LAAS Ports-of-call Link.

[smudger98]

Sad news and a sign of the times i guess,
The LAAS Ports-of-call Link above has ceased and has has been closed down by LAAS due to microlight thefts.
Smudger.

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PRESS RELEASE

LAAS International one of the leading Aviation Enthusiast Clubs has today closed its Ports of Call website.

Over the past twenty-four hours we have been made aware that the UK Microlight Community continue to be concerned over the increasing spate of thefts from microlight fields and of late the complete dismantling of an aircraft and its removal. Their belief is that our web site could be used as a tool by thieves so in an effort to cooperate in the continued battle against crime we have taken the immediate step to close our site completely.

Our Hobby can only continue with the goodwill of the many airfield operators who provide us access, the relationships built need to be strengthened further with Enthusiasts being made more aware of the issue and increasing their vigilance.

LAAS International took a lead some twelve years ago when in partnership with the Metropolitan Police in creating The Aviation Enthusiasts Security Scheme – an ID was made available to bona-fide Aviation Enthusiasts and they were and continued to be briefed about Terrorism, Crime and so called anti-aircraft Environmental Protestors. The Scheme was accepted as best practice in the aviation community and today most airports throughout the UK have vetted Enthusiasts and issued local IDs. Today Enthusiasts are encouraged when at airports and airfields to be on the look-out for untoward issues, all are issued with a Police telephone hot line number.

Together we have a common cause, the protection of our aviation hobby. Many of our Members are fellow pilots, air traffic controllers, airfield operators or work in the industry, we value the many friendships we have built during the years. Let me assure the microlight community that we will work with them in any way we can to overcome the mounting problems we currently face.
David S Seex
Chairman - LAAS

[dave]

hi,
this happened last week, because someone complained about thieves using PoC as a guidence to all the goodies out there,although nothing has been proved or even mentioned by the police, it all started on FLYER forum as of 0945 this morning their was 81 posts and the majority of posts support the "spotters" I e-mailed Mr Seex and someone at their magazine said he was in talks to try and resolve the situation, i pointed out that enthusiasts were eyes and ears for the police at airfields, and we supported the general aviation scene thru LAA flyin's etc, and also signed their petitions when airfields are due to be closed. If you feel strongly about this intrusion on our hobby e-mail him, let him see our reaction, although he may have felt something should be seen to be done,and so closed it, it is innocent till proved guilty. A new post on FLYER 52 posts now wants G-INFO to close because that also shows details and photo,s?

regards,
dave...

[graham]

It's total over reaction in my opinion Dave, there are a 101 ways that would be thieves can find the info they require and somehow, I very much doubt that they would initially "consult" LAAS's P-O-C to find what they require. These gyros are obviously being nicked to order, the thieves know where they are and target accordingly. It's a bit like saying, " don't list banks and Building Societies in the phone book, it will tell bank robbers where they are".

[smudger98]

Jan 30, 2016 14:43:33 GMT graham said:

It's total over reaction in my opinion Dave, there are a 101 ways that would be thieves can find the info they require and somehow, I very much doubt that they would initially "consult" LAAS's P-O-C to find what they require. These gyros are obviously being nicked to order, the thieves know where they are and target accordingly. It's a bit like saying, " don't list banks and Building Societies in the phone book, it will tell bank robbers where they are".

I used it as a reference to go the the spot that you could use to view from normally some where it was safe.. instead of tramping over someones property looking for a spotting site..a real crass knee jerk decision.  (IMHO that is.)

[graham]

Morning Bob, that's good news, as soon as it's back up I'll place the link back on the navvy bar.

[dave]

hi morning,
a great pity, has as been said a knee-jerk reaction, with no proof at all that this valuable tool for us, has been misused by the low life's, whereas other lesser directories are still up and running...

regards,
dave...

[carmedic]

The LAAS ports of call was pulled not long after the theft of three areo engines from Hulcote Farm, Bedfordshire. The engines were professionally removed with no damage caused to the airframes. For those who are unaware of Hulcote Farm, access is through a coded gate and through the farm yard. It is also surrounded by thick hawthorn hedges. This crime was committed by someone with inside info, access to a secure private airfield with the knowledge and equipment to remove three engines.

[graham]

Should narrow the field down then Chris as far as suspects are concerned.

[carmedic]

Mar 12, 2016 18:37:57 GMT graham said:

Should narrow the field down then Chris as far as suspects are concerned.

But the spotter / enthusiast always seems to get the blame when something happens at an airfield 

[graham]

That's the problem isn't it? Justified in a small minority of cases such as when those halfwits ran Stanley knives along the side of a plastic hangar at Blackbushe to see the reggies of the stuff inside. They give all spotters a bad name. But given that many fields welcome spotters says to me that those fields, and the people who run them, realise that the overriding majority of us are just enjoying our hobby, respect the planes and the property, mean no harm, and if anything, can often realise when "something isn't right" and let the airfield people know. It seems to be a hobby enjoyed generally by us somewhat older folk, most of us here have been enthusiasts for decades and therefore grew up during an era when we respected other people's property.

I'm sure the thieves in these engine thefts are nothing to do with the enthusiast community but for the perpetrators at Hulcote to know gate codes and the like, says to me that it was possibly an employee, or an ex employee with an axe to grind. Who will they sell these engines to? - only someone who already owns a microlight.

[carmedic]

Access banned to the far side of the airfield at Otherton due to engine thefts
Access now banned at Derby Eggington, this was blamed on spotters taking photos of the wrecks, but someone who is based there says it has nothing to do with spotters and its just an issue with the family that own the airfield.

The enthusiast is always the easy target, I always recommend if you are unsure about access at an airfield then contact them before hand and always carry some sort of aviation related ID

[bobbystreet56]

laas ports of call is back but you need to be a member to access it and it will have a different password every month