Headcorn Aerodrome Consultative Committee

Tuesday 3 March 2009

2.30pm in Wings

Present:     James Freeman                      Headcorn Aerodrome

Jenefer Gibson                        Maidstone Borough Council

James Tuke                                    Thurston helicopters

David Parker                                    Parachute Club

Lyn Selby                                    Headcorn Parish Council

Brian Bristow                        Smarden Parish Council

Lester Gosbee                        Frittenden Parish Council

Bruce Abbott                                    “WAS” Headcorn Aerodrome

Glyn Richards                        The Tiger Club

Andrew Jolly                                    Maidstone Borough Council

Sue Line                                    Headcorn Aerodrome

Gill Gymer                                    Maidstone Borough Council

1.          APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Hugh Ellison, Terry Hodges and Martin Vink.

2.          MINUTES

AGREED: That, subject to removal of the words “speed of” in the first paragraph of item 5, the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 October 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed.

3.          MATTERS ARISING

Jamie Freeman told the Committee that the next Flying Prom would be held on 25 July 2009 and would be a one day event. The hot air balloons would be attending and it was hoped that a flight would be achieved this year.

The Invicta Military-Vehicle Preservation Society (IMPS) would be holding a club event at the Aerodrome on 15 & 16 August 2009. The event would be open to members of the public who would pay an entrance fee. In addition it was hoped that Historical Societies and schools would be involved as part of an educational programme. IMPS were keen to bring in a Dakota and a B25. This would require liaison with Maidstone Borough Council due to the weight of the aircraft, the Dakota being slightly heavier and the B25 quite a bit heavier than the maximum aircraft weight for which the Aerodrome has permission. The condition of the runway will be an important factor in deciding whether the aircraft will be able to fly in, if it is too wet the aircraft will be unable to land. Some members of IMPS are pilots with an interest in historic aircraft and have contacts across Europe. A lot of interest is currently being shown in the proposed event. At the moment it is expected that approximately 100 vehicles will be entered into the event however the number of aircraft is unknown although it will certainly be less than 50.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Bleriot flight from Les Baraques (near Calais) to Dover when he covered the 38km (23.5 miles) in just over 37 minutes on July 25, 1909. Approximately 400 microlight aircraft will be taking off from France and crossing the channel to commemorate Bleriot’s flight. Three airfields will be involved in England including Headcorn, however Headcorn will not be one of the main airfields. This will take place on the same day as the Flying Prom. The last time an event of this nature took place the organisers arranged for a French co-ordinator to be based at Headcorn. He had formerly been an air traffic controller at Orly airport and was able to speak to the microlight pilots in French. As the microlights will be coming in from France the immigration service will be involved.

4.          PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The Turbine Application

The Committee was told that the Planning Application for turbine aircraft had been passed by Maidstone Borough Council for a three year period. Tim Thomas on behalf of Headcorn Parish Council had objected to the application. The grounds for the objection were not known to anyone at the meeting. Jamie Freeman was surprised at the objection as it was obviously an advantage to have quieter aircraft flying in and out of the aerodrome and after 4 to 5 years thrashing out the details of the application was disappointed to encounter opposition to the proposal for quieter aircraft. Lyn Selby undertook to speak to Tim Thomas to ascertain the grounds for the objection. Unfortunately the application had not gone to the Headcorn Parish Council Planning Group but went straight to the Parish Council meeting before decision by Maidstone Borough Council.

It was noted that the air ambulance had been in Headcorn the day before and the noise had been noticeable.

Night Flying Application 

The current permission for night flying at Headcorn Aerodrome had now expired. The Committee was reminded that night flying at the aerodrome was for training purposes only and was a very useful safety exercise. This was not for general night flying in and out of the aerodrome. The training took place on 3 to 6 nights a year and had to finish by 7.30pm. This limited the training mainly to early autumn when the evenings were dark well before this time. No complaints had been received regarding the night flying training exercises that had taken place.  Jamie Freeman told the Committee that he planned to submit a new application so that the night flying safety training could continue. Andrew Jolly advised submitting the application as soon as possible because of the time it takes for Maidstone Borough Council to process an application.

New Hangar

Jamie Freeman said that a planning application for a new hangar to replace the existing eastern hangar would also be submitted shortly. During the 1970’s the hangar had been the subject of enforcement, however that had since been removed. There was a real need for the new hangar which would have the same footprint as the existing hangar but would actually be approximately 20% larger than the existing due to its design. The existing hangar had permission for both agricultural and aviation use.

Jamie Freeman explained that he was going to try to submit the two applications (night flying and the replacement hangar) in staggered phases as last time two proposals were submitted together objections were made about one application which were lodged on the second application. This had caused problems that he was keen to avoid this time.

6.         CORRESPONDENCE

There was none.

7.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Lyn Selby told the Committee that a group in Headcorn were planning a Victorian Christmas event in the village on 4 & 5 December 2009. The event was going to be sponsored by Invicta FM and the sponsorship would help pay for the Christmas lights.  An organised run was planned and it was hoped that the Aerodrome would be involved as either part or as the whole route for the run as a road run  was far more dangerous and required lots of stewards. Jamie Freeman responded that he would be happy to be involved and Lyn Selby undertook to pass details on to the organisers. 

The Sukhoi aerobatic aeroplane had not returned to Headcorn Aerodrome.

8.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING

          The next meeting would be held on 23 June 2009.