I'll begin by saying hello to the recent new members and also to
say we have now made it onto Howard Cutis's AIRNET web-site-- though
I have not found the listing after two tries, but I'm sure it's
there somewhere..
My first news concerns the closing down of the Swallow Microlights
training base at Deptford Farm on Deptford Down, after their
planning appeal was rejected. I went to the strip on Saturday 7th
July to have a chat with Paul Fahie (>FAY<)after calling him on the
phone the day before; I had been up there twice before but no-one
present each time so I wanted to have a natter. When I got there it
was to find that Paul and a colleague were just leaving by road,
after having taken two aircraft to Wing Farm (Mark Jones/Galaxy
Microlights) that
morning for temporary storage. Paul told me the finish of operations
was the same day, as per the Borough planning closedown order.
They had never had any problems or significant complaints but
however a person in charge of an airfield somewhere in the south-
west ( some distance away) has lodged objections which included that
they shouldn't be operating in 'class G airspace ' , but I am not
understanding of the specifics involved. Shame, it was a great strip
atop a hill with great views.
New ones: thanks to the July issue of LAAS news and review mag the
following are known to exist in GLOUCESTERSHIRE : Bulley- Colliers
Elm Farm, and at Norton a strip is next to the A38 just south of the
village; both can be seen on Google Earth... in KENT a new strip
has been set up at Pluckley but no location details yet.
I also suspect there may be a strip at Street/Walton- Lower
Ivythorn Farm in SOMERSET as I have seen some planning details from
three! years ago. Also in the county there is a newish strip Stowey-
Sleight Farm which can be seen to the south of Stowey on Google
Earth though the strip itself has gone and two thirds of the field
appear to be used now when I had a look last month.
Appologies to Martin (Burney) for not following up my message, I
will have some gen for you in the next day or two when I get an
update from my source in Southampton.
Very Best Wishes to all. Richey.