Originally Posted by
Kerosine
Here's what is really happening..
LAC are bottoming out. They're not making enough money.
Dave
LAC/Barton never used to be just 'about money' - I have been a memeber for just short of 20 years , I started flying in 1988 with Martin Rushhbrooke (a true gentleman flyer/instructor) when barton justifiably had a reputation as one of the friendliest clubs around. There were many reciprocal arrangements and the clubhouse was always full of people telling of daring do and offering sound advice and help. On a weekend and during the light summer evenings there were more movements than nearby manchester. We also used to have a superb Airshow each year. Greed in certain quarters put paid to that, and now Peel have taken over, it has definitely become just about the money. They have managed to kill all semblance of the friendly club by hiking prices , running atc like it was manchester or heathrow, making the general public and members pay to park their cars, removing all reciprocals . The consequence is that the clubhouse is empty even on summer evenings, other clubs no longer gladly visit Barton, enthusiastic parents no longer take their wide eyed kids to watch the planes and students are now beginning to pay through the nose to use a grass field. As already stated , there is more than 1 way to achieve a goal , strangulation is one of them - and sadly Barton is being strangled slowly but surely and the removal of LAC is one of the first symptoms.