Sandown Closing?

[Flexwing7]

The staff at Sandown have all been given notice that they will no longer be employed at the end of the month. Are we to loose another GA airfield?

[neilgeddes]

Hi, that would be a real shame but it's been on the cards all year I think. I gained my PPL at Sandown in the early eighties and have enjoyed regularly flying in mainly from Redhill in recent years (to see my sister). At least Bembridge airport has gained and improved by picking up the tourist trade - a beautiful alternative to fly into. That doesn't comfort the Sandown staff though:sad: Rgds, Neil

[robin]

An absolute tragedy.

I prefer Sandown to Bembridge and really miss the trips to the restaurant. Did the police ever catch those little *rs*holes who torched it?

It has certainly turned out to be a boon for those wanting to shut the airfield.

[neilgeddes]

Ahh yes, those Aviator burgers! :)

[DBisDogOne]

If this is the case that's really sad but not entirely a surprise. Last time I was there in the summer, I noted absolutely no progress or effort had been made on rebuilding the old restuarant aside from clearing the debris. Also, for a considerable time now, some property developer scum have been trying to get hold of the site for (I think) another bloody caravan park - guess they've succeeded then as usual (money talks).

I think the 05 runway has been reclassified to only about 350m earlier this year due to obstructions??? Can't recall the exact details, may have been a Pooleys guide update - feel free to contradict this if I'm wrong.

All the best to the Sandown staff anyway.

[robin]

on another site there is mention that some redevelopment (aviation-related) is about to start on the airfield. So it may not be all doom and gloom

Fingers crossed

[DBisDogOne]

Robin: Hope you're right and I'm wrong but there was talk in the local press (I work in Telly down here) about a caravan/holiday park at one time though that may well have gone west with the advent of the recession.

[flybymike]

It has been reported by cynics that the fire, and the much publicised reduction of the licenced (not actual) runway length, have been very conveniently helpful for those wishing to see the demise and alternative use of the airfield.

Infuriating loss of another excellent GA facility.

[robin]

It has been reported by cynics that the fire, and the much publicised reduction of the licenced (not actual) runway length, have been very conveniently helpful for those wishing to see the demise and alternative use of the airfield.

Mike

I'm not sure that reporting in that way is actually being cynical. It sounds a perfectly reasonable statement.

What would be cynical is to assume that it was done deliberately - that would probably be libellous too.

Where I live there have been a number of convenient fires which have removed a surprisingly large number of inconvenient listed buildings and opened the way to modern developments. In some cases this was proved to have been deliberate and the miscreants are now serving time at HMQ's pleasure.

Since the Sandown fire, there has been little attempt to rebuild the restaurant, which, I'd have thought, brought in a lot of business.

I do hope that it will be reincarnated soon.

[lightning1988]

i work at sandown airport and have been told my last working day will be 24th january 2010

[DBisDogOne]

Sorry, I MEANT licenced length, the runway is of course unchanged physically. I think the fire isn't regarded as sinister, just usual chav retard scum up to their normal tricks.

[rjay259]

How much would it cost to rebuild? Any chance of getting a consortium together to put towards the cost?
I loved flying into sandown during my PPL even with the old hut but the new one was so much better.
I know it's a long shot but it has to be asked.

All the best to those involved there.

[flybymike]

How much would it cost to rebuild? Any chance of getting a consortium together to put towards the cost?


No point. The cost would pale into insignificance compared to the cost of alternative use redevelopment which is presumably what we all expect to happen and which will presumably be a more profitable investment.

[Phil Space]

Perhaps worth mentioning that, rose tinted glasses aside, there is no money if providing airfields for nice sunny weekend flyers:ok:

If it was my property I would want to extract as much return as possible on my investment.

[IO540]

Yes, that is the problem with the planning policy. Every UK airfield is in danger from property sharks.

If it is possible to get a planning permission to build houses, that will always happen - there is no alternative whatsoever. Every airfield where this is possible will eventually close.

It is purely down to the owner to be an aviation enthusiast and to not sell out. But his successors will invariably sell out eventually. Property sharks will always be around, circling and sniffing, and making offers to the landowner.

In all honesty I can see a lot of aviation enthusiast owners selling out too - many will get fed up with the standard level of dissent among based owners. GA is not a very cohesive group generally.

What this means for UK GA is probably that facilities will end up being either the big stuff (Biggin and above), and farm strips owned by small groups of pilots. The problem is that most strips are not and will not be owned as freeholds; most country land is owned by farmers and farmers really hate selling land if there is the slightest chance of getting a redevelopment permission one day, because they make an absolute killing over using it for farming....

[Phil Space]

But what is a property shark?

Are you telling me IO540 that you will sell your house for what you paid for it and throw in the aircraft for what you paid for it to someone who turns up with a pilots licence?

Do you think for one moment that anyone buying a lease on Llanbedr or Coventry is not looking for a return? Of course they are and it will not be taking care of weekend pilots in a 152.

I'd sell my grandmother (if she was still alive) and enjoy the flying in nice warmer climes :ok:

There is no business plan in the few cups of tea and coffee plus landing fees
to be taken at the average UK GA field.

You'd be better off selling burgers and tea in a trunk road layby:ugh:

[IO540]

= property developer.

Personally I would be looking for a profit on my house but that's irrelevant to the future of GA airfields which if operated purely for a capital gain on the property portfolio will always end up closing.

There is more to life than making money.

I'll tell you how to make a huge pile of money.

Work all your life (pay doesn't have to be good).
Never go out.
Never have relationships.
Keep your trousers well zipped up.
Have no hobbies.
Do nothing interesting.
Stash away every penny in financial instruments.

You are guaranteed to die very rich (£ millions).

Is this what you want?

Even if we exclude property sharks from the picture, the fact is that no airfield can make a decent business return on "low net worth" GA traffic willing to pay that sort of landing fee, and do some kind of maintenance.

I suppose this means that the future of GA is like I said: the bigger airports (charging £50 a time, eventually, if we are lucky) and private co-operatives running grass strips.

Can you see another solution?

Coventry is a much bigger place, with potential for high landing fee traffic. Sandown would never attract anything paying significant fees, especially as Bembridge is right next door, with a hard runway.

[Phil Space]

IO540

It's not like that. Years ago there were allotments owned by Norwich City Council next to the airport. A handful of people had sheds there and grew veg and socialised. However after years of protest the site was sold and is now a hotel/McDonalds etc.

Public money returned to the public domain and more a social site than a few people living the good life.

Try telling the local shopkeeper at Sandown that a few weekend flyers will buy his papers and milk every morning.

We private pilots are the lucky few and our hobby is not cheap.

And with a tag like yours you must be flying a Lance or Saratoga.

If I owned the airfield I'd milk it for all it was worth and enjoy flying on the proceeds elsewhere.:ok:

[IO540]

yes but at this rate there won't be an "elsewhere", eventually.

My a/c is a TB20; much more civilised :)

Anyway, it is totally wrong to reduce society to the highest financial return / lowest common denominator.

Why not close the local scuba centre / mountain bike shop / [name your favourite activity which is not participated in by the burger munching TV-watching lowest common population denominator].

[Phil Space]

There is always the option of a supergroup of 20 or so fans of Sandown putting their money where their mouth is and buying/leasing the airfield.

From my experience it is hard enough to get a £10.00 landing fee from a UK GA pilot let alone ask them to buy a share of an airfield.:ok:

[niknak]

It's not like that. Years ago there were allotments owned by Norwich City Council next to the airport. A handful of people had sheds there and grew veg and socialised. However after years of protest the site was sold and is now a hotel/McDonalds etc.


... and the allotments were relocated over the road into a fertile field. The new site has it's own car park and each allotment holder was given a free, permanent garden shed, allotments a third larger than previous ones and a free water supply. All paid for by the developer of course.

Perhaps someone could convince any prospective developer at Sandown that an "Airpark Community" (with their own allotments) would be an attractive investment.

[robin]

Quite

While pilots whinge about £10 landing fees, we are going to lose a lot of GA airfields.

We need to accept that if our key airfields are going to survive they need to make a living.

I was at one very GA-friendly airfield that offered free landings in the expectation that arrivals would refuel.

In reality, every arrival presented the free landing voucher but took on no fuel. What is worse they whinged about the regular £9 landing fee.

If we want our airfields to be there for us we need to make it worthwhile for the owners to be there. Otherwise we'll see them tarmaced or built over.

[flybymike]

I must admit that it is a crying shame that there are no successful Air Parks in the UK along the lines of those in the states or France, since on the face of it this might prove a viable and profitable compromise venture for both pilots and developers.

I can only ever recall one serious attempt at one a number of years ago but the planners of course shot it down in flames.

[julian_storey]

I must admit that it is a crying shame that there are no successful Air Parks in the UK along the lines of those in the states or France, since on the face of it this might prove a viable and profitable compromise venture for both pilots and developers.

I've often thought exactly the same myself.

I would LOVE to live on an airpark :)

[Rod1]

“While pilots whinge about £10 landing fees, we are going to lose a lot of GA airfields.

We need to accept that if our key airfields are going to survive they need to make a living.

I was at one very GA-friendly airfield that offered free landings in the expectation that arrivals would refuel.”

Did the airfield concerned offer Mogas? Many strips do not charge landing fees and have Mogas, or the facility to get it. Not much help if you need night or IFR approaches, but works for most of us. GA is changing, and some, like Sywell for example, are changing with it, others are offering the same old mix that worked 20 years ago but is not as relevant today.

Rod1

[IO540]

I think that the exact airfield services is like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic.

Given that well over 90% of light GA is people doing burger runs ("social flying") what is needed to make an airfield successful is a nice social environment.

This topic has been done to death here so many times, but basically the old GA anorak scene is a turnoff for most modern men, and for 99.9% of women regardless of whether modern or not.

One needs a lively social environment and then people will hang around, fly out of the place, and visit the place from elsewhere, and spent money there.

Take a look at any other activity which modern well-funded humans participate in. Individuals with any sort of money are highly strategic as to where they spend it.

One needs a nice cafe, good (not dirt cheap crap) food, clean so your hand doesn't get stuck to the table, and the based school(s) need to provide decent facilities for both students and "mature" pilots.

[niknak]

On the way home from London today Mrs N and I dropped in on an "off motorway & major route" cafe that is reknowned for serving excellent grub at excellent prices.
We didn't pitch up until about 3pm and found that they were clearing up to shut up for the day, weekdays they never shut before 7pm.
When I queried this they were quite willing to serve us, and the service was as good as ever, but the owner made it quite clear that if he wasn't going to make money on a regular basis, there was no way he was going to keep the place open when no one was there.

The point is that this applies to all aspects of business, I admit that perhaps aviation is a bit more tricky than other industries, but if the customers don't turn up and spend their money when the best offers the owner can make are available, then don't expect the facility to be there ad infinitum.

[robin]

...Many strips do not charge landing fees and have Mogas, or the facility to get it. Not much help if you need night or IFR approaches, but works for most of us.

There is a difference, Rod, between a strip with limited facilities and mid-range airfields/aerodromes.

At our local airfield there has been a number of requests to have Mogas on tap as well as Avgas and Jet A1. The airfield operator made it clear that if was not cost-effective at the moment to do that.

Anyone brave enough to run an airfield in the current climate is going to be watching the pennies over the next year or so.

As I said earlier we should be keeping airfields alive by paying a REASONABLE price for the facilities and not push for something for nothing.

Otherwise we will all be operating from farm strips in future......

[Rod1]

Robin

“There is a difference, Rod, between a strip with limited facilities and mid-range airfields/aerodromes.”

“As I said earlier we should be keeping airfields alive by paying a REASONABLE price for the facilities and not push for something for nothing.”

I am prepared to pay for facilities which I need, no problem. I will have a stab at the difference in facilities between the mid range airfield and the strip;

NDB
Avgas
M3 maintenance
Tarmac runway
Flying school
Licensed runway

None of the above is of any interest to me, apart from the tarmac runway in exceptional weather (we have operated out of our strip without a problem for some years). If you put a free landing offer in a mag I may come along, but I will not be putting fuel in as you have decided not to supply suitable fuel! I will buy a cup of tea and a bacon butty though. Many of the modern micro/VLA types will be in the same position. Strip operation is booming, the LAA fleet is at record levels and membership is up. Traditional GA is doing very badly. Some strips now have multiple hangers, busy micro flight schools and are making money. I anticipate that some of the traditional airfields will copy this model, others are probably planning on putting the landing fee up from £10 to £20 to £30 etc.:ugh:

Rod1

[IO540]

The problem, Rod1, is that your approach would relegate GA to farm strips.

That in turn would decimate the GA scene - because the vast majority of pilots don't have access to a farm strip.

Farm strips (yes I have looked at a good few) are prized property, tightly held by tightly knit pilot groups who tend to have their heads stuck firmly up the farmer's back end (I mean that in the nicest possible way) otherwise he will turf them out with zero notice. They are generally unwelcoming (sometimes exceedingly so) to enquiring pilots who are not flying a range of favoured machinery - usually a rag and tube type.

Obviously there are variations, and things get generally easier "up north" where there are many more options, but if GA had to go to farm strips, the majority of people who actually fly to places for real would have to pack up.

And setting up a strip from scratch for "obviously" more than 28 days' usage a year (something I am a bit familiar with too) is so difficult as to be not a viable option for 99% of pilots. Even if you found the land, and got a secure enough deal on it, you are looking well into 5 digits for the planning/appeals process.

We do need to look after the "proper" GA airfields.

Looking at Sandown as a business, IMHO it hung by the social facilities. Most flights for a "purpose" or a business to the IOW would have gone to Bembridge. Tricky...

[S-Works]

I was under the impression that Sandown were only closing as a licensed airfield hence getting rid of the tower and fire staff etc and would be continuing unlicensed pretty much as a private strip but welcoming to visitors. That leaves the Island with a licensed field with a good runway and an unlicensed one with nice enough facilities.

I suspect as an unlicensed field open to visitors it probably stands a chance of at least breaking even......

[robin]

I think we'll have to agree to disagree, Rod1

Our mid-range airfield - one of the few really keen GA-friendly ones - is being besieged by strip flyers looking for accommodation for the winter due to waterlogging.

It is thanks to a very beneficial owner taking some very hard knocks from various governmental agencies (Ofcom is on the horizon too) the airfield is there for all of us.

We have had a number of fly-ins at the airfield (and I have seen you at some of them). Each time the airfield was very busy but the income was hardly worthwhile opening up for, as everyone brought along a free landing voucher and bought no fuel, despite it being one of the cheapest in the country.

But if people only dip in as and when and only buy the occasional butty, then one day the owners will chuck it in and hand the airfield over to a developer (as some strip owners have done, as well)

[Phil Space]

It is thanks to a very beneficial owner taking some very hard knocks from various governmental agencies (Ofcom is on the horizon too) the airfield is there for all of us.

We have had a number of fly-ins at the airfield (and I have seen you at some of them). Each time the airfield was very busy but the income was hardly worthwhile opening up for, as everyone brought along a free landing voucher and bought no fuel, despite it being one of the cheapest in the country.

But if people only dip in as and when and only buy the occasional butty, then one day the owners will chuck it in and hand the airfield over to a developer (as some strip owners have done, as well)

That post just about sums it up. The income from most small UK airfields does not justify the capital tied up. You can start with the value of the land and then factor in public liability insurance, maintenance, people etc.

All for a few nice day/weekend visitors who begrudge spending a tenner to use the facility.

If you want to sell a couple of cups of tea and a burger then a layby and a hot dog van is a better bet.:ok:

The same scenario is played out across the UK with village and country pubs.

A few weekend visitors buying a pint or two do not justify the investment or cover the costs. Hence the current trend to turn pubs in to houses which offer a better return.

[Rod1]

“The problem, Rod1, is that your approach would relegate GA to farm strips.”

No that is not what I am saying. If you take your “licensed GA airfield” and you;

Turn off the NDB
Cancel the license
Abandon the a/g radio
close of the GA flying school and replace with a micro school and possibly Gliding.
Build more hangers (possibly financed by members)
Improve the catering.
Continue to welcome visitors as before and run flyins etc.

You now have what I suspect is a much better business. There are several examples of this, Popham would be an obvious one.

“I think we'll have to agree to disagree, Rod1”

Robin, please understand, I am quite willing to support airfields, but yours has decided not to cater for my type of flying!

Rod1

[robin]

but yours has decided not to cater for my type of flying!


Actually, in my opinion, it is probably one of the very few airfields that is doing the most for all of GA, and is well-respected within the LAA and elsewhere for their attitude and work on behalf of us all and I hope that will continue.

[Fuji Abound]

Sadly, I am not sure how viable Sandown is.

I would guess that there are not a great many pilots that own aircraft on the I of W. Certainly even in the "good old days" there did not seem to be many aircraft parked at Sandown, or for that matter Bembridge, and things have got worse since then.

This has left both airfields reliant on other income. Bembridge are fortunate in having a hard runway which is sufficient to cream off any commercial activity (the coast guard flights etc). Moreover having a commercial operator based on the field brings other business and doubtless contributes significantly to the bills.

Sadly, Sandown has very little of any of this and I suspect is almost totally reliant on visitors of which there are just not enough these days made worse but the problems using Sandown when the ground is wet.

In France of course the airfield would be subsidised by the local community - but we are not France and everything must make a profit and a return on the inverstment if it is to survive in modern day Britain.

I shall never the less be very sad to see Sandown lost to GA if that happens and wish them well operating with lower overheads if that proves possible.

[Phil Space]

In France of course the airfield would be subsidised by the local community - but we are not France and everything must make a profit and a return on the inverstment if it is to survive in modern day Britain.

When I learnt to fly in 1980 it was like that across the UK.
Norwich,Ipswich,Shoreham,Exeter,Plymouth,Cardiff,Swansea,Bri stol,Staverton,Halfpenny Green,Birmingham,Ringway,Speke,Blackpool,Humberside,Teeside etc etc.

Just about every decent airport was council owned.

All regular entries in my log book in those days and minimal landing fees.

I'm sure Haverfordwest is still council owned but in these cash strapped days how do you justify an airfield for the use of perceived wealthy weekend flyers? The truth is you cannot and so a developer offers a way out and some money for the council coffers.

All of the above fields had clubs and plenty of GA. In fact GA often made up the bulk of the movements at some of those places.

A decent motorhome costs about the same as a small secondhand spam can but offers a landowner a lot more return over a weekend than any flying visitor.

And of course there is less noise for the nimby's to complain about.

Sad but true I'm afraid.

I enjoy flying but as an investment....Not worth the hassle so forget it:=

[lightning1988]

as i understand from working here, once january the 24th comes it will be a residant only strip, and they will need to give the owner 48 hours notice to fly, also heard rumors the rent could be going up

[Fuji Abound]

Phil

You are right of course in terms of the financial model.

The problem with everything having to pay for itself is you are left with little.

I suspect Council run sports centers dont pay for themselves and the only reason private Gyms do is they cater for very carefully selected activities. However we, as a society, still judge it to be a good thing to provide swimming pools, and running tracks even though they havent got a hope in hell of paying for themselves.

Utlimately society must decide whether it wishes to provide certain facilities to the community or not. The I of W is a very good example. All the time there is one airport I guess not unreasonably that is more than adequate for the island - but if Bembridge were to close - I wonder, would that be the time where the island would step in and protect the air field? In France most certainly they would - in England I am not so sure any longer.

As others have said of course these places can survive by operating on much lower overheads. Do we really need air ground, firemen, etc at most smaller airfields? However the danger is ever present that even with such economies the land represents a very poor return on capital employed IF it could be put to almost any other use. For that reason unless the land is protected in some way there will be the ever present threat of it being put to alternative use and the airfield lost for ever.

I hope they survive. :)

[flybymike]

This sounds like a classic case for GAAC to become involved with. (Google it if not familiar)
Not sure if they are already on the case, or whether it is perhaps still early days to get then involved.

[Rod1]

Are we sure it is closing? Reports else ware say it is being taken over by Specialist Flying Services.

Rod1

[Fried_Chicken]

Is there anywhere else on the IoW to site an airfield (say on the Western side of the Island away from Bembridge)? Obviously there has to be a business case for it.

It'll be a shame if it does close for good, I guess they'll have to find a new home for Spamfield!

FC

[S-Works]

One could ask why the Island needs 2 airfields? Maybe if there was just one that was GA friendly it would stand a better chance of survival?

[Sir George Cayley]

But is there any guarantee that the other IOW airport has a long term future?

Sir George Cayley

[S-Works]

there are no guarantees in life......

[barne_as]

I have flown to both Sandown and Bembridge frequently and must say that I much prefer Bembridge for its facilities, very welcoming radio operators, restaurant, scenary and runway quality and its the same price to land as Sandown.

Bembridge in my opinion offers much a much better experience for the average GA pilot and it seems that Sandown has nothing better to offer.

Maybe this is a reason?

Obviously everybody is entitled to their own opinions.

[POBJOY]

Bembridge has always worked on the "back" of whatever aircraft company that was based there at the time.I seem to recall there have been several times when it was closed due to said companies demise.The current situation there does not reley on GA movements to survive,and is excellent.Sandown operated as a typical grass club/visitor airifeld for years,but the costs of such an operation will not survive A, the rising CAA charges,and B,the developers,and rates. It is not a local field for me now,but i always found it a friendly spot, a pleasure to use,and it has a long history.Sadly in this very commercial world such places are going to be a thing of the past,and at least there was somewhere to visit when you went to Sandown.The plain facts are that GA pilots will not pay the true cost of keeping such places going,and therefore unless they have a patron the end is nigh.Use them or loose them has never been so true.

[Fuji Abound]

there are no guarantees in life......


I can think if a few. :)

[Rod1]

I will say this again as no one is listening. The airfield is being taken over by another operator. The BMAA are running a big fly in there in the summer. It appears that the airfield is not closing, at least not for long.

Rod1

[Fuji Abound]

Rod1

Great news, heard loud and clear - thank you.

I wish them every success and we should all try and support the new operators.

I always feel it is well worth anyone running this sort of oepration taking a look at how Headcorn go about their business - I think they are an excellent example of how a grass strip should be oeprated.

[jonkil]

All that's happened is that Sandown has switched from being a licensed airfield to an unlicensed one.

[topoverhaul]

I was surprised to be Bembridge's only visitor on Boxing Day but at least they were open and friendly as always.

[seymour beaver]

One thing about the "recession" is that airfields such as Sandown may have a little longer stay of execution,shame it may come to an end because ive been going to Sandown on and off for over 20 years.The isle of fright is a nice place to visit and its like going abroad!! although my girlfriend says visiting the shops is like going back to the 60s.I can honestly say that if i won the lottery i would like to keep the place open for aviators and restore the original old hut/cafe.

[neilgeddes]

Checking the Notams today unfortunately shows:

Aerodrome (alternate) - EGHN (ISLE OF WIGHT / SANDOWN)
Q) EGTT/QFAXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5039N00111W005
B) FROM: 10/01/28 10:07C) TO: PERM
E) REMOVE AIP ENTRY FOR AD AS AD LICENCE HAS BEEN REVOKED

:{

[Genghis the Engineer]

Which is entirely consistent with what's previously said about it becoming unlicenced. It doesn't say it's closed.

G

[OpenCirrus619]

This gives a clear description of what is happening there: Microlight Forum (http://www.microlightforum.com/showthread.php?1683-Sandown-airport-removing-license&p=6256&viewfull=1#post6256) (read the post this links to and next one).

This is the site of one of the companies which are continuing operating: Specialist Flying School (http://www.flyingschool.com/).

And finally an event taking place in June at Sandown - which looks like fun: Spamfield 2010 (http://www.wightparty.org.uk/index.html).

Please don't spread the rumour that Sandown is closing. IMHO the more people hear it the less visitors they will get and the more likely closure will become.

OC619

[peter272]

I take it fuel is still available and the radio is still as was?

[XXPLOD]

For the smaller grass strip airfields that primarily cater for private flying, maybe a microlight school etc... I see a good cafe as essential along with a strong and active club. Compton Abbas, Popham and Old Sarum being good examples local to me. They will attract the bikers, classic car owners, families at the weekend etc...

Bigger licensed airfields which have tarmac runways with all the staffing that requires are often part of a bigger business plan. There may be industrial premises, various businesses, maintenance facilities, FTOs, hangarage/parking etc... Thruxton being a good example.

It strikes me that the difficulty lies when an airfield is somewhere between the two - many of the costs but less of the income streams.

[neilgeddes]

Sandown used to have the wonderful Aviator Restaurant of course, with those great burgers, until it burnt down. The restaurant was a magnet for pilots flying in. The Specialist Flying School web site refers to their bar and bistro with inside and outside seating so that'll be certainly worth a go. Let's hope you can pay the landing fee there without having to cross the runway (I'm assuming the school's on the Northern side).

I really hope the airfield continues and thrives in whatever form that takes. I shall make the effort to go back!:)

[G-Atlast]

Went to Spamfield as a ground visitor and it certainly seemed to have the usual great atmosphere and very good attendance. Not sure what the future holds for Sandown itself though. Apparently Avgas has since run out and will not be replenished. Also there's an ominous NOTAM cancelling the ATZ in August!

Q) EGTT/QAZAW/IV/NBO/AE/000/030/5039N00111W005
B) FROM: 10/06/09 11:59C) TO: 11/06/30 23:59
E) ISLE OF WIGHT/SANDOWN ATZ. FOR THE PURPOSE OF RULE 45 OF THE RULES
OF THE AIR REGULATIONS 2007 THE ISLE OF WIGHT/SANDOWN ATZ IS
CANCELLED WEF 02 AUG 2010

What next - bulldozers parked on the numbers? What a tragic loss if so!

[Johnm]

ATZ cancellation probably means they've become unlicenced along with lots of other airfields since the CAA (wisely, hopefully a new trend) now allow ab initio training from unlicenced airfields

[Rod1]

"Apparently Avgas has since run out and will not be replenished."

Avgas is not available at most of the landing sites used by GA in the UK. Have a look at the number of unlicenced airfialds / strips on the map v the licenced ones.

Rod1

[Johnm]

AVGAS is quite often available at unlicenced airfields, some of which have tarmac runways!