Post by BrenMac on Oct 26, 2016 9:04:27 GMT
If only Jock Maitland had chosen Blackbushe instead of Biggin Hill:
Following the 1957 Defence Review and Duncan Sandys’s White Paper, Maitland resigned from the RAF. He later observed: “I resigned in disgust when the death of the manned fighter was forecast ... but no one noticed.”
Maitland’s departure coincided with the closure of RAF Biggin Hill. At the same time Croydon Airport was closed, with the light aircraft element moving to Biggin Hill on a seven-year lease. With others declining to take on the project, and despite no guarantees of long-term tenure, Maitland took on the job of running and developing the airport. It was a precarious business with no air traffic control, customs or runway lighting. He was also unable to negotiate a long-term lease, and after the expiry of the original lease he had to be satisfied with annual renewals, usually after much frustrating negotiation. But Biggin Hill became a thriving airport, and Maitland assured its future when he formed a successful partnership with Bromley Council in 1980.
He also founded a flying club, a small airline (Maitland Drewery Air), an executive aircraft charter business and, in 1963, the Biggin Hill Air Fair. In 1975 Maitland established Air Displays International and, over the next 30 years, he and his younger son, Jim, organised almost 100 air shows around the country in addition to the annual event at Biggin Hill . He retired in 2006 and was appointed MBE the following year.
Following the 1957 Defence Review and Duncan Sandys’s White Paper, Maitland resigned from the RAF. He later observed: “I resigned in disgust when the death of the manned fighter was forecast ... but no one noticed.”
Maitland’s departure coincided with the closure of RAF Biggin Hill. At the same time Croydon Airport was closed, with the light aircraft element moving to Biggin Hill on a seven-year lease. With others declining to take on the project, and despite no guarantees of long-term tenure, Maitland took on the job of running and developing the airport. It was a precarious business with no air traffic control, customs or runway lighting. He was also unable to negotiate a long-term lease, and after the expiry of the original lease he had to be satisfied with annual renewals, usually after much frustrating negotiation. But Biggin Hill became a thriving airport, and Maitland assured its future when he formed a successful partnership with Bromley Council in 1980.
He also founded a flying club, a small airline (Maitland Drewery Air), an executive aircraft charter business and, in 1963, the Biggin Hill Air Fair. In 1975 Maitland established Air Displays International and, over the next 30 years, he and his younger son, Jim, organised almost 100 air shows around the country in addition to the annual event at Biggin Hill . He retired in 2006 and was appointed MBE the following year.
