At the risk of continuing any bitchiness thread creeping.....
I'll include the press release that was issued when AAA Ltd (the operator of Wycombe Air Park) was sold by British Airways to Arora Holdings. The BAFC fleet will continue to operate in the BA colour scheme and continue to be known as the British Airways Flying Club. Note that it is not and never has been a BA flying school, which gives the impression that it exists to train BA pilots - BAFC is for 'leisure' flying training/private hire only.
Pudnucker. How you can slate a flying club for nearly having the same name as an airline and not liking the flying club because you don't like the airline's perceived policies leaves me somewhat baffled - especially in this day and age when we all need to fight for our GA rights.
To young 'trafficcontrol', I can ensure you that the BAFC fleet are maintained and presented to the highest standard found anywhere - 8 out of the aircraft 9 aircraft will have been repainted by Mick Allen by spring 2008 and retrimmed, all the engines will have been replaced in the last 3 years (having reached TBO+). Pop into the hangar and I'll show you the two sides to the coin....
I came to Wycombe 4 years ago (to work and fly) and yes it may be stricter in some ways with full ATC (a CAA requirement because of the number of movements) but it works fine and is as friendly as any other busy GA airfield (fixed wing and rotary flying and gliding etc). Having spent my previous life at grass airfields, it's a pleasure to operate mainly from tarmac, especially in the winter (and despite owning a taildragger). Oh, and we don't have to ponce around in hi-viz jackets either!
Certainly the dozens of visitors we had in with the free Flyer landing vouchers last month didn't seem to have any complaints.
Hopefully, wherever rogerthat777 learns to fly (and I hope it is at Wycombe) then he'll have as much fun as I'm having playing with aeroplanes all week long, on the ground and in the air and have done so now for nearly 30 years - saves me getting a real job....
And now the press release bit for people who are interested:
Sale of Airways Aero Associations Ltd
It is with great enthusiasm that today I am able to announce the sale by British Airways Plc. of its wholly owned subsidiary Airways Aero Associations Ltd. (AAA).
AAA has operated Wycombe Air Park, one of the busiest general aviation fields in U.K., for over forty years. British Airways Flying Club, part of AAA, is one of seventeen businesses based at the airfield.
The share capital of AAA Ltd has been purchased by The Arora Family Trust, of which Surinder Arora and his family are the beneficiaries.
In its continued effort to consolidate on core business strategy, British Airways has been receptive to Arora’s offer to purchase the subsidiary.
Surinder Arora learned to fly at British Airways Flying Club and gained over 800 flying hours before embarking upon a change in direction. Surinder’s career now sees him leading a major property development group, with interests in several sporting venues and in the International Hotel market. He has remained a fan of both general and commercial aviation for many years and retains a particular soft spot for Wycombe Air Park and for BA Flying Club.
British Airways and the Arora Group have cemented a close business relationship over a number of years in several areas. Many BA staff and customers will be familiar with at least three of the Arora Hotels, at Manchester city centre, and at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The latest Hotel to join the Arora Group sits uniquely in Heathrow’s Terminal 5.
Arora will embrace the general aviation scene at Booker with a number of exciting expansion plans. The airfield’s current refurbishment programme will continue. The list of recently completed major projects (a new Control Tower, a new runway surface, new runway lighting and replacement hangars) will be used as a spring board for future development. Several exciting new ventures are being discussed, each of which will bring new life and more growth to the airfield. These will be revealed over the coming months as discussions progress.
BA Flying Club’s 60th Anniversary (to be celebrated in June 2008) will be yet another milestone for the prestigious Club on which to build a firm future for its Members and staff. There will be a continued commitment to provide excellence in general aviation training in top-of-the-range equipment.
Each of the Directors of AAA Ltd., with the exception of Tim Orchard (Managing Director) has resigned, as required by legal protocol. The new AAA Board will comprise Geoff Want as Non-Exec. Chairman, Guy Morris (Managing Director of Arora International Hotels) and Subash Arora (Company Secretary of Arora International Hotels).
All of AAA’s current staff, equipment, tenants and relationships at the airfield will continue in their present form. It’s “business as usual” but with a new lease of life, exciting new goals and new enthusiasm. We now have the ability to invest in a great future for BAFC, for Wycombe Air Park and for general aviation.
Tim Orchard