92 SA Flyer
Back in late 1999, I
bought my own airfield.
The future of my airfield
is now at stake, and
although a sad and
frustrating inconvenience
for me, the ramifications
of requiring all airfields
to be registered are
far greater for charter
operators and the lodges
they service.
MY AIRFIELD
The aireld was bought on a whim.
It had been abandoned for a few months
and had been stripped of roof sheeting,
plumbing and electrical ttings. The owner
had decided to emigrate, the asking price
was a bargain, and I was in the right place
at the right time.
The previous owner had done
everything by the book: The aireld
had been approved by all the relevant
authorities, even with business rights as
an airport, and all plans for structures and
the runway were present and correct. Even
the CAA had provided a letter giving their
blessing, although this was not required at
that time.
Other than the runway, the only
developments were a robust brick and
mortar hangar that incorporated a modest
house within the same structure, and at
the far end of the property was a store,
which I later converted into stables and
accommodation for the groom.
I was going through a divorce at the
time and, as a temporary measure, decided
to move into the small house that was an
adjunct to the hangar in which my aircraft
were now living – having moved them over
from Lanseria. Little did I know that some
17 years later, I would still be living there.
It turned out to be quite idyllic for my
needs. My cars, aircraft and workshop
were just outside the kitchen door in a
largish hangar, and there were nearby
supermarkets, banks and post ofces. The
neighbours are all pleasant and I allow the
local radio-controlled model club to use the
place on Saturday afternoons, subject to
some strict rules. I also allow some ying
schools to use the aireld to drill students in
precautionary and forced landings.
THE TROUBLE STARTS
A decade ago, CAA be<