Fisantekraal Airfield closing down?

[Morph]

I hear the historic Fisantekraal is closing and is being turned into low cost housing by the owner

What is happening to the flight schools?

Where are all the Jabiru powered aeries going to get their Avgas from, FASH?

[Grumpy]

Low cost housing
Surely 'Aviators' can get together to speak to owner and either buy him out, or change it to a flypark and retain the flying operations, or something?
Anyone in the 'know' here?

[Trikenut]

Hi Guys,

Yes there have been issues at Fisantekraal.

No one is exactly sure what is going on at the moment, but I don't think there are plans for low cost housing.

We would appreciate it if all of you guys (Myself included) don't speculate or make to big a deal of it at this point in time.

Needless to say, all of us there are doing our very best to resolve the issues. I cannot speak on behalf of either Louis (Aerosport) or Findlay (Cape Town Flight Training Centre). However I can say that it will be a great loss if Fisantekraal closes down, and all of us there have been doing our best to prevent it.

Again, I'm sure all the Flight Schools at FAFK would be highly appreciative if we get the facts instead of speculating.

Thanks Guys,

Regards,
Ross

[Morph]

Jeez Ross

why so defensive.

We are not speculating, we are asking questions. Obviously there is a huge impact on the two training schools there, on the airfield.

If anybody else knows anything let us know please

[Trikenut]

Hi Morph,

Not defensive. Just a bit worried.
We are gonna have to play it by ear, but it will have an impact on the schools. I'm just trying to prevent anyone getting sucked deeper into the doo-doo. I don't know if the owner 'patrols' this site.

As far as I know, the fees have gone up for everything. But I'm sure the airfield won't be closed down.

Sorry if I offended people with the last post. I'm sure there are no problems with questions. I just don't want this to become a speculation thread. That's for Avcom!

Regards,
Ross

[Wargames]

Low cost housing
Surely 'Aviators' can get together to speak to owner and either buy him out, or change it to a flypark and retain the flying operations, or something?
Anyone in the 'know' here?

Buying him out!! Not a chance. I know of a couple of guys who tried that. He is, in their words, a "D&&S". If you know the story of how he obtained fisantekraal, you will know why.

The prices at the airfield is a joke at this stage. To hanger a trike for almost R1000 is ridiculous. The way he is going about fisantekraal, is a sure sign that what morph is asking about, is certainly no fake speculation.

It would be a pity to close down a airfield with such a rich aviation history. It is even a bigger pity to see the airfield in such a bad state of affairs.

Will let you know if I find out what is cooking, and whats not.

Regards,

[Trikenut]

Thanks Wargames for explaining the situation.
I didn't want to say it like that in case the owner is on this site.

[Grumpy]

UNTIL YOU HAVE UNADULTERATED FACT............... It is ALL speculation.
So what are the facts so far?
Is it closing down? Or will it still operate as an airfield ?
Is it going to be low cost housing? (So far from an urban area, I doubt it)
Does the owner want to sell?
Does he want to develop it himself?
What are his plans for it?
Whats the story,
Surely someone must know the circumstances surrounding this sad speculation.

[Newguy]

Just for the record Garden Cities/Pinelands Development have bought the land opposite for development. This would probably be a la Edgemead but who knows. The airport is obviously set to become prime land and I cant see the returns on running the flight park exceeding returns from development. So my guess is that longer term the airport will go.

[Morph]

Just for the record Garden Cities/Pinelands Development have bought the land opposite for development. This would probably be a la Edgemead but who knows.

Even if it stays it's sure to suffer from noise abatement issues and moaning neighbours

[Wargames]

Just for the record Garden Cities/Pinelands Development have bought the land opposite for development. This would probably be a la Edgemead but who knows.

Even if it stays it's sure to suffer from noise abatement issues and moaning neighbours

As far as I know, the owner has had a couple of offers to purchase the land for development, but he is not willing to sell more than 49% of shares, and does not want to give a extra sent for development.

Probably waiting for the right offer.

I don't know how successful a development would be there being so close to fisantekraal settlement??!!

[skybound®]

I just don't want this to become a speculation thread. That's for Avcom!
Regards,
Ross

From another thread on this forum.

There is nothing wrong with speculation.
The truth hurts and we must know the truth even though it does hurt.
Ross

My observation is that it is always ok to speculate up to the point until someone knows the pilot or is close to the situation - even on AvCom.

[Morph]

I understand the schools have been given a 12 month reprieve. This is good news

[John Boucher]

Contradictory there young Ross

This is a problem many airfields are facing... Think about the efforts that have been made to close Stellenbosch? I suppose this is also inevitable for Phisantekraal. I wonder what lengths certain people would go to to try and keep it open and viable?

GA is slowly being forced out of the main centres and out of the reach of the normal oke in the street! Truly sad for aviation!

[Trikenut]

I just don't want this to become a speculation thread. That's for Avcom!
Regards,
Ross

From another thread on this forum.

There is nothing wrong with speculation.
The truth hurts and we must know the truth even though it does hurt.
Ross

My observation is that it is always ok to speculate up to the point until someone knows the pilot or is close to the situation - even on AvCom.

Good point.
When I posted the below comment it was due to the sort of speculation that could save lives.
I agree, huge contradiction. You're probably right, its fine until someone knows the pilot/close to the situation.
I think that I was misunderstood. I meant that lets not turn this into as slinging match. Many pilots don't like Fisantekraal, nor its owner, or Louis for that matter.
What I meant was: Lets speculate, but not start to abuse the airfield or the owner.
The other issue is, this site is avaliable to anyone with internet access and i'd hate the owner to see anything that could "push him over the edge".
I think we have discussed my post and I agree, it probably was a mistake to ask people not to speculate. But we all make mistakes. So lets get back to the matter at hand!
Sorry again,