Spring newsletter
SPRING IS HERE, WHAT'S HAPPENING AT BLACKBUSHE?
Despite all of the rain that we've had recently, we're looking ahead to spring and hopefully warmer times. We've got a few updates we'd like to share with everyone
Lighting Update & Aerodrome Closure
OOH Flying Returns
NATS Engagement Event
Tower Staff Update
Easter Quiz
Blackbushe Air Day 2024
The long-awaited runway light project will be starting from next week. During the install, there will be lots of works on the aerodrome, and the works areas will change from day to day. Please keep an eye on NOTAMs to be aware of taxiway closures etc. We will also update our website with information here: www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/agl.
RUN-UPS
A site compound will be in place on the back line of the apron (against the green fence). Please be conscious of propwash from your aircraft when doing runups. Your propwash could cause injury to persons within the compound, or damage to the equipment and materials stored there. It may be necessary to do run-ups for 25 on one of the apron stands, or on taxiway A, please follow FISO directions.
TAXIWAY CLOSURES
There will at times be closures of Taxiway A, C, D, and E. At these points, not all entries or exits will be available, which may necessitate backtracking on the runway. Please have in mind the closures and try to ensure your landing or takeoff is as efficient as possible to avoid inconveniencing other airport users.
RUNWAY CLOSURE: 8-19 APRIL INCLUSIVE
To facilitate the works on the runway edge, we have confirmed a closure or the runway from 8th-19th April inclusive of both days. Whilst we understand this will be inconvenient, having considered all the options for the installation, this was the least disruptive. The aerodrome will remain open to rotary wing aircraft on these days.
OOH FLYING
We will touch on OOH flying later in this newlsetter, but there may be some evenings where the installation team make use of the late light to do some works within the runway strip, and so OOH will be unavailable. If you're planning a trip where you intend to operate OOH, please book your OOH now, so we have visibility of those dates, and inform our contractors accordingly.
HELICOPTER TRAINING AREA
The two HTAs located to the west of the aerodrome site will be unavailable while the works to install ducts along their northern edge are undertaken. Dates for these will be advised when known.
Ordinarily, we wouldn't be looking at Out Of Hours (OOH) flying until the clocks change. During February we would be finishing off Night Rating season. But due to the continued AGL outage, and the lighter evenings, we have brought OOH flying forward to Fri 1st March 2024. It will run through to Sat 26th October 2024.
Please take the time to remind yourself of the OOH rules at www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/ooh
A brief reminder:
All OOH must be booked by 17:30 on the day of the flight. As mentioned above, if you're planning a trip, please book the OOH asap, so we can provide this info to our AGL contractors.
Familiarise yourself with the process for activating / deactivating the LFA.
Reminder that all aircraft must be landed by Sunset + 20 minutes. This is part of our mitigations in the safety case supporting OOH operations when there is no ATSU. The SS+30 rule we have maintained this winter was when ATSU was staffed.
Remember that OOH flying is a privilege extended to resident pilots who have a valid ID card with OOH shown on it. If your ID card needs to be renewed or you don't have the OOH on it, please see www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/id-card
NATS Farnborough will be hosting a Blackbushe Pilots engagement event on Thursday 28th March 2024.
This will include short presentation about Farnborough ATC, LARS services, and how they manage zone crossings, and then have a Q&A session with a couple of their ATCOs to answer any questions.
We think this would be a great opportunity for both NATS and Blackbushe pilots to develop our mutual understanding of how the others operate and for NATS to gather feedback on how they manage the local airspace.
The venue for this will be at Farnborough Airport, and attendance must be pre-booked. Please contact Lee Milton, Watch Manager at NATS Farnborough to book your attendance.
Our tower team has undergone some changes recently. Harvey who was with us for 6 years has left to join NATS, and Vikram who was with us for the past 2 years has left to join Norwich ATC. We're sad to see them go, but also pleased they're both able to take the next steps in their promising careers.
We have recently recruited some new faces (or voices). Joining our experienced FISOs Phil, Matt, and Adam, Chris Briant joined us in January from Fairoaks. He's currently undergoing validation training and we expect him to be signed off in the next few weeks. Glen Corrigan joins us today as a trainee FISO. For now we will focus on Air Ground, and later in March he heads to Gloucester for the 4 week FISO course at ATS Global.
Please bear with the team, whilst we undergo training, our more experienced FISOs are taking on more of the workload, and there will be times we are downgraded to Air Ground, either for training, or because we're waiting for licenses or validations.
Back by popular demand, the Pathfinder Café Quiz Night is back for our Easter Quiz Night! The don’t-miss event is on Tuesday 26th March at 19:00. Settle yourself down and enjoy our homemade curry with all the added extras!
Put your general knowledge to the test with our quiz, which will be full of easter fun!
THE ESSENTIALS
Teams of 4-6 people, advance booking is essential
£17.50 per person, includes:
Curry, Rice, Naan Bread, Popadoms and a selection of samosas and bhajis for the table
Quiz Entry
One Beer, Wine, Tea/Coffee or Soft Drink
A bar is available for more drinks!
All proceeds from this event will go to the Blackbushe Heritage Trust.
Quiz Round 1 starts at 19:00 sharp! Doors open from 18:30.
PRIZES
1st Place: An Easter Bundle!
2nd Place: A bottle of wine per team member.
3rd Place: A Pathfinder Cafe voucher per team member.
WHO CAN ENTER?
Anyone from 18 to 180! Whilst the Pathfinder Cafe usually accepts dogs during the day, we’re planning for a full house of quizzers, and ask that you leave your four-legged friends at home for the evening.
This year's Air Day will be held on Saturday 15th June 2024. As with previous years, it will feature over 80 aircraft, over 150 classic cars, as well as stalls, food, live music, and a family inflatable zone.
New for this year is Aerobility Live! Aerobility will be bringing the magic of the Armchair Airshow to Blackbushe with a massive screen on which they'll show pre-recorded air displays which will be narrated by the pilots who flew thim. This element will also be live broadcast online. We're sure this will be a popular feature for pilots and the public alike.
This year's event will have up to 3,500 people, and 30% of tickets are already sold. It's time to get yours!