Present: Jamie Freeman – Headcorn Aerodrome

Roger L Munn – Staplehurst PC

Jenefer Gibson – MBC

Glyn Richards – Tiger Club

Tony Hill – Skybus Ballooning

Gerald Hodges – Headcorn Aerodrome

Sue Line – Headcorn Aerodrome

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Lyn Selby, Terry Hodges, James Tuke, Lester Gosbee, Hugh Ellison, Bruce Abbott, Amanda Marks, Brian Bristow.

2 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: It was agreed that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16^th June 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed.

3 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

On the subject of overflying the village, JPAF was still trying to obtain a vertical measuring device via the CAA and had not overlooked this.

4 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

New Hangar - Jenefer Gibson asked whether the hangar was up and JPAF replied that it was not. However, the survey had been done, and he was in the process of clearing out the old existing hangar and disposing of some of its contents via a Farm Sale. The time scale for the hanger is still this winter. Once the roof is on then work can go on underneath.

Solar Panels - Roger Munn asked about the question of a photo voltaic roof for the new hangar. JPAF said that although he had had a contact on this subject they had not come back to him. He had made other enquiries whereby the panels would be on the land which he felt would be cost effective but he was not going down that route. There followed a discussion about the efficiency of solar panels, photo voltaic tubes and feed-in tariffs. The feed-in tariffs were quite generous at the moment but JPAF felt that this would not last.

Night Flying - Jenefer Gibson confirmed that the Parish had seen the Night Flying Application. JPAF was aware that Smarden Parish Council (Hugh Ellison) had objected to it and that there had been an objection from Shenley Park.

As Lyn Selby was not able to be present at the meeting Jenefer Gibson had been asked to say that Lyn Selby had received objections. JPAF said that the aerodrome had tried it 2 years ago and that no complaints had been received. As far as he was concerned it was also a matter of safety. He had been advised that the application would be heard shortly. He reconfirmed that winter weather had to be that much better for night flying and this limited the number of occasions which were suitable. Glyn Richards mentioned the fact that once the evenings began to draw out in February actual night flying was even more restricted.

Invicta Military Preservation Society (IMPS). The Event in August had been a success and they were pleased with the numbers which were up overall. Gerald Hodges asked whether there had been any coverage in the Kent Messenger about the Lancaster since it was agreed that it had been amazing. JPAF said that it was all on the IMPS website. The performance of the vintage aircraft and the display by the Modellers had contributed to making it a great day out.

5 CORRESPONDENCE – JPAF circulated a letter which had been received from a resident of Forge Lane concerning general noise from the aerodrome and particularly aerobatic flying. He said that Michael Pickin was now going for his commercial pilot’s licence and would be flying the airlines. He reiterated the fact that there had been a voluntary restriction to the flying of the CAP 232 to 6 oclock. Glyn Richards felt it would be helpful if a record was made of the number of flying days for the CAP 232 and JPAF would make arrangements to do this. Glyn Richards also felt that those based at the aerodrome made every effort to avoid overflying the village. JPAF would respond to the writer of the letter. He was sorry not to have got round to this sooner.

JPAF had received an email on the subject of early take offs and the writer had copied this to Lyn Selby. JPAF had already replied to the writer, but meanwhile Jenefer Gibson had also become involved and had replied direct. Jenefer Gibson produced a copy of her response to the writer which explained how the Parish Council had been involved and the 2 Enquiries which had taken place. This was passed to JPAF.

A complaint had also been received by telephone on 20^th September from a resident of Orchard Glade on the subject of positioning of the aerobatic aircraft which was flying at the time. A note had been made in the Movements Book to the effect that this flying had been witnessed by JPAF and the Air Traffic Controller, John O’Donoghue, both of whom believed that the aircraft in question was not west of Red House at any time and that all manoeuvres were over 2000ft. The flying was also being monitored by Richard Pickin who further confirmed that no flying had been undertaken west of Red House. The notes recorded at the time were circulated to the meeting. Gerald Hodges felt that Air Traffic monitored the activities on the field in a considerate way.

6 ANY OTHER BUSINESS. - nil

Meeting Closed at 6 minutes past 3.

Date of next meeting March 1st 2011 at 2.30 to include AGM

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