Redhill - do they want any flying?

[Aeropig1]

Anyone been to Redhill recently? Was allowed to taxi the otherday all the way round the airfield did the run up watched the plane in front depart and was then told that due to ATC shortages the airfield was closing for half an hour. I wanted t(and was ready) to depart but was told that I could not so I shut down and sat on the taxiway on the far side of the field in the sun for half an hour. No bloody apology or anything and they still charged a bloody fee.

There are so many restrictions placed by the aerodrome management that it takes all the fun out of it. I wish someone would buy Dunsfold and open that up

[Cough]

Too right about Dunsfold - I fly over it just about every day and I feel that it is a crime. Big X's everywhere. Someone go and paint them off, please!

[wysiwyg]

Fully agree. I find it amazing that Redhill (and Fairoaks for that matter) have managed to survive despite their attitude towards the people that provide their revenue.
C'mon Fairoaks, how exactly do you justify charging me over £40 for a VFR arrival in a Seneca a couple of years ago? And the attitude from the tower - well beam me up snotty (as Delboy would say)!

[skua]

And in the same mould, what about 1/2penny Green, or Wolverhampton Intergalactic Global Airport, or whatever they call themselves now?

I was quoted £32 + £20 overnight parking, for a 1.6 tonnes single. Complete joke. Needless to say, I am going elsewhere.

[Hersham Boy]

I'm a PPL-er out of Redhill and am losing a lot of potential evening flying (got to work 9 to 5!) due to the ATC enforced breaks and early closings.

That said, I'm also close enough to the action to understand that the tower are down on controllers to an extent that has made this necessary. Shame - and hope it is resolved soon!

[ 26 July 2001: Message edited by: Hersham Boy ]

[Bouncy Landing]

Fairoaks is owned & operated by Alan Mann Group, and as I understand it, they are really only interested in the sales & engineering aspect - private & small GA is not of major interest to them. HOWEVER, I've never found the "tower" (it's AFIS) anything but friendly & helpful - next time you are there go up & have a chat.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I fly, amongst other places, from Popham. When ATC go away, we just talk to each other. Fiver landing, 2 quid a night to park, and last landing at 2000.

Anybody got some development money?, Dunsfold would make a fantastic USA-style airpark!

G

[ 26 July 2001: Message edited by: Genghis the Engineer ]

[New Bloke]

Ghengis,

That is not possible at Redhill, no staff in the tower, no aerodrome movements. I had to circle south of Biggin for about 15 minutes the other day as the tower staff were on a break.

With the dreadful winter and waterlogged field it has not been a good year at Redhill so far. As one of our group said, Even Goering didn't close Redhill as much as this lot have!!!

[SOHCAHTOA]

I did my PPL at redhill quite a few years ago and even then before 'atc shortages' they always gave an impression they were not that interested.
I think Im right in thinking that the airfield is now owned by a group of property developers, could explain why they are reluctant to attract any growth in GA business (at least not the prop type).

Just on the posters point about having to shut down his engine and wait for half an hour. Is it still not possible to depart? The airfield just becomes unlicenced for the half hour. Or is it different due it being within the Gatwick zone?

[Aeropig1]

Aerodrome management won't let the flying continue without ATC and I was given the explaination that it was too close to Gatwick so how do the farm strips in the zone manage?

[Lawyerboy]

Just to pick up on something that SOHCAHTOA said: I do most of my flying out of Stapleford because my flying club's airfield is unlicensed. Stapleford is 'Radio' only, and particularly in summer they tend to shut down while a/c are still in the circuit and using the airfield. Am I to understand it that once Radio has shut down for the night, the airfield is no longer licensed?

[stand37r]

One has to ask how much longer ATC will be provided at Redhill. The aerodrome was closed from about Oct. to Mar. due the weather(waterlogging) and with the reduction in Bristow heli. training and now the removal of the Helitech Show to Duxford, what exactly do the owners get for their money. The proximity of Gatwick is no excuse as many other airfields operate quite happily without AT Control alongside 'major' airports eg. Andrewsfield and North Weald (Stansted) White Waltham, Denham (Heathrow)etc. Goodwood lost their ATC service many years ago and their training establishments continue to survive. If NATS is struggling to find controllers what hope does Redhill have? AFISO or Radio ops. would I imagine be much cheaper & easier to obtain to allow a full days service. The present situation is unacceptable.As for Dunsfold, there have been numerous rumors inc. ATC ENG. moving from Lasham, Bernie Ecclestones F1 outfit moving from Biggin, but alas we are almost a year on from it's closure now and the weeds are starting to make themselves known in the runway!The fact that the land was redesignated 'brown land' and therefore increased its value dramatically to BAe just before it announced the closure, should come as no suprise. Too many big houses surrounding and too much money to be made from further 'executive housing'. For Dunsfold read West Malling!Poor infrastructure and the development of Farnboro' as a GA airfield mean the future is bleak.

[Zlin526]

At last, other pilots agreeing what a complete bunch of T*s*ers the management at Redhill are! Ever since the mid eighties, they have done everything possible to treat the average pilot like scum, the very pilots that pay their wages! One only has to dare to fly in to Redhill to experience the "Standard Reigate Departure" whatever that maybe! Do they think they are at a major international airport with controlled airspace? Come on guys, leap into the real world.
I once had the audacity to ask for a non-radio departure from Redhill, ferrying a vintage aircraft back to its base. You would have thought I'd asked to shag the ATCO's wife!! Lets face it, flying would be sooooo much easier if air traffic at Redhill would just pack up, go home and leave it all to the pilots to sort out - Just like it used to be in the good ole days.
Nothing against professional ATCO's in general you understand, just the no-hopers at Redhill.

New Bloke - You should have done a precautionary landing non-radio and talked about it afterwards.

Stand back, light blue touch paper.........

[ 26 July 2001: Message edited by: Zlin526 ]

[ 26 July 2001: Message edited by: Zlin526 ]

[pilotwolf]

I thought Redhill was closed on Sunday's for the local Boot Sale?

Perhaps they could hold one to raise funds for another ATCO or maybe a kettle, microwave and portaloo in the tower so they wouldn't have to shutdown for 1/2 hr?

[New Bloke]

Thanks but no-thanks Zlin, I think a precautionary landing would have resulted in a chat with the CAA and a letter of explanation.

A word of warning, if they think that you have been a bit,...er...how shall we say...dodgy, they will report you to the CAA in a flash.

I think it is a bit harsh to say they are all tossers, I blame the management for not supplying enough staff. We all need a break once in a while.

[18greens]

Totally agree with Redhill being a place to avoid. I've had several bad experiences there including being bo***kd by ATC on a CAA test. Fortunately ATC then went on to B*** every one else in the circuit. The examiners comment was that 'Its only a grass stip, not Gatwick'

I've never worked out what ATC at redhill provides. Go for A/G like Waltham.

[Simon W]

I like the development idea of Dunsfold. Anyone got a spare 25k floating around? I figure a group of 20 people (willing not to see that money again until sale of the airfield) put 25k in the pot. That's 0.5 million straight away for re-development of the airfield. Get it back to a state where it's making profit and then sell the place for alot more than paid, that's where your profit comes in.

hahaha, just a dream I'm sure. I just enjoy working things like this through in my head.

Regards,

Simon

[FlyingForFun]

Hmm - if I had that kind of money floating around, I'd by myself an aerolplane with it!

FFF
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[Bouncy Landing]

Sadly, Surrey council Structure Plan says reopening Dunsfold for flying operations would not be permitted.

[JuicyLucy]

Lawyerboy - Stapleford stays licenced as long as the Fire & Rescue boys are on the field. They may not give a service on the RT but they do hang around within earshot of the radio.