[Iceman]

I’ve landed there a couple of times, not paying a penny on either occasion.

Iceman

[skydriller]

Whenever these "how much to land!!" shock threads come up there are always those that push the arguement "200 quid for your PA28 is cheap, if you were a A320 you would be charged a grand" and "do you know how much it costs to staff an airport?" Which is fine... except that in your ubiquitous PA28 you dont get an airbridge to walk straight into the terminal... Youre shoved to the far end of the airport miles from anywhere... And that 1 tonne PA28 isnt really having the same impact on the runway as an A320, or taking up quite the same ammount of space or organization, nor require even half of the service - though usually you arent offered it anyway!!

Ive said it on here before, I will happily pay for a service, but I baulk at paying for a non-existant "service", especially when you arent told you need to pay for it until you arrive and have no choice...

[kanga]

..
Well, of course Bristol used to have Filton....

.. and Whitchurch, which during WW2 was UK's premier international airport

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_(Whitchurch)_Airport

.. before civil flights transferred to that upstart operation at RAF Lulsgate Bottom

</nerd>

[RisePilot]

Regarding Liverpool, I recently inquired and it's over £90 for an R44 - so didn't bother.

I would note though that their ATC was friendly/helpful in crossing through the airspace both northbound and southbound.

[kanga]

There's always Midsomer Norton International

http://www.cluttonairfield.co.uk/

[Rob P]

No. Far too many murders there for my liking.

Rob P

[Dave W]

But I have heard a rumour that Clutton Hill is closing/has closed. Shame, it's a lovely spot with a pleasant pub just at the end of the runway.

It's not the closest strip to Bristol Airport, though. How about this one (New Farm)? (Zoom out just a little.)

[townleyc]

They should call it Felton - might cause some confusion...

KE

[Boxkite]

But I have heard a rumour that Clutton Hill is closing/has closed

'Tis true. Next year I believe.

[Cardinal Sin]

:D

How about this one (New Farm)? (Zoom out just a little.)

If only. My understanding is it's very much based aircraft only. Which is a shame since the person I am collecting lives in the same village.

[James Chan]

Airports are Federally funded, and the people have a right to use those Federally funded assets.

Yup, but I think the situation in the UK is a bit more complex.

As I understand, many airports today were originally built out of taxpayers' money as military airfields during the war years.

Some were later completely sold to private entities.
Some (like MAG), various councils together own a majority of it.
Others (like Luton), the council owns all of it.

Many larger airports have planning stipulations such that they remain certified/licensed as "public-use" aerodromes and therefore must be available to all to use on equal terms and conditions. They also have limitations on noise & movements.

Separate to the above, these airports do feature in regional/national transport planning policy. Some public body decides whether Gatwick or Heathrow gets a new runway having done a study of future air transport - both don't get to expand at the same time.

So (part-)private or public-owned entities as they may be, there is a legislative framework which they operate within. Public / government bodies do have a say in the operations of such airfields and how it fits within a wider transport network, but I think the average bloke on the street is more concerned about noise and environmental impacts.

GA unfortunately does not feature enough in such talks, but there's no reason why it shouldn't in future. So while the lighter end of GA aren’t the primary customers of larger airports, they still have a value and a purpose and therefore should not be seen as a lost cause.

[kanga]

..
Well, of course Bristol used to have Filton....

https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/20 ... y-district

"Brabazon Park: 'Once in a generation' plan approved for new city district in Bristol"

.. ie, on Filton, in South Gloucestershire

[2Donkeys]

Not since Lazarus has such a return from the dead been spotted. Welcome, back, 2020 thread.

[skydriller]

Nice pic with one or two cars in it... I wonder where all the parking is for those people that are wandering around and those 2-car owning residences?

[Flyingfemme]

Heard from a planning “consultant” many years ago. “Build houses without garages and people without cars will buy them”. In a village with no buses……………