My gosh! I am shocked at how ill informed people are about microlights!

They are quieter then most peoples lawn movers and tractors and having lived in the country for many years near some airfields, I wouldn't know they were!

Kate Ashrook sounds very ill informed and spiteful. Will we be banning all noise related activities now? Can we assume that hedge cutting, horse riding etc will also be banned to meet the rural tranquility of the country?

A classic case of ill informed, ignorant, country nimbys at work.

Kate Ashbrook is clearly very ignorant about the realities of flying these aircraft. Many strips operate without people even realising they exist, as microlight aircraft are generally quiet.

I'm sure any noise created in the area will be frowned upon. Kate should need to sign a planning request to start her lawn mower!

Oh dear, it seems that ignorance is bliss Ms Ashbrook.
All microlights have to have a noise certificate, unlike heavier aircraft types. Also, an increasing proportion of microlights have very modern 4 stroke engines that make minimal noise, particularly when compared with heavier types using ancient egines that don't have any form of silencer. Perhaps it's time to mount a campaign to ban motorized garden tools in this particular corner of our beautiful island?

Quite a few months ago I was contacted by one of the Protesters against the Bernwood Farm Microlight Airstrip expansion.
I was asked to give an opinion on certain parts of the planning application, I answered from an Aviators point of view and also completed tests to supply noise level figures to show decibel readings for microlights. As these figures were requested I feel that I should publicise the readings here:

"Today I assessed the db levels of 2 types of microlight engine overflying our airstrip at 1000ft directly above and it gave the following readings
54.9db @ 300m for a 503 ENGINE (2 stroke engine)
59.1db @ 300m for a 912 ENGINE (4 stroke engine)

As a reference our Chainsaw emitted 107.6db when used 15m away & our Grass Cutting Machinery emitted 92.4db when being used to cut our airstrip. I was actually surprised that 3 people having a normal conversation emits 62.3db "

Microlights do promote tranquility beauty and diversity as anyone who has flown over rural england knows. Microlight strips are wildlife havens. She should get up in one and wonder at the beauty of the landscape we live in. Except for training there is little activity around an airfield as most aircraft will be off exploring the country. Modern microlights are swift and quiet - most people would be unaware they are there, passing by at 2000 ft.

This is a very short sighted view of microlighting. Next to unpowered flight it is the quietest of all aviation transport which from any height of 500ft or more cannot be heard unless you try hard. It brings a lot of business to any local area directlly by users - be it local shops , fuel stations, pubs, hotels, and businesses. It promotes the beauty of the area by the very fact that more will view it from the best vantage point anywhere - from up in the sky.
The stringent rules and natural pilots training and awareness means that microlights do not make a nuisance of themselves over villages, biult up areas - they AVOID flying over them. Furthermore they are extremely safe - and can glide down into small fields in case of any emergency. No danger, minimla noise - regarding noise - your neighbours lawnmower is far louder and closer. What a shame ignorance can cause such damage to others pleasure, hobbies and past-times

The Open Spaces Society seems to forget that the microlight pilots are legally going about their business. Findings published a couple of years ago found that ramblers and ramblers with dogs disturb birds and wildlife more than any aviation activity. Like all these ill informed one issue groups, they have only one thought, their own selfish pleasure. Where as pilots accommodate others, don’t fly every day and bring a lot of revenue to the local rural economy. Until the country is one great Ramblers paradise they will not stop their selfish ways. One wonders how many of the objectors including this apparently misguided, ill informed lady use aircraft for their holiday pleasure, if they object to any aspect of flying they should give up that mode of transport or are they just hypocrites. How much noise does the cars of the Botolph Claydon Quiet Society and Open Spaces Society produce whilst driving around the area looking for a place to park.

Looks like grounds for an appeal, as the noise situation is a total red herring. No doubt no councillor every sought to consider or visit the the site or even speak to the flying community.

As for the comment:- "Today I assessed the db levels of 2 types of microlight engine overflying our airstrip at 1000ft directly above and it gave the following readings
54.9db @ 300m for a 503 ENGINE (2 stroke engine)
59.1db @ 300m for a 912 ENGINE (4 stroke engine)

As a reference our Chainsaw emitted 107.6db when used 15m away & our Grass Cutting Machinery emitted 92.4db when being used to cut our airstrip. I was actually surprised that 3 people having a normal conversation emits 62.3db "

It is very doubtful that FERRYAIR WORLDWIDE's figures were ever shown to planners or councillors by the objectors, yet again it seems like decisions made by the uninformed.

I contacted Kate Ashbrook by e-mail some months ago asking her if she would supply (1) the numbers of her pressure group that use any form of aircraft in pursuit of their chosen recreation and (2) how many would consider giving up use of any form of aircraft inline with their pressure groups apparent anti aircraft stance. She replied stating that it would be outside the Open Space Society remit. In other words my members and I will continue to use aircraft to further our own private and leisure activities, whilst continuing to oppose those who wish to use aircraft as their primary leisure pursuit. Selfish selfish selfish twisted people.

Great new, hopefully the same can be done for Finmere as it qualifies under the same criteria ...

The OSS said the runways cross or pass close to three public footpaths,

The district council refused consent because of the impact of the noise and movements of aircraft taking off, landing and taxiing on the rural tranquillity of the village and on users’ enjoyment of the adjacent paths.

And bring back manual garden tools....push mowers, hand shears, clippers etc. Everyone just reaches for the nearest powertool these days. If you microlighters persist in invading our quiet places then what do you expect but objection. Bugger off and fly round the cities where you will hardly be noticed. Like a big annoying insect the lot of you, where's me fly swatter?