La Mercy Airfield to close

[Fairy Flycatcher]

To everyone who might have wondered where we have been...

We have been given notice at La Mercy, as they want to put the Durban Airport where we are. Lots of emotional and intelectual energy going into fighting it / finding alternatives and a lot of crying / sadness / frustration etc. etc.

[DarkHelmet]

FF - I have been reading about the plans and wondered when all of this is going to happen!

This truly not a nice pice of news

We pilots prevail and we move with the times - if there is anything I can do just shout...

Yours in flight forever!

DH

[Arnulf]

as they want to put the Durban Airport where we are.

I wonder if the Airports Company has knowledge of this. The new parkade at the present airport is coming on nicely.

Doesn't really make sense to build a multimillion Rand parkade at an airport that will be relocated soon, or am I missing something?

Regards,
Arnulf

[Morph]

Yeah hang in there, I'm sure something will turn up. Why not come to Cape Town and shake this town up a bit.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Keep the faith. Is FAVG also to close?

[Smiley]

Wow, sad news. Makes me think of the 16R aviation dvd...

[Fairy Flycatcher]

Keep the faith. Is FAVG also to close?

Closing FAVG is on the cards, but I doubt it. Whatever happens though, everyone at Virginial will be severly affected. Not only do they say the projected flight paths will be about 2000' over FAVG, but all the training schools will lose their GFA.

Virginia is busier than Durban, so I don't undertand the whole move. They are in effect destroying over 1000 jobs to re-locate 2200 jobs. No sense.

Lots of politics though. Lots and lots of it.


We want to open an airport estate, an everything that flies, aerobatic, skydiving, microlight airport estate. Somewhere on the North Coast? Maybe somewhere near Cape Town?

Probably at the same time go with WINGS. MISASA has disapeared again... (as it does at least once a year...)

[John Young]

I learnt to fly my trike at La Mercy under the watchful eye of Dr. Dave Daniel.

Obviously, like so many others, I have fond memories.

FF – a request for posterity

Would you be able to arrange for a 20 – 30 minute video of the airfield, surrounds and coastal routes which could be copied onto a DVD? I would be very happy to buy a copy. I am sure many other folk would want a copy too.

Soon, these views will not be possible from a trike.

Some of the earlier questions in this thread …. FF, correct me if / where I screw up ….

1. The 3 storey car park at Durban International will be taken over and occupied by the Toyota Factory for vehicle storage / shipping.

2. Factories and general industry will fully occupy the entire Durban International Airport [land & buildings], although there is some talk about another port being made utilizing smelly creek. Leaving a “little piece” for GA has been chucked out.

3. Ballito Airfield and Virginia FAVG will also shut down, but only once the new airfield at La Mercy becomes operational in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

4. That there currently exists not one scrap of infrastructure at La Mercy makes me a “Thomas” on this happening on time.

5. Virginia is municipal land and will obviously become extremely valuable.

6. The new International Airport at La Mercy, although land locked like Johannesburg International, will be South Africa’s 7th port for the exporting of flowers, quails, eggs, fruit etc. Johannesburg is currently known as the 6th port.

That’s “kinda” how I understand it.

[Griffin]

....We want to open an airport estate, an everything that flies, aerobatic, skydiving, microlight airport estate. Somewhere on the North Coast? Maybe somewhere near Cape Town?
....

[lamercyfly]

Some of the earlier questions in this thread …. FF, correct me if / where I screw up ….

1. The 3 storey car park at Durban International will be taken over and occupied by the Toyota Factory for vehicle storage / shipping.

2. Factories and general industry will fully occupy the entire Durban International Airport [land & buildings], although there is some talk about another port being made utilizing smelly creek. Leaving a “little piece” for GA has been chucked out.

Hi John and other folk following with interest

I have also heard the rumours, but they are just that

3. Ballito Airfield and Virginia FAVG will also shut down, but only once the new airfield at La Mercy becomes operational in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

That airfield has been there for 12 years. It will only close if the land-owner pulls the lease on them. They have a 90 day cancellation clause in their contract with the landowner. I have encouraged the club to register as an Interested And Affected Party in terms of the Scoping Report, and in so doing to protect their constitutional rights to operate. I am not aware of whether they have or have not. Obviously there will be operational limitations, such as specific microlight 'corridors' etc.,

4. That there currently exists not one scrap of infrastructure at La Mercy makes me a “Thomas” on this happening on time.

5. Virginia is municipal land and will obviously become extremely valuable.

The forum which Annie and I created to look after Virginia is very active, and a meeting is scheduled for early October for a private forum meeting with the Institute of Natural Resources to deal with Virginia's future. Many roleplayers will be present.

6. The new International Airport at La Mercy, although land locked like Johannesburg International, will be South Africa’s 7th port for the exporting of flowers, quails, eggs, fruit etc. Johannesburg is currently known as the 6th port.

It is true that a dedicated Agri Zone has been allocated at Idube Tradeport for production of the above, plus some other fruits and veggies.
I am busy working with the Horticulture and Soil science sections at an Agricultural College to either prove or disprove the feasability of this venture.

That’s “kinda” how I understand it.

Thanks John. Will work on the DVD. Have already borrowed a suitable DVD camera to do just this

[John Young]

Thanks John. Will work on the DVD. Have already borrowed a suitable DVD camera to do just this

Herewith order for the very 1st copy.

[DieselFan]

This is really sad.

Why don't they just build the new airport in the ocean, we're always trying to compete with other richer countries...hmmm Gautrain

[Junkie]

*#$!%^& - the buggers have already lowered the TMA in our area and have WonTun & ZuumerAyr scooting overhead on a reg basis
Ah well thats progress 4 u

[skybound®]

Dave & Anette - my heart goes out to you folk. It is truly sad, and I know you have done much to promote the area. I believe that wherever you find yourselves - success will still follow.

Forget the North Coast - haven't you still got that place at Gariep

Before anyone says 'Only in Africa' etc - don't forget this incident in the 1st World.

[AndyCAP]

Hi FF/Dave

So sad to hear about your field This is heart wernching stuff

Even though I've not been to La Mercy, I would also love to have a copy of the DVD - PM/email me please

Hope I can still visit you guys before you have to move - any timeframe yet?

Thanks