Sallanches: extreme urgency

Following reactions from the aeronautical community, the mayor withdrew on 25 April the order closing the aerodrome on 15 May. But he says he is starting a new closure procedure, this time in line with the law.

On 4 May, despite very unfavourable weather, the coffee-and-croissants meeting brought together a good number of local microlight pilots, mountain pilots and representatives of the bodies concerned. As soon as the order was published in January, the prefecture and the DGAC had reacted without delay, as had the federations under the aegis of the CNFAS, to give active support to the steps taken to keep aviation activity going. The municipality moving into an official procedure admittedly delays the deadline, probably for several months, but the fight to keep the aerodrome must continue to grow stronger.

The CSDAS (https://csdas.home.blog/), the Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of Sallanches Aerodrome, was created in March to unite and coordinate actions. Already more than 80 strong, it brings together local stakeholders, federations and all the users concerned to act in an orderly way and with as much weight as possible.

The preservation of Sallanches aerodrome also needs your support by signing the online petition, which is approaching 15 000 signatures. Sign it by clicking the link below:

Petition for Sallanches aerodrome

THE SITUATION IS DEVELOPING!

The mayor is rushing his action against the aerodrome. He is asking the club and users to leave it before 15 May.

Following the reaction of the aeronautical community, on 25 April the mayor withdrew the order closing the aerodrome on 15 May, but launched a new closure procedure, this time compliant with the law. On 4 May, at the meeting which, despite poor weather, brought together a good number of local pilots and representatives of the bodies concerned, it was thus possible to believe that the deadline would be delayed for several months.

The respite was short-lived: on 10 May, the mayor of Sallanches asked the Aero Club and aircraft owners to vacate the hangar and the clubhouse before 15 May. He wants to clip the Club’s wings and reduce the number of users of the airfield to nothing. This technique would allow him to avoid the duty to relocate users in the aerodrome closure procedure and so speed it up. Perhaps he also imagines demotivating opponents who no longer have aircraft based there or any means of meeting.

"Clipping the Aero Club’s wings means gagging the users, depriving the airfield of a manager and rushing towards closure", protests the CSDAS (https://csdas.home.blog/), which organised itself without delay to react vigorously.

The coming days will be crucial for keeping the aerodrome open.

Gabriel Gavard