Glenforsa Update
 

CWW,

Thanks for posting that.

As there is little real news from ABC, can you confirm that Glenforsa and Oban are operating normally?


3Y

I was in Oban two days ago and it seemed to operating pretty normally, flew over Glenforsa as well - it was covered in sheep!

Oban and Glenforsa open?
 

There have several aircraft into Glenforsa this week, we have had lots of dry, sunny weather so tht the runway is in very good shape.

GF

WILL88
Monday to Friday there will be sheep practising curcuits on Glenforsa as it's 24hr PPR, they will be cleared, Weekends it should be clear.

Do not hesitate to PPR and try some of Brendan & Allisons hospitality at the Glenforsa Hotel :)

I hope they are Mode "S" equipped.

Maybe it will get taken over by BAA?

Glad to hear it, will be with you on Thursday God willing.

5 aircraft so far!!

The GA community is very close-knit in the UK. I know a lot of people both here in the UK as well as abroad.

Rumours start, word gets around and I get to know quite a bit of what is happening about most things.

Again, it is a small world, and people have to be careful what they say and to who they say it to.....

Re: Oban
 

Is'nt that why we have Pprune?

I think has Pprune provided a valuable service in preventing the odious Mr Jackson from carrying out his Machiavellian subterfuge outwith the public gaze.

I do believe that this was a definite factor in his early departure.

Many thanks

Glenforsa Flyer

Argyll Air Service News
 

Argyll's planned air service still stalled

Posted by John Patrick on 25 April 2008 at 3:57pm
← Previous Post | Next Post → View Blog Posts

The Civil Aviation Authority remains unable to grant a licence to the Council for scheduled flights from Oban to the isles of Coll, Colonsay and Tiree. All the physical issues are resolved but the legal stand-off between the Council and Total Logistics Concepts (TLC), the fuel supplier based at the airstrip, continues.

This situation has seen admitted forced entry and damage to the site periphery; an act of potentially lethal sabotage by person unknown to the fuel supply of the strip’s fire engine, refusals to comply with the legally necessary checking in of all personnel going airside at the strip and threats of legal action on both sides.

The fire engine sabotage led to a scene worthy of Dad’s Army. With a private plane coming in for an emergency landing with its undercarriage auto-release seized, the fire crew, unable to start the engine of the appliance, attended the scene in a pick up truck and a minibus, wielding domestic fire extinguishers. Luckily the pilot managed to lower the gear manually - or farce could have become tragedy caused by someone quite deliberately.

Read the full story at For Argyll.com

Glenforsa Yaketeers
 

Lots of flying at Glenforsa and Oban at the weekend, including a contingent from White Waltham.

Good to see.:D

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...rothers-1.jpg?

WW

Anyone know who owns the Labrador? Leaving aside the fact that it looks like it's in the process of being sick, I'd love to know how you get a dog to behave in a light aircraft all the way from White Waltham to Oban. My dog won't even get in our car!

NS

Glenforsa
 

The dog is called Stella and lives at the Glenforsa Hotel, and you would look sick if you had been hanging out with Captain F**kwits Band of Brothers all weekend!


GF

Stella was just looking sad because her pals from F**kwit Formation were leaving. She was promised a ride in an 18T, but I gather from the grapevine that when she saw Captain FW's departure technique today she's re-considered, and reckons she'd rather have a go in the 52. Solo. She also likes RV8s, although apparently the wings are a bit too slippery for Labrador paws.

Fantastic past few days at Glenforsa, missing the place already.

Well all I can say is visiting Oban Airport was a very pleasant experience mainly due to the fantastic service from Paul at TLC. Not many airports that refuel your aircraft while using their offices to make yourself a cup of Tea and eating their Jammy Dodgers. The place would die if it wasn't for him.
ATC need a bit of training but the ground handling was superb.

The Lochnell Arms Hotel, 5 min walk from the Airport was the biggest disappointment of our tour of the Western Isles. 8 of us walked there to have lunch, but after seeing the litter and tons of Ciggy Buts on piled up on the floor around the picnic tables and the Fireplace full of old toilet rolls and crisp bags we decided not to risk it.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/DSCF0513.jpg

Shame because it is in a lovely location. How it deserves 3 stars from the Scottish Tourist board is beyond me.

Plockton had an interesting windshear approach. COL was empty as was TIRE. But the scenery is the best in the world.

Reminded me of the Billie Connolly tour of New Zealand as he flew down a Loch and exclaimed. "Look at the view its fantastic just like Scotland, only not as Good!"

It goes without saying that Glenforsa is the Jewel. Great food in the Glenforsa Hotel and a Pilot freiendly enviroment.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/DSCF0422.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...DSCF0466-1.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/CIMG1948.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/DSCF0461.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/DSCF0448.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/CIMG1927.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/DSCF0543.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/DSCF0546.jpg

Nice photos Ken, sounds and looks like you guys had a good trip.

The Gorrilla sent me a photo very similar to the last one you posted. The main difference, his was a photo of a pint of ale on the same Yak-52's wing. I guess you're more refined with bottles of red wine.;)

Just got back from Glenforsa & Oban, both fields are open, and very friendly, Brendan and Ally at Glenforsa are the best 'Mine hosts', Scallops & Pork belly fantastic. Paul Keegan of TLC at Oban was ready to serve with a smile and the guys on the radio were very helpful.

It looks as though most of the previos Cr-p has left and all people involved at ground level just keen to move on and get lives.

On another note, Jura airstrip, is in reasonable condition but has some fairly deep ruts created by motor vehicles in the centre of the runway. I will find a way of posting photos.

That's great that it all seems to be getting back to normal. So get up and visit. No excuses now!

Glenforsa Traffic
 

A few Hercs flying through the circuit over the last couple of days, but no radio calls on the safety com freq, are our growbag clad pals excused the common courtesy, or was it perhaps, a secret mission?:cool:

Answers on a postcard please to:

F**k me, that was big.
Glenforsa
Mull

GF

Is he related to the twins 'F**k me, that was fast' & 'F**k me, that was low' and their step-sister, 'F**k me, that was noisy'?

Just a small point though GF. On the occasions I have flown into the wonderful strip where you reside, I've never been able to get anything on safetycom when approaching from the East until just past the headland (ie about 2nm to run). Note to self - Must fly higher. :ok:

Not sure if it has been posted excuse me if it has but Glen Forsa has its own frequency now! 120.8 if it isnt manned then safety com!!

Glenforsa Freq
 

Can you tell us where you got that info from?

Cheers

WW

According to DH they have been allocated 120.8 but when I spoke to Scottish info on tues they had not been notified.

Glenforsa Traffic
 

I think the idea is to make any other traffic in the area aware of your presence.

GF

That will explain why chap on the ground in his big log cabin never heard the radio call then? :cool:

Glenforsa Traffic
 

No, there could be a completly different explanation for that!:E


GF

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Was there on Monday and spoke to David! They have a mast and aerial attached to the hut! also back on Wednesday in Helimed 5 and spoke to them on 120.8 so I presume they have the frequency and the license!

Glenforsa Traffic
 

I spoke to the tower at Oban today, and they say that the frequency has not been activated yet, and when it is, it will only be used as A/G on 'special occasions' such as fly ins, and then only by operators from Oban.

GF

Glenforsa Radio
 

So which authorised A/G licence holder at Glenforsa was speaking to you?

Glenforsa Radio
 

Good question.

GF

Chaps! The sheep inspection is worth far more than a radio call. You know, a picture paints a thousand words and all that!! :))

Well gents if this is going to turn into another witch hunt over the radio frequencies then I am very disappointed!! I wish that personal feelings wouldnt spill over onto this forum! The fact that there is A/G radio at Glenforsa is great, makes it safer and it makes me happier that someone knows I am approaching!

Glenforsa Radio
 

One wonders what your 'personal feelings' would be after coming nose to nose with a Hercules in the circuit that was talking to someone playing ATCO's on another freq while you were monitoring the published frequency!

WW

it will only be used as A/G on 'special occasions' such as fly ins,
 

Two frequencies, one small airfield, no A/G operator [unless an A/G operator gets the ferry over from Oban - no scheduled HA flights to Mull]... how daft, and unsafe, is that?

How will visitors know when its a 'special occasion' will there be balloons and bunting on the windsocks?

Dan Design
Glenforsa is PPR. Surely you will be told which frequency to use when you call?
DO

Glenforsa Topics
 

That's assuming you can raise the airport manager, not always the case.

So then you call Oban, but how do they know what frequency is being used?

WW

I wouldn't leave for glenforsa without permission.
Last week I was told a message would be left with oban if there were any changes to conditions at glenforsa if DH was not available.
I think that would be the limit of any help available from Oban. I agree it's probably going to be confusing for visitors to have a dedicated frequency which is not constantly manned. Safetycom seemed to be adequete most of the time.
I was told the voice of 120.8 was a Mull resident.
Our friends across the pond successfully operate busier airports than Edinburgh and with a greater mix of traffic on unicom.
DO

Point taken CWW!! well I hope it is sorted out soon which frequency to use!