What would it take to verify an airstrip is safe and appropriate to utilise
with an Europa or any other type of GA aircraft....
Part of my Europa build planning is to possibly to utilise a currently
disused local airstrip situated within Bryn Bach Country park, there has
only been half a dozen movements by a twin engined aircraft some years ago
and the annual visit of an helicopter providing experience flights at the
annual fair, (only current use is a weekend radio controlled model club).
Use would require the prior authorisation of the parks committee. Talking
briefly with the centre manager, their major concerns would be safety and
noise as the park is 'supposed' to be a tranquil area.
The one side of the airstrip has previously been used several times as an
adhoc banger racing track so there is some deep rutting at one end which may
need to be addressed.
There has been a feasibility study carried out by the park and local council
in the past few years, the park was quite interested in creating some kind
of local GA club with a few trial adverts being placed in a small number of
aviation magazines to measure interest in use of the airstrip. Suprisingly
with the diminishing number of airfields - not much interest was registered.
Perhaps not the right magazines - I'm unsure of this?? I guess one of the
societys fighting the closure and development of airfields should have been
contacted - It would be a real coup, creating a new facility within the
border of a national park, with some support from the local authorities!
There is also the need for improved transportation links in an area with a
severe employment problem, attracting business with convienient transport
links is number one on the agenda for the local councils, Welsh assembly and
WDA for this area.
There was even a proposal to install an hard surface, to attract a German
exhaust manufacturer to set up a factory near the threshold.
The park is just inside the Brecon Beacons National Park so is quite
picturesque, and certainly ideal for some winter mountain flying/gliding.
The Talgarth gliding centre 20 miles northeast is well renowned as providing
the best ridge soaring area in the UK, with several UK records held there.
Would there be any interest in attempting to organise a future South Wales
Europa fly-in at some time??
The park has quite a few amenities including a bunkhouse, camping &
caravaning, BBQ area, fishing, waterskiiing and windsurfing club which
utilise the largest lined lake in Europe (they have had the odd leak!) with
good fishing.
cheers
Paul.
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