News
From time to time we will post new developments here. Please bare in mind that many of the things being discussed at the moment are quite sensitive to those concerned, but be assured that as soon as anything definite occurs, we will post it here!
11 April 2011
Wings Over Northumbrland Ltd is about to be dissolved as a Limited Company, BUT we are still working away behind the scenes to promote Aviation Heritage in the North East of England. We are developing our partnerships with North East Aircraft Museum and Newcastle Aviation Academy in the creation of something worthwhile, but it will take a long time to develop effectively. We will keep you posted.
23 January 2011
Disaster has befell us in the form of global recession. For now at least, there is no money available to persue the redevelopment of Tranwell or to purchase land at our ‘secret’ location of Eshott Airfield. It is therefore, with great regret that I must announce that the Wings Over Northumberland Project is on permanent hold. Hopefully we have highlighted the plight of Northumberland’s aviation heritage, and in the people we have met, shown what could be possible. There will be further announcements made regarding a collaboration and the launch of the Wings ideals contained within a slightly different project. We will not go away until we have a suitable memorial to the region’s aviation heritage….. Feel free to add to this site with pictures and memories of any aspect of Northern Aviation – if the new project gets the green light, we will include the content of this site within it. Lets see more photographs and hear some stories and celebrate what this region has given to the technology of flight.
21 June 2010:
Its been a long time since we released anything on this site! We are still going, and moving from strength to strength now. We are still chasing two sites – Morpeth you know, and the other will remain quiet for now. We went semi-public this weekend at the fantastic Great North Fly-In at Eshott. The response was 100% positive (Thank you to all who were there) and we feel that we now have enough support to move forward. Stay tuned, and keep up the patience….
10 March 2010:
Things have slowed down a little… We are now in a position where we need cash to progress the planning documents. We need specialist surveys to take place in order to complete the feasibility study and we also need to talk to the planning department of Northumberland Council – none of which we can afford at the minute. (We are 4 people doing this in our spare time in addition to having other jobs…). You may be aware that One NorthEast, the Regional Development Agency are not funding anything until after the General Election, so we are at a bit of a dead end for now. We will continue to refine our ideas and continue to help aviation in the region in whatever way we can until we can take the next step for the Wings project. We are currently investiagting the possibility of getting a proper website up and running, having purchased the relevant domain names some time ago… as ever, we’ll keep you informed as developments happen.
17 February 2010:
Landing fees are free, however this is a charity event in aid of a good cause so donations would be most welcome. Landing fees are normally around the £5.00 mark. (MOGAS & AVGAS will be available)
***All aircraft that can land on a 610m tarmac runway most welcome***
To improve on last year we have a few more activities planned that will hopefully bring more interest and therefore more donations. We will still have the beer garden with BBQ during the day and live band on the night time but we will also be including:
• Military Vehicles
• Vintage & Classic Vehicles
• Cockpit Section Gathering
• Aviation Market
• Northumbrian Produce Market
Not to out-do Newark Air Museum’s much acclaimed ‘Cockpit Fest’, we would still welcome as many ‘Cockpiteers’ as possible to make the event more interesting, so feel free to bring your cockpit along (please contact us before hand so that we can arrange a plot of land). This also goes to anyone who can bring along vehicles also mentioned above!
For more information please ask away on here or contact the event coordinators:
Nick Stone on: 07981305501
25 January 2010: The project proposal for a live airfield at Tranwell is now with Newcastle International Airport. The subject will be raised at their next safety team meeting, and hopefully we shall see whether THEY think it is a realistic aim or not. They play a much larger part in this project than they think since their decision will have a dramatic effect on the overall vision. We are within their controlled airspace zone and the ultimate decision as to whether they allow us to intrude is up to them….
10 January 2010: Work is progressing well. We are now looking at planning permissions for the creation of the airfield. We have had discussions with several experts and we feel that the way ahead is to apply for temporary planning permission for one year to make sure that the site is viable before committing to a much larger build. We have looked at operating under the 28 day rule, essentially operation without planning permission for 28 days of the year, but due to the rental of the site this approach is not possible. We are constructing a planning document which is expected to take a month or two, followed by the initial application. We have several external reports to produce as part of the planning poirtfolio, and the actual application will take place once all of this is in place. Stay tuned.
22 December 2009: Merry Christmas one and all! I’m about to appeal to your generous side….. We are currently looking for some undercover storage for a few aeroplanes (dismantled), until such time as we are able to construct our own hangar at Morpeth. We are being offered some good exhibits for the heritage facility and having to let them go due to the fact that we cannot provide a secure home for them yet. We are looking for a covered area where we can bring these exhibits back to pristine condition ready for inclusion in the ‘Wings Over Northumberland Experience’. Can anyone help?
09 December 2009: We have collected enough data to complete the business plan for Tranwell Aerodrome, and we are now progressing the detailed plans of what we can do with the site and how to make it financially viable. Stay tuned!
27 October 2009: Following a positive meeting with the land owner, we are about to start site surveys for the creation of Tranwell Aerodrome. To help fund the overall Wings project, and to enhance its appeal, we are attempting to reintroduce live flying to the former RAF Morpeth under the guise of a General Aviation Airfield. The airfield will consist of a grass strip, approximately 750 – 800 m in length, parallel to and to the south of the original east/west runway. Facilities will be crude initially, but we are aiming to progress the strip into a licensed airfield in as little time as practical. We need expressions of interest from aircraft owners, and all other potential users of the site. We are hoping to open the aerodrome for the use of single and light twin GA aircraft initially, just to test feasibility of expansion.
We need your support! Please leave comments on this aspect of the project on the comments page…
tranwell
phantomphil
