Cato Airfield closing

[Wart]

Got it from a reliable source that the new owners of Cato Airfield have a tenant and as such everyone there will be given notice to vacate!

The airfield was sold a few months ago and the new owner had indicated that it was as an investment and that any development there would initially not interfere with aviation activities. People had been told that it would be about 12 to 18 months before any development started. I guess the tenant came up with enough $'s to make the owner change their mind.

What a sad end to what was the best microlight airfield in KZN (in my opinion).

[apollolight]

That is indeed sad, it is a great little field to fly into, I was there last year and the rumours were starting, I believe that some of the owners and operators will move to Light Flight, Light Flights runway is a too short for most light aircraft, wonder where some will go to.

Wow Le Mercy is next, then possibly Virginia....

[solojack]

Wow Le Mercy is next

Maybe you haven't heard but La Mercy is already closed!

[apollolight]

Tks , sheesh, I thought they were only going to be closing at year end!
Where have the operations moved to?
That was a pleasant place too...

[Wart]

All current tenants with aircraft have been given notice and have to vacate by the end of November. The fences are already going up and as of 1 December no-one will have access to the club-house etc.

Good news is that it looks as if we will still be able to land on the bit of 35/17 that is left so all is not lost.

[grosvenor]

Flew over Cato Airfield the other day to see the sad state of affairs after it was sold. It is now being used as a vehicle storage lot. Clubhouse will probably become an office and the big hangar a maintenance shed. I would immagine the smaller hangars will be flattened. Sad sight.

The skydivers are still using the airfield, they extended the end of 35 to make up for some of the first bit that has been lost. They managed to keep their hangar outside of the fenced off area.

Dave

[Cloud Warrior]

I can't believe that you could actually do that to an airfield....................

[salem]

This is so, so sad! I have such fond memories of Cato. I learned to fly microlights there back in 1985. I did my first solo there. I met some great people, staunch flying enthusiasts in the days of Qicksilvers and MAC-CDL's and we had some wonderful times flying around the area. I also introduced my kids (and they were kids at the time) to microlight flying. This is a very sad day indeed.

[craig]

Does it hail egg sized stones in KZN ,just hoping

[grosvenor]

Alternatively, if we could only teach Ostriches to fly