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Post by Marcus on Sept 20, 2009 21:16:46 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 20, 2009 21:25:39 GMT 12
It seems hard to believe that anyone would be so selfish as to quibble over paying $5.00 toward the upkeep of such a great aerodrome. Surely there must be more to it than the cost?
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Post by philip on Sept 20, 2009 21:33:27 GMT 12
Absolutely. Raglan was my first outfield landing. I stayed long enough to pay the $5 and have paid the $5 every time I've landed there.
Their numbers should be taken and "please don't come again" letter sent
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Post by Bruce on Sept 20, 2009 21:51:20 GMT 12
I've spoken several times with the Waikato district Council about landing fees for Black Sands in November, and it seems that often vistors arent paying the fees because normally there isnt anyone watching. I guess they find it too hard to walk the 20M or so to the campground to pay the fee, even though most then walk into town!. the Council are really good and have allowed us a "one off" landing fee arrangement for Black Sands, where you can fly as much as you want for the single $5.00 fee for the weekend (we keep track of regos etc and who has paid, then pay the whole lot in a lump sum and pass on the regos of non - payers - the weekends takings normally exceed the rest of the year combined!) The council stress that all landing fee income goes towards mowing and maintaining the airfield. Bad show to the non - payers!
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Post by stu on Sept 21, 2009 7:48:29 GMT 12
Bad show to the non - payers! Exactly! What's an extra $5 on top of the what it costs to fly to Raglan (about $360 return in a Robin from North Shore from memory) - as far as I'm concerned, it's negligible.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 21, 2009 8:12:23 GMT 12
I have always gone straight to the camp office after landing at Raglan to pay my $5. Usually I get rather a surprised look from the office staff when I do that, perhaps I'm one of the few.
Having said that, there are some airfields around that seem to price their landing fees at a punitive level designed to dissuade itinerant aircraft from going there - Auckland International and Claris come to mind.
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Post by hardyakka on Sept 21, 2009 19:37:41 GMT 12
I'd give a few people the benefit of the doubt about this. As a club pilot I got used to just having the landing fees tacked on to my bill at the club and it would all square up when the account arrived from the airport in question. You get used to that and perhaps just forget that some airfields don't have the recording facility and need to be paid on the spot. There are signs at Raglan and there shouldn't be any doubt, but I can see it happening. Also I guess some people just feel entitled to fly where they want and land where they want gratis and get grumpy when someone reminds them that it is not always the case.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 21, 2009 19:59:54 GMT 12
Out of interest, are there any free strips in NZ or do all charge a landing fee?
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Post by slackie on Sept 21, 2009 20:14:10 GMT 12
Te Kowhai (NZTE) is $0.00...good on you Max!
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Post by DragonflyDH90 on Sept 21, 2009 20:25:37 GMT 12
Mandeville is $0 also.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 21, 2009 23:28:11 GMT 12
and Whenuapai of course.
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Post by corsair67 on Sept 22, 2009 0:12:48 GMT 12
Typical. Then who'll whinge the loudest when the local council close the airfield? I bet they wouldn't think twice about paying $3.00 for a double decafe skinny latte at the local cafe though!
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Post by philip on Sept 22, 2009 6:57:37 GMT 12
Pauanui is free but if you are a regular, they encourange you to join the very cheap user association. Waihi Beach was free. $5 is fair, Parakai at $10 is at the higher end. Claris at $20 is theft. There was nowhere to pay. The airline people in the kiosks weren't interested. They suggested there MAY be an honesty box at the council offices in town several miles thataway <--------. I went thataway ---------> to the cafe, had a coffee, flew home and haven't been back
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Post by mit on Sept 23, 2009 11:31:43 GMT 12
Feilding is also free
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Post by stu on Sept 23, 2009 12:44:31 GMT 12
It seems hard to believe that anyone would be so selfish as to quibble over paying $5.00 toward the upkeep of such a great aerodrome. Surely there must be more to it than the cost? From a different perspective (and I don't mean the crooked photo), as far as I'm concerned, considering the rising cost of attractions around the country, $5.00 is a small price to pay for all of this.....
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Post by Bruce on Sept 23, 2009 13:53:08 GMT 12
... and Stu gets his money's worth by using the full length....
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Post by stu on Sept 23, 2009 14:19:42 GMT 12
Why whatever do you mean Bruce? Duck! ;D
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Post by corsair67 on Sept 23, 2009 15:57:02 GMT 12
I was just thinking that maybe the local council should start wheel clamping the non-paying aircraft? ;D
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Post by eieio on Sept 23, 2009 21:57:47 GMT 12
I would encourage fellow flyers to pay the landing fees,we cant complain about $5. remember,in the case of council fields non aviators have a stake, and we all complain about rate increases,always looking where council could cut expenditure.lets make sure its not the airfield that gets cut. As for Te kowhai being free, a chat with Maxine might put a slightly different light on the matter. The note book at TK on sunday showed few fees over last 8 months,so come -on nonpayers, play the game right.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 23, 2009 22:37:16 GMT 12
That's a good point that a council owned airfield might be seen by council as not makign enough money or getting enough usage if people are getting away with not paying. It's prime beachfront real estate and would make a lovely subdivision at Raglan - don't encourage them to do that, use the airfield and pay your fees.
We have a park across the road from our house and the council has just decided it would make better housing because it's just idle empty land. They have no idea how many people use that park every day - I live right across the road and do know. I made a submission to the council but it's done bugger all. Flipping progress.
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