Pilots taking part in 'fly-in' at Coventry Airport in protest against gigafactory plans![Image](https://i2-prod.coventrytelegraph.net/incoming/article9715993.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/BP1847023-Medium.png)
A number of pilots will be flying in to Coventry Airport this weekend in protest against a planned gigafactory at the airport site.
The proposed factory would make batteries for electric cars and create around 6,000 jobs at the site and others in the supply chain.
Ahead of the closure of objection submissions on Monday (October 4), pilots will be landing at the airport to show their support for the airport.
Organiser Steve Clark, a director at Aerotech Aircraft Maintenance which is based at the airport said: "I would stress this is not an organised event or fly-in; simply a request for individuals to fly into Coventry and show their support to keep the airfield open, and once common sense prevails, move it forward to become a successful regional airport rather than a target for property development."
Weather is currently looking promising for the event and the organisers are hopeful of good attendance, saying a number of people have shown a strong interest in attending.
One of those who will be flying in is Charlotte Bailey, a pilot and aviation journalist, who said: "Nobody is against the amount of jobs or the environmental benefits it will bring but we don't think it is the right location as Coventry is still a viable airfield.
"There are electric planes which are being developed and they need long runways for testing.
"Coventry is an airport which can cater for those, especially when they are in the experimental phase.
"Airports like Coventry are still very much needed."
In attendance will be a De Havilland Vampire, the first British built fighter jet and the last airworthy ex-RAF model of the plane left in the world.
A number of 'exotic' planes are also set to attend, including two Austers, some Piper Cubs and also a Soviet Second World War fighter, a Yak-3.
Visitors arriving by road are welcome too to show their support and are invited to watch the landings at Coventry Aero Club.
Food will be available from the cafe on sight and there is also a BBQ planned for the evening.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/KdvYPLV.png)