It's the sports' supporters who are fanatical

From the archive, first published Saturday 17th Sep 2005.

I FIND the behaviour of the Redlands apologists quite extraordinary.

Perhaps they can explain to me why general aviation has been using this former farm airstrip when permission exists only for one skydiving plane and microlights?

I recorded planes, some with passenger windows, taking off or landing at Redlands on March 19 (1.50pm), April 2 (1.14pm) and April 7 (1.20pm).

On June 29 at 12.30pm a Rans Sakota S10 plane took off with two others and flew off low near my house, these were not microlights, and too small to be a skydiving plane. On July 10, microlights were landing after the 8pm watershed. At least one aircraft I reported was not recorded in the airfield logbook. I could go on. If the parish council and the borough council cannot effectively police this facility why did they grant planning permission? It may be illegal for microlights to fly over settlements ­ this does not mean that they do not do so.

They fly low over my house! I don't feel a part of a small minority but skydiving and microlighting are minority sports with fanatical supporters!

K Lacey

Wanborough

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