Pat h f i n d e r P r o s P e c t u s
G l o s s a r y aopa Baea BGa BMaa BMfa caa esa Gasco iwm KP laa Mod nats nmofs PKc rafm saa Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association British Aerobatic Association British Gliding Association British Microlight Aircraft Association British Model Flying Association Civil Aviation Authority European Space Agency General Aviation Safety Council Imperial War Museum The Kinross-shire Partnership Limited Light Aircraft Association Ministry of Defence National Air Traffic Services National Museum of Flight Scotland Perth & Kinross Council Royal Air Force Museum Scottish Aeromodelling Association
Dear Reader, This Pathfinder Prospectus invites your help to create an exciting new aerospace visitor attraction. I hope that when you see this you will share our vision and want to help in some way to turn the concept into reality. It is anticipated that this concept will complement and prove attractive to a wide range of partners including (but not limited to) local air sports organisations (eg Scottish Gliding Centre, Pegasus Microlights, Fife Flying Club, Scottish Aero Club, Skydive St Andrews), flight training organisations (eg Tayside Aviation), museums (eg NMoFS, RAFM, IWM), the MOD, other exhibitors, aviation heritage collections (eg Portmoak Collection), aeromodellers (eg Kinross Model Flying Club), educational establishments, commercial developers, manufacturers, leisure operators and retailers. The role of the Kinross-shire Partnership in this context is to act as a catalyst. Through its volunteer board KP is willing to freely invest time and energy working up the concept. And although it is not a funding organisation KP is also willing to put up some seed finance from its limited resources and to thus help sponsor a feasibility study which is estimated will cost c 35k. To that end, this pathfinder prospectus seeks co-funders for the feasibility study. Yours sincerely Alisdair A Stewart Chairman February 2014
co n c e P t Due to the proximity of a wide range of air sports venues and participants, local expertise, and in particular its central Scotland location, Kinross is uniquely placed to establish an aviation related ["Aero Space"] visitor attraction. An iconic and visually engaging exhibition hall at a highly prominent and convenient location will be the main attraction. The core concept is to showcase local air sports and general aviation heritage. An auditorium will be incorporated to show films and schedule lectures from visiting industry and academic experts. An interactive learning area and simulators will help stimulate interest and enjoyment amongst the young and this will be a key component of the educational strategy. Retail space will display a wide range of flight equipment and pilot supplies (eg training resources, books, charts, flight instruments, GPS, clothing, headphones) plus aviation related clothes, watches, models, and gifts. An online shop will support the flight store and a lounge and restaurant / coffee shop will provide a relaxation area. u s P Aero Space will be a fusion of the old and new. It will feature a naturally lit and airy 30,000 sq ft exhibition hall where imaginatively displayed exhibits will honour the past and look to the future. But the hall will also be a place where a wide spectrum of aviation leisure sport enthusiasts (and enquirers) will come to learn about what is currently going on in the local area and further afield (including epic flights) and then go out to experience the various forms of airsports at the local "clubs". A strong training and education ethos will prevail and guest speakers (from the likes of the AOPA, CAA, BGA, BMAA, BMFA, BAeA, ESA, GASCo, LAA, Met Office, NATS, SAA, Colleges and Universities) will come from all corners of the UK to share insight and expand learning in all aspects of flying and associated disciplines eg...principles of flight, flying training, aircraft maintenance, navigation, meteorology. radio telephony, air law, air traffic control. ta r G e t M a r K e t Because of its (motorway) convenient central Scotland location, Aero Space will attract many pilots/budding pilots plus a large number of hobbyists/enthusiasts and casual visitors. Most visitors will come from the densely populated Central Belt of Scotland, the majority of whom are within approx 1 hour's drive. But a significant stream of aviation enthusiasts from all over the UK and much wider afield can also be anticipated. Aero Space will become another string to the bow of tourist attractions in and around Loch Leven - see: www.visitlochleven.org. It will be one of the few indoor attractions in the area and its all year round operation will not only give visitors and tourists somewhere interesting to go to escape inclement weather, but will also increase demand for accommodation etc for those travelling from further afield
B u i l d i n G d e s i G n co n c e P t
f e a s i B i l i t y s t u dy Pa r a M e t e r s The Aero Space ownership and operating model will be shaped by the responses received to this pathfinder prospectus and a feasibility study which will subsequently follow. The feasibility study will provide an assessment of the following parameters: 1. Market opportunity / potential visitor numbers. 2. Building design and detailed professional costing. 3. Financial evaluation. The feasibility assessment will provide the foundation for approaches to potential developers, investors, funders, sponsors, partners, exhibitors, retailers, and operators. This pathfinder prospectus seeks funding for the feasibility study which is expected to cost c 35k. KP is sponsoring the study, it will provide free human resource for the research and seed funding of 3k towards the cost. 1. Market opportunity The study will fully articulate the target market, describe the anticipated visitor profile and quantify expected visitor numbers. Desk research and conclusions will be backed up with data on local visitor attractions and benchmarked against similar operations across the UK. 2. Building design The plans and computer generated images in this document are illustrative of what might be achievable on a known "oven ready" local site (Kinross West) owned by PKC which is currently on the market. The study will focus on Kinross West but not be limited solely to that location. A preliminary costing indicates that the construction cost would be of the order of 5.8m. 3. Financial evaluation A financial model will be constructed to illustrate profitability and cash flow prospects. High medium and low income generation scenarios will suggest how the capital and running costs of the operation could be securely financed. The model will be prepared by a chartered accountant and independently scrutinised and challenged by an independent firm of chartered accountants.
i n v i tat i o n You are invited to consider how you might help create the Aero Space visitor attraction and learning centre. Expressions of interest in this concept, and offers of financial support for the feasibility study, should be addressed to the Kinross-shire Partnership Ltd. c/o Alisdair Stewart email: alisdairstewart@yahoo.com Mob: 07825 698613 about us The Kinross-shire Partnership Limited is a rural development company established in 1998 under the direction of the Scottish Government and funded by Perth & Kinross Council. Membership of the Partnership comprises a mix of local business people, PKC Ward councillors and community representatives. From time to time specialists are co-opted to assist with projects and initiatives. The principal aims of the Partnership are to identify, promote and encourage opportunities for:- Economic development Tourism Environmental improvement Community Recreation The Partnership also provides support for community groups and organisations. The Kinross-shire Partnership Ltd is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland (No SC 190362) Registered Office: 40 High Street Kinross KY13 8AN www.kinrosspartnership.org.uk
The directors of Kinross-shire Partnership Ltd gratefully acknowledge the help of the following organisations with the preparation of this document: The Architecture Workshop Peter Porteous, Steven Martin Flintriver Design Strategies McGregor McMahon & Associates, Consulting Engineers Ross McConnell, Chartered Accountants Hatrick Bruce Ltd, Building, Civil & Electrical Engineering Contractors The Architecture Workshop
caveat Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this pathfinder prospectus, neither the Kinross-shire Partnership nor any of its directors, or any contributor to the information and illustrations contained in this document, warrants or guarantees any of the information contained herein in any way whatsoever. This is not an investment prospectus and, irrespective of the outcome of the proposed feasibility study, funders must accept the risk that the Aero Space project may not go ahead. E & O E