The idea for my radio package came from the fact that my housemate is a pilot for Atlantic Airlines, with whom I could discuss the ongoing issues with the closing/re-opening of the Coventry Airport, which I was following in the news, and how it affected their flying schools, the flight schedules, etc. My other connection was a member of the Coventry Live Poets society, which I am a part of, who is a Greenbelt activist, and he gave me a different point of view on the subject.
Producing a news package involved quite a lot of work, but in addition to being stressful and time-consuming, it was also exciting. Learning how to make a professional piece of broadcasting material was a good practice for the future, when maybe this will be an essential part of my work.
I personally think everything went well in the process of gathering information and working with it. The only problem I had was finding a pilot or a captain willing to talk to me, as this proved to be quite difficult, even though I had a contact working for Atlantic Airlines.
A thing I would do differently is perhaps start a little earlier, as I was relying on my airport contact to give me the numbers of other people to talk to, such as experienced captains or someone from management.
This relates to the main lesson I am taking from this experience – not to rely on and wait for other people to do my work, even though it would make it easier or I might get better results. The only reason why this did not become an issue is because there was enough time to spare. I also learned how to work under pressure and get people to talk to me and how to come up with additional possibilities, in case someone was absolutely impossible to get a hold of. I really practiced my editing skills, as well, as I had a lot of recordings from different sets and different types of microphones and they needed to be all synchronised.
Overall, the whole process did not take me too long and I did not encounter any great problems I could not handle. I found it a little stressful, but a lot more interesting and exciting.
CUE: Coventry Airport might be fully operational in a matter of weeks, initially reopening as an unlicensed airfield, but hoping to be granted a full license by May this year. Although the council is quite happy with the probable outcome of the current negotiations, not everyone thinks this is the best way to utilise the airport land.
Antoniya Petkova spoke to the parties involved.
Coventry Airport, which closed last year due to financial difficulties, might be reopening again in May, after a potential buyer came to the table. Since the airport closed in December last year, companies had to relocate and many people were made redundant. Atlantic Airlines first officer Alastair Yardy shed some light on the consequences of the closure.
In words: “When the closure of...” Out words: “... our routes out of Coventry.” Duration: 0’20’’
I joined Councillor Kevin Foster from the local city council to get more information on the current negotiations with Sir Peter Rigby’s company Pioneer Aviation Group.
In words: “The process at the moment...” Out words: “...getting a deal signed up soon.” Duration: 0’09’’
Although things look quite promising for the future reopening of Coventry Airport, Councillor Foster discussed the probable consequences of a different outcome.
In words: “At the moment, the odds of it...” Out words: “...depend on the airport services.” Duration: 0’20’’
However, not everyone is looking forward to the deal being signed. Ecologist Merle Gering, who’s also a campaigner against the Green Belt housing scheme, proposes a different use for the airport land.
Phone clip In words: “The airport has lost money...” Out words: “... have a very good building site.” Duration: 0’23’’
But Councillor Foster insisted the airport will not be used as a housing site, whatever the outcome of the negotiations.
In words: “Well, we’ve been very clear...” Out words: “... put houses on top of.” Duration: 0’18’’
With the negotiations for the takeover reaching their final phase, opponents might not get what they want for the airport site. But the future of Coventry Airport is still to be decided, as the council isn’t ready to confirm the security of the deal just yet.
In: “(airplane sound) Coventry Airport, which closed...” Out: “...security of the deal just yet.” Total Duration: 2’40’’
