Cambridge Airport increases support for General Aviation - Permissible training hours extended
East of England-based Cambridge Airport, has announced plans to strengthen its support for the general aviation community utilising the independently owned airfield. The latest development has seen the removal of the restriction on training carried out after 18.00. Training will now be authorised during the airports opening hours which have been extended from 07.30 to 20.00, to 07.00 to 21.00 Monday to Friday, and 08.00 to 19.00 Saturday and Sunday. Movements at other times can be arranged. The airport is also exploring the opportunity to extend opening times for general aviation to 22.00, and aims to implement this within the first quarter of 2011.
In addition the airport is seeking to widen its appeal by raising visibility to leisure aviation communities in Germany, Holland, France, and Ireland. "We have a superb set of facilities for these pilots including full Air Traffic Control, refuelling, 24 hour security, seven days a week opening, and navigational aids including ILS. Cambridge also offers a full handling service, but this is not compulsory for general aviation under four metric tonnes."
"Cambridge is a world renowned destination which is easily accessible from the airport via the local bus service, or through car services we can arrange. There are also a number of attractions including Ely Cathedral, the market town of Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket race course, that are extremely close. The city of London is only 50 minutes away," commented Archie Garden, Airport Director, on the appeal of the airport to the GA sector.
For those seeking to improve their skills the long standing Cambridge Aero Club, which is based on the airfield, continues to offer a full range of training courses and includes a fleet of 3 X Cessna 172SP, 1 X Cessna 172 SP Garmin G1000, and 1 X Extra 200 making the airfield a prime destination for leisure aviators.
The strategy for increasing general aviation activity is part of an innovative plan which will see the airport raising awareness within the executive aviation community, and researching potential partnerships with regional airlines to provide city hopper services. As part of the new direction the airport management has altered the fees for airport based general aviation operators to bring them more in line with the European market which by 2014 will see the fees set at £22.50. "Our current fees are exceedingly variable with little consistency, and published fees suggest that we are more expensive than we are. However as a commercial operation we need to maintain standards in line with the rest of Europe and have to be realistic about our charges," said Garden. For casual visitors in light aircraft weighing under two tonnes the landing fees remain at £25 for cash payment, and £27 for invoices which have absorbed this years VAT increase. For clients using credit cards there are no additional fees.
"We remain very keen to continue to attract light general aviation users to the airport, and will continue to welcome them. We receive many positive comments from this sector and aim to continue to build the relationship and offer them the best service possible," he concluded.
This story was published on Tuesday 25th January 2011
