Representation by Gregory Nocentini
- Date submitted
- 8 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I feel very strongly, and in support of this application, and these are the main points I intend to make in relation to this application.
I am currently employed in the airline industry, working for a major U.K airline, So I speak from my own experience and know many people who have had first-hand experience with airports, airlines and aircraft, when it comes to the selection of appropriate diversionary airfields, and training capabilities available if the project were to go ahead. (For example, British Airways used Manston for crew training on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner). Having this development on my doorstep will enable myself, as well as many others, to develop their professional careers a lot closer to home, and will enable many more who don't have the ability to travel to other airports, to get involved within the industry.
Manston has many possibilities when it comes to Flight Training. Whether it be somebody's first flight, someone achieving a PPL, or developing their flying licence to a full CPL or ATPL rating. Its large runway, relatively empty airspace, location near the sea, and parking areas make it an ideal airport to allow an FTO to commence flight training from this development.
This links onto my next point I wish to raise; Education. Having this development will open so many doors for those in education. From Primary school, to aspire children into an aviation career, the opportunity for work experience for a child in secondary school, or the ability of study subjects/modules related to aviation (such as customer service, engineering, aviation management to name a few) - and with the government’s push in STEM subjects, aviation in the perfect industry with involves all the STEM subjects, in which to learn.
This level of education available will help and encourage people of all ages, to commence a career in this industry, and all will be made even more possible by this development. An airport contains many high-skilled jobs, some high-earning but crucially LOCAL jobs; for example, Airline Pilots and Cabin Crew (Cargo and/or Passenger) based at Manston Airport, Air Traffic Controllers (NATS), technician/engineering jobs, aircraft dispatch, fire service, airfield operations, and much more.
And with the development, comes a stream of people to the local area. This creates a large amount of local investment, from visiting crew, business people, tourists, students - all buying locally, staying in hotels, and crucially supporting local businesses,
Manston has been involved in aviation for over 100 years, and it’s position contributed to many aspects of our development, such as the Dam Busters bouncing bomb, the first jet engine, the Battle Of Britain, our defence in the Cold War, and indeed up to current times where it was serving the local area as a commercial airport. It has created a community amongst local people, whether it be the local airport museums, social groups, who would all love to convene at the airport and share a mutual love of aviation.