New Birmingham Airport Viewing Facility

[Elmdon80slad]

Just a few more I tried who might be worth re-trying - Venture Giants(Enterprise Foundation) peter jones (dragon) businesslink.org, gordon stretch (BAG)
Also could try some of the other Dragond Den members

 

[Hassaan]

Just a few more I tried who might be worth re-trying - Venture Giants(Enterprise Foundation) peter jones (dragon) businesslink.org, gordon stretch (BAG)
Also could try some of the other Dragond Den members

I tried Gordon Stretch a while ago, and he said he would pass on the proposal to the airport, but he didn't seem too keen on the idea itself.

I will try some of the others you have mentioned, thanks. I think someone else should try the Venture Giants though, because it seems a long process. :smile:

 

[Ray Finkle]

Sheldon Country Park was absolutely packed over the weekend, it made me think how well a dedicated viewing area with a café and playground could do.

 

[Hassaan]

Sheldon Country Park was absolutely packed over the weekend, it made me think how well a dedicated viewing area with a café and playground could do.

Indeed - it'll probably spread out the spotters more but there'll be more options.

Still awaiting a reply - I haven't heard anything back yet. :sad:

 

[Hassaan]

Has anyone else tried contacting companies with the 're-formatted' email of mine that Ray posted at the bottom of page 12? I think there's more chance of getting a response if more of us send the email out. I've sent it out to quite a few, but I haven't got a decent response yet, and it's been almost a month.

 

[Hassaan]

I got a reply from British Airways, them saying that I need to fill out a 'sponsorship form': https://britishairways--proposals.sponsor.com/?lang=en

It's a long process, they are asking for how much I want them to invest etc, so I think it's better if someone else does it.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I wouldn't have a clue as to the exact cost of the whole thing.

I've heard that the viewing area that was in long stay 1 car park will be reopened closer to the fuel farm ones works are done and one of the two fences that are there at the moment will be removed. It's only a few picnic benches but the views are good from there and hopefully the fence will be camera friendly. Better than nothing I suppose.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Hi all, great to see people are still motivated behind this project, I dont think BA will be interested, why would they? they have no interest in BHX Full stop, I think if the heads of Ryanair, Easy Jet, Monarch or Emirates were reachable and sold the idea of this venture, then this would be a great start and perhaps they would have some links for investment, but they would need to be shown how it would benefit them, it needs a smart head who can get across the real benefit and excitement of this and push it in real Lions Den style...... :good:

 

[Hassaan]

I've sent a sponsorship proposal to Emirates, they should reply in the next 4-6 weeks. A lot of the stuff I wrote in that form was bull (purely because I didn't really have any idea as to the costs etc) but I got it together when they asked me to submit my comments.

Easyjet haven't replied in a while, neither Monarch. I sent out an email to the likes of Delta (not a clue why), Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and United a few days ago.

I've also sent an email out to my local MP (I couldn't do so before as his website was down). So, it'll be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Aviador]

Just a recap, I think this was the original proposal.

Good morning Sir/Madam,

My team and I would very much like to bring to your attention our proposals for a new and exciting project at Birmingham Airport. Initial plans are underway for the construction of a new viewing facility and we are currently looking for sponsors, investors and/or interested parties to collaborate on this venture and we feel your input would be invaluable. Birmingham Airport currently handles circa 9 million passengers per year with plans in place to significantly increase this number and over recent years hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent on infrastructure projects with the most important of these the runway extension which is due to open in April 2014. This will enable potential new long haul flights to reach destinations previously unavailable and in turn provide more 'interesting' aircraft for viewers to see, a recent example being Air India starting a Birmingham-Delhi service on Aug 1st with their new Boeing 787 aircraft.

The concept is similar to the viewing facility at Manchester Airport which now sees over 300,000 visitors per annum and was listed in the top 10 of Greater Manchester's attractions, we aim to grow the Birmingham visitor centre to the same scale and beyond. Initially the area will provide viewing mounds giving a wide angle view of the airfield and runway with excellent photographic opportunities, a restaurant/coffee shop and a children's play area. Long term we plan to add a shop selling aviation/photographical related products and interactive displays ranging from display aircraft to flight school simulators. There will also eventually be the ability to offer packages to schools for day trips and to cater for children's birthday parties. We also have the idea of possibly getting a hotel operator to work alongside us and offer 'spotting weekends' for enthusiasts who live farther afield, where entrance to the viewing area is included in a package with an airport hotel room.

We have two, very brief, outline sketches of potential sites.

The first is within the boundary adjacent to the airport fire station.

http://oi42.tinypic.com/53ssxy.jpg

The second and preferred option is to the rear of the Tristar hotel just off the A45.

http://oi39.tinypic.com/254y5i8.jpg.

The second position is due to become a car park with a Centro bus road alongside it so just a small area would be needed to form the viewing facility and associated car park. The site has easy access from the A45 with the road alongside the Travelodge hotel already there and is currently an unused bit of wasteland keeping construction costs to a minimum. We, however, remain open minded and will look to confirm a location once all interested parties have offered their input.

The project will be aimed at a wide variety of people from serious aviation enthusiasts to families looking for a day out with the kids and revenue will be made from car parking charges and income from the restaurant. Entrance to the facility would be a nominal fee for those arriving on foot. Parking could cost £3 an hour and a flat charge of £12 for coaches/visits lasting over 3 hours, although until the interactive displays are fully operational we may charge slightly less but again all interested parties will have an input. We plan a year round operation with opening times around 6am and closing times varying from 4pm in the winter to 8pm or even 10pm in the height of summer.

We are very excited about the potential of this proposal and hope you share our vision and would like to work further with us to make this a reality. Should you require any further information or would like to discuss the proposals further then please do not hesitate to contact me. I thank you for your kind attention and eagerly await your reply.

Kind regards.

Name
Phone number
email

 

[Hassaan]

It indeed was, and that's the email I've been sending out.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I have just today sent off an email to Birmingham Exiles RFC as they use the facilities at the old Civil Service Sports Ground, Damson Lane, (overlooking the 33 runway end) I have not been able to contact them till now, as their site was under construction, I explained that sharing thier grounds(part of it) would benefit all concerned, and bring extra income to them as they already have banqueting facilities etc, and in all honesty all would be needed would be viewing faclities(platforms/mounds) and additional parking spaces to their car parking, and some form of charging(modest).

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I have today heard back of Birmingham Exiles MD who has said he is Extremely Interested to hear more about this venture, he has spoken about a meet up or email communication in the interim.
I am prepairing an email to explain things in full.

Folks this is the first creditable start to Birmingham Airport Visitor Centre

 

[Ray Finkle]

Good stuff, great to hear something positive :good:

 

[Hassaan]

Nice to see you've got a response, and that it's positive. :good:

I wonder what would happen to my idea though, if your idea does take off. :s_dunno

I got a response from KLM/Delta:

We appreciate your interest in our company. Nevertheless, despite our interest in sponsoring new projects, we do also receive a large volume of similar requests and therefore, we are unable to offer you a more positive response on this occasion.

Doesn't really help much. Ticking that off the list for at least getting a response.

There's Emirates, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, Turkish, United, my local MP, the TriStar hotel, Monarch and the airport itself (the email is "[email protected]" if anyone's interested - that's the email they directed me towards on Facebook).

It's been over a month since I started contacting people, I'm not sure what's going to happen.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

My impressions over the past 1-2years for this venture to see a state of the art facility built, has been that It truly needs to be Independent and sited on the right side away from the airport boundary, as I believe the airport have strict control over the land they own/wish to own for extension. This is why I have pushed for either park land near to the golf course(the golf course are not pleased about any such developement on thier land), so in all honesty this out of elimination just leaves the old Civil service ground of Damson Parkway, not far from Landrover(thats a thought has landrover been contacted regarding investment)?.

Anyway the more the merryier regarding individuals getting out there...

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I appreciate and I take my hat off to Hassaan13 for all he is trying to do, without people like him/others/me, ideas would not become real, dreams would just stay dreams, and just like BHX's MD without his vision the airport would not see such a bright future....

 

[Hassaan]

I've further contacted SAS, Air France, American Airlines, Ryanair, Thomson, Qatar, US Airways, Singapore, Jet2 and Air Canada.

I know many of those airlines don't fly to BHX, but really, any investment/sponsorship would do. It really does make sense though, we have a new, regular long haul service starting today and it's bound to attract visitors, especially on this really hot day.

I do think the A45 would be a better option. Clearly because it's easily accessible, just going off the A45, and it's on the side of the runway rather than in front which allows for better views.

 

[Aviador]

I am really surprised the airport haven't wanted to get involved in this. Most airports these days have a community fund to spend on improving customer and public relations. My local airport recently sponsored a summer carnival for the local town. I don't know to what extent this involved but a viewing area could be as cheap or expansive as you want it to be.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Here are three new pics that show the possible location of this venture, showing two pics off the current RFC Ground, and a plan showing the location to the south of the exsisting/new runway and A45 roadway.