Buying an airfield

[anonymous-user]

If I wanted to purchase an airfield to live on, does anyone know whether it would be possible? And also where I would look for such things?

[RDM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Machrihanish

[FasterFreddy]

Er, why would you want to live on an airfield?

Edited by FasterFreddy on Tuesday 3rd August 14:50

[surrey7er]

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/MicroSite/DE/Wha...

[MKnight702]

FasterFreddy said:

Er, why would you want to live on an airfield?

You've heard of Bruntingthorpe?

[anonymous-user]

FasterFreddy said:

Er, why would you want to live on an airfield?

Edited by FasterFreddy on Tuesday 3rd August 14:50

Not an active one!! And why not? Wouldn't you like to have your own track outside your front door, no neighbours to bother you

surrey7er said:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/MicroSite/DE/Wha...

Excellent cheers

[vz-r_dave]

FasterFreddy said:

Er, why would you want to live on an airfield?

Edited by FasterFreddy on Tuesday 3rd August 14:50

hmmm I wonder

Lets see, petrol head site + airfeild + man with fast cars = a st load of fun.

I would say that would be a good reason

[FasterFreddy]

It was a loaded question

[Laurel Green]

I can see the good points to owning such a thing but, does one really want an endless queue of O'irish folk requesting the need to Tarmac the drive Sir.

[Mattt]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

NIMBYs are everywhere, they tried to get Brunters shut.

[anonymous-user]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I wouldn't be letting other people do it, just me driving my car(s) on my driveway, they couldn't do naff all about that could they?

[FasterFreddy]

Not wanting to piss on anyone's bonfire here, but unfortunately, in this country, it's not quite as simple as buying a space and then doing whatever you want on it.

And if you think it's easier/cheaper to buy an airfield because it's got a ready-made track for you to drive on, you are even more likely to be disappointed I'm afraid.

[anonymous-user]

FasterFreddy said:

Not wanting to piss on anyone's bonfire here, but unfortunately, in this country, it's not quite as simple as buying a space and then doing whatever you want on it.

And if you think it's easier/cheaper to buy an airfield because it's got a ready-made track for you to drive on, you are even more likely to be disappointed I'm afraid.

I'm assuming they would be in a state of disrepair?

[Wacky Racer]

Not such a silly idea.

Here's John Travolta's house and garden, complete with full size runway........

[308mate]

Wacky Racer said:

Not such a silly idea.

Here's John Travolta's house and garden, complete with full size runway........

To be fair, its more a case of "Here's a full size runway in a Private Airfield that has Travolta's house on the grounds, amongst some others."

But it can be done for real right here as demonstrated by this mob: http://www.tockwithmotorsports.net/

Although that was a while ago.

Edited by 308mate on Tuesday 3rd August 15:08

[FasterFreddy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

OK, just a few things to think about.

1. Anything generating noise will generate complaints from the neighbours (and don't think you won't have any neighbours because you're in the middle of nowhere. EVERYWHERE has neighbours!)
2. Every trackday operator, drift school, driver training operation, driving experience operator has been through this in order to find new venues to operate at. By now, they have all either found somewhere and taken it or have come up against a reason it can't be done.
3. If an airfield is no longer operational, the surface will be in total disrepair and it will cost a very large amount of money to rectify it.
4. Where exactly are you going to live? You'll need planning permission to build anything and that in itself could be impossible to get. If it was easy to build on old airfields, why haven't they all got houses on them?
5. How much do you think it's going to cost?

[anonymous-user]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

1. I wasn't talking about running a business on it, more for my own fun
2. But they may have different reasons for not being able to do it
3. But some guy said he would do my driveway for £50, just a bit bigger surely
4. I would adapt the interior of one of the buildings to suit my needs
5. Lots!!! But by god it would be worth it

[The Wookie]

RDM said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Machrihanish

Don't the yanks still occasionally rent it out for exercises and, rumour has it, the occasional jolly in things that are painted black?

[anonymous-user]

dibbers006 said:

Can I come and play when you are ready?

Only if you are a good boy and eat all your greens!!

This would be the problem though, my mates would be pestering me like mad to come and have a go and then that would give the neighbours something to think about!

[FasterFreddy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

1. So you have a completely silent car with silent tyres? Nice one Doesn't matter how many cars are generating the noise or whether it's a business or not. Noise is noise and in this country a lot of people like complaining about it.
2. They may have, but they are likely to come up against the same problems you will (noise, planning permission, cost)
3. You better make sure he has an extra long extension lead for his roller...
4. You still need planning permission
5. Worth it for what? To have a bit of fun for a couple of days and then spend months and loads more money trying to fight some nimby in Court? Not my idea of fun, but be my guest

Don't fall into the trap of thinking you're the first person to think of this idea and don't pin too much hope of it succeeding.