Wow.
I nearly took a job there a very, very few months ago - but luckily they couldn't afford me and, for a short while, I was kicking myself....I now believe in Karma!
I feel for the guys, but it's happened for a reason.

from the first time I went there (1973 B727 Avionics course) I always thought what a quiet peaceful place to work, could never afford the housing.
They probably were unable to compete in the world market.

Hi Buster, I work for BBC News Online and we're doing a story about the administration. Any chance we could use your picture?

Just wondering why?
When I had my interview there was talk of expansion (with funding available) and even moving to make way for a new Terminal!
Is this because the Air Transport decisions for expanding London's airports have gone the wrong way?

The rumour on the street is that the CAA had concerns regarding staff levels and by implication, the quality of maintenance, etc. As the owners were unprepared to inject fresh capital to resolve the issues the CAA had, the plug was pulled.

Did ATC own the airfield at Lasham?

According to their website, Lasham Gliding Society bought the airfield from the Ministry of Defence in 1999.

Thanks spekesoftly.

This message appeared in the Southend Echo of 27 October.

http://www.adastron.com/707/qfm/echo-advert.jpg

Hmmm....there was usually a high contractor-to-permie ratio at Southend; it was how ATC managed to keep costs (and prices) down). I wonder if that's what the CAA's concerns were about, if they existed at all?

They did have issues with the HSE recently too. It cost them a bob or two.

Having worked as a contractor at both sites, the quality of engineers was without a shadow of a doubt the biggest asset ATC had, however the management was stuck in the 70's... Ultimately lack of investment in their infrastructure & treating their staff poorly came home to roost, I have rarely seen such a discord between management & the workers. Sadly everyone suffers when an organisation like ATC goes, it served me well for progressing my career, & I can only thank the people I worked with & wish them well for the future.

Really gutted to hear the company has folded. My dad worked there until last year and, even though he'd retired, he was going to try and get permission show me and my kids around. He knew they'd love the aircraft. However, he died suddenly last October and it never happened.


I was just looking for the company's website to see if we could arrange the visit he promised. Left it too late. It's always been a fragile industry. Good luck to everyone in finding something else.

Heard a rumour of a small amount of good news, a possible buyer might of come forward and might start a small amount of work, someone else might know.

Is that Lasham or Southend or both?

Its being disposed of piecemeal, Southend equipment sold and 2 bays agreed with Freeholder. TBC
Lasham Most of the site agreed but not all for 145 MRO work just a couple of bays. TBC
Its all to be finalised and subject to contract.

Administrators will go public when its a done deal I'm sure, but employment numbers will be nothing like it was previously.

Cooks are purchasing the Aero Turbine Facility business at Hounslow subject to Approvals CAA & HMRC, no surprises there as they are the landlord.

Creditors meeting by the administrators this coming Wen, 9th Dec , 2 excel seem to be the company for the Lasham site at the moment according to rumor control.

I wonder if the radar will be returned to service or disposed of...

Talkdownman

I sincerely doubt that CAA are going to entertain resurrecting the 424 in the state that it was when ATC Lasham went into Administration. My understanding is that prior to this they were not willing to issue any further validations/unit endorsements on the 424 at Lasham.

As far as CAA are concerned the ATC Lasham Administration issue has probably has enabled them to finally wash their hands of the 424.