low’n’slowSuperb picture Tony – and thanks for flagging them up to us. I’ve just sent the link to Matthew Boddington too.
Sadly, with this year’s revised display configuration, we same fated to be Fokker and Junkers fodder even more frequently. Just as well we fitted a bigger smoke oil tank!!
low’n’slowFor those not too familiar with the location, just west of London, close to Maidenhead and M4 motorway.
A good chance too, to enjoy the atmosphere of the former ATA building, now the West London Aeroclub. A good chance for locally-based forumites to meet face-to-face too?
low’n’slowI’m guessing there’ll be a few in a similar vein, once a few WLAC beers have been had!!
It should be a fun evening. Certainly something a bit different. Looking forward to it. See you there!
low’n’slowAs the online petition is limited to something like just over 100 words, here is a longer version of our case and concerns:
KEEP AIRFIELDS GREEN FIELDS.
Review Airfield Classification as Brownfield Sites.
In 2003 an ‘administrative oversight’ led to the deletion of a footnote in PPG3, noting that airfields and hospital grounds should not be considered as appropriate brownfield sites. Current definitions of previously developed land make no reference to airfields or flying sites. As a result, developers and local planning authorities are increasingly and inappropriately treating airfields as brownfield sites for land redevelopment, leading both to the loss of an important part of national transport infrastructure and the destruction of significant areas of natural habitat within airfield boundaries.
The UK network of GA aerodromes is regarded by DfT as an important part of the national transport infrastructure. While Commercial Air Transport or airline operations are focussed on scheduled flights from just 25 airports around the UK, General Aviation with smaller aircraft types uses more than 120 aerodromes licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority for non-scheduled passenger carrying and between 350 and 500 unlicensed flying sites.
This network of GA aerodromes around the UK has been recognised by DfT as providing vital amenities for sport flying, connectivity for business travellers and acting as an important part of the national transport infrastructure; providing economic benefits and ‘point to point’ access. This allows passengers and cargoes to be delivered closer to their ultimate destination, reducing time, cost, fuel use and emissions.
They also provide important infrastructure and support for activities such as police and pollution patrols, medical flights, aerial surveys, and search and rescue operations. In recent years however a significant number of airfields have closed and others have been threatened as a result of owners seeking to release the value of their land and local planning authorities prioritising housing and other development on the land they occupy.
It is noteworthy that the curtilage of many airfields is now being recognised as an important ‘open green space’ by many Local Planning Authorities and there is increasing evidence from local nature and environmental surveys that airfields are increasingly important as a low-insecticide, low-herbicide, sanctuary for plants, insects and associated wildlife.
In July 2015, organisations involved in every spectrum of aviation were shocked by the proposal in the Chancellor’s summer budget statement to allow automatic planning permission to be granted for housing developments on designated brownfield sites. This unintended consequence of wider policy on the development of redundant industrial sites was described by ‘Pilot’ magazine as “the darkest news to face General Aviation for some time”.
We demand a review of the brownfield designation of airfields in recognition of the role that they play both as an important part of our national transport infrastructure and as an important yet often overlooked environmental “green space”.
ENDS
low’n’slowLAA STATEMENT ON JODEL AIRCRAFT AT FORMER PLYMOUTH AIRPORT
The Light Aircraft Association is delighted to confirm that the Jodel 120 aircraft which was held by the owners of the now-closed Plymouth Airport following a precautionary landing to avoid bad weather on Sunday 9th August, has now been given permission to leave. It is hoped that weather permitting it will leave on Friday morning, 28th August.
The aircraft, flown by LAA member Martin Ferid, made the landing in fast deteriorating weather conditions and it has generally been agreed across the aviation community that his actions were the correct course of action. Once it became clear that there was an impasse between the pilot and the owners of site, many fellow pilots began a high-profile campaign to publicise the issue.
At the same time Charles Strasser, Vice-President of AOPA and Brian Davies, Chairman of the LAA began direct discussions with Sutton Harbour Holdings chairman Graham Miller. It was Mr. Miller’s personal intervention which led to the decision being taken to allow the aircraft to depart.
“There were two key conditions” said Brian Davies. “The first was an assurance regarding the airworthiness of the aircraft. We confirmed that an LAA inspector can provide this by inspecting the aircraft and making an appropriate entry in the aircraft log book. The second was satisfying SHH’s concerns on there being sufficient liability insurance. We are grateful to Haywards and their underwriter Russell Mason of Antares, for working with us to provide those assurances.”
“Sutton Harbour Holdings now understands the importance of allowing pilots to land at Plymouth in an emergency and will be issuing instructions to their staff accordingly” said Brian Davies. “That said, it should be emphasised that this site is no longer a functioning airport.”
low’n’slowThe Flywheel organisers also arranged for photographer Chris Byrne to be aloft in a Piper Cub as the Bristol Blenheim landed and taxied in. Got these great shots to mark the first arrival of the type at its former wartime centre of operational training for the first time in 70 years.
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low’n’slowI thought you were merely representing the ‘Ancient and Tattered Airmen’ Jules. 🙂
The real former aircrew were a tad older than you! (Thanks to Peter de Rousset Hall for the pics)
Actually those who attended in period costume really made the Flywheel event come to life. Well done all!
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low’n’slowIt is all the more ironic that after surviving all that the Luftwaffe (and the Great War Display Team) could throw at him, Doug has got himself ‘winged’ in this way. Here’s hoping his legendary resilience will see him through.
Anyone that wants to read more about Doug’s flying exploits, in his own words, should look out for his autobiography, ‘Aeroaddict’. A cracking read from a proper gentleman.
Picture below from happier times at Shoreham last summer, when Air Marshal ‘Dusty’ Miller presented Anne and he with a photo from the Great War Display Team, commemorating his ‘retirement’ from display flying. He flew his last display with the SE-5a replica on his 90th birthday!
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low’n’slowThe 1986 BBC short film based on Jack Parham’s book is a classic in my view.
It can be found (cut into parts) on the interwebtube thingy and DVDs are also available too.
low’n’slowThe Aeronca JAP J-99 (for 99 cubic inch) is a 1.6 litre flat twin, so it has loads of torque. That allows it to turn a surprisingly big prop and waft a remarkable amount of air for a 36hp rated engine.
Combine that with an efficient and light airframe and long 36 foot span wings, it adds up to a cracking little aeroplane. Still prefer the Cub though!
low’n’slowBest bet may be to give Wickenby Airfield a call. 01673 885886 and take it from there.
low’n’slowProbably the most numerous must be the Piper J3 / L-4 Cub. Certainly several hundred, if not thousands still airworthy.
….including Propstrike’s!
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low’n’slowYes thanks Mike. After the short trip around Dover and Swingate Down, Blue Max and I bounced our way back to Sywell yesterday, again bucking a headwind (ground speed 48kts).
Hopefully wind and weather will allow a fun-packed Sunday at Sywell!
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low’n’slowSadly. No, we didn’t get to Amiens. We got within sight of France yesterday, as we flew along from Capel le Ferne to Dover and overhead Swingate Down, from where the first aircraft departed for France on 13th August 1914.
However the gusting winds and storms on our planned route from St. Omer to Amiens and Arras where the Western Front Association commemorative events were being held, meant discretion had to form the better part of valour.
Half a dozen or so hardy souls in Tiger Moths did apparently battle through. However the slower speed, smaller fuel tank and poorer controllability of the BE in gusts were our limiting factors. Based on the predicted headwind yesterday, our ground speed through France would have been just 45 knots! As you’ll see from the BFBS clip here, landing at Headcorn was quite sporting enough!
low’n’slowSpeaking as some-one who works as a occasionally commentator, I fully agree with the comments above. I try not to make any comments when aircraft are passing the crowd line and, when commentating with the Great War Display Team, we do use music and gunfire effects, but only sparingly to generate atmosphere for the members of the audience who are not die-hard aviation enthusiasts.
It is a case of judging an audience and balancing the commentary as required. A Legends or Old Warden audience is bound to have different perceptions to a ‘seaside special’ or county show. As always, some people are better than others in this respect.
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