Oban Airport has too many restrictions

Sir, May I congratulate Argyll and Bute Council on its investment in Oban Airport? It is without doubt one of the best equipped general aviation (GA) airports in the north-west of Scotland, with an excellent runway and terminal, and the staff are extremely helpful.

I, like many of my acquaintances, fly small GA aircraft extensively for private business and leisure purposes. We use modern, well-equipped aircraft as a serious mode of transport in day/night under visual flight rules (VFR) and instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions.

Access to airports that are open to suit our personal schedules is essential to the effective use of our aircraft and this is where I need Argyll and Bute Council to review its operating procedures.

There is a common misconception about what general aviation is. Basically, it is all forms of aviation other than public transport (British Airways, Virgin, Ryanair etc). It is not just recreational flyers.

For Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), legal, insurance, safety and security purposes, it is not a requirement for an airport to be licensed. We do not need to have air traffic controllers or fire cover.

The CAA approves of pilot-controlled lighting so, again, night operations are perfectly legal, approved and safe. In the winter, airfield lighting is essential to be able to complete a full working day. The limitation preventing private GA night operations at Oban Airport is a limitation put on by Argyll and Bute Council rather than the CAA or insurers.

I understand the council has invested in excess of £10 million in the airport infrastructure and its running costs must exceed £1 million a year. I suggest it is incumbent on the council to maximise its return on its investment by doing all in its power to increase aircraft movements of all types.

Airfields tend not to be run for the benefit of aircraft owners/ pilots/ operators but for the employees. There is a work-to-rule atmosphere. Opening hours are rigid and, to us users, arbitrary. Why close an airfield at 5pm on a weekday or noon at the weekend other than for the cost and convenience of the employees?

I have tried to apply for out-of-hours indemnity for Oban, a common procedure at many other airfields, only to be told that it is not available to aircraft that are owned by a limited company. This quite bizarre rule is unique to Oban.

You have in Oban Airport what could be a vital link to the local and national transport infrastructure. It could bring much-needed outside investment into the region if only it was operated on a more business-like and customer-friendly way.

I am not sure who is advising the council on CAA regulations but it is in a position to write its own operating manual to make it as attractive as possible to GA. There is no legal or operational reason why GA aircraft owned by either a private individual or limited company should not be allowed to land at Oban day or night under VFR.

The council claims to wish to deliver prosperity by turning economic opportunity into economic growth and yet it is deterring vital relatively prosperous visitors from coming to Oban.

I implore the council to listen to its customers, and take a positive attitude to the practical ways the airport can increase movements for the benefit of all. Reduce the costs without limiting availability. Dave Henderson, by email.