Coltishall consultation

To cover that runway with solar panels is sacrilege. Should be kept open as a diversion for Norwich and a recreation field for young falcons (flyers). Was demobbed from there a week after the Jags arrived. Long live the Lightnings though. Ex 74 Sqdn.

I have just noticed the following announcement http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-30546048

Up to 49mgw!! Indeed – on occasion – yet another heavily subsidised energy white elephant. No wonder the council outbid the private investors – they already knew what its future would be.

Ah, yes DiverScout – those Lightnings!!:D

Better than turning it into another concrete jungle—ohh how i look forward to Northstowe being built [ Oakington Airfield ]:( ,another 10,000 houses and probably 20,000 cars the roads cannot handle 🙁

Fantastic news. The bottom line is the site continues to be useful.

Can’t preserve every base intact and nor should we. Coltishall served it’s use as an airfield and now it will continue to serve producing electricity which the majority of us so absent mindfully waste (me included).

“Scottow Enterprise Park” – words fail me

…and here it is…from a distance.

Great…another solar farm…yawn

I have just noticed the following announcement http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-30546048

The real solution would be something as was proposed for Bentwaters, but was thrown out courtesy of the Benjamin Britten luvvies at Snape.

Maintenance centre for airliners and a mix of related businesses. I fear the opportunity has long been lost though.

Moggy

Moggy, that depends if you can remember seeing Lightnings charging along it (or ever read the book ‘Thunder and Lightnings’). Sadly I would almost bet my house that if the runway goes, the field will be lost. Also, a hard surface runway is a bit more use for non-GA aircraft businesses.

Personally I am happy for the runway to be turned into the A11 or a by-pass.

As long as it is replaced with a grass strip.

Hard surface runways are incredibly expensive and troublesome to maintain and soon reach the state that Shipdham’s was. Far better 800 or so metres of nice flat grass.

As for its historical significance, whilst it might give testament to the Cold War, it’s not actually very inspiring in itself, is it?

Moggy

Norfolk CC have replied that they are still totally open to suggestions – so the runway may not be lost if enough interest is expressed. One can only hope, anyway.

Ok that’s Shipdam sorted, what about Colt?

In the past I always found it a very welcoming airfield (and the resurfaced main was smooth as a baby’s posterior). I’m glad to hear that the impression I gained last year may have been a false one – but I’m sure that you can see where it came from.

If there still any gliding going on, as there seemed to be a slight lack of them when I was last there and the gliding site seems to have gone (although that may just be me)?

Shipdham also has two grass strips.

3. Surface. The main part of the runway has been resurfaced and is smoother than most you find.

That’s information I didn’t know. I’ll take a drive up one day and have a look.

Oddly, in 25 years of flying I have never had Shipdham in my logbook.

Moggy

Shipdham

Several things:

1. Access is not necessarily through the dairy farm – I turn right and then go down the runway side. No problem.

2. Access – the fear is travellers. The gate is locked to prevent them and to keep the farmer happy. If we are operating then ring the number on the website – we’ll come and let you in

3. Surface. The main part of the runway has been resurfaced and is smoother than most you find.

4. Airspace is not a problem – we are outside Norwich zone even after the massive (and unnecessary) airspace grab. Not sure what conflicts you are mentioning.

5. Aggressive locals – unsure who that may be, most of the people seem OK. I’ve had equally hostile receptions at various airfields. You have to speak as you find…………….

hopefully this sets the record straight.

Fly in for a visit. We don’t bite, honest……………….. Circuits to the North side please

Arc

The concern at Shipdham has always been the state of the runways. It takes some nerve to risk a £9,000 prop on the very frangible surface there.

Bourn is headed that way too.

Moggy

Oh yes, I did forget Old Buck and Seething. Rats!

Shipdham was a lovely, friendly airfield but, as Bruce says, driving down a rutted peri track, then right through a large dairy unit (last few times complete with liquid cattle slurry all over the track) is not really a great access route.

The airfield sits directly beside the approach for Norwich and last time I was there (and saw anybody to talk to) they were concerned about the effects of the controlled airspace proposal. If that has been solved, fantastic. Sadly I can’t say as out of the last three times I attempted to visit the airfield it was closed twice (and on the third I was verbally attacked by someone “in case I was a thief” – who then walked away (actually stormed off while I was still replying) once he found that I was not leading me to assume that it was no longer open to the public).

They had quite a good Airshow at Shipdham about 4 years ago ,only the one ,i wonder why only the one ? i guess its all these slip or trip people floating about making false claims for falling over ,same thing for Bentwaters,Rougham, Biggin,Lowestoft,