North Denes Closing
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,446
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From: Wildest Surrey
Course CHC could always open up ND as a proper airfield again. In the late 60s/early 70s there was a thriving flying school with C150s there, and there's always potential for pleasure flying eg to see the seals on Scroby Sands etc.
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
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From: Suffolk
CHC
I cant see either why they cant do up the old Bond terminal and invite one of the other companies to operate from denes. It worked when it was Bond and Bristows there, why not again ?? Get the runway done and as some one said you could have a flying school there, or SAR base ??
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: N.Africa for now
North Denes - What is happening
Heard rumours that the incumbent at N.Denes is moving out to a new base at norwich. Whats to become of N.Denes and all the people who work there ? Is someone else going to move in or will it be lost forever?
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
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From: The Black Hole of Black Holes
North Denes changing hands
North Denes is not closing. CHC are selling it back to Bond. Nice Mr Bond is about to take back the Southern North Sea and not before time. CHC are moving to a new hangar being built at Norwich not that it will do them any good. They will have lost all their contracts before long. I am surprised that they have any left the way they have been carrying on.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 278
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From: uk
Not sure of the exact timeline (although I think it is Dec 10 or New year 11), but it would appear that CHC are moving to Norwich with all the current contracts, they'll be based at the new Saxonair/Klyne hangar complex at Norwich.
There are two aspects to this:
1. The major clients of CHC have been bitching like hell for them to operate from an airport which has full hard runway and navigational facilities with the option of H24 ATC cover in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the vast majority of passengers flying out of Denes, fly to Norwich then have to get the train or a taxi to Gt Yarmouth, in a lot of cases it involves an overnight stay at the passengers expense. To date CHC have always go around this but the clients appear to have said enough is enough.
2. The CAA have been threatening CHC with the closure of N Denes for several years now, the main points being the lack of a hard runway and the integrity of the airfield and it's physical and navigational faclilities (anyone ion the industry doesn't need me to tell you what the latter entails).
CHC won't invest in a hard runway at Denes or the other work due to the high costs and it will be cheaper in the long run to operate from Norwich, it's highly likely that they'll keep the current contracts by doing so.
Earlier this year Bond were advertising for pilots and engineers to be based at Norwich and have signed up for hangerage with Skydrift for the aircraft servicing the Wind Turbine Engineering Contract and any other work that comes up.
Why buy an airfield which is inconvenient to the majority of your client base when you can simply move into a fully equipped one at less expense?
This time I do think it's really happening and N Denes will soon become an exercise yard for the Doggy Track next door.
There are two aspects to this:
1. The major clients of CHC have been bitching like hell for them to operate from an airport which has full hard runway and navigational facilities with the option of H24 ATC cover in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the vast majority of passengers flying out of Denes, fly to Norwich then have to get the train or a taxi to Gt Yarmouth, in a lot of cases it involves an overnight stay at the passengers expense. To date CHC have always go around this but the clients appear to have said enough is enough.
2. The CAA have been threatening CHC with the closure of N Denes for several years now, the main points being the lack of a hard runway and the integrity of the airfield and it's physical and navigational faclilities (anyone ion the industry doesn't need me to tell you what the latter entails).
CHC won't invest in a hard runway at Denes or the other work due to the high costs and it will be cheaper in the long run to operate from Norwich, it's highly likely that they'll keep the current contracts by doing so.
Earlier this year Bond were advertising for pilots and engineers to be based at Norwich and have signed up for hangerage with Skydrift for the aircraft servicing the Wind Turbine Engineering Contract and any other work that comes up.
Why buy an airfield which is inconvenient to the majority of your client base when you can simply move into a fully equipped one at less expense?
This time I do think it's really happening and N Denes will soon become an exercise yard for the Doggy Track next door.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 211
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From: EUROPE
The problem with CHC is that they can't be in the same game if they are in the wrong stadium ! The greyhound / banger track is the wrong venue to compete on a level playing field 
commercial sense dictates a move
commercial sense dictates a move
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 2
From: Norwich
North Denes Closure Confirmed
The closure was confirmed in the local press last night. CHC Scotia transfering to Norwich International Airport "up the road" at the impressive new Saxonair complex.
Great Yarmouth heliport to close after 40 years - Business - Eastern Daily Press
Great Yarmouth heliport to close after 40 years - Business - Eastern Daily Press
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 2
From: Norwich
It IS impressive and is expected to attract alot more biz traffic to NWI. Apparently, will be superior to some biz facilities in the S.E. of England.
Saxonair are a very ambitious company and a big asset to NWI airport. They are funding the building themselves.
So there
Saxonair are a very ambitious company and a big asset to NWI airport. They are funding the building themselves.
So there
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 160
Likes: 3
From: UK
NIMBYism?
From EDP comments:
Bad news indeed not only for Great Yarmouth but also for the residents of NE Norwich and surrounding area who already have had enough of these damned cacophonous things flying over.
niknak
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
From: UK
902Jon
Well that's OK, all the NIMBYS who moved in after Norwich Airport started operating can move to North Denes can't they?
Excellent news for everyone at Saxonair who have been beavering away on this contract for ages, well done Chris and James (and Mr Klyne!)
.
Well that's OK, all the NIMBYS who moved in after Norwich Airport started operating can move to North Denes can't they?
Excellent news for everyone at Saxonair who have been beavering away on this contract for ages, well done Chris and James (and Mr Klyne!)
.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: Moo moo land
Beg to differ it IS just a hangar all be it with fancy clading.
Saxon air is Financed by Kline who made his money in boats.
Just who are they going to attract to Norwich?
If you have real cash why would you want to come Norwich in your biz jet? You certainly cannot say it is convient to London.
The new facility is a rich mans garage for his VERY nice and new Planes/toys.
As a side note the other side has been leased to CHC the repurcussions of their move to Norwich has yet to unfold but their customers are far from happy.
Discuss
Saxon air is Financed by Kline who made his money in boats.
Just who are they going to attract to Norwich?
If you have real cash why would you want to come Norwich in your biz jet? You certainly cannot say it is convient to London.
The new facility is a rich mans garage for his VERY nice and new Planes/toys.
As a side note the other side has been leased to CHC the repurcussions of their move to Norwich has yet to unfold but their customers are far from happy.
Discuss
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
You certainly cannot say it is convient to London.
London isn't the be-all-and-end-all of the UK. There are other places y'know. Like Norwich. I love the smell of sour grapes in the morning. 
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: Moo moo land
Yep your right hang on is that Roman Abramovich's Gulfstream on approach..... oh sorry my mistake its Bernard Mathews in his 20 year old Citation popping in to check on his Turkey Empire......
Its the 21st centuary not the 11th .
I asked a valid question What Biz jets is this Impresive facilty going to attract?
Its the 21st centuary not the 11th .
I asked a valid question What Biz jets is this Impresive facilty going to attract?
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: Moo moo land
North Denes is close to the customers facilates and harbour it can open and close when it likes.
Norwich has limited opening times in comparision also an aggressive anti aircraft lobby which see it as a blight on their house values ,not an asset to the comunity providing jobs.
It is also 25 miles and 40 minutes away which can be considerably longer in summer (A47 and tourists) Not good if you need to get skilled man or part out to rig .
Whats the cost per hour of lost production?
My personal view is that CHC are banking on the SAR contract and couldn't careless about the southern North Sea.
Norwich has limited opening times in comparision also an aggressive anti aircraft lobby which see it as a blight on their house values ,not an asset to the comunity providing jobs.
It is also 25 miles and 40 minutes away which can be considerably longer in summer (A47 and tourists) Not good if you need to get skilled man or part out to rig .
Whats the cost per hour of lost production?
My personal view is that CHC are banking on the SAR contract and couldn't careless about the southern North Sea.
niknak
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
From: UK
I'll have you know that 'Naarwich' quite likes the 11th century. Just try driving here up the A11. Then it will be no surprise that the average wage is £13,000 and you can buy a house for £60,000.
LowFat
The CHC move was actually driven by their customers. If CHC hadn't moved their customers would have - to other providers.
Childish personal attacks removed.