Thanks for the responses, to clarify I fully understand that collecting the aircraft cost the club time and money so my thinking would be that I should have been asked how I would propose to help return the aircraft, either by collecting it myself or arranging with the club for it to be collected (with the costs agreed in advance). It seems improper practice to me that the club without my consent charge for the cost of sending another aircraft to do a return trip and for the cost of the flight of the aircraft I was flying. I would be interested in hearing if this is standard practice with other organisations or if anyone has had a similar experience?
Originally Posted by
Piper.Classique
Well, what would you have done if you owned that aeroplane? I've had to leave mine away from home a couple of times. I collected it, paid anything that was due, and took it home. I'd have done the same if it was a rental. I do think the owner should have contacted you to ask you if you preferred to fetch it or pay for someone else to do it, but flying isn't free, even if in an ideal world it ought to be.
When you left it what arrangement did you make with the owner? Or did you just kinda expect it to get home by itself? Try putting yourself in the owner's place, maybe there was a bit of a communication problem and they weren't happy about the safety of their property?
It's not about safety of the flight, that's a given that you made a necessary diversion. Except that it doesn't end there, you are still responsible for finishing the flight by whatever means, be it yourself or paying for somebody else's time. Time to spare, go by air....
The owner of the club said 'he would take care of it' that at the time I thought was a kind offer of collecting the aircraft at no charge to me; hence, I thanked him for this and left. The diversion airfield is the base of the aircraft owner and maintenance provider who lease the aircraft to the club. I spoke to them on the day and they were more than happy to look after the aircraft overnight so there were no issues with security etc.