30 April 2024
The Airfields Working Group of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Aviation has had a reboot following the departure of John Gilder, along with a number of others.
The working group will be chaired by Matt Wilkins, an aerodrome operator for 14 years at Old Buckenham. Vice-Chair is Louise Southern, Editor of the VFR Flight Guide for 27 years and Airfield/Airspace Data Manager at SkyDemon.
“The revitalised group will be tackling various topics with a new agenda,” said a statement from the APPG.
“This has been set with the benefit of more than a combined century of aerodrome operations experience, all from participants currently in role and who understand the challenges, threats and opportunities faced by airfields large and small.
National Grid’s routes for electricity pylons are a concern
“Matters relating to Planning will remain the highest priority of the group, including National Grid’s pylon routes and their impact on many aerodromes.
The working group also supports the concept of a Strategic Airfield Network and considerable work with data gathered from hundreds of aerodromes being undertaken by Louise Southern and Ann Bartaby.
Aerodrome operators will set the agenda ensuring ongoing operational matters and issues, such as business rates and recruitment are tackled immediately.
Other working groups within the APPG cover Airspace, Tax and Regulation and Heritage.
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Aviation
