Cato Ridge Airfield closing

[Weg]

Have just heard that the Cato Ridge Airfield is to be closed down. There has always been lots of politics regarding who owns and leases what land there, but now there are a whole lot of aviators are left without anywhere to fly from (first La Mercy being closed down and now Cato).

The owners of a third of the runway want R36 million for the piece of land that can't be used by itself as a runway (too short) and the owners of the rest of the runway won't extend the lease on the runway (or if they do, they plan to charge exhorbitant lease)

And to top it all, the "owners" of the part of the airfield where the hangars and clubhouse, who are selling for R36 million rand are refusing to pay out for hangars that people have bought on the airfield.

I believe that John Young (not our own John Young - a much less trustworthy fellow) and Aidan (Solo Wings) and some others own this land.

Interesting lesson to those who "buy" hangars. Have heard that there are some very angry people and threats of court cases!!

[Wart]

You are correct, the plan is to sell the airfield. No time scale has been set but the amount being bantered around is that if it is to current aviators it will be R200 per squaer meter, to an outsider R300 per square meter.

This is really sad as the original owners were very passionate aviators and wished only that the land be used for aviation and kept that way. Without being shot down in flames, I fear that human greed has overpowered the desire and passion, by the now current owners, in aviation. It will be a sad day to see the airfield close as its history is deep rooted in WWII and (I believe) Shackleton bombers etc.

Heed what Weg has said and make sure that if you own a hangar you know your rights as the owner as well as that you own the land that the hangar has been built on.

So much for agreements being concluded on a "gentlemans" handshake!!!

[kb]

You been there for more than 6 months, claim squatters rights.

[DieselFan]

You been there for more than 6 months, claim squatters rights.

Yip, but you got to run like KB's avatar first

[RV4ker (RIP)]

How long you been there. Estoppel?

Makes me MAD... So often the aviation can be combined with other (commercial use) and a workable & mutually beneficial solution can be found, but Greed know no boundries...

Similar siuation seems to be rearing it's head in Jhb. Seems only solution is to secure a piece of ground and develop it as an airport, but as urban sprawl encrouches the cycle will start again and supply and demand will dictate that we move again.

[Fairy Flycatcher]

It is terrible news indeed. I understand Ballito airfield is also up for sale!

Where are we going to fly from? At current property prices there aren't a lot of options for affordable aviation

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Beach?

[Slurp]

Thats one of the downsides of the property boom - land is too expensive to have runways and hangars. Makes the current running airfields all the more special!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Thats one of the downsides of the property boom - land is too expensive to have runways and hangars. Makes the current running airfields all the more special!

Incorporate it into the development and thus further enhance the value of the land. I think possible liability and neighbours have far more detremental effect.

[ZULU1]

I have noticed of late that their is a massive growth in PPG sales, not diificult to see why. You dont need a hangar or a runway.

Makes sense as costs increasejust store the toys in atrailer.

Many rumours about Ballito (Polo sites etc) however we have a lease for three months but it seems that we may make 2010.

eish Zulu1

[bill]

Where to now?
One thing’s for sure, I’m not selling my aerie and I will fly.
Even if I drive to the Free State the night before and kip in the hanger.
First LaMercy, then Cato, and now Ballito. Even Virginia is under threat with the bank rollers of the new King Shaka being promised a bit of Virginia real estate action in recognition for Shaka Funding.

[GR8-DAD]

Also big uncertainty re Fisantekraal in WC. Rumour has it is in process of being sold Have already seen big exodus of trikes from FAFK to Wintervogel etc.

[Willie]

If you build a hanger or buy a hanger on land that does not belong to you the land owner can take it and do what he likes with it. In my case I rent my own hanger back from the new owner at R660.00 per month.

It's the law. The pilots will not win the case

[Weg]

A good way to secure a runway is to buy land and build an aviation estate.

The problem is that the land has to be not too distant from where people work. And preferably not subject to land claims!!

And it needs capital investment.

And it needs to be in a non-industrial area - can't see too many people wanting to live in the foothills of a smoke bellowing factory or upwind of an abattoir!

For years now people have been predicting that Cato Ridge will become the Midrand of KZN. Looks like it is now happening and stuff aviation!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Aviation estate is a difficult beast. most do not like the noise and are afraid of the kiddies catching a prop. Solution may be a strip with cheap infrastructure in industrial area or outskirts of town. problem is usually finding a big enough flat piece of ground and then the neighbours...