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Universal Aviation, Stansted - a note for northside spotters

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andygolfer
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Universal Aviation, Stansted - a note for northside spotters

Post by andygolfer » Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:06 pm

To all persons visiting Stansted northside,
this afternoon I had a conversation with a spokesman from Universal Aviation regarding the historic as well as the most recent incursions onto their land. The first point he made is that they have no problem with plane spotters who behave properly, obey the signs and other rules. They cannot however accept people breaking those rules for any reason whatsoever and as such will not tolerate enthusiasts on their site. The whole of northside is privately owned by MAG and as tenants of MAG they have full rights to keep their site private.

They have suffered from uncontrolled walking onto their land, into their offices and even using their ‘facilities’ all of which causes disruption and bad publicity with respect to their clients. They have high profile clients using their business and those (and all their)customers expect the highest level of confidentiality and privacy. This is a highly competitive business and as such they have to meet extremely high standards to satisfy their clients.

They are also being asked to maintain the highest levels of security following the protesters’ break in a few months ago and again that means that they will only allow those with a lawful right to be on their site to be present at any time. They also have to maintain a safe site for all those using it.

Another particularly disturbing occurrence was someone becoming abusive when asked to leave whilst they were handing a VIP, something we should all realise could have an extremely adverse effect on their business. Their MD has even had to go into the car park to remove people on occasions. One person claimed to be a member of a local group (I won’t name it) but rest assured that no group’s membership confers any rights of access to private land on the airport without the owners/tenant’s expressed permission, that is not granted in this case under any circumstances.

They have installed a fence together with signage and it should be perfectly clear that nobody should go beyond that fence, here are links to photos of the signs and there is absolutely no ambiguity about the message whatsoever:
Imageuniversal signs 1837 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

Imageuniversal signs cropped 1837 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

In short it says ‘please keep out at all times’.

He also said that if the incursions continue and the current messages are not taken notice of they may consider asking the owners to ban all enthusiasts from northside completely, they don’t want to – they want us to enjoy our hobby but within the rules, but if it affects their business then they will do so to protect their operations. He put it like this ‘It’s totally disrespectful. If you worked on a lorry park you wouldn’t want me to come wandering about uninvited taking photos and numbers on my day off while you were trying to run a business would you’ We really do ask that enthusiasts are respectful to our operations – I agreed fully with that sentiment. I think that focusses on the problem rather well.

He thanked me very much for taking the time to speak to him and I did likewise, hopefully I have at least prevented a few bridges from burning or even better built one or two.

Now as enthusiasts, let’s think about these points for a moment :
1: loss of business means fewer aircraft, does anybody in this group want that? I very much doubt it and as such ask that you stick fully to their rules.
2: If this continues to be a problem and they (or any other company suffering the same intrusions) ask for measures to be introduced to keep spotters out of the northside it will severely affect all our enjoyment, northside is probably the jewel in the crown as far as spotting at Stansted is concerned so I ask you all to remember that and please, please stick to the rules and in particular remember that ‘keep’ out means ‘keep out’. If there’s a fence or a sign respect it and obey it.
3: The police are very tolerant of our hobby, they accept that we want to spot on the northside and only on rare occasions do they ask us to leave and always for very good reasons, they tread a very fine line between being tolerant and ensuring the northside businesses carry on undisturbed. If this and other operators start complaining to the police about spotting activities then they will have to be seen to be enforcing the bylaws more effectively and the present good relationship may be lost to the detriment of out hobby.

So, in conclusion, please stick to the rules, stay out of anywhere that it is apparent that you are not wanted and help to maintain our access to the northside,

Please feel free to share to other groups

Many thanks
Andrew
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

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andygolfer
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Re: Universal Aviation, Stansted - a note for northside spot

Post by andygolfer » Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:07 am

A RANT FROM ANDREW:

I had to remind yet another spotter yesterday about not going into the Universal area and just got a 'so what, no one stopped me' reply - in other words ' I don't give a F**K, I only come here occasionally'.

I'll be blunt - I sent his details (photos of him in the area and his car) to the police planewatch guys. WHY - because Universal are very close to pushing for a complete ban on spotters northside and I don't want one occasional visitor cocking it up for all the regular spotters who stick to the rules as it is those who will miss out the most. I don't want my hobby spoilt by one mindless selfish idiot who thinks the signage there doesn't apply to him because he only goes there occasionally.

FFS stay out or if you can't resist it stay away from Stansted altogether please, the regulars depend on northside being open for the sake of their hobby being worthwhile at Stansted.
Trust me, I will have no qualms about reporting anyone who I see in the Universal area. I don't care if you think I'm a sport spoiling Ar*e i want to continue my hobby unhindered and am not risk a succession of brain dead morons spoiling it. And there are others who feel equally strongly about this.

If I've offended you as I've struck a guilty nerve - tough, bl**dy good job!

You have been warned (twice) now!
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

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andygolfer
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Location: Rayne Essex - 12 miles east of Stansted

Re: Universal Aviation, Stansted - a note for northside spot

Post by andygolfer » Tue Aug 29, 2017 7:00 pm

I had an e-mail back from the Stansted planewatch police team earlier and the person who was the subject of the previous post has been spoken to.

That person (who was not a planewatch member) has been asked not to return to Stansted Airport to plane spot again.

I hope that acts as a stark reminder to others to stick to the rules. I just hope the news spreads quickly to make as many people as possible aware that the police do take this seriously. I had quite a long e-mail and I'm awaiting permission to copy the full content here and elsewhere. The police do encourage reports of this kind and any other suspicious activity so please keep your eyes open, it's for all our benefits
andy
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

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and Stansted Aviation Enthusiasts google group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/stnae

my photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545@N07/

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Nighthawke
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Re: Universal Aviation, Stansted - a note for northside spot

Post by Nighthawke » Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:03 pm

Quite right too - very pleased that the threat was converted into action. Serves the culprit right. I very rarely get to Stansted but when I do I like to be able to see what is about. Like most I am grateful that the authorities allow us to "breach" the restrictive signs at the entrance to the North Side. Whilst I cannot often visit it is still good to see photos from those that can.

Hopefully this message will spread to other areas and persuade the idiots (no excuse offered for using the word) to stick to the law and keep access open to all.

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andygolfer
Administrator, POTM, SPOTM & FC POTM winner
Posts: 8500
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:51 am
Location: Rayne Essex - 12 miles east of Stansted

Re: Universal Aviation, Stansted - a note for northside spot

Post by andygolfer » Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:45 am

a post has appeared on the Stansted yahoo group saying that further restrictions on access to the northside may be in place shortly. I'm trying to find out more about the statement and will let you know what I can once I get a reply.

I have to say it's very annoying especially for the local / regulars if the continual ignoring of the rules (and requests here and elsewhere) have led to a ban on northside spotting/photography.
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

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please support our photo competitions by entering and/or voting!
Proud winner of 2019 Air-Britain photo competition!

co-owner of UK Light Aviation Enthusiasts google group https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uklae
and Stansted Aviation Enthusiasts google group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/stnae

my photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545@N07/

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