Lee on Solent

Mike Cross · Post by **Mike Cross** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:43 am

Some of you may know that as well as being an LAA member and representing the Luscombes on the NC I also sit on the AOPA Members' Working Group and represent AOPA on NOTAM matters in meetings with NATS and the CAA. For the past 9 months I have also been working for AOPA on the situation at Lee on Solent (Daedalus).

On Tuesday, with my AOPA UK hat on I was at a meeting of Hampshire Police Authority. The Press Report linked below gives a very fair summary of the proceedings.

It's natural for the Police Authority to initially defend the Police from criticism. I'm very grateful to the Police Authority Members and the Chair, who took the time to investigate what the Police were up to and when they realised what was going on took decisive action.

The Chief Constable's Report which was being discussed can be seen by using the links under agenda Item 8 on this page.

The Newspaper report on what happened when the Report was discussed is here.

Things are now moving rapidly in the right direction.

mikehallam · Post by **mikehallam** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:59 pm

The newspaper and meeting plus appendices reports look pretty scarey !

I thought the burocrats in Europe were pretty bad for inventing unnecessary problems in their light aviation ignorance but the Police approach is diabolical.

So where's the 'going in the right direction' stuff then ?

Mike Cross · Post by **Mike Cross** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:54 pm

The newspaper and meeting plus appendices reports look pretty scarey !

They were, especially the bit where the Chair tore into the Deputy CC. The paperwork is typical of what we've been dealing with for months.

I had a meeting with SEEDA on site on Thursday, on Friday I talked with SEEDA's Project Manager for Daedalus. On Monday I met with the MCA's Head of Aviation and two Senior Aerodrome Inspectors from the CAA and on Tuesday I was at the HPA meeting.

Today I spoke with HPA who confirmed to me that the Constabulary have been tasked with consulting with users and presenting a revised report and scheme of charges to the Finance Committee. That report will be made public 7 days before the Committee meets to allow us to lobby the members if necessary. The Finance Committee will then make recommendations to the Authority. I also spoke again to the MCA's Head of Aviation to let him know what had happened on Tuesday.

If I say to you "Things are now moving rapidly in the right direction." I'm telling you something, not asking you to make a judgement, it's up to you whether or not you believe me.

Steve Brown · Post by **Steve Brown** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:23 pm

Looks like Lee on Solent isn't the only one where availability of an airport is curtailed / withdrawn.

http://www.sheffieldcityairport.com/

Mike Cross · Post by **Mike Cross** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:02 pm

That one's being fought as well

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/new ... 4018012.jp

Unless we get off our backsides and do something it will keep happening.