Sywell Closed Down
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: UK Work: London. Home: East Anglia
"Consolidated Widgets" was, I believe, a well known Midlands based manufacturer of 4wd off-road vehicles. I'd have hoped they'd be a bit more outdoorsy and resilient.
On the Thursday, the day I was personally affected, the airfield was closed until 10.30, then open for a short time so that people could get away. It did not reopen until 5.30 pm.
On the Thursday, the day I was personally affected, the airfield was closed until 10.30, then open for a short time so that people could get away. It did not reopen until 5.30 pm.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 10
From: Just South of the last ice sheet
Not wishing to sound like a knocker of Sywell cos they were very friendly when I visited them a while back, I read on the PFA BB that Sywell Airfield was one of two, yes only two, objectors to a farmer in the area applying for planning permission to open an airstrip.
If the said strip was to be under their circuit or in their very immediate area I can understand it. If this wasn't the case then it does sound a bir protectionist.......
The strip I fly from is directly under the approach to LTN. They don't seem to mind.......
If the said strip was to be under their circuit or in their very immediate area I can understand it. If this wasn't the case then it does sound a bir protectionist.......
The strip I fly from is directly under the approach to LTN. They don't seem to mind.......
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 716
Likes: 7
From: London
I'm not sure Widgets' business is relevant here. If you book somewhere on the basis that you'll be having a business meeting, it should be fit for that purpose.
Assuming that Widgets made the booking on that basis, then the airfield has mis-sold it's facility.
Is this a one off mistake? I guess we assume so. (If not, the conclusion could be that aviation is a secondary part of their business).
Assuming that Widgets made the booking on that basis, then the airfield has mis-sold it's facility.
Is this a one off mistake? I guess we assume so. (If not, the conclusion could be that aviation is a secondary part of their business).
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: U.K
RE: North Weald
Hi,
North Weald is owned and operated by the local authority and does not charge a landing fee. It is an unlicensed airfield.
You may be asked for a "landing donation" by the "squadron" (the flying club based there) but you are not obliged to pay it, and not a penny of that goes to towards actually maintaining the airfield. I believe you do need to be a member to carry out touch and goes at the airfield.
The airfields costs and expenses are paid for by the various events eg.. market, drag racing etc, and the tenants of the buildings on site. Without those events taking place, there would be no North Weald Airfield at all. It might be a bit of pain to have the runway shut a few times a year and the market means 13/31 is shut but thats what keeps the place in existence.
North Weald is owned and operated by the local authority and does not charge a landing fee. It is an unlicensed airfield.
You may be asked for a "landing donation" by the "squadron" (the flying club based there) but you are not obliged to pay it, and not a penny of that goes to towards actually maintaining the airfield. I believe you do need to be a member to carry out touch and goes at the airfield.
The airfields costs and expenses are paid for by the various events eg.. market, drag racing etc, and the tenants of the buildings on site. Without those events taking place, there would be no North Weald Airfield at all. It might be a bit of pain to have the runway shut a few times a year and the market means 13/31 is shut but thats what keeps the place in existence.
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As a North Weald resident, the concurrent use of the airfield by aviation and non aviation groups has always struck me as being a shining example of how to deal with the NIMBYs.
If we lose 02/20 occasionally and 13/31 on market days, that is a price well paying for living in harmony.
It is also nice to be able to welcome the occasional member of the public .... I showed a visiting lady and her 8yr old son around the flight line last month and let him sit in the Pup, whilst I gave him a quick brief on the panel and the controls.
Net result, one more convert who will go away and speak well of GA at NW.
If we lose 02/20 occasionally and 13/31 on market days, that is a price well paying for living in harmony.
It is also nice to be able to welcome the occasional member of the public .... I showed a visiting lady and her 8yr old son around the flight line last month and let him sit in the Pup, whilst I gave him a quick brief on the panel and the controls.
Net result, one more convert who will go away and speak well of GA at NW.
