The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) has revealed that a privately owned airstrip located in the Nausori Highlands has never been registered or utilized for aircraft operations. The airstrip, known as Skyward or Pinehills, belongs to Patrick and Kevin Rotstaert and was constructed in 2019 for their A22L2 Foxbat aircraft. This two-seat microlight aircraft is primarily used for flight training and recreational purposes.
Situated approximately 8.5 kilometers southeast of Nadi Airport, the land area of the strip measures roughly 548 meters by 20 meters. Historical records indicate that meetings took place in 2018 involving Skyward Industries, CAAF, and Fiji Airports to discuss the establishment of the airstrip.
In a letter dated January 23, 2019, Faiz Khan, the then Executive Chair of Fiji Airports, expressed concerns regarding the strip’s proximity to Nadi International Airport, stating that support for the project was not forthcoming at that time. However, further negotiations led to conditional approval from Fiji Airports on January 21, 2020. This approval permitted the Foxbat aircraft to operate from the strip during daylight hours once a week for a one-year period, contingent upon ongoing assessments.
In October 2020, CAAF received a request to advance the registration process for the airstrip, and an inspection was conducted in December of that year. A preliminary report issued in January 2021 identified areas that needed rectification before registration could be processed. Additionally, Skyward was instructed to resubmit application forms and secure a renewed approval letter from Fiji Airports, as the initial approval had lapsed in January 2021.
As of now, CAAF has confirmed that no further progress has been made in the registration process, and the airstrip remains unused for any aircraft operations. Last week, FBC News visited the site following its sighting and plans to speak with the airstrip’s owner to gather more information prior to finalizing their publication.
This situation highlights the complexities involved in the establishment and regulation of private airstrips, emphasizing the importance of compliance with aviation safety standards and the coordination between private entities and regulatory bodies.
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