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Post by Bruce on Sept 23, 2009 23:04:33 GMT 12
Raglan is particularly vulnerable if someone in the community decides that they dont want to subsidise it any more - Landing fees are essentially the only income generated off the field, other than a small lease of the Super Air Base. there are no Hangars, terminals or other property to generate income to offset the maintenance expenses. The Council are really keen to get people using the field and paying the minimal fees, otherwise they may be forced to close the field, which would be handed back to the local Maori Hapu from which it was taken under the public works act.
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Post by flyinkiwi on Sept 24, 2009 15:18:54 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. I learned this lesson the hard way Evan! Apparently if you stump up with the landing fee on the day at a number of airfields its cheaper than a charge back. From memory Thames and Whitianga are cheaper this way. As for Raglan, I always get some kind words of gratitude from the people who run the Camping Ground when I hand over my $5. Makes doing it even more worthwhile.
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Post by philip on Sept 24, 2009 15:38:56 GMT 12
Yes, some places you just land and let them do the process. Taupo is like that, only $1:50 I think and they mail me a bill which I pay by cheque. First time I went to Whakatane I paid the fee in the box, but last time I was there the box was gone.
And I agree, each time I pay at the Raglan camp they seem genuinely surprised and very grateful.
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Post by eieio on Sept 24, 2009 20:51:59 GMT 12
and if you plain forget there is interet banking,
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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 24, 2009 21:53:02 GMT 12
. . . there is interet banking, So is that the next development from ASB?
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Post by camtech on Sept 29, 2009 13:24:04 GMT 12
Glad to see the support for the miserly $5 landing fee at Raglan. In my time with the council, I was responsible for all aviation matters at Raglan between 1991 and 1998, and it was always a disappointment to hear of those who slagged off the landing fee. As has been said, it is the prime source of income and the costs of mowing the strip were usually in excess of the income. I even had to battle to get funds to replace a windsock at one stage. There was a time when council were set to close the strip to casual visitors, but common sense prevailed. My only bit of fun was doing a check for rabbit holes every two to three months by tearing up and down the landing area in my ute and seeing if I got bounced out of the seat. I always managed to miss the big ones and would get a phonecall to tell me of the holes about a week after the check.
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Post by eieio on Oct 8, 2009 8:28:51 GMT 12
To clarify cthe Te kowhai situation ,An annual $60 fee gives acess to facilities,Maxine has just told me it takes 4.5hours to mow the field. Following is from the bantam news AIRFIELD MANAGEMENT
We would like to advise all users and operators that the airfield is now under new management and will now be run by a new Company called Te Kowhai Airfield Ltd.
You can expect to see some exciting new changes for the benefit of the airfield. There will be a meeting called shortly between all existing hangar users and operators to discuss operations of the field. There are plans for a new water upgrade, security lighting, roading, runway improvements as well as the taxiway.
Please note anyone using internet banking will need to use the new account number 02-0316-0392207-00. This will cover everything to do with the airfield – hangarage, picketing, rental and maintenance.
The changes reflect the growth on the field and to enable all to feel secure that the airfield will stay for all to use for many years to come. Please be aware the airfield is still a private airfield and to please respect this great facility. Phone is 07 829 7837
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