Summer Update
Welcome to the Blackbushe Airport summer newsletter. It’s been a busy few months recently, with a lot of investment going into the airport, refreshing signage, line markings, painting buildings, and some exciting new equipment. Unfortunately it’s been a rainy summer so far, and for the airport it never rains, it pours. There are therefore some issues we need to bring to everyone’s attention.
Aerodrome Lighting
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)
Bird & Bee Nests
Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MORs)
Self Service Refuelling
Twilight Runway Challenge - Sat 16 Sep
20 Years of Service
Pathfinder Cafe Summer Evenings
AERODROME LIGHTING
As many of you have already noticed, our runway lighting system is regrettably unserviceable. The system took a direct hit from an electrical storm that passed overhead the aerodrome in May 2023. Despite our best endeavours with engineers to repair the ageing system, the current installation has been deemed beyond economical repair (Due to the age of the installed system, availability of parts and ongoing costs to support its operation).
We have engaged with AGL suppliers and are in discussions with them to provide a brand-new LED system at Blackbushe. Due to the size of the project, and associated lead times for components we do not envisage being able to provide Air Ground Lighting at Blackbushe until 2024. We are planning that from Sunday 29th October we will close at SS+30, and this will remain the case throughout the winter until March 2024.
A period of disruption is likely to occur to facilitate the installation of the new system (this is may include a period of closure to facilitate the associated digging of pits and ducts along the sides of each runway and running the applicable cables to each new light). We will work with the chosen contractor to minimise disruption to schools and residents.
However, this is not a small undertaking. The system is likely to cost in the region of £1.75 million and there will be a period of several weeks (maybe even a little over a month) where the aerodrome will have to close to fixed wing traffic due to open trenches alongside the runway. As soon as we know these dates we will communicate them out to all our customers.
DISTANCE MEASURING EQUIPMENT (DME)
You’ll no doubt be aware the Blackbushe DME has been unserviceable since April 2022. Engineers have attended the site several times to troubleshoot the fault, but each time we replace one component, a new fault emerges. Regrettably the installed DME is no longer supported by its manufacturer and the required spare parts are no longer available. The difficult decision has been made to withdraw the DME from service. This change is immediate, and publication changes to the AIP will take effect in November.
The NDB is still functioning, and we intend to continue to support this for as long as possible, but likewise it will not be replaced if it becomes unserviceable.
APPROACH TREES
A recent incident which is currently the subject of an AAIB investigation, has highlighted trees which may have grown above the maximum height for obstacles on the approach path for runway 25 and 07. We have engaged with the landowners of each area (the land which lies under the approach for Runway 07 and 25 is not owned by Blackbushe Airport) to agree a plan of works to address trees identified as obstacles.
On the 25 approach, these trees are on Yateley Common and are within a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These designations restrict how much work can be done as well as the times of year in which it can take place. We are currently finalising a work schedule for the autumn this year, some of which is included within Hampshire County Council’s normal management of the area, and some of which Blackbushe will be undertaking (through contractors). This will commence September 2023 (once ground nesting bird season is over) and ongoing surveys will be made after each round of works to identify further obstacles.
On the 07 approach the trees are under varying different owners (BCA, The Calthorpe Estate, Forestry Commission, CEMEX, and Highways England), and we are working with each of these parties to reduce the height of the tree lines on the perimeters of their sites.
Please exercise caution when performing glide approaches, low level circuits and student solos in windy conditions especially as our PAPI lights are unserviceable.
BIRD & BEE NESTS
We’ve received 2 reports in 6 weeks of birds nesting in the engine cowlings of based aircraft. We’ve also had one report of a bees swarming an aircraft. Please exercise caution when returning and checking aircraft that have been left for a prolonged period. In the last instance the new inhabitants had made a nest and had moved in within 4 days.
MANDATORY OCCURRENCE REPORTS (MORs)
A ‘Just Culture’ is an essential element of a broader safety culture, promoting continuous learning and encouraging pilots to openly share essential safety related information. Here we share a recent occurrence which occurred at Blackbushe.
https://www.caa.co.uk/media/podhoiad/mor-report_health_july-23.pdf
SELF SERVICE REFUELLING
It’s now been 2 months since we introduced self-service refuelling for the 100LL pump. Whilst there have been some teething issues, the pump has on the whole been a success. It benefits pilots who no longer have to wait for Fire Crew to commence their refuelling. And it benefits the airport in that Fire Crew can be concentrate on other tasks around the site without being tied to the fire station. It has also enabled us already to reduce our 100LL prices.
ACCOUNT CARDS
We know that the cards provided by HTEC who supply the payment terminal have been failing. We’re working with HTEC who are having another supplier issue cards which we believe to be more robust.
Please remember, these are magnetic swipe cards, please keep them away from magnets as this will cause the stripe to fail. Please also keep them in somewhere they won’t get scratched.
If you are having issues with the machine recognising your card, please contact the fire crew. We have had two occasions where pilots have aggressively entered and removed the card repeatedly as they have become frustrated. This risks triggering a mechanical anti-tamper mechanism which causes the whole unit to require an engineer to attend the site to reset.
TWILIGHT RUNWAY CHALLENGE
Once again, we’re hosting the Twilight Runway Challenge on Saturday 16th June 2023. The airport will close at 15:30 local time on the day to allow for setup for the event. Please plan your flying accordingly. We will be open at 07:00 as usual on Sunday 17th.
If you’d like to take part, or maybe to raise funds for charity, signup at www.twilightchallenge.co.uk
20 YEARS OF SERVICE
Our Senior Airport Fire Officer, Gary Stedman, recently celebrated 20 years of service at Blackbushe. Gary joined us in 2003 and has led the airport fire service since 2011. We’d like to take the opportunity here to recognise that achievement and thank him for his service over the past 20 years, hopefully many more to come!
Remember, there’s still a few summer evenings to enjoy a pizza or burger at the Pathfinder Cafe!
That’s it for now, as always if you need to reach us, drop an email to admin@blackbusheairport.co.uk and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.
Have an enjoyable summer!