Transcript Gliding club PowerPoint presentation

Scottish Gliding Centre
Portmoak Airfield
Alan Boyle - Vice Chairman
Alec Stevenson – Secretary
Background
•
•
•
•
Scottish Gliding Union Ltd formed in 1938
Based at Portmoak for over 50 years
Owns the site of the airfield
Chose the site because the hills provide excellent
flying conditions
• Has become one of Britain’s largest and most
active gliding clubs
• Attracts pilots from around the UK and beyond
Background
• It’s large – more take-offs and landings than
Dundee and Inverness together
• It’s a centre of excellence – 8 UK records and
world-wide “flight of the year” in 2007
• It’s inclusive – pioneered gliding for disabled
people
• It’s green – zero carbon emissions when flying
What is Airfield Safeguarding?
• SAFETY for general public, neighbours and pilots
• Means of preventing accidents or obstructions
– Protects the airspace through which aircraft have to
fly in the vicinity of an airfield
– Protects landing areas and approaches
– Protects the airfield users and public against danger
from each other
• Govt policy acknowledges that airfields have
particular site requirements - official guidance
What is Airfield Safeguarding?
• Consultation only – not a prohibition on
development
• Consultation usually based on a Consultation
Zone and policies in the Local Plan
• Examples:
• Staffordshire Gliding Club, Seighford
• South Down Gliding Club, Parham
Portmoak Airfield Safeguarding
Current Situation
• 1998 Safeguarding Report based on official advice
on safeguarding plans
• Supported by Scottish Sports Council
• Adopted as policy in Kinross Area Local Plan 2004
• Consultation zone = 1km radius circle, centred on
airfield
Safe operations
• Policy 49 – focus on safety
• “Developments likely to have an impact on he
safe operation of aircraft will be refused”
• E.g. obstructions
– tall masts, wind turbines, buildings close to the
airfield boundary
• Pilot training not without risk, as shown on
“outlanding” map
Looking forward
• New planning act > new development plan
• Dialogue between PKC and Gliding Centre about
the Safeguarding Policy and Consultation Zone
• Input to Main Issues consultation, late 2010
• Consultation zone to be more relevant to gliding
activity – landing areas, hill soaring
• Official guidance – GAAC, BGA, CAA, Scottish
Government
• Possible re-shaping of Consultation Zone?