Islay Airport Open Day 2013:
 

A brief post which might reach those private pilots who were thinking about flying in to Islay for the Airport Open Day which was to have taken place on Saturday 10th August 2013. Because of operational issues at Islay Airport, the 2013 Open Day has been cancelled but the organisers hope that the event can be revived for 2014. Ben Bhan.

That's a real shame, was really looking forward to this one.

Hopefully it will be back on again next year.

Islay Airport Open Day 2013
 

Normally a great day out, what are the operational reasons?:confused:

Islay
 

Flying in Scotland does amaze me at times!

Fabulous runways airport terminals and fire cover that spends a great time at weekends closed, usually funded by a large grant from the EU.

Had a great day out in Gigha on sunday, we were going to refuel in Islay only we could not due to the airport opening for a brief period ie: 16.30 to 17.40 We phoned the airport only to be told they would be closing at 1710!

No worries then just a short hop over to Prestwick to have the cactus treatment up the rear with nav charges and handling fees. If we only had a few more people with the attitude of Paul Keegan then I am sure that there would be far more people flying in and enjoying a special part of the world! :ugh:

P.B.

Was it not Paul who was responsible for the Oban fence debacle though?

Shame, Islay is a great overnight.

Far North at Wick seem to have found a way to operate at a HIAL Airport.

Would hazard a guess that we want triple time, six days in lieu, oh and free transport to and from work.

I was going to visit Tiree on Saturday, for lunch, you know spend some hard earned cash, at the local amenities, until I found out that it was, well, shut. For a moment I pondered just going, but then thought, where is the point. A good day out at Plocton ensued, cheaper as well...

I suspect Far North's success is down to a few factors. Andy's incredible motivation and service, a good airport manager and good airport staff who know they're not exactly on the beaten track, so go out of their way to accommodate anything outside the ordinary.

Sadly they could teach Inverness a thing or two.

Pennine Boy: I'm guessing you didn't go to Prestwick Flight Centre then? Reasonable prices there and they tell ATC they're handling you so no hassles.

As regards HIAL inflexibility, an indemnity for all HIAL airfields except Barra can be had for a small fee. Can't find it on their website but I'm sure a phone call would locate it.

NS

North South
 

I have indemnity for Oban. That is handy for fuel. But really I am not hoping to pick up fuel in the dark hours! We pay enough in landing fees in Scotland. Without having to have indemnities for every airfield you might visit.

Re Prestwick Flying Schools, on one of the best flying days so far this year that fell on a weekend they where all closed at the time of calling 1730.

Every airfield on the west coast has more staff than LHR for 2 arrivals a day!

Great business plan lets hope it is sustainable if Scotland gets its Independence.
:ugh::ugh::ugh:

And PB, you are absolutely correct in your assessment of the current position. Beautiful scenery, beautiful airfields, ruined in part by petty bureaucrats, crazy opening hours, crazy local PPR, and no understanding of GA flying.

It is a shame, and it effects all local based pilots also. As regards the HIAL indemnity, why? We are all insured for our aircraft, or should be, so why be asked to pay more?

Inverness, by the way, has to be one of the best. We landed in my friends Commander, two of us, full PPR/Flight plans et al, to be met, as we went to go to the terminal for a coffee, by security, who asked for ID. Photographic ID. I, by chance, had a flying club card, with my photo. Your ok says security. The owner, who is coloured, had none. You can go out, he says, but you cannot get back in, states security. We commence pleading, but no. If he sets one foot off airside, he would not get back. I traipse round to the terminal, to get an extortionate coffe, couple of sandwiches, which I carry back airside to the plane. I am monitored all the way by security, and we sat forelornly in the aircraft eating our sandwich, and drinking our coffee. We then depart, having had one of the most miserable flying visits I can ever remember.

That's HIAL Inverness, for you. Having said that, Kirkwall were the opposite, could not have been more welcoming:ok:

That surprises me. Based at Inverness and with a PPL airside badge, I can escort up to three people to the GA area - with only me wearing a yellow jacket. Did neither of you have a driving licence?

Eh, no not on us, but even so, we both have the old style no photo, type, but the security guy insisted on photographic ID. It was a surreal moment, because he had watched us disembark from our plane, and watched us walk over to the exit hut. I tried to reason, but, no way. Photo ID.

Note that I subtely noted that my colleague the owner, was not Anglo Saxon.

It was actually pretty embarrassing, but hey, sign of the times perhaps.

One thing for sure, we would never go back.

I have experienced the "Gestapo" security at Inverness. It was eventually sorted but left a bad taste. Training desperately needed.

All the other HIAL airports are great.

I am told that the decision about the Islay airshow was initiated by one individual at Islay (not the manager) and backed by the management at Inverness.

D.O.

Kirkwall is great :cool:

Surprised at the comments on Schnecky, i think its pretty relaxed.

The requirement is clearly set out in the ga briefing page on the inverness airport web site:

So nothing to do with whether you are anglo-saxon or not!

No mention of it on the AIP entry for Inverness though if you happen not to check the hial website, although I don't know if it gets mentioned when you phone for the mandatory ppr. Does seem a bit draconian that if you are already airside, security cant give you some kind of temporary pass to allow you to re-enter on your return.

It's very easy to fly into any HIAL airport any time you like, without worrying about the opening hours, it only costs something like 20 quid and and a photocopy of your insurance certificate once a year to cover all the airports, which seems pretty fair and reasonable to me...

£35 now. http://ripassetseu.s3.amazonaws.com/...Applicatio.pdf

I guess you have an old CAA licence then.
With Part-FCL your licence isn't valid unless you have photo-id (and your medical) with you as well (and you must carry it all with you in the aircraft on every flight).

How does carrying a photograph of yourself, demonstrate to security personnel, that you are not a security risk?

I have some lovely photos of myself so clearly I'm OK.

Will a mirror do?:}

D.O.