AGREED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2007 be
approved as a correct record and signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING
The Kent Messenger wanted the airfield to enter into a 3 year sponsorship
deal with them involving publicity being undertaken through their media
facilities.
The Flying Proms would be taking place over one day only.
4. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
One planning application was still outstanding covering all turbine
aircraft. Anna Bloomfield was working for the airfield trying to link this
planning application with the Parachute Club permission which was currently
in place.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
The Committee were told that Liz Fisher had received a complaint from
local residents regarding the Skyvan. This had already been fitted with a
hush-kit and a five bladed propeller and resulted in the Skyvan’s IAO noise
designation being re-certified. The aircraft was now categorised under
Chapter 16, Annex 16 as a low noise aircraft. However, Jamie Freeman told
the group that the aircraft has a high pitched whine which was recognised as
being intrusive. The Skyvan was no longer based at Headcorn and the Islander
was currently operating, however, complaints had been received about that
aircraft as well. The Let was due to return to the aerodrome which should
sort out the problem. However, the Skyvan may return at a later date.
Jamie Freeman confirmed that the aerodrome was committed to not operating
noisy aircraft. A trial on the Skyvan was going to be carried out in
September with Maidstone Borough Council Environmental Health Department to
see if the noise reduction was now acceptable. However, if residents still
found the noise from the aircraft to be intrusive, the plane would not be
based at Headcorn. If the results of the trials prove successful, the Skyvan
will be based at the aerodrome for approximately two weekends per year. The
Skyvan holds 23 people and climbs slower than the Let, so the engine noise
is heard for longer. The problem is not so much how noisy the aircraft is,
more that the type of noise this aircraft produces is very intrusive.
Jamie Freeman had received a letter from a local resident complaining
that an aircraft was flying over her house. Jamie Freeman spoke on this
matter to a colleague who confirmed that the aircraft was not flying over
the property. It was often difficult for residents to accurately ascertain
this due to the angle of the aircraft in relation to a building. Therefore,
Jamie Freeman did not intend to correspond with the local resident on this
occasion.
Jamie Freeman reported to the Committee that there had been an accident
at the aerodrome. The Beaver had been taking off on the short runway but had
not managed to take off or to stop. It crashed into the Super Sabre which
helped stop the aircraft but the Beaver was badly damaged. Tragically this
accident resulted in the pilot losing his life, although fortunately no-one
else was injured.
The AAIB was looking into the accident, however, they had not yet
produced their report. Restrictions exist on the short runway with regard to
head-wind etc. The short runway is an un-licensed runway which can be used
by the Parachute Club as long as training has been undertaken.
Following the accident Headcorn Parachute Club obviously needed a
replacement aircraft; The Islander was still away on maintenance and the Let
was not available, hence the use of the Skyvan at that point.
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Flying Proms were due to be held on 28 July 2007 and everyone at the
Aerodrome was hoping for a dry day. Brian Blessed was involved in the event
and had been helping with the publicity etc.
7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 9 October 2007, at 2.30pm in Wings Bar.
