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Minutes Headcorn Consultative Committee Tuesday 7th March 2006 Wings Bar Headcorn Aerodrome Present: Jamie Freeman (Chairman)., Lyn Selby, Jenefer Gibson, Roger L Munn, Tony de St Croix, Tony Hill, Miranda Kelly, David Parker, James Tuke, Jerry Knight, Sue Line. Liz Fisher joined the meeting later. 1. APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from Terry Hodges Bruce Abbott, Brian Bristow Alan Marsh and Colin Highwood. 2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETIN The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 October 2005 were accepted and signed. 3. MATTERS ARISING The Chairman confirmed that the Sukhoi was still in Spain. 4. PLANNING Since the last Committee Meeting the aerodrome had been granted a year and half probationary period for their evening flying, but running from the original date of application. A further application would therefore be placed and the aerodrome would have to wait for MBC to make a decision. The Chairman introduced Tony de St Croix, an Instructor, and it was confirmed that some evening flying had taken place. Tony de St Croix explained that to gain what is referred to as a ‘night rating’ a qualified pilot had to undergo a further 5 hours of tuition and that two students had already gone through the system and attained their rating. It was felt that this was very much a safety feature and would normally only be used as such i.e. to return to the field safely. Circuits to the south are part of the Condition. The Chairman explained that for evening flying there is a requirement for clear weather, a dry runway and good flying conditions. Jenefer Gibson asked if there had been any complaints and the Chairman said that three anonymous complains had been received overall one in particular on Saturday at 6.30pm. However, although other telephone calls had been received they were simply enquiring as to whether the aerodrome was permitted to do this or were asking what activities were going on at the field at the time. It may be that other complaints would go direct to MBC. Liz Fisher confirmed that MBC had used the original application date instead of a year and a half from the end of the appeal which had resulted in the very short time to run the trial. Liz Fisher was not aware of any complaints being made direct to MBC at this point. Environmental Health had also been kept informed but there had been no feed-back at this moment. Liz Fisher asked whether separate records were being kept for evening flying. It was confirmed that all the regular paperwork was being kept i.e. Movements Book and Pilot’s Records. Tony de St Croix confirmed that the activities during the last 2 months would be typical of what we would do in the future. Liz Fisher asked if the aerodrome had recorded the names of those who had telephoned in. Jamie Freeman confirmed that names would have been recorded if they had been given but that locations were not known. Jenefer Gibson asked exactly what was done and Tony de Croix said that we do 6 landings/full stops in an hour and also have to do night navigation. Jamie Freeman pointed out that this was not six touch and goes and Tony de St Croix said that the pilots had to land, vacate the runway and restart. Effectively this was a ‘stop and go’. Tony de St Croix said only people truly aware of this activity would be people under arrival and take off. Jenefer Gibson felt this would be Bletchenden. There followed a discussion concerning the recent exclusion zone around Staplehurst James Tuke said there had been a 3 mile zone to the north of Staplehurst and the aerodrome was aware that Sky TV and the BBC had originally been in that area for up to 7 hours effectively non-stop but that that flying had no connection with the aerodrome. Some of those aircraft had been flown very high, e.g. 2500ft but had camera equipment which was able to zoom in from that height, hence the authorities had invoked the exclusion zone. It was believed that those aircraft/helicopters were flown from Redhill. They were not from Headcorn. However, the exclusion zone, which had given flying permission only for the air ambulance and the police to be in the vicinity, had now been dropped. The Chairman confirmed that the aerodrome would be reapplying for evening flying permission. The aerodrome representatives felt as evening flying had been permitted once, that to make a contrary decision could be seen to be perverse unless there are many complaints. Tony de St Croix said that the resident pilots were always careful not to over-fly the villages, and every effort was made to ensure that visiting aircraft do the same. However, for evening flying the Chairman said it would be unlikely that the aerodrome would get visitors. The Chairman confirmed that the application for propeller driven aircraft was in and that data concerning noise readings had been supplied. Liz Fisher confirmed that this data was with the Environmental Officers at the moment. The Chairman confirmed that he was keen to get this application dealt with as Headcorn was the only aerodrome in the UK with this condition. Flying Proms application: This had been made for 12th August 2006 and permission had been granted. The licence application was under way. The Chairman confirmed that the main thing would be for this event to be run safely. A great deal had been learnt from last year, and improvements would be made. We were hoping for better weather in 2006. Tony Hill, an experienced balloon pilot, said that the unfortunate incident with the tethered balloons was the first of its type for over 30 years. Despite the dreadful weather everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The Chairman understood that the Battle Proms would not go ahead this year. 5. CORRESPONDENC No correspondence had been received. 6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS No other business. 7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Meeting closed 3.05pm Next meeting Tuesday 13th June, 2.30pm in Wings at Headcorn Aerodrome.
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