fiasco was the work of Mid-Suffolk District Council. Suffolk County Council had nothing to do with this.

[G-CPTN]

BBC News - Talks to reopen Coventry Airport

[hunterxf382]

Originally Posted by Phil Space
I wonder if Kemble are looking at Coventry.

It would seem to offer a lot more than Llanbedr.



Now that would be really nice from a personal perspective, as I have interests in both locations....

The same thought had crossed my mind almost as soon as the news spread about Coventry.

[BRL]

I have just deleted a post aimed at the manager there. Please guys, no more blatant **** stirring posts ok. I have banned someone recently for the same thing and just deleted a post here.

As the old saying goes, play the ball not the player. (and I hate using that phrase)