SAVE BAGBY AIRFIELD FROM CLOSURE

[airfieldagent007]

Like all commercial enterprises these days we have to comply with legislation whether that be planning or health and safety, there is nothing wrong with a thriving GA sector but it needs to be professional, Pilot magazine runs a section were we can vent our frustrations on the “men in their little yellow jacks” or the cost of the landing fees, there are reports of accidents were the cause is a sudden attack of hay fever or an un explained cross wind not a recognition of our own pilot contribution, if the GA sector is going to develop it needs grow up and look at the red tape all business have to comply with these days.

Bagby Aero club and now Bagby airfield was created by a few for the few but it now wants to be a commercial enterprise, yet from what I have read has never produced a business plan, it seems that every pilot there either runs an air taxi business or gives flying lessons, from what I have seen on the ground it’s operational systems are minimal and it’s health and safety practices inconsistent and inadequate and we won't mention the lack of planning!!
It has attempted to present its self to the GA community as the wronged party but is in fact doing everything to put its self out of business and blaming the council and the residents in the process. So who are the real villains the local council? or GA community for supporting this operation and allowing Bagby’s disregard for legislation and regulations to be acceptable?

[ShyTorque]

So who are the real villains the local council? or GA community for supporting this operation and allowing Bagby’s disregard for legislation and regulations to be acceptable?

"Villains" for wanting an airfield facility to remain open?

The council was responsible for enforcing the legislation and regulations they put in place. How was a visiting pilot supposed to know they hadn't done so?

[Johnm]

it seems that every pilot there either runs an air taxi business or gives flying lessons, from what I have seen on the ground it’s operational systems are minimal and it’s health and safety practices inconsistent and inadequate

It would be interesting to know the antecedents of this poster. If an air taxi business is operating it would need an AOC, but could operate from quite basic facilities, Newmarket racecourse isn't very sophisticated. Flying training and general private flying need very few facilities to operate. I've seen commercial air transport operate in NZ from a busy mixed traffic airfield with no ATC, no ground staff just a lady pilot who loaded passenger bags herself!

[airfieldagent007]

So are you a local resident or a GA pilot, or both? Supporter or critic?

You are obsessed with labels, am I friend or foe? I have an interest in the aviation industry.
I joined this discussion to bring to you the results of the enforcement appeals at Bagby, something the creator, the airfield manager has chosen not to do.
As highlighted by other posters we can all see why, with inconsistent and inadequate evidence at the heart of Bagbys defence.
It is clear that Bagby airfield only exists because it consistently ignores planning and other regulations, you would like to think if pilots are running air taxi business from there they would have an AOC, however this is not the case they get around this by simply hiring the plane and the pilot.
Like in all industries you will get those who put profit before standards this is not acceptable in the aviation industry and the GA community will suffer for it if we allow operations like Bagby to exist alongside legitimate airfields like Sherburn.
The ombudsman’s report allows for a discontinuance order to be served on Bagby airfield this is a good result for the owner and the remaining business, they will all get compensated and the legitimately run airfields will benefit from the dispersed trade.
I for one will not be visiting Bagby again.