Sun May 08, 2022 8:46 am
#1910549
skydriller wrote:
> Are you saying there is no NOTAM to correct the AIP being inaccurate at
> Staverton? If not, then I am highly unimpressed, if so, what is the fuss
> about?
>
> This is exactly what the Notam system is for.
>
> Regards, SD..
No, the new holding point designations are not NOTAM’d. At the moment, there are two contradictory NOTAMs in place - one stating 09/27 is open and cancelling the SUP that was published in February (for the work that began in January) and another saying 09/27 is closed for to WIP. They’ve been promulgating local ‘Airport Advice’ and ‘Airport Works Notices’ but NOTAMs seem to be something of an afterthought.
MattL, there was always a plan and budget set aside to resurface 09/27 around about now, but it wasn’t predicated on the permanent closure of 18/36 and building a business park on it to fund the works.
The new business park will, however, significantly impinge on helicopter activity on the north side and require their positive integration with fixed wing circuits - they currently operate autonomously - this, in turn, will reduce capacity. The Airport publicly admitted that it hadn’t considered the implications of this until it was pointed out by operators after the planning application had been made. They hastily threw together an operational trial of the procedures but gained no meaningful data and abandoned it shortly after.
In the last four years, other active, funded projects including LPV approaches (yes, I appreciate Brexit would have scuppered those anyway), the ADSB trial that is now operating at North Weald and Barton and Pilot Controlled Lighting have also fallen by the wayside. Mandatory handling for >3mt, hi viz and PPR have been introduced and the radar has been unserviceable for the entire time. Avgas is now between 20 and 45ppl more expensive than other local airfields.
Having spent 24 years working there, I really hope that your assertion that the investment in infrastructure is a positive thing, I’m a long way from being convinced.