A Woodford visit before it closes
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SSD, I understand what you say about the bigger picture around the provision of aviation facilities, I think we have a common recognition about the need for vision. However in the current climate I'm just not sure where the folks with both the vision and funding are to be found.
I have a good understanding of the provision of facilities at other locations, in particular the 'satellite' facilities around London; relating this to MAN is a classic chicken vs. egg situation. The problem as I see it is who is going to demonstrate the vision (with the appropriate financial backing) to provide the facilities many of us would like to see.
For anyone to step up to the plate will require one of two options, either someone with more money than sense who simply has a passion for aircraft and is willing to speculate; or; someone who has the money and is willing to recognise there is a strong (documented) business case which demonstrates there is an underlying demand for facilities which needs to be met.
The problem is that I don't see the lack of GA & business GA facilities close to MAN being cited as a major disincentive to business development in the north west. Between, motorways and public transport by both air and rail MAN (on paper at least!) is well provided for.
A successful GA field in the vicinity of MAN would first be a GA business hub that would also offer facilities to the wider recreational GA community. Sadly at this moment in time I can see there is an 'interest' in such a facility but I'm not that the interest can be converted into real demand.
I have a good understanding of the provision of facilities at other locations, in particular the 'satellite' facilities around London; relating this to MAN is a classic chicken vs. egg situation. The problem as I see it is who is going to demonstrate the vision (with the appropriate financial backing) to provide the facilities many of us would like to see.
For anyone to step up to the plate will require one of two options, either someone with more money than sense who simply has a passion for aircraft and is willing to speculate; or; someone who has the money and is willing to recognise there is a strong (documented) business case which demonstrates there is an underlying demand for facilities which needs to be met.
The problem is that I don't see the lack of GA & business GA facilities close to MAN being cited as a major disincentive to business development in the north west. Between, motorways and public transport by both air and rail MAN (on paper at least!) is well provided for.
A successful GA field in the vicinity of MAN would first be a GA business hub that would also offer facilities to the wider recreational GA community. Sadly at this moment in time I can see there is an 'interest' in such a facility but I'm not that the interest can be converted into real demand.
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GA in all parts of the UK is struggling, that's true. But not at the high end. I've been to London City, Farnboro', Luton, Biggin and Oxford recently and they were all busy with jets a coming and a going. Most impressive was TAGs apron which on the day I was there appeared almost full.
Clearly London is the major destination for travelers of high net worth, but the exec traffic at MAN isn't that sparse.
Slots are in demand during peak hours at MAN so who knows what a move to WFD would do to availability?
Although Mcr City Council has nothing to do with the runway, which sits in Cheshire and under the Macclesfield Local Planning Authourity, the production factory and offices do come under Manchester's LPA. It's this bit that could well see developers building a mixed housing, retail and business scheme. BAe will be well aware of the sales potential and price accordingly.
Macclesfield BC and the good people nearby in Poynton, Adlington, Mottram St Andrew and Wagbury don't want to see the same happening in their back yard and have suddenly found the airfield acceptable after all these years
It's by no means game over yet. The one certainty is that BAe Systems don't figure in Woodford's long term future; they want rid.
Sir George Cayley
Clearly London is the major destination for travelers of high net worth, but the exec traffic at MAN isn't that sparse.
Slots are in demand during peak hours at MAN so who knows what a move to WFD would do to availability?
Although Mcr City Council has nothing to do with the runway, which sits in Cheshire and under the Macclesfield Local Planning Authourity, the production factory and offices do come under Manchester's LPA. It's this bit that could well see developers building a mixed housing, retail and business scheme. BAe will be well aware of the sales potential and price accordingly.
Macclesfield BC and the good people nearby in Poynton, Adlington, Mottram St Andrew and Wagbury don't want to see the same happening in their back yard and have suddenly found the airfield acceptable after all these years
It's by no means game over yet. The one certainty is that BAe Systems don't figure in Woodford's long term future; they want rid.
Sir George Cayley
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Woodford plans
Thank you Sir George Cayley and Shaggy Sheep Driver very worthwhile posts and points of view that reflect mine.
The runway is actually split right down the middle by Stockport MBC and Cheshire East
A nice picture is at
The additional areas of Northern meds and Southern meds are the areas that come under Stockport MBC and are highly likely to be come housing etc, while all decisions and promises can be changed it is assumed and stated in multiple places that the other areas of Woodfords foot print will not be built on.
While we can see that a runway strip could come from Stockport MBC or Cheshire East fig 2:
shows that the new Poynton bypass (if/when built) has had to go around the Woodford site by some distance and I think It’s quite likely this will now go directly though the runway, in addition it would I’m sure from a pilots view and for the neighbours not to have the final approach / climb out area directly over Poynton !
Cheshire East I believe prefers nice green pastures for the cows where Stockport side more with development.
I share you opinion that GA is far from doom and gloom, Oxford Aviation expanding at Woodford, Multi flight new base at Blackpool, 2 local flying schools buying brand new a/c due to demand and personally plenty of new PPL/Commercial students coming in the door.
Last movement….. lets say “for now”
was a PA28 G-CPTM some pictures of it and the other visitors that came to say goodbye at http://www.civilianaviation.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&p=26272
Never mind SSD maybe the Chippy
can be the first to land at the new Woodford airfield
Avturboy, you are correct I am a bit of a dreamer, I guess maybe like many pilots on here. Personally I find it hard to believe that anyone that has learnt how to fly at some point has not been at least a little bit of a dreamer.
Ian
The runway is actually split right down the middle by Stockport MBC and Cheshire East
A nice picture is at
The additional areas of Northern meds and Southern meds are the areas that come under Stockport MBC and are highly likely to be come housing etc, while all decisions and promises can be changed it is assumed and stated in multiple places that the other areas of Woodfords foot print will not be built on.
While we can see that a runway strip could come from Stockport MBC or Cheshire East fig 2:
shows that the new Poynton bypass (if/when built) has had to go around the Woodford site by some distance and I think It’s quite likely this will now go directly though the runway, in addition it would I’m sure from a pilots view and for the neighbours not to have the final approach / climb out area directly over Poynton !
Cheshire East I believe prefers nice green pastures for the cows where Stockport side more with development.
I share you opinion that GA is far from doom and gloom, Oxford Aviation expanding at Woodford, Multi flight new base at Blackpool, 2 local flying schools buying brand new a/c due to demand and personally plenty of new PPL/Commercial students coming in the door.
Last movement….. lets say “for now”
was a PA28 G-CPTM some pictures of it and the other visitors that came to say goodbye at http://www.civilianaviation.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&p=26272Never mind SSD maybe the Chippy
can be the first to land at the new Woodford airfield
Avturboy: the thought that anyone has the time (and certainly the money) to be forward thinking seems like something of a pipe dream ..
Avturboy, you are correct I am a bit of a dreamer, I guess maybe like many pilots on here. Personally I find it hard to believe that anyone that has learnt how to fly at some point has not been at least a little bit of a dreamer.
Ian
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Ian, I admire you positive outlook regarding a possible future for Woodford. My views are based on my own experiences with around 20 years experience in my end of the aviation industry. But I accept that it is the persistence of good folks like yourself that does sometimes result in an unexpected positive outcome.
I understand your comment about dreaming and it is just as well that there are 'dreamers' in the world. I am not a pilot, one of my frustrations in life, though I have couple of friends who are ppl's. In fact I know a dreamer who made it big time, went from driving fuels trucks to driving wide bodies for Sir Richard ... so I know extraordinary outcomes are possible.
I sincerely wish you all the best!
Oh, and thanks for the link to the pictures on the last day.
I understand your comment about dreaming and it is just as well that there are 'dreamers' in the world. I am not a pilot, one of my frustrations in life, though I have couple of friends who are ppl's. In fact I know a dreamer who made it big time, went from driving fuels trucks to driving wide bodies for Sir Richard ... so I know extraordinary outcomes are possible.
I sincerely wish you all the best!
Oh, and thanks for the link to the pictures on the last day.
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Hopefully not ... the site has been now been sold, article linked below
JCB heir acquires BAE Woodford for £100m | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk
Given that this is a rumour website, then the rumour is that the new owners would keep the runway operational for their own corporate aircraft and offer the facilities for use by others. The catchment area around the site is a particularly affluent part of the region, so it might work.
JCB heir acquires BAE Woodford for £100m | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk
Given that this is a rumour website, then the rumour is that the new owners would keep the runway operational for their own corporate aircraft and offer the facilities for use by others. The catchment area around the site is a particularly affluent part of the region, so it might work.
