September 2001
 
Edited by Jack Wells

This Issue:
- Public Inquiry Month
- GAAC Message Being Heard
- More Planning Notes
- Safeguarding
- Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000
- GAAC and the General Election
- Encouraging the expansion of GA
- Government: DTLR
- Finance
- Our Indefatigable Chairman
- Henstridge

EDITORIAL

Public Planning Inquiry Month

Two important public inquiries affecting aviation take place this month.

The first will have begun by the time that you read this Newsletter. This will determine the future of Rochester airport, a cause for which many of our supporters have been campaigning vigorously for some years.

The future of Rochester will be decided in the consideration of the Medway Local Plan. Our Chairman, David Ogilvy, is presenting the case for the retention of the aerodrome on behalf of the GAAC and AOPA. Our Planning Co-ordinator, Anna Bloomfield, has been heavily involved in preparing the case and Peter Kember, until recently a member of the GAAC Board, is presenting the case on behalf of Rochester Airport Plc.

Given its strategic location in the South East and the shortage of GA facilities in the area it would be a tragedy if this facility were to go the way of other sites, such as Ipswich, owned by the local authority. While the Government lays great emphasis on a ‘National Transport Policy’ it refuses to accept that local aerodromes are part of the national transport infrastructure and is content to leave decisions about their future to local authorities.

A rather different development is that proposed for the former RAF station at Finningley, near Doncaster. The public inquiry begins on 25 September, in Doncaster.

Here a major commercial operation is planned to make use of the 2,700m runway, longer than any of those available in the area at East Midlands, Leeds/Bradford and Humberside.

The GAAC has two major concerns about the development. Firstly the development of the site appears to focus on commercial operation to the exclusion of GA and secondly there is a risk that a new airport would seek far more controlled airspace than the Military Air Traffic Zone (MATZ) that applied when Finningley was a busy operational RAF airfield. In particular any significant extension of controlled airspace would affect gliding operations in the area and through traffic to and from the North and South.

To register our concern the following comments have been sent to the Inspector hearing the inquiry:

“1. There is a shortage of GA facilities throughout the country, particularly for flying training, and it is essential that any new facility should provide capacity for GA. and not disrupt current GA operations. Nearby Humberside already claims that it is unable to cope with the demand for flying training because of its growth in commercial traffic. The development of Finningley should pay particular regard to paragraph 5 of the Aviation section of Planning Policy Guidance document 13 (Transport) which states that planning authorities will need to consider:

‘the role of small airports and airfields in serving business, recreational, training and emergency services needs. As demand for commercial air transport grows, this General Aviation (GA) may find access to larger airports increasingly restricted. GA operators will therefore have to look to smaller airfields to provide facilities. In formulating their plan policies and proposals, and in determining planning applications, local authorities should take account of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of GA on local and regional economies.’

While, eventually, Finningley may not fall into the category of a small airport, as a new development it will be well suited to the role of an airport able to cope with both Commercial and General Aviation operations.

2. The Doncaster area has been deprived of GA facilities ever since the Council closed Doncaster airport some 10 years ago.

3. The introduction of a major new commercial flying operation will give rise to the need for additional controlled airspace. This must be planned in conjunction with current adjacent users, particularly the gliding clubs, who will suffer severely if controlled airspace requirements exceed the restrictions that applied during the time that Finningley functioned as a busy operational RAF station.”

GAAC MESSAGE BEING HEARD

In a recent debate in the House about noise emanating from White Waltham airfield, the new Minister of Transport, John Spellar, said: “General Aviation is an activity that is not only legitimate, but important. It would be wrong to conceive it as a matter of purely week-end leisure flying, although that has its place. The Government is also mindful of the contribution of General Aviation to the training of pilots, many of whom move on to commercial airline service, and to emergency operations, business and local economies.”

MORE PLANNING NOTES

The following extract from the Journal of the Friends of Sywell Aerodrome is reproduced as it has a general relevance to all us who are concerned with retaining our right to fly.

“News on Planning Policies affecting Aviation Every Pilot and Aviation User should read this page...

The Northamptonshire Structure Plan has finally been adopted incorporating a reasonable Aviation Policy in T12. Sywell Aerodrome would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who wrote to the County Council in support of Policy T12. There is no doubt that your help has made a positive difference to the benefit of Aviation in Northamptonshire despite the organised opposition. We would also offer our sincere thanks to Mr Ogilvy of GAAC, who attended the Examination in Public and spoke in support of T12.

Other counties have not been so fortunate and as David Ogilvy has written, some have no Policy at all, others have distinctly Anti-Aviation Policies in place, which makes life very difficult for Aerodromes and operators in those Counties and this situation will only become worse if operators, pilots and users do not make themselves heard. So please remember this when it comes to the new Local Plan. No doubt objectors and anti-aviation groups and even some MP's will be doing all they can to introduce Policies against Aviation and it is up to us to stand up against this.

Just look at what Fox Hunting has had to face up to and be warned it will happen to General Aviation in this Country. Country Sports have had to become well organised and coordinated to fend off the Anti Hunting Lobby and Aviation must do the same. Please be aware the Anti-Aviation Lobby are far more dangerous in that they are in the main well-educated, high earners with ample spare time and on the whole well organised. A good number earn their living from or by the use of the Aviation Industry and they will all use commercial flights for Holiday trips abroad etc.

There are also others who enjoy or use aviation, but at the same time through their employment work against it or act as objectors in a private capacity. They cannot be allowed to continue in this way, they should be recognised and weeded out. So to those that this applies to, watch out or make your choice one way or the other.

Also, sadly, it seems 'par for the course' nowadays in this modern society to object to everything everyone else does simply because you do not. There is little to no tolerance or respect for others or their property these days in this tiny crowded island. Where is the live and let live?

NIMBY's are everywhere. New ones are particularly difficult to understand. They move to an area knowing of certain activities locally and then promptly start whinging about them. If they knew of their existence, why did they move there in the first place?

There is some good news on the Horizon in that Central Government has recognised the importance of General Aviation in the recently published Annex 2 of PPG 13. However, current Environmental Pressures weigh against this. In the past Government Policies have been moulded by the various organisations that represent Aviation in this Country such as the GAAC, AOPA, PFA etc, but it is becoming increasingly more & more important that individuals apply pressure by lobbying or writing to their Local MP's and Ministers. Currently there is a major review of the current 1985 White Paper on Aviation. This new White Paper will set the scene for the next two decades at least and it is therefore vital that General Aviation is given the recognition it deserves.

However, the future for licensed grass airfields looks bleak and Local Councils generally in the UK seem determined to restrict those who fly. We have certificated aircraft with a Pilots licence, which allows us to fly. This is a perfectly legitimate pursuit both for business and pleasure. It is therefore important that we all do so in a responsible manner and at the same time make our voice heard with the Local Planning Authority and Government Aviation Departments. You do have your part to play otherwise you WILL wake up to the demise of your GA Aerodrome when it is far too late.

It is now getting close to two years for our Local Wellingborough Council to make a decision over the All Weather Surface to our existing Runway 03/21, an unacceptable delay for any business. The Aerodrome has been prevented from improving important safety standards and collectively we have all been severely restricted in a legitimate business environment. Be warned the Aviation debate is far from over but just beginning.”

Take this message to heart and act on it. The future is in your hands.

SAFEGUARDING AERODROMES

Our Safeguarding Adviser, Philip Isbell, has drawn our attention to the reply to a recent Parliamentary question regarding safeguarding.

There has been concern that the CAA is to opt out of the safeguarding process so far as aerodromes other than the large airports are concerned. Some clarification of the position was obtained recently via a Parliamentary Question tabled by Lembit Opik MP, himself a private pilot. The then DETR said that they were not changing their policy on the unofficial safeguarding of “other aerodromes” or gliding sites….“But we envisage that instead of this brief reference in a departmental Circular there will be a specific safeguarding publication to be issued by the CAA. This will be addressed in particular to aerodromes licensed by the authority but the advice will also be relevant to the operators of unlicensed aerodromes and of gliding sites. We will consider, in our further work on the revision of the Circular, whether we should complement the Authority’s advice with a recommendation to local planning authorities.” Robert Ainsworth MP

COUNTRYSIDE & RIGHTS OF WAY ACT 2000

Philip Isbell has also drawn our attention to the possible impact of the above Act on aerodromes.

This new piece of legislation gives the public various rights of access to large areas of open countryside and common land. To enable rights of access, maps of "open country" are being prepared for public consultation. There could be potential public/air safety issues if airfields were included within these access areas. Philip Isbell has been researching this for the GAAC.

The Act itself states that land used for the purposes of an aerodrome is "excepted" from public access rights but does not clarify which aerodromes that phrase covers. This has been queried with the CAA who have now advised that the definition of an aerodrome used in s.105 of the CAA Act 1982 is appropriate .

In summary Section 105 states that an "aerodrome" is any area of land or water designed, equipped, set apart or commonly used for affording facilities for the landing and departure of aircraft. The definition does not distinguish between licensed and unlicensed airfields. All airfields and airstrips would therefore appear to be "excepted" land for the purposes of the new Act and the new "open country" maps." . Airfield and airstrip operators are nevertheless recommended to check the new maps when they are published for public consultation.

If you want any further advice or assistance on this issue Philip Isbell can be contacted via the GAAC office at 50a Cambridge Street, London SW1V 4QQ..

GAAC AND THE GENERAL ELECTION

With the help of GAMTA and the BHAB the GAAC managed to emphasise the role of GA in facilitating electioneering by getting the appropriate message on to the seats of the aircraft being used by politicians to speed them round the country during the General Election.

AOPA ENCOURAGGES THE EXPANSION OF GA

AOPA issued a press release in June designed to draw attention to the opportunity to use land being taken out of farming for General Aviation. The message was:

For many years AOPA has encouraged owners of suitable surplus land to consider making ground available for private flying purposes. This started about 12 years ago when the previous government asked farmers to 'set-aside' land for agricultural use, for which grants were available.

Today, for less fortunate reasons created by the Foot and Mouth epidemic, a broadly similar situation exists. Almost certainly there will be a review of farming practices and this could lead to some land not being needed for livestock. Even before the Foot and Mouth epidemic, in a recently published White Paper, the Government recognised the need for farm business diversification. This has been further encouraged in recent revisions to a new draft of Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 7 - The Countryside.

While there may be several uses to which agricultural land could be converted, in many cases use as an airstrip could provide an easy and practical route. No-one knows how many small, unobtrusive flying sites exist in the UK, but there are at least 350 and possibly as many as 500. This number is likely to grow, as several regional airports claim to be too busy with commercial air transport activity to continue to accommodate GA's needs.

Clearly, not all land is suitable for aviation use. Obvious examples to be avoided include heavily built-up areas, hilly land, excessively wet ground (unless an owner is prepared to meet the cost of extensive drainage), sites with existing or planned obstructions such as pylons and grid lines and, on safety grounds, when directly under the approved approach/climb out paths to an existing airport or aerodrome. However, there must be hundreds of fields that could fulfil the needs of aircraft owners and pilots.

It is important to look into the pros and cons of a prospective site at an early stage. Fortunately, first-aid help is available, provided by AOPA as part of a national support programme for UK General Aviation. Often land owners approach the Association too late; yet in the past 12 years AOPA alone has supported the growth of GA through active involvement in planning or operational matters concerning more than 320 airports, aerodromes, airstrips and even model flying grounds.

Anyone contemplating conversion of land to an airstrip is invited to make contact with David Ogilvy at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, The British Light Aviation Centre, 50a Cambridge Street, London, SWlV 40Q. Telephone: 020 7834 5631. Initial first-aid help (more for AOPA members than for others) can be provided free of charge and subsequent advice if required is available on a modest consultancy basis. The important message is this: ask early. By doing so many irreversible mistakes can be avoided. The aim is to keep GA alive, active and safe.

DTLR MINISTERIAL TEAM

In case the details have yet to reach you these are the new ministerial arrangements affecting aviation within the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR). The Secretary of State is the Rt Hon Stephen Byers MP. The Minister of Transport, the Rt Hon John Spellar MP, is supported by David Jamieson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, with responsibility for railways, roads, road safety, transport in London, Highways Agency and Driver and Vehicle Operators’ Agencies, vehicle safety and environment, aviation, shipping and ports, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, freight, European policy and science and technology policy. Some portfolio!

OUR INDEFATIGABLE CHAIRMAN

Between functioning as GAAC Chairman, AOPA President and Chairman of his local Rail Transport Group, David Ogilvy still found time to commentate most knowledgably at a recent evening flying display at the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden. The Autumn Flying Display is on Sunday 7 October. (See www.shuttleworth.org.) Sadly he finds less time than he would like to keep his trombone in tune.

Henstridge Airfield regrets that the Air Day planned for 27 August had to be cancelled, but confirms that the Vintage Fly-In on 22 September remains as planned.