My local airport won't serve me
Thread Starter
My local airport won't serve me
I have operated my own aircraft (heli and fixed wing) at my local airport,
EG@@, for many years.
In my own free time I have helped run the airport, open up/ lock up, refuel aircraft, cut grass, paint the fence , fix the gate!! etc.. Now due to "conflict of business interests" and nothing else ( - no I have not been in bed with his wife, I owe him NO MONEY)
He refuses to sell me any fuel.
It is a licensed public airport in the UK.
What is the legality of his actions.?
Many Thanks
EG@@, for many years.
In my own free time I have helped run the airport, open up/ lock up, refuel aircraft, cut grass, paint the fence , fix the gate!! etc.. Now due to "conflict of business interests" and nothing else ( - no I have not been in bed with his wife, I owe him NO MONEY)
He refuses to sell me any fuel.
It is a licensed public airport in the UK.
What is the legality of his actions.?
Many Thanks
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I believe that, although someone offers something for sale, they cannot be compelled to sell it. It is at the sellers discretion whether he, or she, enters into a contract with the buyer.
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But there are conditions attached to being a licensed airfield - if memory serves, not discriminating between customers is one of them.
Phil
Phil
Grass cutting
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My memory of contract law is that there is an "offer and acceptance"
Him offering fuel for sale is an "invitation to treat"
1. He gives invitation to treat
2. You make the offer to buy
3. He accepts the offer (or not)
So in my opinion he doesn't have to sell you anything, sorry
unless there is some fancy condition in the licence that says he has too, god knows how you get a copy of the licence small print
Him offering fuel for sale is an "invitation to treat"
1. He gives invitation to treat
2. You make the offer to buy
3. He accepts the offer (or not)
So in my opinion he doesn't have to sell you anything, sorry
unless there is some fancy condition in the licence that says he has too, god knows how you get a copy of the licence small print
Last edited by Camp Freddie; 10th Jul 2012 at 18:06.
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Poor service and small-mindedness are my bane. I always “beat them over the head” when encountered.
This doesn’t come down to what the rules are – never does. It’s who has the best lawyer or legal advice. Why not list the aerodrome, maybe the rest of us won’t land or buy fuel from him either.
This doesn’t come down to what the rules are – never does. It’s who has the best lawyer or legal advice. Why not list the aerodrome, maybe the rest of us won’t land or buy fuel from him either.
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depends on the licence type.
CAP168 Chapter 1 paragraph 3:
(my bold)
It doesn't mention fuel though...
CAP168 Chapter 1 paragraph 3:
Type of Licence
3.1 An applicant may be granted a Public Use aerodrome licence or an Ordinary
aerodrome licence. In the case of the former, the hours of availability of the
aerodrome must be notified in the United Kingdom Aeronautical Information
Publication (UK AIP) and the aerodrome must be available on equal terms and conditions to all persons permitted to use the aerodrome. An Ordinary licence relates
only to use of the aerodrome by the holder of the licence and persons specifically
authorised by him. The holder of an Ordinary licence is not obliged to notify the hours
of availability in the UK AIP but, if he does so, the aerodrome must remain open
throughout the notified hours irrespective of traffic requirements. If the hours are not
notified, the availability of the aerodrome and its facilities can be shown in the UK AIP
as 'by arrangement', but if this is the case then the protection of an Aerodrome Traffic
Zone (ATZ) may not be provided.
3.1 An applicant may be granted a Public Use aerodrome licence or an Ordinary
aerodrome licence. In the case of the former, the hours of availability of the
aerodrome must be notified in the United Kingdom Aeronautical Information
Publication (UK AIP) and the aerodrome must be available on equal terms and conditions to all persons permitted to use the aerodrome. An Ordinary licence relates
only to use of the aerodrome by the holder of the licence and persons specifically
authorised by him. The holder of an Ordinary licence is not obliged to notify the hours
of availability in the UK AIP but, if he does so, the aerodrome must remain open
throughout the notified hours irrespective of traffic requirements. If the hours are not
notified, the availability of the aerodrome and its facilities can be shown in the UK AIP
as 'by arrangement', but if this is the case then the protection of an Aerodrome Traffic
Zone (ATZ) may not be provided.
It doesn't mention fuel though...
Out of interest if you operate do you do enough to warrant having your own bowzer ? My fuel is on average 25pence per ltre cheaper than from an airport ...thats around £70 per hour saved 
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Nigel
who do you use for fuel ?
steve
Ray
Vote with your Feet just boycott the place you dont need a licenced airfield anymore if your training !!
steve
who do you use for fuel ?
steve
Ray
Vote with your Feet just boycott the place you dont need a licenced airfield anymore if your training !!
steve
Last edited by md 600 driver; 10th Jul 2012 at 19:48.
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Have someone who is considered a minority go down in person and ask for fuel. When he says no he will be TOTALLY screwed after a complaint is made that he refused to serve them.
It is a very small industry in the UK....bad PR will hurt him worse than anything else....sometimes a Legal fee for filing a civil action (if you lose) is worth the negative press the other guy gets in the newspaper.
Shame a sit down over a Pint and recalling old times and how it worked for both in the past would not have a chance to bring the guy around to a Win-Win deal. It is always better to be friendly competitors than adversaries. No doubt in the future there shall be a time he needs your help and the reverse. There can be two Cats on one porch if they will share a bit of wood between them.
Shame a sit down over a Pint and recalling old times and how it worked for both in the past would not have a chance to bring the guy around to a Win-Win deal. It is always better to be friendly competitors than adversaries. No doubt in the future there shall be a time he needs your help and the reverse. There can be two Cats on one porch if they will share a bit of wood between them.
No ...never going back to Avgas ( unless i can buy back my old 47 G-BHKW ...Bless her !!! )
Flying the 109 Mk11 ......so maybe my maths slightly out ....lets call it £60 saving then
Flying the 109 Mk11 ......so maybe my maths slightly out ....lets call it £60 saving then
I used Aircraft Fueling Supplies 01256 381912 They suit me as they
are happy to do small qty ( ie 2500 lt ) and they have a small lorry that can fit down my drive . Not up here so often so if you want to try him get him to do some Yorkshire bases all same time ..
are happy to do small qty ( ie 2500 lt ) and they have a small lorry that can fit down my drive . Not up here so often so if you want to try him get him to do some Yorkshire bases all same time ..
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The OP said
Have you set up in opposition then?
Can't imagine why he isn't keen on your money unless your flying is somehow causing him grief.
Most airfields want to sell as much fuel as they can given the belt tightening and the weather that is prevailing.
Now due to "conflict of business interests"........
Can't imagine why he isn't keen on your money unless your flying is somehow causing him grief.
Most airfields want to sell as much fuel as they can given the belt tightening and the weather that is prevailing.
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Fleabay is your friend! This week, there was a (ford cargo?) bowser with pump/meter etc for jet A1 with residual tank contents....there was also a static tank, again for diesel/avtur.
you often see these items and also small towed trailer-type bowsers.
Avgas is far more tricky to store/dispense, due to it's flammability.
Getting a licensed petroleum store license is not easy....IIRC. you're allowed a maximum of~ 50 litres to be stored at home PROVIDED the fuel is split into the correct number of regulation containers,in the correct store. a couple of jerry-cansin the garden shed is a real no-no.
derv/paraffin/kerosene/avtur/jetA1 have none of these restrictions, afaik.
Get a central-heating oil tank, bunker it off site and bring it to the aircraft on an "as needed" basis.
Don't forget to smile sweetly and thank him for the BIG favour he's done you by making you go direct to distributor and saving a goodly margin.
Don't hold out hopes of a curteous reply, though
you often see these items and also small towed trailer-type bowsers.
Avgas is far more tricky to store/dispense, due to it's flammability.
Getting a licensed petroleum store license is not easy....IIRC. you're allowed a maximum of~ 50 litres to be stored at home PROVIDED the fuel is split into the correct number of regulation containers,in the correct store. a couple of jerry-cansin the garden shed is a real no-no.
derv/paraffin/kerosene/avtur/jetA1 have none of these restrictions, afaik.
Get a central-heating oil tank, bunker it off site and bring it to the aircraft on an "as needed" basis.
Don't forget to smile sweetly and thank him for the BIG favour he's done you by making you go direct to distributor and saving a goodly margin.
Don't hold out hopes of a curteous reply, though