Forum → Trips & Airports
Biggin Hill EGKB kicking out the flight schools...
19-Mar-18 21:39
Reported by the BBC
How many years until they become another Farnborough?
Jujupilote
Another sad news for sure. It seems in SE England it is either bizjets only or house-building.
The reason of conflicting trafic is bullshit, their procedures are at fault. Go do a internship at KVNY TWR if you want to know how much light and heavy trafic can be blended.
LFPT
Reportedly the airport management chucked out the schools just two days before they got planning permission to build a hotel on the EFG site.
One would imagine the school had lots of notice because planning applications are public, but they probably could not quite believe it was real.
It's a bizzare way to run a business, even by airport standards.
LondonMike
Hypothetically, if the owners of said flying schools who've presumably had to move to another airfield now decided to conduct all of their trial lessons somewhere around ALKIN (i.e. criss-crossing their ILS in class G). How long would it take before their 'corporate clients' decided it was easier to just fly into Farmborough / Northolt? Would that come before or after the CAA either started asking tough questions about poor airmanship or at the very least managed to setup some real protected airspace for their ILS?
James_Chan
01-Apr-18 07:24
It's another serious disaster – entirely caused by UK private airport operation that could have been postponed, prevented or mitigated with sufficient regulation.
Unless the UK government takes a look into these issues seriously, the UK's light GA scene will only face extinction (eventually), in my opinion.
The departure of the last flying school could pave way for mandatory handling by $$$ignature Aviation.
Last Edited by James_Chan at 01 Apr 07:26
EGSX
This move seems so astonishingly vindictive and unnecessary. I wonder what the full story behind it is?
For example I recall that there was one man at Biggin (or one company?) which did something that caused the local council to re-assess the business rates for the whole airport, and everybody's costs went up a lot.
Something has happened because the main school has just posted this on FB:
We have delightful news that after much negotiation, sweat and tears the airport have graced us an initial 4yr lease in the same building with terms agreed and lease being drafted as we speak.
This is a huge step towards ensuring a safe and viable climate for General Aviation and flight training at Biggin Hill.
With the management here at Biggin Hill Airport we are committed to providing a safe and professional environment for all our customers, on the ground and in the air.
The APPG has been vital in the process and there can be no misunderstanding on the importance of the role Grant Shapps MP, Byron Davies and their team play in securing a future for General Aviation and flight training.
Bathman
That's good news.
wbardorf
29-Sep-18 20:48
Just saw this article: https://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12430193/london-biggin-hill-announces-development-of-light-aviation-centre
Can that be seen as good news that "light" general aviation can and will continue to stay at Biggin?
EGTF, EGLK, United Kingdom
Sounds like they are trying to tidy up the place, which always seemed to be half full of half bankrupt businesses (not to mention dodgy stuff like some hangarage company demanding they also do your maintenance) while starting one flying school so the profit goes to the airport.
London Biggin Hill Airport is seeking a development partner for a new Light Aviation Centre (LAC) to continue its role as a general aviation airport, whilst growing its business aviation activity.
The new centre will include hangars with a minimum capacity of 21,000 sq ft and an aircraft apron of the same size. Much of the existing light aircraft parking, both indoor and outdoor, will be relocated to the LAC.
Will Curtis, managing director, London Biggin Hill Airport says: "We want light aviation to continue here at the airport, so we are constructing a dedicated centre in support of this activity. This will enable us to maintain safe operations, despite the growth in business aviation activity. The LAC development will be a high quality and well managed facility, consistent with the image and supportive service levels typical of other businesses at the airport.
"We have selected the site for the new centre specifically for its proximity to the main runway, in particular for aircraft landing on runway 21, thereby allowing for a quick line up and turn off after landing."
The new LAC will provide and manage all flying training, flight instructors and training facilities at the airport, as well as support conversion training in respect of the types of aircraft that are sold and operated within London Biggin Hill's business aviation sector.
Advice for a flight to Biggin Hill EGKB
Londoner looking for a place to fly, and what's next ?
EGKB Biggin Shoulder (out of normal hours) Charges No More
New aircraft tracking sites