Minutes of Headcorn Aerodrome Consultative Committee

Tuesday 6^th March 2007

Held in Wings Bar at 2.30 pm

Present:

Lyn Selby, Colin Highwood, Roger Munn, Liz Fisher, Tony Hill, James Tuke, David Parker, Jerry Knight, Jamie Freeman, Sue Line.

1  Apologies for Absence

Terry Hodges, Alan Marsh, Bruce Abbott, Gill Gymer, Jenefer Gibson, Brian Bristow.

2.  Minutes

Agreed that, subject to the words “a few more lion cages would not add significantly to the dangers” being changed to “the extra lion cages would not add significantly to the overall dangers” the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10^th October 2006 be approved as a correct record and signed.

3.  Matters Arising

The Sukhoi

The Chairman confirmed that he Sukhoi was currently not at the aerodrome.

Parkside Leisure Limited (Marley Farm)

The Committee had nothing further to add on this subject.

Night Flying

Two enquiries were received at the commencement of night flying which had begun in October 2006 and had been granted for 3 years by MBC.   The flying involved tasks away from the aerodrome and had helped a number of already qualified pilots attain their Night Ratings.  The aerodrome felt that this was essentially an extra safety qualification for the pilots to have.  Lyn Selby asked when night flying had been carried out and the Chairman confirm that it would usually happen on a Friday and/or Saturday.  Night Flying was a planned procedure, the lights had to be put out at the beginning and retrieved at the end, and this took organization.  The aerodrome wanted to be seen to be responsible and the weather requirements for evening flying were very precise.  In fact the aerodrome had not operated much at all this winter, during the day or during the evening, and this was  confirmed by James Tuke and Jerry Knight. 

Turbo Pro

Anna Bloomfield would be getting back to Liz Fisher at the Planning Department with the aerodrome’s revised application on the turbine front.  This was still an on-going issue.

Flying Proms

The date for this year’s Flying Proms was Saturday 28^th July with Fraser Goulding as the Conductor.  As well as our own flying it was hoped that there would be a helicopter display with Denis Kenyon, and a Balloon Glow. 

It was hoped that the Kent Messenger would be supporting the Proms and that there might be a further link on the Sunday with a Young Musicians’ Final, or possibly another event, but confirmation of this second event was still awaited and might not materialize.

Retirement of Committee Member

It was noted that Mr Colin Highwood was now retiring from the Committee and the Committee expressed their thanks for his support and hard work and wished him well.

4.   Correspondence

There was no correspondence

1.      Any Other Business

Lyn Selby raised a point about Remembrance Day and aircraft flying, specifically at the end of the Service.  The service is from 10 o’clock until 11 o’clock but it would be greatly appreciated if the aerodrome would refrain from flying until 11.30.  The Chairman noted this request although David Parker did enquire whether the flying in question originated from the aerodrome.

5  Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 5^th June at 2.30 in Wings Bar

The secretary to advise Wings Bar of this date please

The Meeting closed at 3pm