Red Arrows New Base?

[reaper493]

If they use the airspace at Scampton, would they not need fire cover and air traffic cover from Waddington as before? With the plans to build on the site at Scampton, how much of the air space would be safe to practice in? The area at present is sparsely populated, so would presume at some point if building works end up going airside that would rule out Scamptons airspace completely.

Also Waddington has the air ambulance, which is pretty much given priority departure, wouldn't think they would be able to do stop a reds practice each time the helimed needs to depart? There's also a number of schools close by, one of which is less than 500m from the runway, and the nursery on camp even closer, the noise during cobra warrior disrupted quite a lot of lessons, could they cope with the reds going up as much as 6 times a day?

I'm sure the bean counters have considered all of this....

Any way that's my thoughts.


Mike

[Doughnut]

Its Shawbury there going too

Not an airfield I had considered. But why not ? How much Helicopter training, in terms of flying hours, goes on there ? Surely there is a Hangar spare on the main ramp.
What condition is the runway in ? It hosts fast jets, indeed the Reds often use it during the season.

[reaper493]

I think Shawbury isn't an option personally, they have ares on the airfield used for underslung load training and various lumps and bumps for the helicopters to land on uneven ground, its a very busy place (or at least it was last time I visited) and would think it would disrupt the DHFS too much.

[bluemoontets]

Cant see the folks at Sleap airfield, which is inside the Shawbury Matz, being too happy at not being allowed to operate if Shawbury was an option.

[Phoon]

wezgulf3

With the retirement of the sentinel at some point in next 5 years I think there would be plenty of room.

Its not about room at Waddington, when the Red Arrows practice it shuts down the base, this would have an impact on Waddington's flying schedule.

Wes...

Which often ranges from 0 to 3 movements all day......

[ColintheCaterpillar]

wezgulf3

With the retirement of the sentinel at some point in next 5 years I think there would be plenty of room.

Its not about room at Waddington, when the Red Arrows practice it shuts down the base, this would have an impact on Waddington's flying schedule.

Wes...

Which often ranges from 0 to 3 movements all day......

Hit the nail on the head. Waddington is not a busy airfield as far as home based traffic is concerned.

I think short term, Scampton will remain as the practice area - people have to remember that the "danger area" they practice in is a 5 mile radius up to 9,000 or 10,000ft. Yes, fire and emergency cover would be required, as would ATC, but importantly the airfield itself would not require upkeep to the same extent now; that's a cost saving until it is disposed of. Cottesmore could possiby also be an option.

[plmc135]

Not sure Waddington is really an option as it could impact on the operations at Cranwell, which in todays terms is relatively busy.

[Phoon]

Not sure Waddington is really an option as it could impact on the operations at Cranwell, which in todays terms is relatively busy.

It's plenty far enough away from Cranwell's MATZ. Cranwell traffic can head south and use Barkeston Heath if required for circuit work.

[Mike]

How about Wittering?

[Agent K]

How about Henlow?

[Arthur Tee]

I think short term, Scampton will remain as the practice area - people have to remember that the "danger area" they practice in is a 5 mile radius up to 9,000 or 10,000ft. Yes, fire and emergency cover would be required, as would ATC, but importantly the airfield itself would not require upkeep to the same extent now; that's a cost saving until it is disposed of. Cottesmore could possiby also be an option.

So we're expecting the MoD to hang on to a piece of prime real estate - just to keep the airspce above it?

When Scampton is sold - the houses willup within days - and the airspace will be gone!

Arthur

[tm74sqn]

No objections to Little Snoring airfield yet . . . . so maybe!

[Nighthawke]

Just checking that the Little Snoring suggestion is a joke?

[Hawkwind26]

No objections to Little Snoring airfield yet . . . . so maybe!

New runway, hangars, control tower, fire tenders and crew, perimeter fencing, fuel storage. Don't think so personally.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

I think short term, Scampton will remain as the practice area - people have to remember that the "danger area" they practice in is a 5 mile radius up to 9,000 or 10,000ft. Yes, fire and emergency cover would be required, as would ATC, but importantly the airfield itself would not require upkeep to the same extent now; that's a cost saving until it is disposed of. Cottesmore could possiby also be an option.

So we're expecting the MoD to hang on to a piece of prime real estate - just to keep the airspce above it?

When Scampton is sold - the houses willup within days - and the airspace will be gone!

Arthur

Note the words “in the short term”. No one that I’m aware of has set a timeframe for its disposal. There’s also a lot of real estate that isn’t airside and a lot of work that would need doing before houses start going up.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Not sure Waddington is really an option as it could impact on the operations at Cranwell, which in todays terms is relatively busy.

If it was just a case of getting in and out, then not too much of an issue.

[Arthur Tee]

Note the words “in the short term”. No one that I’m aware of has set a timeframe for its disposal. There’s also a lot of real estate that isn’t airside and a lot of work that would need doing before houses start going up.

I know what you mean about a lot of land - I lived there on Third Avenue for 18 months...
However, it'll only take one crane (or the like) to dismantle one hangar or lift one concrete slab - and low-display flying will be scuppered.
Personally I'm genuinely surprised that the Reds survived the Centenary Year...

Arthur

[iainpeden]

Wittering is a no-no because of the proximity of the A1 and resulting accidents during Red Arrows practise. Cottesmore is no more - no lights and the runway is going downhill fast - there's also the issue that's it's now an army base, Kendrew Barracks.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Cottesmore is no more - no lights and the runway is going downhill fast - there's also the issue that's it's now an army base, Kendrew Barracks.

Still usable if you needed it to be. Doesn’t need to be fully re-activated. Runway doesn’t even need to be re-opened.

Far older airfields have been fully re-activated.

[C24]

Cottesmore was in use 12 months ago. viewtopic.php?f=62&t=154074
And in May this year if I remember correctly. There was a C17 at Wittering at night making low approaches over the A1 a few months ago.
The Grobs could stay at Wittering and operate using Barkston during the day in a similar fashion to the Chipmunks based at Linton using Dishforth, leaving Linton free for JPs during the day.

Will the economy be able to sustain such a luxury as the RAFAT?