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-   -   FILTON CLOSING......CLOSED! (https://www.pprune.org/private-flying/503014-filton-closing-closed.html)

DOC.400 16th Dec 2012 11:06

FILTON CLOSING......CLOSED!
 
Greetings gents

Long time, no see!

Planning on flying in this Thursday 20 or Friday 21....

Anybody else going???

Caio
Mel

piperarcher 17th Dec 2012 08:03

I flew in a few weeks ago as I wanted to get it in my logbook, and emulate the last ever landing of the Concorde. Sadly I couldnt get close to the Concorde there, but enjoyed landing there and having a bit of a look around and what is a very important historical airfield. Quite sad...

Sir George Cayley 17th Dec 2012 09:18

What's the last day of Ops?

Sad sad sad.:{

SGC

soaringhigh650 18th Dec 2012 16:55

What happens now? Everyone flies into the nearest airport? Or is the activity wiped from the area?

I heard a rumor that the nearest airport charges £250 for a PA28 landing. :E

Jude098 18th Dec 2012 23:02

I flew into Filton earlier this afternoon and about half a dozen GA aircraft were there.
The weather was brilliant and not an ounce of breeze. Well not until the A380 took off and was swiftly followed by a replica/refurbished Spitfire who flew a tight circuit and then buzzed the runway before departing.
No landing fees were levied but PPR required.
Think quite a lot of people may be flying in on Friday 21st as its their last day. TAF's don't look too good though.

Pace 18th Dec 2012 23:45

Jude

I hope if they are flying that they take a nice pile of sh+t and drop it over the short sighted idiots responsible for this.

When its covered by a housing estate what will they do? Honor its name by naming the streets Concorde way, Runway strip or Hanger lane?

I personally would want nothing to do with marking such an occasion! It is an act of greed and stupidity!

But all to their own.

Pace

piperarcher 19th Dec 2012 08:46

I'm hoping the runway isnt demolished just for the some bland looking houses to be constructed.

I read that there is a new Aerospace centre being constructed on the Nothern side and restoration of some of the WW1 hangars and Concorde will finally be homed and exhibited.

News | Filton Airfield development | Filton Airfield development

Pace 19th Dec 2012 11:52

Wow cannot wait! That would have been an excellent idea as part of the modernization and expansion of Bristol Filton airport.

Couple of £Million FROM BAE as an empty gesture? As I said WOW!!!

Bit like stabbing and mortally wounding someone and offering them an aspirin to help with the pain as they die.

Pace

piperarcher 19th Dec 2012 13:07


Bit like stabbing and mortally wounding someone and offering them an aspirin to help with the pain as they die.
I dont disagree with you, just saying that at least there will be something there. Its of great sadness to me, as Concorde is an absolute passion for me, and the closing down of the place where Concorde was partially developed, and the final landing place for the last ever Concorde flown is sad. Its just another blow really :(.

Do we know if Airbus / BAE / whoever, closed down the airfield because it operationally isnt viable, or are they tarmac'ing over everything just for the money and to build some houses? If they are leaving / restoring some of the WW1 hangars which I presume are to the North of the runway (I might be wrong), and presumably the huge Airbus operation to the South isnt going anywhere, then that leaves motsly just the runway area for development. If it was a case the runway would just become disused, but left there, then at least some of history will be there to see.

I once dream I was a mult-millionaire and had the ££ to by the land as keep it as is, but I'm not :-(

Sir George Cayley 19th Dec 2012 20:50

They're apparently doing the same at Woodford creating an AVRO heritage site on the south side to include the resident Vulcan.

All heart ain't they:suspect:

SGC

Jude098 19th Dec 2012 22:59

Pace I hadn't intended my post to come across as "marking such an occasion" as there are too many airfields closing for whatever reasons, more that it was an opportunity to go there before it does close.

It was my first, and ok my last, time landing at Filton and an amazing experience as only have half a dozen hours since my GST. Was concentrating so hard that I didn't even clock Concord on the left side of 27 when landing!

supercarb 20th Dec 2012 07:33

@pipearcher, and anyone else concerned about the idiotic decision to close Filton, please visit the Save Filton Airfield website where you'll find much info in answer to your questions

Save Filton Airfield

ShyTorque 20th Dec 2012 12:24


Think quite a lot of people may be flying in on Friday 21st as its their last day.
Isn't the 21st the last day for all of us, in any case? :uhoh:

Sir George Cayley 20th Dec 2012 19:08

Not for me, I've got my Poundland anti end of world tin foil hat:ok:

SGC

AirportsEd 21st Dec 2012 13:19

Has the airport actually closed now?
If so, does anyone know who had the honour of making the last landing / departure?
Good luck to all at Filton.

soaringhigh650 21st Dec 2012 13:51

Bristol International Airport breathes a sigh of relief as their attempt to eliminate GA from the area has been successfully accomplished. :D

robin 21st Dec 2012 13:51

Sadly it wasn't us. :{

AirportsEd 21st Dec 2012 19:32

Bristol Filton Airport Closes | Airports International | The Airport Industry online, the latest airport industry news

avturboy 22nd Dec 2012 03:48


Originally Posted by Sir George Cayley (Post 7586187)
They're apparently doing the same at Woodford creating an AVRO heritage site on the south side to include the resident Vulcan.

All heart ain't they:suspect:

SGC

At Woodford they are not 'creating' the Avro heritage centre, that has been in existence for more years than most could remember ... it is a condition of future planning that a new home will be provided for the Avro heritage collection and this will include the remaining 'white' Vulcan as an exterior exhibit. The current approved plan for redevelopment at Woodford is for 300 homes, however there is a revised plan for more than 900 homes ... sadly which ever option we end up with the runway will be gone.

avturboy 22nd Dec 2012 03:56

A friend of mine managed the fuel facility of FZO, he sent out a message as he closed the office door for the last time at the close of business 21/12/2012 ... so sad!

2close 22nd Dec 2012 15:19


Originally Posted by soaringhigh650
I heard a rumour that the nearest airport charges £250 for a PA28 landing.

Not quite £ 250.00 but not much change out of £ 150.00.

The airport 'approach fee' is about £ 50.00 and the mandatory handling charges of about £ 80.00 for parking over at the GA terminal, for the privilege of someone popping his head out of the office to point at a parking space that was blatantly obvious in the first place.

Note that the 'approach fee' is just that, a charge for the approach, regardless of whether you land, touch and go or go around. As for the handling fee, the GA terminal on the south-side is nowhere near the main terminal and there is no danger of you getting mixed with the big stuff - in my many landings at Bristol International over the past four years I have never actually been greeted by someone directing me to a parking space and have only witnessed one occasion. A major rip off by the operators, if you ask me.

As for Filton, having flown in and out of there many times over the last four years, what a great airport to operate from and a crying shame that it has to go.

What logic and foresight that was, to make Filton a GA/Business Airport, with its major city on the doorstep; two major motorways (M4 and M5) within 10 minutes via major arterial routes; a main railway line station offering nationwide connections five minutes away; a plethora of nearby hotels; a major hospital with first class A&E facilities only 10 minutes away; several large retail, commercial and business parks within spitting distance and the largest runway on the country, capable of taking ALL aircraft currently flying.

No, it made far more sense to make Lulsgate the international airport for the west country; out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nothing other than one congested major road (A38); on the top of a hill which is regularly enshrouded in cloud such that the airport has to be CAT III; few facilities in the area and very little in the way of commercial businesses.

There must have been some sense in the decision..........or was it politics?

piperarcher 22nd Dec 2012 15:48


There must have been some sense in the decision..........or was it politics?
££££££££££

Sir George Cayley 23rd Dec 2012 09:25

Filton NOTAM
 

Q) EGTT/QFAAW/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5131N00235W005
B) FROM: 12/12/22 00:00C) TO: PERM
E) AD CLOSED, AIP PAGES AD 2-EGTG-1-1 TO AD 2-EGTG-8-8 REFER, REMOVE
ALL TEXT.
End of an era in British Aviation

:(

SGC

piperarcher 23rd Dec 2012 12:06

That's sad to see :-(

Bristol1965 24th Dec 2012 21:24

Pace:

Bit like stabbing and mortally wounding someone and offering them an aspirin to help with the pain as they die.



I couldn't agree with you any more and I don't think I could put it more accurately.

It is a disgrace what BAe have done to Bristol. A land that was paid for by tax payers which they inherited it for £1 (to make a transaction legal, they deny this)! Now they have apparently been offered £120 million for it.

That part of Bristol, is already congested, and they are going to build about 3500 houses, turning an already traffic congested area into a major traffic disaster.

For those of you who may be interested in knowing how short term gains was chosen over long term benefits, here how it was:

1) Bristol City Council had financial interest in southern parts of Lulsgate ground which is now used as carpark generating £1000s per day. Filton was private and any contributions would have gone to South Gloucestershire council.

2) South Gloucestershire council is purely interested in the income from rates, a few more millions easy money, they couldn't dream of this. What they don't seem to care, is turning an area into the biggest rough ground in the UK. Just as the council in Bristol has done in Southmead and Easton... (No dis-respect to anyone from these areas).

I just hope that, one day the law of the land in the UK, allows for prosecution of those ... planners and councillors who caused the downfall of Bristol.

I guess Bristol is now the only major City in UK that hasn't got a decent airfield nor a decent Flight training facility.

robin 24th Dec 2012 21:49


I guess Bristol is now the only major City in UK that hasn't got a decent airfield nor a decent Flight training facility.
Or Plymouth perhaps?

ShyTorque 25th Dec 2012 20:00

And Sheffield.

bad bear 26th Dec 2012 01:20


guess Bristol is now the only major City in UK that hasn't got a decent airfield nor a decent Flight training facility
There is Nympsfield and Aston Down just up the road if you want real flying

bb

funfly 26th Dec 2012 09:18

I saw the Bristol Brabazon take off on its first flight from Filton airfield, anyone else?

pulse1 26th Dec 2012 10:50


I saw the Bristol Brabazon take off on its first flight from Filton airfield, anyone else?
Mrs p was there. She was about three years old and, as the great moment came and the Brabazon was starting to move, she distracted everyone around her when she spotted an interesting flower close by. Story of her life really!!!

Edited to say that my main memory is the only time I have been there. We were just flaring to touch down on 09 when ATC asked us to confirm that we were on the ground. Didn't realise until then that they couldn't see that end of the runway.

ShyTorque 26th Dec 2012 11:32

Does this mean yet another LARS provider unit has gone for good (or are Bristol going to "officially" help out)? I know they do help out when able if you ask nicely.

So much for progress - we are losing LARS coverage in UK, little by little. No doubt the answer will be officially published at some stage soon.

matspart3 27th Dec 2012 13:36

Bristol has taken over the LARS provision for the time being.

mossie1960 29th Dec 2012 11:14

Sounds like an opening...
 
"Bristol has taken over the LARS provision for the time being."

Whats the story then Mr D ?

soaringhigh650 2nd Jan 2013 16:00


Not quite £ 250.00 but not much change out of £ 150.00.
How did you get that? This is what my friend got charged at Bristol:

1,157kg MTOW PA-28-181 Archer III parking overnight (Sat to Sun) with 3 passengers:

Passenger Load Supplement = 14.30 x 3 = £42.90
Airport Safety and Security Levy = 4.95 x 3 = £14.85
Security and Insurance Surcharge = 0.30 x 3 = £0.90
Police Services Agreement = 1.80 x 2 = £3.60
Runway fee = 29.50 x 2 = £59.00
ATC fee = 16.40 x 2 = £32.80
Parking fee = £17.00
Handling Fee = £66.12
Handling Weekend Surcharge = £25

Total ex.VAT = £262.17

Total inc. VAT = £314.60

Given the airport is only a Level 2 Co-ordinated Airport and there is no off-peak rate, I congratulate the Bristol government, the airport bosses, and the stupidity and short sightedness of the pilot community for all playing their part (or lack of) in leading the way to killing general aviation. :}

MarcK 2nd Jan 2013 18:24

So why do you all put up with that?

toptobottom 2nd Jan 2013 18:49

This guide on the flyontrack website (to be updated) might be useful.

phiggsbroadband 2nd Jan 2013 22:11

This guide on the flyontrack website (to be updated) might be useful.

Huuuummmm..... 33 pages of information; Would take the average pilot 30 minutes to read... Better start reading at least 60nm from Bristol.

AN2 Driver 3rd Jan 2013 07:55

It's frightening how many cities are disconnecting themselfs from GA by closing servicable airports. Horrible. It really appears that Europe seems to have the goal to eradicate GA for good.

Munich and Berlin come to mind with others trying hard to get rid of the vermin they think GA is.

Well, I've taken my consequences and avoid cities like that whenever I can, be it for business, pleasure or otherwise. I prefer spending my hard earned cash where I am welcome.

Pace 3rd Jan 2013 08:26

AN2

I Agree with you! Compared to America aviation is very badly treated in Europe especially GA with massive costs and restrictions.
It is disgusting how short sighted and stupid some of our decision makers are.
Bristol obviously only wants to be a second rate city which sadly is the way its going with a bunch of short sighted ignorant idiots running it

Pace

soaringhigh650 4th Jan 2013 09:18


So why do you all put up with that?
It's quite simple. The GA pilot community just avoids the big cities generally and nobody kicks up a fuss about it. It's only when a few people start complaining that everyone in virtually every area of government, major airport, and commercial aviation looks at him like he is some idiot.

What the pilot doesn't know is that he is effectively killing his own network of airports to fly to and from...... :zzz:

Watch this space in 5 years. I'd be surprised if anything changes. Until the EASA accessible IR is rolled out, GA will remain confined to the remote farm fields.


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