Private Airstrips - How to make one?

[RoadRailer]

Morning PH,

I've got a feasibility study to perform for a chap who has just bought a farm as it has a 660m long field that will make an ideal airstrip.

He wants some advice in converting the existing large agricultural buildings into plane hangars and workshops - does anyone have any pointers to a non biggles like me?

As we'll be managing the conversion of the existing buildings into hangars I'm interested in resources that show me any aviation specific regs and standards etc. - it's a little different than the highways stuff we normally do.

Any pointers gratefully received.

Thanks

[Gameface]

Build a large pond/lake. That way the planes won't even need to land. They can just drop the drugs straight into the lake for collection. Will save loads of time.

[R8Steve]

Gameface said:

Build a large pond/lake. That way the planes won't even need to land. They can just drop the drugs straight into the lake for collection. Will save loads of time.

Would it not be easier just to drop them into the existing field?

[Gameface]

The packages tend to burst more.

[Equus]

Start here

[Mr Pointy]

Might you have to start off by getting change of use from agricultural? You might need a planning consultant.

[RoadRailer]

Gameface said:

Build a large pond/lake. That way the planes won't even need to land. They can just drop the drugs straight into the lake for collection. Will save loads of time.

It's for collecting the bales of $$$ the drop offs take place at an undisclosed location....

[RoadRailer]

Equus said:

Start here

Thanks.

[RoadRailer]

Mr Pointy said:

Might you have to start off by getting change of use from agricultural? You might need a planning consultant.

I'm wondering about rateable value of the buildings as we all know that the council like a bit of rates...

[Newc]

Would also recommend seeing if you can get the ops manager at your nearest licensed airfield to visit your site to chat about their daily trials and tribulations. The CAA is not known for its lively and easy to read writing style, so chucking a case of wine or a decent lunch at someone who does it daily is going to be money well spent.

[eharding]

I'd suggest contacting the Flying Farmers Association, with a view to your client joining

https://www.ffa.org.uk/

The FFA have a wealth of knowledge related to exactly this sort of proposition.

[Some Guy]

Mr Pointy said:

Might you have to start off by getting change of use from agricultural?

Cropdusting would appear to be agricultural use.

[jjones]

Ask on https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=1

You will get advice from strip owners and the problems they face (28 day rule, rates, compaints etc).

It can be a minefield.

[DrDeAtH]

Claim it as a driveway to avoid issues with the CAA..

[RoadRailer]

eharding said:

I'd suggest contacting the Flying Farmers Association, with a view to your client joining

https://www.ffa.org.uk/

The FFA have a wealth of knowledge related to exactly this sort of proposition.

Thank you.

[RoadRailer]

Newc said:

Would also recommend seeing if you can get the ops manager at your nearest licensed airfield to visit your site to chat about their daily trials and tribulations. The CAA is not known for its lively and easy to read writing style, so chucking a case of wine or a decent lunch at someone who does it daily is going to be money well spent.

Good shout sir.

[RoadRailer]

jjones said:

Ask on https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=1

You will get advice from strip owners and the problems they face (28 day rule, rates, compaints etc).

It can be a minefield.

Thank you too sir.

[RoadRailer]

Some Guy said:

Cropdusting would appear to be agricultural use.

An excellent diversification idea - thanks.

[Baby Shark doo doo doo doo]

In Australia they have “aircraft landing areas” instead of airstrips, and keep their aircraft in “maintenance sheds” rather than hangars.

I seem to remember that the 28 day rule allows you to just do it. Then after ten years you can apply for permanent use as long as you’ve had no complaints.

[Equus]

Baby Shark doo doo doo doo said:

I seem to remember that the 28 day rule allows you to just do it. Then after ten years you can apply for permanent use as long as you’ve had no complaints.

You can't use the 28 day rule to apply for permanent use under the 10 year rule... the latter relies upon the unauthorised land use being continuous and unbroken.