New Lease for Lee on Solent

Situation Unravelling, Prospects For GA Nil?

The situation at Lee on Solent towards the end of last week regarding visiting aircraft caused confusion, with a very clear reluctance by Fly BN to take back on board its previous task (pre-Sapphire), catering for GA visitors. Whether this was its own decision or the airfield owner, The Homes and Community Agency HCA, was also unclear. Over the weekend decisions were forthcoming, possibly originating from the HCA but via the airfield manager that, wef from yesterday a.m. PPR would be in force UFN with a written request 24 hours prior to flight for all potential visitors. In addition all requests will be at the discretion of the airfield operations manager, these obstacles evectively putting off any casual flying visit.

It would seem that the area that Sapphire occupied was required for development, already an Advanced Skills Centre is being built for Fareham College in the south east corner just south of the ex Sapphire site. The re-generation of the east side of the airfield is gathering pace, Sapphire was the casualty in the rush for business and employment associated with the Enterprise Zone. The airfield in not immune to the spectre affecting all airfields, housing development (much more lucrative than GA), with a decision expected on a proposal later today to build 101 homes on the airfield, on the east side? On a already crowded peninsula,….but that is straying from the main subject.

With the visitor obstacles in place, the direction in which General Aviation goes at Daedalus is anyones guess, and this latest news not very encouraging for the immediate future.

Gerry R

GA Visitors

Fly BN are not handling GA visiting aircraft at present, any visitors are directed to the ex Sapphire apron, there is also uncertainty as to who collects the landing fee. Fly BN are awaiting instruction from the airfield owners, the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) about the post Sapphire situation, the much praised FBO that vacated Lee last month.

A rather hasty decision it would seem to offload Sapphire without a suitable alternative in the pipeline? Confusion reigns.

Gerry R

GA a low priority

The latest situation for GA at Lee does not look too rosy, the excellent reputation built up in the last year by Sapphire Aviation is to be wasted, the intrigue here is why?. No doubt Sapphire will be a success elsewhere, and any future GA visiters, I assume, will be handled by Fly BN at the tower from Janruary 1st 2014.

The emergence, and because of, the designated Enterprise Zone set up at Lee, the latest agenda seems wedded to a priority/preference for jobs/income, at the expense of aviation. The owners of the airfield the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) no doubt have non aviation advisers with their own ideas and plans, seemingly ignoring the present airside residents (apart from Sapphire!). The possibility of potential airside sites becoming business parks on extended landside fenced land could become reality. Could this be that the location of the Sapphire hangar was an example of this thinking? Jobs/ground rent etc, therefore more income.

One of the aims within the Zone was to establish a ‘viable GA operation’, at the moment it would seem this is not a priority, something to do with these non aviation advisers?. I have to agree with John Green in post 24, cut the airfield in half “retain one half for GA the other for a business enterprise zone”, if the two runways are to be re-surfaced then the smaller 17/35 runway could be used primarily for GA use, but access to the longer 05/23 if required, still an option.

The Fly BN leasehold on the airfield expires in April 2014, I would be surprised if that lease was not re-newed considering that companys involvement in Defender aircraft assembly and flight test, the first of which occured this year. Certainly it looks like the replacement of the type of operation that Sapphire dealt with, excellent as it was, remains to be seen.

Gerry R

By not very happy co-incidence, I flew into Lee to-day. My purpose was two fold. One, to enquire about the possibility of being based there and two; to check prices for hangarage and tiedowns. For those on the forum who have followed the unfolding of the Lee story, you will know that having known Lee and most of its shenanigans for more than twenty years I can at best be described as an agnostic – I want to believe but can’t find supporting evidence.

ATC were very good. Clear, succinct, incisive and friendly. On completing the landing run which took forever – they need a midway turn off intersection on 05/23 – we cleared right at the 23 hold and were directed to follow the Sapphire signs. At the end of the taxiway we were met by a small marshalling “Follow Me” truck and followed it to an allotted parking space.

The person driving the electric truck was an extremely friendly, affable and informative young lady named Jennifer. She made us very welcome which included making tea. She worked for Sapphire Aviation and quickly confirmed that Sapphire would be closing their operation at Lee by the end of December for the reason stated at 23 above.

We were charged a landing fee of £7.50 and were later told by Lee Flying Association when we wandered over to their office for a chat that the landing fee for a light single was in fact £15. An outside tiedown was £90 per month inc. and a landing card would cost £100 per month. Hangarage was around £200 per month inc.

I regret to report that, in line with my previous suspicions about the future of Lee, it appears that there are still many doubts about security of tenure, among other things. The airfield is vast and requires; and is apparently getting, quite large amounts of taxpayers cash to refurbish the runways and taxiways, all of this on a day with brilliant flying weather when we observed at the most just three or possibly four movements in the time we were there.

At the moment Lee is a taxpayers ‘white elephant’. If large numbers of commercial enterprises not necessarily of an aviation nature were to move in then, it might eventually begin to repay its projected investment; I see no hope of that as a GA airfield.

If, at this stage of redevelopment, the airfield was cut approximately in half, retaining one half for GA and the other half as a business enterprise zone aimed at commercial tenure and development then Lee might have a realistic future. I know that most of the residential areas around Lee are in favour of keeping the entire airfield as an airfield and are opposed to residential expansion and the possibility of mineral extraction.

Lee is an archetypical example of too much GA supply chasing too little GA demand. GA is, according to various indicators in slow decline due, primarily, to a poor standard of State general education and rising costs. My guess is that if Lee received 500 movements a day that income would hardly keep pace with the cost of day-to-day maintenance and repayment of taxpayers investment cash. 500 a day ? The stuff of dreams !

What a tragedy.

I’d put LoS on my list of places to visit next spring.

I guess they have just deselected themselves

Moggy

Sapphire Aviation to cease GA handling?

Rather sad news to report that Sapphire Aviation will no longer handle GA at Lee wef 1st Janruary 2014, the reason appears to be a dispute with the ‘owners’ about ground rent. The company had built up a good reputation with visiting pilots and business was increasing, especially handling with no fees and a good reputation for service, it will be interesting if a similar type of operation/handler take its place in 2014.

Gerry R

Daedalus Airfield Redevelopment

Just to confirm that Fareham and Gosport Borough Councils (whose boundaries disect the airfield), this week gave the green light to planning applications, paving the way for major redevelopment of the Enterprise Zone at Daedalus airfield Lee on Solent, part of the work to be done is detailed in post 20, but will also include accommodation and facilities for advanced manufacturing and technology businesses from the marine, aerospace and defence sectors.

The airfield at one time 4/5 years ago was under threat of complete closure, credit for keeping the vision of future aviation alive at Lee must go to the Lee Flying Association whose plan for the revitalising of aviation at Lee was taken up the Executive Leader Councillor of Fareham Borough Council, who became the valuable link between all parties, aviation businesses, organisations, airfield users and community groups that were dependant on access to the Daedalus airfield.

From almost complete closure to a site that could potentially employ thousands, is quite remarkable to say the least, and certainly reverses the trend of other unfortunate aerodromes around the country, disappearing off the map altogether.

Gerry R

Funding to upgrade the Daedalus airfield has been approved, the investment will enable the 05/23 runway to be resurfaced with new lighting installed, in addition new hangarage and office space will be provided too. The shorter runway 17/35 will be brought back into temporary service while work progresses on 05/23 in the Spring of next year, 17/35 will be resurfaced first and will revert to a taxiway eventually.
Fareham Borough Council (half of the airfield is within its boundary) approved £3m funding via the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) towards the project, others in the partnership have already contributed a further £5.3m, making a total of £8.3m. All this will be a major step forward to the ultimate goal of licencing the airfield and an Air Traffic Zone (ATZ) established by 2015.
Gerry R

Fly in, this coming weekend

Fly BN Ltd, has almost completed the removal of the infamous blue fences and taxiway gates, an unpopular leftover from the previous leaseholders, Hampshire Police Aviation Unit. Two new airfield entrances will be created on the north and east sides, work on these is progressing.

The resident FBO Sapphire Aviation, are holding a Fly-in this coming weekend 19, 20, and 21 July with a French flavour, (LEE TOUQUET EGHF), to further pubicise the airfield. Many pilots are still unaware that Lee on Solent is back on the map and available for any visiting light aircraft plus good hangarage.

Gerry R

It seems that at long last it’s all going in the right direction at Lee.

Latest Airfield Enhancements.

The removal of the infamous blue fence and gates, a relic of the equally infamous previous lease holders, is now in progress by Fly BN, easing ground movements.

The work will abolish restrictions on both the western and eastern taxi-ways regarding wing tip clearances, with aircraft no longer having to negotiate these obstacles at an angle. Additionally it is intended that the disused 17/35 runway will be made operational as a taxi-way to provide a two way flow to and from the Sapphire ramp, that company incidently, now having two hangars operational with the recent acquisition of hangar ‘C’ in the southeast corner.

Gerry R

Until Lee on Solent get rid of this negative reality and image, they are going nowhere.

Are enthusiasts welcome at this aerodrome? I haven’t visited because I have the impression that we should stay away.

Regards

The security jobsworths on the gate have,in the past, being pretty hostile towards any enthusiasts, accordingly to several friends that have tried to gain access. Consequently, I haven’t bothered trying, until I hear that the ‘natives’ are friendly!

Hi David, try contacting Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club or Lee Flying Association, I think the former will meet you at the security gate if you call in advance, they meet at weekends and Wednesday afternoons. Just google both for contact numbers, best regards,

Gerry R

Thank you

Hi David, try contacting Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club or Lee Flying Association, I think the former will meet you at the security gate if you call in advance, they meet at weekends and Wednesday afternoons. Just google both for contact numbers, best regards,

Gerry R

Are enthusiasts welcome at this aerodrome? I haven’t visited because I have the impression that we should stay away.

Regards

Recent events at Lee

A couple of fairly recent occurancies at Lee on Solent on the GA front, FlyBN are planning the possibility of night flying at the airfield this winter season, with flying on Thursdays up to 1900 local. Other GA news, but again not exactly hot off the press, there is now a choice for GA visiters to the airfield. As well as FlyBN by the tower, Sapphire Aviation have moved into hangar ‘D’ in the southeast corner, this location is nearer the main entrance gate and is a welcome addition on facilities here, as no doubt this destination will get busier in the not too distant future.

Another event not connected with GA but included for possible interest and a light on other activities at Daedalus airfield, (as referred to by Britten-Norman, and quite appropriate I might add), this company test flew the first BN2T-4S Defender aircraft G- CGTC assembled by BN at its new manufacturing facility here in the former FAA Dunning hangar, completing several flights to gain C of A status. Future Defender aircraft will be disassembled once test flown and sea freighted for reassembly on site at destination. This method will lower significantly the cost in delivering the type worldwide, as an alternative to costly ferrying.

Regard, Gerry R.

Latest airfield developments

The current airfield leaseholder Fly BN, now almost a year since taking over, is making some progress on the facilities for visiting pilots, although no word yet on a GA terminal. A cafe/kitchen has been completed at the tower but is not yet up and running, at the moment still only planned, is a pedestrian gate access enabling a 4 minute walk to the waterfront. With the Portsmouth Air Festival coming up in August, Lee could be an excellent base location for the smaller participants in the Festival maybe?.

Not exactly hot off the press, both borough councils Fareham and Gosport, whose boundaries disect the airfield, gave unanimous planning permission on Thursday 29th March, to enable Lee to become a centre for aviation, aerospace and marine employment, as well as up and coming existing and future recreational General Aviation usage. This will now unlock the funds to allow the 4,294ft (309m) runway to be re-surfaced and licensed along with new hangars and larger hardstandings to be built in both the northeast and northwest corners of the airfield, some redundant buildings not needed in the new development will be demolished, which may include some of the Admiralty ‘S’ type (Mainhill) hangars that are scattered around the airfield. I personally hope some will survive along with this 1950s prominent structure in the northeast corner, ex MARTSU Bldg?, apologies for the poor quality of the airfield image which is from 2005, the other two were photographed in 2010. The previous enquiry about the earthworks by hangar ‘A’ was to do with a new road scheme, the route of which will take it through part of the southside of the Daedalus site.

Gerry R

Your question is both intriguing and interesting, intriguing because planning applications are still ongoing for the development of the airfield, even preliminary work would not commence until the outcome of these, but maybe it has!, I await the outcome.
Gerry R

Why has a large section of the airfield had the topsoil removed?

Behind the hangar the police use?