Features
Friends of Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is almost unique in having a Friends association, when elsewhere, many other airports have to battle it out with pressure groups. FODSA aim to be an independent, non-political organisation and hope to gather members from near and far. They believe it is in the best interests of South Yorkshire and the surrounding districts for the old Finningley RAF base to continue it's development as an international airport.
The group, then know as 'FLY' Finningley, gave support to the original planning application, actively collecting many thousands of letters of support for the development.
FODSA help to inform public opinion by providing advice and information about the airport, the airlines that use it and services available from it.
As a society, FODSA brings together like minded people with a common interest. At present they hold meetings twice monthly, have regular visits to places of interest and produce a quarterly Newsletter distributed free to members.
If you would like to help promote or simply just keep abreast of developments at this brand new airport then joining FODSA would be beneficial.
Meetings
FODSA hold two meetings a month. They are held in The Duxbury Theatre, which is the second building on the right hand side of the Airport approach road after turning at the Hayfield Lane traffic lights.
Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday in the month and are open to all members. The meeting on the first Wednesday commences at 07.30pm and the meeting on the third Wednesday commences at 8.00pm. Meetings usually last about one and a half hours.
The meetings provide an opportunity to obtain news on airport activities. There is a good deal of open discussion on matters relating to FODSA and details of the society correspondence. They occasionally manage to get a member of the airport management team to attend a meeting and update them with the latest news and, if time permits, answer questions from the floor.
Newsletter
FODSA produce a quarterly newsletter containing news, views, and articles about the airport and its environs. It also has news about FODSA activities. Members are encouraged to contribute.
Special events and trips
FODSA have a social secretary and organise outings to places of interest. In the past FODSA members have paid visits to John Lennon Airport at Liverpool, Robin Hood Airport Control Tower and Fire Station, RHA Fire Station for instruction on Airfield Habitat Management, RAF Scampton to see the Red Arrows team and Elvington Air Museum. The next major outing for members is to the Imperial War Museum Duxbury. All members have the opportunity to take part. They may also organise occasional charter aircraft trips and maybe take advantage of budget flights available from the airport to various destinations for day trips or weekend breaks.
Internet site
The website is regularly updated and contains all the information about the FODSA group and Robin Hood airport and the services available from it. There are links to RHA website and the various airlines that use the airport.
Pictures reproduced by kind permission of FODSA
©2004