Panshanger Airfield - similar experiences?
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Being the greedy little bugger I was (and still am) I did two flying scholarships a few years back. The first was paid for by the RAF, and I flew at Glenrothes. Much fun had by all, and I really do feel I learnt a lot. I then was awarded another 15 hours by the Air League, which I chose to fly at Panshanger as it is much closer to home. The general attitude there was remarkably unimpressive, and looking back on it now, the instruction I received appalling.
The CFI in particular I would single out for criticism. He once stopped me from flying on a beautiful day as he had not yet received payment for my flying up to that point. Were I a normal PPL student I would find this attitude perfectly acceptable, but did he seriously think a national organisation such as the Air League would not cough up? As a result of this I missed the oppurtunity to complete my qualifying cross country before starting at university, which was a major disappointment at the time.
The CFI in particular I would single out for criticism. He once stopped me from flying on a beautiful day as he had not yet received payment for my flying up to that point. Were I a normal PPL student I would find this attitude perfectly acceptable, but did he seriously think a national organisation such as the Air League would not cough up? As a result of this I missed the oppurtunity to complete my qualifying cross country before starting at university, which was a major disappointment at the time.
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I've been to Panshanger quite a few times recently, visiting a friend nearby, and with the exception of the person on the radio demanding an overhead join apparently just for the fun of it, I have found them very helpful.
They are doing the place up a bit, which is a rare sight in GA anywhere, and I hope they succeed.
Re what EL SID writes, I am afraid that is common in the GA instructing scene. Loads of male instructors have made passes at female students, often successfully, occassionally with the success being evidenced 9 months later
and some clearly do regard this as a perk. Very occassionally the line gets crossed where a young gullible female student gets free lessons. But driving instructors do the same, given half a chance and a female student that appears willing. I am not really into political correctness but the GA business attracts certain types that behave in certain ways, and most women wouldn't climb into a C150 if you paid them for it, anyway.
They are doing the place up a bit, which is a rare sight in GA anywhere, and I hope they succeed.
Re what EL SID writes, I am afraid that is common in the GA instructing scene. Loads of male instructors have made passes at female students, often successfully, occassionally with the success being evidenced 9 months later
and some clearly do regard this as a perk. Very occassionally the line gets crossed where a young gullible female student gets free lessons. But driving instructors do the same, given half a chance and a female student that appears willing. I am not really into political correctness but the GA business attracts certain types that behave in certain ways, and most women wouldn't climb into a C150 if you paid them for it, anyway.
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Some friends of mine visited Panshanger last weekend by road. They had the same experience as described in the original post. On their way from the car park to the clubhouse to ask someone if they could take some photos, they were intercepted by this guy, told they werent welcome and to get back in their car and get off his airfield.
There was no discussion, he was just adamant that aircraft enthusiasts werent welcome, so get lost. A suggestion that with many airfields under threat and enthusiasts often being asked to write in and support the airfield, maybe he should re- consider his stance. His answer was "I will never need your help". My freinds comment to me was that they had never met such an arrogant git in his life.
I heard this guy on the radio one day when I was doing some training at Bristol and he was on his way to an aerobatic contest in Wales. Weather totally inappropriate for VFR, he seemed to be struggling and was totally incompetant on the radio.
Panshanger wont be on my list of favourite places to go.
There was no discussion, he was just adamant that aircraft enthusiasts werent welcome, so get lost. A suggestion that with many airfields under threat and enthusiasts often being asked to write in and support the airfield, maybe he should re- consider his stance. His answer was "I will never need your help". My freinds comment to me was that they had never met such an arrogant git in his life.
I heard this guy on the radio one day when I was doing some training at Bristol and he was on his way to an aerobatic contest in Wales. Weather totally inappropriate for VFR, he seemed to be struggling and was totally incompetant on the radio.
Panshanger wont be on my list of favourite places to go.
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As a general comment, not applying to any particular airfield, there could be a commercial case for not wanting certain types of visitors. If you are trying to attract quality clientele for flying lessons, you don't want a lot of anoraks with cameras hovering around. This comment is bound to attract flames, of course, but let's forget aviation for the moment and think about some other kind of business.
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Id have thought airfields would want all the visitors they can get, after all, anyone is a potential customer for flying lessons or aircraft hire. Most airfields are happy to accept everyone, particularly airfields abroad which tend to be more lively than some in the UK.
Unfortunately we do have the snob factor here in the UK with some people wanting the airfield they fly from to be like an exclusive club. Generally this tends to have a detrimental effect on business as they are not very friendly and dont attract many new clientel.
Most people with cameras at airfields seem to be friends/relations of people going for flying lessons, joy rides, or the people flying themselves! I cant see why a few enthusiasts visiting is going to put someone off, after all the enthusiasts are interested in the aircraft, not some so called "celebrety" that might be there to learn to fly!
I cant exactly see Panshanger atracting exclusive clientel anyway! And the attitude of the owner is far more likely to put people off!
Unfortunately we do have the snob factor here in the UK with some people wanting the airfield they fly from to be like an exclusive club. Generally this tends to have a detrimental effect on business as they are not very friendly and dont attract many new clientel.
Most people with cameras at airfields seem to be friends/relations of people going for flying lessons, joy rides, or the people flying themselves! I cant see why a few enthusiasts visiting is going to put someone off, after all the enthusiasts are interested in the aircraft, not some so called "celebrety" that might be there to learn to fly!
I cant exactly see Panshanger atracting exclusive clientel anyway! And the attitude of the owner is far more likely to put people off!
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Hi Cubflyer
Your comments about the Golf India Tango's RT are spot on. When he's on the Air/Ground he causes mayhem as well. He also is not averse to critiquing landings made by everyone. He is referred to as 'TFC' by the instructors (an abbreviation of the name of the controller from the Thomas Tank Engine books). Would you believe he’s also an RT License examiner too!
He has some sort of thing about his preferred style of T/O & Landings to be made with a high nose attitude (I believe he had a tail-strike on someone's brand new Cirrus a couple of weeks ago, now it's had to go in for some not insignificant repairs due to this kind of exaggerated technique).
As to his attitude: ‘I’ll never need your help’, just sums him up he has an ego larger than Jupiter (the planet is of course a gas giant).
Your comments about the Golf India Tango's RT are spot on. When he's on the Air/Ground he causes mayhem as well. He also is not averse to critiquing landings made by everyone. He is referred to as 'TFC' by the instructors (an abbreviation of the name of the controller from the Thomas Tank Engine books). Would you believe he’s also an RT License examiner too!
He has some sort of thing about his preferred style of T/O & Landings to be made with a high nose attitude (I believe he had a tail-strike on someone's brand new Cirrus a couple of weeks ago, now it's had to go in for some not insignificant repairs due to this kind of exaggerated technique).
As to his attitude: ‘I’ll never need your help’, just sums him up he has an ego larger than Jupiter (the planet is of course a gas giant).
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I once asked Panshanger if I could hire an aircraft from them because it's convenient for where I live. At first they were quite helpful and I agreed with them that it was reasonable to ask me to check out with one of their instructors.
Then I made the mistake of telling them that I was an instructor. The guy on the 'phone then went off to check with someone more senior than he was and told me that the checkout would be five hours minimum.
It was very clear that they didn't want the business from someone who instructs elsewhere and I always wondered from that what they were trying to hide.
Then I made the mistake of telling them that I was an instructor. The guy on the 'phone then went off to check with someone more senior than he was and told me that the checkout would be five hours minimum.
It was very clear that they didn't want the business from someone who instructs elsewhere and I always wondered from that what they were trying to hide.
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A and C
Sorry don't have the full technical details on the damage to the Cirrus, I'll ask my source and get back to you.
Pondlife
I suspect you would have had 5 hours with TFC showing you his unique brand of flying and teaching which would never be approved by the CAA. Also included would have been some serious brainwashing and psychological adjustment to his point of view on life and his own unique place it it.
Regards, ES
Sorry don't have the full technical details on the damage to the Cirrus, I'll ask my source and get back to you.
Pondlife
I suspect you would have had 5 hours with TFC showing you his unique brand of flying and teaching which would never be approved by the CAA. Also included would have been some serious brainwashing and psychological adjustment to his point of view on life and his own unique place it it.
Regards, ES
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Referred to this thread from another forum i frequent. Am currently student NPPL, and I have some friends living in Welwyn (nr. Panshanger) that I have never met (got to know them online - the whole family !!!) and Panshanger seemed to be the nearest field to Welwyn. The posts within this thread obviously put me off the idea of using Panshanger. I have been suggested Elstree as the only real alternative. Anyone here have any tips? I'm based (and would fly in from) Southend (EGMC)
Thanks
Thanks
Join Date: Jan 2003
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The posts within this thread obviously put me off the idea of using Panshanger.
If you believe all the threads you read here you'll never go flying at all, especially not to Elstree or Sywell, to name just two airfields that have been critised here.
If Panshangar is the nearest airfield to Welwyn, go there. If you don't like it, you don't have to go back.
I've only been there once, we landed, parked, paid, pi55ed, plotted and took off again.
Join Date: Oct 2003
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I agree with Kolibear. It's so close to Welwyn, it makes no sense not to give it a try. I haven't seen the aforementioned "TFC" around that much recently, so he's probably nothing to worry about.
Make sure you ring in advance, and if it's busy you might have trouble getting a response on the radio, but keep trying!
It's a longish grass runway. Watch out for noise abatement procedures, and turbulence over the trees on 29 approach, put otherwise pretty straightforward. I always find it a bit tricky to spot from the South, despite flying from there for 3 years, so be careful not to fly right over it and into Luton CAS!
Make sure you ring in advance, and if it's busy you might have trouble getting a response on the radio, but keep trying!
It's a longish grass runway. Watch out for noise abatement procedures, and turbulence over the trees on 29 approach, put otherwise pretty straightforward. I always find it a bit tricky to spot from the South, despite flying from there for 3 years, so be careful not to fly right over it and into Luton CAS!
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Just to back up what is said above, please don't dismiss going there at all based on what you have read here. Go and try it, as said above, if you don't like it simply don't go there again but I do urge you to give it a try. 
