1 comment.Gozo airstrip needs at least a 700m runway – Local research study
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Following the Government’s announcement that a public consultation will be organised in order to discuss a proposed Gozo airstrip (LMMG), Sergio Zammit of 9H-Zulu Pilots In Malta – a Facebook page for pilots in Malta, undertook a short study among pilots in Malta to understand how this project could be beneficial to them and the broader general aviation sector.
He explained that the study was carried out among 51 respondents who filled in an online questionnaire between February and March .
According to the Transport Malta Annual Report 2019, there were 26 new Private Pilots Licenses (PPL) issued in the year. The authority managed a total of 250 PPLs in 2019.
The findings of this survey have been shared with the competent authorities by Mr Zammit over the last few days and he is now making the information available to the public, “both to provide a voice to private pilots and to foster the debate on the planned project,” Zammit said.
He stressed that “this exercise was not meant to back or in any way support the development or extension of an airstrip in Gozo. Instead, it provides direct stakeholder feedback regarding the implementation of this project, should it go ahead.”
Some of the findings from the study include that, a runway length of at least 700m would be required to accommodate the majority of GA fliers in favourable weather conditions.
Many private pilots said that they would not attempt to land on a runway that is shorter than 600m during favourable weather conditions and whilst carrying an average load.
It also found that private pilots who live in the north of Malta are generally more willing to travel to Gozo and make use of the Gozo Channel or the proposed tunnel. Almost 10% of respondents currently reside in Gozo.
Respondents were asked whether they would fly more often if the Gozo airstrip did not have mandatory handling fees and fuel services as is the case at the Malta International Airport (LMML).
The response was that many airports geared towards general aviation do not require mandatory handling, lowering the costs to fly for fun.
Therefore it was noted that LMMG has the potential to become Malta’s GA airfield and to attract foreign visitors if it doesn’t feature mandatory handling or fuel services.
File photo
If this project happens, then Bye – Bye to the usual & normal tranquillity in the villages of Xewkija & Ghajnsielem.
And all for what? To have some privileged wealthy persons who travel to Hotels or Farmhouses in Gozo use this Airstrip once in a while, but having a continuous flow of Amateur Drone Private Users continuous flowing over our Villages?
It is the norm to throw refuse on others people backyard. This is what will happen to us in Gozo.