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GAAC
Newsletter July 2002
Edited by
Jack Wells
In
this Issue:
Editorial
: The GAAC
The 2002 AGM
Small Airfields Research project
Airfield News
Planning
Government Policy: Local Aerodromes
Editorial
The GAAC
is ten years old this year. It is now more than 10 years ago that the
notion of a single body, to handle the issues that were of immediate common
interest to all of GA, was mooted by our Chairman at a meeting of the
General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo). Initially the General Aviation
Awareness Campaign was envisaged as having a life of some 2 years, but
it soon became evident that there was a long term challenge and that a
more permanent body was needed. Campaign gave way to Council and eventually
a limited company was established to formalise the arrangements.
That is history. We may not have been aware of what we were taking on
10 years ago, but the plain fact is that there is a long term task to
be undertaken if we are to assure a future for GA.
The main work of the GAAC is conducted away from the public eye and consists
of tasks that are not always appreciated by pilots. These include making
representations to central government to ensure that GA is recognised
in relevant official circles and also responding to any Government consultation
documents that have a bearing on GA. There has been quite a spate of these
recently. More locally, monitoring County Structure Plans, District Local
Plans and even Local Transport Plans continues in the hands of our Planning
Co-ordinator.
Were the GAAC not to continue, each GA association would have to undertake
the work on its own behalf at a much greater cost overall to the GA movement.
Coping with and challenging changes in the planning process and major
changes are contemplated by the Government can only be tackled effectively
if GA acts in a co-ordinated way. The GAAC is the body recognised by the
Department for Transport as speaking for GA on planning matters.
It is essential therefore that volunteers are found to keep the organisation
running. After 10 years in their posts, and having reached their dotage,
it is time for the Chairman and Secretary to stand down. They have again
agreed to postpone their retirement and to continue in their posts until
31 October, to enable new arrangements to be put in place.
New brooms are needed to sweep away some of the cobwebs and inject some
new life into the organisation. Its importance has to be communicated
to all those enjoying the facilities that GA has to offer. It is a failing
of GAAC PR that its name rings a bell with very few pilots. This is just
one area where a new initiative is called for.
But, where are the volunteers?
Annual General Meeting 2002
The GAAC
AGM was held in London on 12 April. Thanks to their generosity it was
again held at the Royal Aeronautical Society. I am happy to announce that
the Board has been strengthened. We welcome the following to the Board:
Philip Isbell PFA
Roger Bellingham BMFA
Charles Henry Cabair
David Corbett Flying Farmers Assn
The Board
also includes representatives of AOPA, the BGA, the BMAA, GAMTA, the Portsmouth
Naval Gliding Club and the Vintage Aircraft Club.
General Aviation Small Airfields Research project
This new venture is being undertaken over a 3-year period. It will study
the economic benefits to the community of GA aerodromes. The absence of
information on this subject has proved more than an embarrassment when
pressing the GA case at public inquiries.
At a recent meeting with the Department for Transport they confirmed their
support and willingness to contribute to the cost of the project.
Airfields
The news is, as always, mixed.
East Haxted, near Edenbridge, is seeking a Lawful
Development Certificate (LDC). It has operated for 18 years and has evidence
to prove it.
Thirleby
Fen Planning permission is being sought for 1,000 metre
airstrip.
New management
at Bristol has agreed to accord grandfather
rights to existing GA users. Previously all had been under notice to vacate.
North
Weald Wimpey want to build 2,500 houses on the site. The
local authority owns the airfield.
Maypole
15 extra movements have been granted on 3 days a year for special events.
Cliffe
Marshes is one of the sites being considered as the location
for additional runway capacity for the South East. If this were to happen,
it would have serious consequences for GA movements. The site is one of
particular importance for some 15,000 wading birds and the RSPB is known
to be opposed to any development. We are in touch with them to coordinate
opposition to the development if the proposal proceeds.
Rochester.
The Kent Messenger reports that there were 3,550 objections to the proposed
redevelopment of Rochester, said to be the biggest protest to a planning
proposal in Britain in the past year.
Sywell
Despite a major hiccough at the last moment permission has now been granted
to construct a hard runway.
Welshpool
is now operating as an unlicensed airfield having been part abandoned.
Sherlowe
airstrip is threatened with permanent closure despite the efforts of the
owner to interest his neighbours in light aviation. In this instance privacy
seems to be of greater concern than any noise disturbance. (See Telford
item below)
Rush
Green now has an LDC. The owner was particularly appreciative
of the planning guidance given by the GAAC in enabling him to obtain the
certificate. He underlined the importance of having kept full records
of arrivals and departures.
Sherburn-in-Elmet
has obtained permission to build an 830m hard runway. This is being financed
by the club that owns it.
Planning
In a recent Flyer Forum report the plea was again made by a local pro-aviation
Councillor for those interested in the future of GA to
write in to SUPPORT planning applications. He reminds us once again that
the planning process is very susceptible to being swayed by a few well
written individual letters and that it does not take much account of form
letters, and even less of petitions. The Antis know this. He says If
there is something you wish to support, write in! And get as many of your
mates as you can to do the same. This cant be said too often. (See Rochester
note above)
The Telford area local plan is now being updated.
At the moment it is said to contain a provision that "there shall
be no flying from a private strip in the Telford and Wrekin area."
The Planning Office has advised me that public consultation has not yet
begun. If you want that provision removed you MUST ask to be sent details
at the consultation stage which, I am told, will begin in the autumn.
Details available from:
The Area Planning Officer, Telford & Wrekin Council, Darby House,
P.O. Box 212, Lawn Central, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4LB
The Blaenau
Gwent Structure Plan embodies word for word the GA planning
policy proposed by the GAAC.
Plan
Scrutiny. Since the AGM in April our Planning Coordinator
has handled a further 7 Structure Plans, 9 Local Plans, 14 UDPs and 4
other plans.
Planning
and Operational Guidance for Flying Sites. AOPA has produced
a brief summary paper for the benefit of aerodrome operators and owners
(potential and existing). It looks at the establishment of new sites,
proposed changes to existing operations, Lawful Development Certificates,
planning applications, appeals and enforcement matters. Copies are available
from the GAAC office.
Government Policy: Local aerodromes
Our Chairman wrote to the Minister for Aviation earlier this year asking
that central government should be more involved in the provision of a
national network of GA aerodromes. Despite their claim to support the
development of an integrated transport system the Minister reiterated
the long standing policy that decisions about the future of aerodromes
must be a matter for their owners. It would not be right for Government
to attempt to direct from the centre what are essentially local issues.
Government cannot force an aerodrome, whether publicly or privately owned,
to stay open if the owner/operator is determined for business or other
reasons to close it. Obviously further educational effort is required
to get the message through to a Government that is committed to an integrated
transport policy that a network of aerodromes for the UK is part of the
national transport infrastructure.
GAAC
July 2002
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