Swansea (Ad Nauseum)
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Swansea, South Wales,UK
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I don’t know if I’m missing something here, but I cant see any competition going on at all . They are offering different products. One is offering training while the other offers pleasure flights. In fact Heli Charter Wales sends referrals to Heli Air when people enquire about training. The airport manager has added another stall to his market.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Uk
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I think you are actually Sewing machine man! The fact of the matter is that out of curtesy both the Airport manager and Heli Charter Wales could have informed Heli Air Wales of what was going on in advance! You would have probably have found that the guys at Heli Air Wales would have then been some what happier with the whole situation. Mind you cant see it really being viable flying a Jet Ranger from Haverfordwest to do perhaps 8 lifts on Saturday and no more that 4 on the Sunday. There must have been £600+ of re positioning costs plus the cost of 3 guys and a pilot for the day and if the Pilot was Flying for any less than £150 a day he must have been mad! I know I dont get into a machine for less than £300 a day!
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Outsiders view and IMHO etc - All established business's react negatively to new competition or possible threats.
I agree with previous poster that the pleasure flights will very likely attract more interest for a flying school - and they should look at it as free advertising for helicopter activity at Swansea.
Sure The ltd company can do what see they see as best for their business, dont we all ?
Maybe with hindsight the management would agree it may have been a good idea to inform the local training school.
Either way does not sound like a great deal of harm done.....
BTW My only experience of Swansea was positive as a visitor.
I agree with previous poster that the pleasure flights will very likely attract more interest for a flying school - and they should look at it as free advertising for helicopter activity at Swansea.
Sure The ltd company can do what see they see as best for their business, dont we all ?
Maybe with hindsight the management would agree it may have been a good idea to inform the local training school.
Either way does not sound like a great deal of harm done.....
BTW My only experience of Swansea was positive as a visitor.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Swansea, South Wales,UK
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Should have gone to Pembrey. Its on a major coastal road in a very tourist orientated area. Near a Haven holiday camp, Within walking distance of a motor racing circuit, fantastic views of a Norman Castle. You can even get a sneaky look at the RAF target range and play bomb the base on the weekend…. Winston, if your reading this please me your cheque for whatever you think this is worth.…
But seriously, in all businesses you must have people skills. From the shop floor manager all the way to the MD. I always used to think people in the aviation industry were very gentlemanly RAF stiff upper lip types. Naïve I know, but there is clearly so much bitching going on. I remember on my trial lesson flying near Worms Head. The instructor pointed out Swansea Airport saying “don’t go there they tried to have us closed down” on the ground he went on about how the aircraft were badly maintained. A few months later I was chatting with the then manager at Swansea. I told him where I was training and he came back with “ they have old dirty helicopters with ripped seats” Lighten up guys, life’s too short.
But seriously, in all businesses you must have people skills. From the shop floor manager all the way to the MD. I always used to think people in the aviation industry were very gentlemanly RAF stiff upper lip types. Naïve I know, but there is clearly so much bitching going on. I remember on my trial lesson flying near Worms Head. The instructor pointed out Swansea Airport saying “don’t go there they tried to have us closed down” on the ground he went on about how the aircraft were badly maintained. A few months later I was chatting with the then manager at Swansea. I told him where I was training and he came back with “ they have old dirty helicopters with ripped seats” Lighten up guys, life’s too short.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: South Wales
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How come there's no (helicopter) flight training done from Cardiff airport (sorry it's slightly off track). Thought being closer to the capital there would have been a greater demand for it?
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Uk
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Now there is a question Lightning boy! I have been asked this question many times. There used to be Heli instruction at EGFF but after 09/11 the management at EGFF decided to interprate a CAA ruling regarding parrallel runways and the necessity to have over 750 meters clear each side of the runways now we all know that there in only one runway at EGFF being 30/12 however once the helicopter is in flight( Hovering) they are taking that as a parrallel runway! rather daft I know as we used to enjoy instructing at EGFF and it was considerably more convienient for the students up that end of the M4. sayig that Swansea is a superb place to fly the scenary is outstanding and of course it is far quieter on the radio.
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Swansea is a nice airport to train from, pretty quite airspace and easy radio. It's a great place to start training but I always liked flying into Cardiff to get a bit of real world airport experience.
You can't beat the relaxed attitude at Swansea for making life easy.
Typical radio call at Swansea:
Pilot: "Golf-Romeo-India-Charlie-Echo requesting joining instructions"
Tower: "Any Runway you like - Wind strong"
Pilot: "Can I get some fuel"
Tower "Sorted But"
You can't beat the relaxed attitude at Swansea for making life easy.
Typical radio call at Swansea:
Pilot: "Golf-Romeo-India-Charlie-Echo requesting joining instructions"
Tower: "Any Runway you like - Wind strong"
Pilot: "Can I get some fuel"
Tower "Sorted But"
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: uk
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I am surprised that anyone operates out of 'grotty' Swansea. It must be the grimmest airport in the UK and one which I only use when it is a customer destination.
Looking round Euroland, UK airports are the scruffiest but the staff are the most helpful and friendly.
Considering that the landing fees at UK airports are generally just slightly less expensive to those in Germany, I have to assume that the money collected goes into the owners pocket and to the CAA, leaving little reinvested into the airport. Or am I wrong?
Looking round Euroland, UK airports are the scruffiest but the staff are the most helpful and friendly.
Considering that the landing fees at UK airports are generally just slightly less expensive to those in Germany, I have to assume that the money collected goes into the owners pocket and to the CAA, leaving little reinvested into the airport. Or am I wrong?
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SWANSEA
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Swansea Airport management technique
Well its happend again to poor old swansea airport,someone (who must remain nameless
) set up a deal (Which can only be described as an irresponsibleone)which gave the recently opened parachute club unlimited credit for the first quarter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what happend,it's not difficult) they did a midnight flit last saturday night, they took everything,including two aircraft, and all of their parachute equipment, tables chairs computers, everything, leaving a £27k fuel bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and not one penny of the rent paid!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Although during the time they were at Swansea they appeared to be trading in a very steady manner. On the final day before their midnight flit they were taking (cash) money like it was going out of fashion,someone (i wonder who) has walked away with i guestimate £50k in his bin.Watch this space as for more information on the skulduggery and intrigue.They will never learn.
PS: Swansea airports management will be running a summer course of business management techniques,book early to avoid dissapointment.
) set up a deal (Which can only be described as an irresponsibleone)which gave the recently opened parachute club unlimited credit for the first quarter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what happend,it's not difficult) they did a midnight flit last saturday night, they took everything,including two aircraft, and all of their parachute equipment, tables chairs computers, everything, leaving a £27k fuel bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and not one penny of the rent paid!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Although during the time they were at Swansea they appeared to be trading in a very steady manner. On the final day before their midnight flit they were taking (cash) money like it was going out of fashion,someone (i wonder who) has walked away with i guestimate £50k in his bin.Watch this space as for more information on the skulduggery and intrigue.They will never learn.PS: Swansea airports management will be running a summer course of business management techniques,book early to avoid dissapointment.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
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If this is true, it is yet another tragedy for Swansea Airport.
I sincerely hope that there is a sensible outcome.
I sincerely hope that there is a sensible outcome.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SWANSEA
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outcome at Swansea
What possible outcome can there be the horse has bolted!!!!
and to date they still havent closed the stable door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at the moment they (the airport) are still owed an astonishing £43k for fuel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by
and to date they still havent closed the stable door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at the moment they (the airport) are still owed an astonishing £43k for fuel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SWANSEA
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swansea management
Inflation at swansea is the same as anywhere else in the uk,if you had read and understood what i had said you would realise that what i said was that whilst the parachute club did a "runner" owing £27k there is still outstanding from other "people" who for obvious reason must remain another £43k for fuel, so if you are a big user of fuel come to Swansea and open a credit account,you never know you may be able to open an account that is never ever monitored!!!!!
Metalman
another £43k for fuel, so if you are a big user of fuel come to Swansea and open a credit account,you never know you may be able to open an account that is never ever monitored!!!!!Metalman
