Page No 1
TOUCHDOWN
The OBAN AIRPORT Newsletter Issue 1 May/Jun 2012
If you are reading this article, congratulations, you have just put your
hands on the first Newsletter to be published by Oban Airport. It is our
intention to inform you about our wonderful facility and all it has to offer.
Why not learn a little bit about the history associated with the Airport and
how it has been developed into the premier hub for West Coast Aviation
in Scotland. For those who want to fly in to visit us, we will explain the
procedures and hopefully dispel the myths. Find out about any
promotions and events that may be taking place and get involved by
letting us know what you think.
Since being appointed as Station Manager back in August 2011, I have
overseen some changes to the terminal building that I hope will enrich
your time spent at the Airport. With some additional changes due soon,
we hope to provide a facility where you can enjoy a coffee/tea/snack in a
relaxing atmosphere with superb views across the sea to the Isle of Mull.
Whether you are flying in, or driving by, a warm welcome awaits from our
staff who will be on hand to help whenever possible. Browse through the
Terminal at some of the items that are on show and take away a
souvenir of your visit.
Whether your visit to Oban Airport is business or pleasure, we know you
will enjoy what we have to offer here. The stunning scenery from this
location has people returning year after year so why not join them and
take away some wonderful memories. On behalf of the team at Oban
Airport, I look forward to seeing you soon and trust you will find this
newsletter extremely useful and informative.
Tom Eddleston
Station Manager
Welcome to OBAN AIRPORT
FEATURES
We take a look at what
facilities are available at
the Airport.
Taking a trip down
memory lane with a
short history about the
Airport
We look at some of the
Airport’s rules and
explain why we have
them.
The future of what’s in
store for visitors.
We will get the latest
from the Tower
Find out what’s
happening and when
with our very own
What’s On column.
Take a tour of our
pictures in Gallery and
check out our
competition.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Facilities! What
Facilities? 2
Brief History 2
So why do I
need PPR? 2
Hi-Vis Safety 2
Airport
Information 3
Gallery 4
View from the
Tower 5
What’s On 5
Competition 6 Oban Airport Terminal Building
Facilities! What Facilities?
The facilities on offer at Oban Airport are limited but for
the size of the Airport, they are second to none.
Just as important, is the ability to obtain fuel such as Jet
A1 and AVGAS from Total Logistics Concepts (TLC Ltd)
based here at the Airport. Other facilities include:
1. Tea/Coffee/Snack area
2. Flight Planning equipment and chart
3. Tourist Information
4. Fully Equipped Conference/Meeting Room
availability (up to 12 Persons)
5. Fire Extinguisher Training (booking required)
6. Free Parking
7. Wheelchair assistance
But to name a few. Also why not take a look at our
display units which showcase items available for sale or
simply sit back and either watch TV or the stunning
scenery on offer. Phone to ask about any special
requirements you may have.
Many Aerodromes throughout the UK advertise as strictly PPR
however there are slight differences between them. Here at
Oban Airport, we require PPR for a few reasons and I will
explain why. When Oban Airport was developed, the areas that
were planned for the positioning of aircraft were quite small
and only certain parts were given a fuel resistant coating and
drainage into an interceptor. Because of that, we try to plan
ahead and if an aircraft is not taking fuel, we may park them
accordingly (off the fuel-resistant surface). We also like to know
when you are due in so we can carry out any necessary
overdue actions should you not arrive in a reasonable amount
of time after your ETA.
During the development phase of the Aerodrome, PPR had to
be quite lengthy due to ongoing works, all we ask now is that
you give us a call before you set off as most do anyway to get
a weather check. You will be asked various questions but it is
all due to forward planning of our available space. PPR is not
recommended by radio due to the length of radio use.
PPR Tel No 01631 710910 or
Email [email protected]
www.flyobanairport.co.uk
So Why do I need to PPR?
A few people have asked about the need to wear HI-Vis clothing when moving on the
Aerodrome. Whilst some see it as more ‘safety gone mad’, others just wear it out of familiarity
with other places they visit which have similar requirements. With the compact parking areas that
we have here at Oban Airport, it doesn’t take long for the area to be full of aircraft and people.
We therefore ask pilots to request startup in order for the Duty FISO to observe the area and
ensure it is safe. As long as one person within your party is wearing some Hi-vis clothing, it
makes it much easier to see. We must also remember that the Apron could have passengers not
familiar with apron activity making their way to the terminal building. During quieter periods, the
risk is obviously reduced however to avoid any uncertainty, Hi-vis should be worn when Airside.
HI-VIS and the Safety Culture
Originally a series of 3 potato fields, the site was developed by the RAF during WW2 as a forward
operating base in support of the Atlantic Convoys and the Flying Boat Base at Oban itself. Hawker
Henley’s, Tiger Moths, Supermarine Walrus, Avro Ansons were all among the first aircraft to use the
Airfield regularly. Visitors included Mustangs, Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheims. A story involving
3 Hurricanes from 516 Squadron that were sent to RAF Connel Ferry (as it was then known) to
take part in an exercise in preparation for the D’Day landings ended in disaster. Bad weather had
closed in and of the 3 aircraft, one had a forced landed near Stirling Castle, one crashed on the
Isle of Coll and one crashed on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Towards the end of the war, the
Airfield was used as a base for No. 302 Ferry Training Unit and shortly after the war the Airfield
was De-commissioned. A Vickers Wellington was the last wartime movement at RAF Connel
Ferry. It continued to be used as an airfield regularly until the 1960’s when taken over by the
Oban Burgh Council who for a short time in 1967 had flights to Mull and Glasgow operated by
Loganair. During the mid 1990’s the airfield was primarily run for weekend and business flyers until the
development of Argyll and The Isles Air Services which required the Airport to be Licensed by the CAA in
order to operate a scheduled service to the Isles of Coll, Colonsay and Tiree.
Read ‘Royal Air Force Connel Ferry’ by Neil Owen for more
Brief History of Oban Airport
Page No 3
Airport Information—For Pilots
Frequencies:
Oban Information
- 118.050 DME - Ch42Y 110.55
NDB - 404.0
Runway
Dimensions:
Length = 1264m
Width = 30m
The Airport has a scheduled service to one of the
following Islands 6 days of the week:
Coll Colonsay
Tiree Islay
The service is operated by
Hebridean Air Services and booking can be made
by phone (0845 8057465) or online at
www.hebrideanair.com
You could also book a scenic pleasure flight using Fly
Scenic Scotland who will be operating on various
days throughout the summer. Phone them on 01236
734672 or visit them on
www.flyscenicscotland.co.uk
Fancy taking control of your very own aircraft? Why
not contact Border Air Training who regularly visit us
to carry out pilot training in one of their aircraft. For
more details contact them on 01236 734672 or 01228
573490. Visit them on
www.borderairtraining.com
Oban Airport is open 7 days a week for other visitors
opening times vary so check for details by phoning
01631 710910
The Airport is looking to expand on recent developments and
there is already a plan to remove the vending machines and
replace them with a counter service for Tea/Coffee and light
snacks.
The Fees and charges are going to be looked at with a view to
some significant changes for 2013. As these have to be agreed
by committee, there are no details at this time but they will be
published as soon as they are available.
We are also looking to expand our Fire Training within the
coming months offering a wider range of standard and bespoke
training within the industry.
A marketing strategy is currently underway to help spread the
word about the service.
We are going to be in possession of some cycles which will be
for use on the new cycle path that runs all the way up to Fort
William (bikes must be returned to Oban Airport though!).
There will also be some advertised events to look out for.
Fire Extinguisher
Training
General Information Future Improvements
RWY TORA TODA ASDA LDA CLEAR-
WAY
RESA
01 1064m 1064m 1199m 1110m 199m 30m
19 1141m 1141m 1193m 993m 122m 30m
Taxiways:
Alpha (A) for use by gliding club mainly
Bravo (B) to Light Aircraft Apron
Charlie (C) to Main Apron
Echo (E) to Argyll Aero Club
Foxtrot (F) to Argyll Aero Club
Golf (G) to Western Parking Area
Fuel:
Jet A1 and AVGAS supplied by TLC Ltd
(24/7)
Phone 07770 620988 to book fuel (Note
this is not considered PPR)
Fuel payments and landing fees to be
paid separately.
Landing Fees 2012:
<1000kg - £11.55
1001kg to 1500kg =£17.38
1501kg to 2000kg =£23.10
2001kg to 2500kg =£28.87
2501kg to 3000kg =£40.37
See website for other fees
and charges.
Oban Airport Gallery Page
Aerial View of the Airport taken from the east
and looking out toward Ardmucknish Bay. Tralee
beach can be seen at the top right of the picture
and the A828 road to Fort William is at the
bottom right. Two Helipads (H1 and H2) can be
seen with the main apron in a slightly reddish
colour in the centre of the picture.
The Hebridean Air Services BN2 Islander after just
arriving at Oban Airport. The bags are unloaded and
taken to the terminal but on the occasions when the
weather is nice and sunny, some of the passengers
can collect just outside the aircraft.
G-HEBS is just one of the Islanders that operate and
is currently the only one with the yellow paint finish.
The front of the Terminal Building as you approach
by car from the main road after navigating the
roundabout. The bottom of the tower can be seen in
the foreground and the main Terminal entrance to
the right of the picture. Adjacent to the main
entrance just out of shot, is a free car park for
approximately 30 cars. A bus service operates to/
from Oban at regular intervals.
The Fire Training Simulator which is used for
a variety of training and is positioned to the
south of the Aerodrome on a concrete area
once used for a Hangar during WWII. In
keeping with the environmental issues and
concerns, it is LPG operated and therefore
does not produce volumes of black smoke.
The simulator is also used to train the Fire
Crews who operate at the Aerodromes on the
Isle of Coll and the Isle of Colonsay
Page No 5
On Saturday 2 Jun 2012, Connel Flying Club are
hosting a ‘fly-in’ where a special rate of £5 landing
fee has been agreed. To register your interest and
obtain more details, contact the club by emailing;
The Airport is showcasing items made on the Isle
of Colonsay and are situated in a display cabinet
within the airport. The company is Hebridean Isles
Trading and you can view them on the internet at;
www.island-at-the-edge.co.uk and check out
their goods.
Tiree Music Festival is due to be held on the 21st
and 22nd July 2012 and has a range of popular
artists (see poster right).
Islay Air Show - 14th July 2012. An annual air
show featuring a variety of display’s and different
Aircraft.
Lorn Farmers and Crafters Market at Kintaline
Farm Plant & Poultry Centre, Kintaline Mill Farm,
Oban, PA37 1QS
Every first and third Thursday of the month.
View from the Tower
What’s On
The Air Traffic Service (ATS) provided at Oban Airport is a
Flight Information Service Unit (FISU) offering a Basic
Service. In the next issues of this newsletter, the Senior
FISO (person responsible for the tower operations) will
give us an insight into any events or changes that may be
happening. As a member of the FISO Association, we are
able to discuss the practicalities of any subsequent
proposals by the CAA or EASA and we are also heavily
involved in consultations regarding new CAP documents.
The Duty FISO’s have received various communications
from aircraft 40 miles away, to overflying Heavy Jets of the
kind that cross the Atlantic. All our FISO’s are validated
regularly by the CAA and on occasions get some strange
requests. The tower itself is equipped with some
technology used at much bigger Airports but can feel a
lonely place when the westerly wind is blowing around the
gantry.
Frequency 118.050
In The Next Issue Of Touchdown Meet the team that operates out of Oban
Airport including the Fire Crew, FISO and
Administration/Reception.
We will take a look at the destinations from
Oban Airport and see what’s there including
a feature on one of them.
View from the Tower will include the lat-
est information available from the FISU.
July 2012
OBAN AIRPORT
North Connel
Argyll
PA37 1SW
Tel 01631 710910
Email [email protected]
www.flyobanairport.co.uk
We welcome any feedback about our Airports including this newsletter. If you have any questions
or wish to talk about any of the articles in this newsletter please indicate the issue number and
date so your query can be dealt with as soon as possible.
Also you can follow us at the following locations
Twitter (twitter.com/obanairport)
Facebook (Support Oban Airport)
If you are interested in advertising in Touchdown, contact the airport for a quote.
flyobanairport.co.uk
SO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE!
Look at the picture to the right and let us
know what location is shown. All correct
answers will be put into a raffle and the
winner will be sent a goody bag with
some souvenir items.
In order to enter this competition, simply
send your answer complete with name
and address to:
Photo Location
Oban Airport
North Connel
Argyll
PA37 1SW
Or email [email protected]
and enter Photo Location in the subject
header
Winner will be notified by email or post.
Goodies will be sent to address supplied
Managers decision is final
Try to be as accurate as you can with location in order to be in with a chance