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Old 16th Dec 2004, 16:23
  #261 (permalink)  
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Thats awful news. Especially at this time of year. Still, silver linings nearly always come out of situations like this.

May I wish all of those involved in this the very best of luck in whatever they do. Hopefully things will work out in Newcastle for them. Over to you Elia or whoever else is trying to create a flying club here.
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Old 16th Dec 2004, 17:32
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Devil Previous postings

Evening All

I would just like to echo previous posts and may they find something quick and anybody involved in a bid for the club that may read these threads will know there are good people out there willing and able to re-establish the flying school and club

Best wishes and good luck........

ps Ncl pilot

I remember going to NCL airport as a kid going out on to the apron where the bay window is and getting on a Dan Air flight
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Old 16th Dec 2004, 21:17
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Devil

Evening,

Sorry to read redundancy notices were issued to-day to the remaining staff.

At the meeting last Thursday evening I was dismayed when the Administrators stated they would only be looking at the Club repords for the past three years. I feel they should go back atleast ten years as that was when the decline started with various committee members doing their own thing with the Clubs funds, it is always easy to spend some one elses money when you are not accountable - just like a local authority!

The case in question started when Littlewings used to do the maintenance and supply the Avgas but ran out of funds and could only buy limited supplies of fuel, thats is when the owner could be found and money provided, Air BP would only supply Avgas for cash only.

The situation got so bad, that Air BP finally stepped in and supplied Samson with a Bowser and sell Avgas on their behalf.
This worked well for the Club as they got the fuel at a discounted rate compared with the PAP (Posted Airfield Price) and got a good service from Samson. As time progressed certain arrangements were made with Samson by the then new GM (General Manager) for the Club to have the aircraft refulled at certain times of the day to avoid calling out Samson every time an aircraft needed fuel.

This worked very well, too well for the CFI and the loud mouthed Chairman which the club had at the time and it was decided the club had to have their own fuel supply, being a vendetta against the then owner of Samson. Various fuel companies were contacted which included Air BP and the last thing that Air BP wanted was another fuel supplier on the Airport. Reluctantly Air BP gave into the Club Chairman but refused to supply a Bowser.

The Club had to find a Bowser of their own, this was soon found as Gill Engineers had just retired their Bowser and was parked up awaiting the scrap man. It was bought by the Club (you could hear the laughing from the Gill hangar!) for more than Gill originally paid for it - Members Money - it was towed around to the Littlewings hangar and given an Aurthur Daley "Make Over" - nice little runner and will make a fortune - WRONG. With Gill it had been used as a Jet A1 Pressure Bowser and had to be converted to Avgas use - thats right, tank to be cleaned out, new filters, new pump and plumming, new Meter and the whole lot to be calibrated and finally the Bowser to be given a MOT by the Airport Authority so that it could be used on the apron.

A very expensive exercise, still that didn't matter, its only members money - Air BP finally agreed they could commission the Bowser and fuel would be provided at a contract rate to the Club which they would also sell on to the Club members who owned their own aircraft also at a reduced rate.

As it turned out this contact rate was slightly more that the now reduced PAP which Air BP introduced also they offered the new "Sterling Card" to private owners on the Airport which also gave them a reduced rate over the PAP. The local owners all got their "Sterling Cards" and enjoyed reduced rate Avgas which the Aero Club were unable to provide. Air BP - ONE Aero Club - NIL
still it was only Members Money which had been used on this disgusting exercise and the Chairman went on to grander things with his own aviation operation.

The above is only a very basic outline of what happened, as mentioned above, Littlewings maintained the club aircraft after a fashion, things got so bad it was decided to try out Samson for the 50 hour and 100 hour checks. Again this worked very well plus the aircraft were also bought up to a presentable standard. After a period of time Littlewings approached Samson with a view to buying them out, a valuation was carried out of Littlewings and it was found that their spares holding only valued about £3,000.00 and most items of the shelf we time expired and what little other equipment they had was of no commercial value and only fit for scrap, plus their was NO good will in the business, so Bill Adams (owner of Littlewings) was sent on his way.

While this was going on the Chief Engineer at Samson agreed a rolling type maintenance schedule for the Aero Club aircraft with the CAA which would avoid an aircraft suddenly going out of hours on a Thursday or Friday for the coming weekend. This schedule would cost the club in a region of £44,000.00 per year.
Those in charge of the Club at the time never mentioned to Samson at the time that they had already bought Littlewings for a reported £60.000.00 - it was only the Members Money -
Littlewings/Bill Adams - ONE Aero Club - NIL
the rest you know.

During the last 8 years the club has had two Stewards in the Club house - both disasters and left owning money which has never been recovered.

Club Stewards - TWO Aero Club - NIL

Two EXPENSIVE court Cases - TWO Aero Club - NIL

Others you know about, the last TEN years has been a catalogue of mismanagement and those responsible should be made to be accountable for their destructive actions.

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Old 16th Dec 2004, 21:18
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Tragic news, particularly at this time.

May i join in thanking all those involved:

JC, KL, IC, JO, MA, AB, IM, LB, JR, SK.

Good luck to all of you and thanks
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Old 16th Dec 2004, 22:37
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Aero Club

Guys

Just read postings for today.

All I can say is that I sincerely hope from the bottom of my heart that the people responsible for this will face their dues.


Thanks JC, IC, AB, LB, MB, KL, TB, IM, MA, JR, "JJ", TR, MG.

Thanks

M

Last edited by TOPJET973K; 8th Jan 2005 at 20:38.
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Old 16th Dec 2004, 22:44
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i just hope all the people who turned up to the meeting on the 9th dec, support the club by actually using it, if it comes thru this very difficult patch, i use the club as a social member and havnt seen probably about 90 per cent of the people who turned up that night. i use the club daily and miss my drinking hole
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Old 16th Dec 2004, 23:28
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Newcastle Upon Tyne Aero Club

Dear Members:

It is with extreme sadness that I read todays postings.

There is nothing I can add apart from the revulsion I feel for the absolute scum that caused this - harsh words but my stomach is turning as I think of their faces.

Elia Golfin - it's over to you now.

BB
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Old 17th Dec 2004, 09:50
  #268 (permalink)  
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Can I just add to the comments made by TopJet & noiseabatement.

Good folk have lost their livelihood as a direct result of actions carried out by members of our own club - fact. Oh, we can point the finger and say it's 'Mr Parkin's fault, or it was the purchase of G-NELI - in reality it was none of these!

I would like to say to those who have recently alighted the NAC Gravy Train, have a lovely Christmas, don't give a flying for the people you have directly affected, and I hope you enjoy your chats with the relevant authorities when they come knocking at your doors in the New Year. The net WILL tighten!
 
Old 17th Dec 2004, 09:53
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Well said PD...It will tighten indeed and the sooner the better.
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Old 17th Dec 2004, 11:04
  #270 (permalink)  
 
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Aero Club

Morning guys.

Paris Dakar.

You are right mate - it wasn't G-NELI OR Johnny Parkin that caused this.

Look at what the then chairman did, now without making nasty remarks to the people mentioned - he gave good lucrative contracts to KL, SK and Gillian in the office.

She was on £18K and she couldnt even do the simple arithmatic on a tech log!

That's well over £100K worth of salary which we simply couldn't support in the long term.

The fuel bowser will always rear it's ugly head - either the seller at Biggin Hill was simple in the head or somebody can't write a cheque that matches an invoice.

Work Master.

Superb post mate - like it a lot.

Newcastlepilot.

In one of my many chats with Pott/Farnish the subject of the fuel bowser was mentioned, don't worry - they are aware of that.


Here's waiting

M

Last edited by TOPJET973K; 8th Jan 2005 at 20:39.
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Old 17th Dec 2004, 13:24
  #271 (permalink)  
 
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Devil

Afternoon Chaps and Ladies

Further to my posting last night, Newcastlepilot you are correct about the Chairman I mentioned.

However as I mentioned, the contract rate for the fuel/Avgas supplied to the Club by Air BP was more expensive than if they had continued to get fuel via Samson which was again supplied by Air BP. Plus Air BP lowered the PAP once the Aero Club contract commenced with them, this was a way at getting back at the Aero Club for the way they had conducted themselves. You are unable to take on a multi-national and win....the Aero Club lost out on behalf of its members but those in power at the time were too thick or pig headed to realise this. Also as a way of getting at Samson, their staff were banned from the Aero Club by the Chairman because they were keeping members up to date with what was going on, this ban was put down to a conflict of interests and did not go down well with Air BP when they found out.

As it happened, Terry Law the owner of Samson resigned from the Aero Club committee once his new company became operational, again due to conflicts of interest. Terry used to run the "Bravo Tango" Group very successfully and had no dealings with two Piper PA-28 which operated from the Samson Hangar, these were owned by Kevin Brown who later formed Aero Tours.

I think that clears a few points - one final thing in this posting, a word of thanks to JC from all flying members, and drinking members...

When JC was appointed the General Manager during the first year in this postion he worked 7 days aweek (from 08.00 to late in the evening) for a year WITHOUT a day off or holiday. He was just taken for granted by the Committee with little or NO thanks for his efforts. If it hadn't been for JC keeping the Flying School going on a daily basis, it would have ground to a halt, he also took over the duties of CFI when KL departed for pastures greener (the rest you all know about - DISGUSTING!!). The majority of flying members will nodoubt have flown with JC when getting their PPL or additional Ratings, a lot of his work was carried out after normal daily hours of 0900-1700 (which some members of staff worked only, little or nothing extra), JC would never turn anyone away, he would fit in their requests to flying no matter what the hour - a true flyer and not appreciated by some and just taken for granted.

Yes, a big THANK YOU to JC for all he has done for the Flying School and I know he is disgusted at the actions of certain Committee members over the years but too much of a gentleman to air his views in public. Mines a Pint JC...



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Old 17th Dec 2004, 13:53
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Here..here...

I'll second that.
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Old 17th Dec 2004, 14:18
  #273 (permalink)  
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Workmaster,

May I just add something to you final paragraph.

JC had the misfortune to sit alongside me in Juliet Victor several weeks ago as I struggled with this flying mallarkey after a long lay off. He was utmost professional in not hurting my feelings whilst I basically flew around like a useless tw*t. But behind his wry smile I could tell he what he was thinking.

He arranged flights that enabled me to avoid the premium landing fess, which meant inevitably, a late night(s) for himself. By the time JV was back in the hangar and JC had a cool can of Scotch in his tankard, it was nearly 8.00pm! Did he ever complain - No!! I feel sick to the stomach for JC and I hope that somewhere in the not too distant future I can replenish the tankard in a club environment.

Look after yourself JC

Andy
 
Old 17th Dec 2004, 15:29
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Having flown with JC a few times and dealt with him very often as a regular flyer I too feel physically sick over the way he's been treated. Yes a lot of other people up there have my thoughts too but JC is at the top.

Look after yourself sarge, I hope to 'work' with you again soon.

Ian Bowden
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Old 17th Dec 2004, 21:14
  #275 (permalink)  
 
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Newcastle Upon Tyne Aero Club

Dear Members:

Workmaster: Excellent posting again, I feel I know you and I am sure you know me, will PM you soon!

bigstu: Obviously not working on a "commission" basis but glad you are still with us!

newcastlepilot: So far, and with Workmaster's posts have you worked out the weak link with regard to Samson yet, an alarm bell rings with this T. Laws character, can't say I remember him at all but a colleague seems to know a something that would help the thread, will speak to him in next day or so and hopefully I will be in a position to leave a "newcastlepilot" type posting - that's in length!

Good Luck

BB
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Old 18th Dec 2004, 10:05
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I agree with all the comments made about JC, he's served us all very well. He certainly gave me an enormous amount of his time and help.
At the moment I beleive RMT has kept him on to work in the office, good for him and I hope it lasts.
For information... he came to NAC when Sunderland closed...I think he had been CFI there...and most Sunderland members joined NAC.
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Old 18th Dec 2004, 10:34
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Newcastle Upon Tyne Aero Club

Good Morning Members:

I echo the words posted by Mu Beta regarding JC.

Everytime I did manage to get to the club, JC was either doing one of the following:

Admin work in the office.
Fuelling Aircraft.
Flying Aircraft.
Taking a ground School OR drinking in the bar out of a silver tankard of which the handle was tastefully shaped to that of a womans body, and when drinking from it JC's thumb would just cover her ample b***sts.

Most of the time he was doing ALL those tasks at once!
Good on him and hopefully JC will be around should Elia Golfins plan take shape.

Good Luck.

BB
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Old 18th Dec 2004, 13:19
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I was on the committee during some of the fuel supply negotiations. The original plan, if I remember correctly, was to try and get a non BP source of Avgas so there would be real price competition on the field, but for various reasons that was not possible. Plus it transpired that it would have meant building a fuel farm just for the club, which would have been mad. The airport was not in favour of the club sourcing its own fuel at all, preferring the monopoly which Samson held to be maintained. But they could not argue that successfully on monopoly grounds, and reluctantly agreed to let the club supply its own fuel for its own planes and for members.

I really don't know all the details, and others I did know I have forgotten. What I do know is that the price of fuel at the field dropped very substantially once Samson had some competition, and it was decent competition since the club planes burnt a substantial fraction all the avgas sold at the field. Around 175,000 litres p.a. for the club fleet, out of a total of about 500,000 litres p.a. on the field.

Of course Samson dropped its price when the club started its own fuel supply; they could not do anything else, so instantaneously it did not matter to someone in the Bellman whether they taxied around to the club bowser, or got Samson to fuel them at the Bellman. The difference was that the price they were paying was less. And the club was paying less, by around 10p a litre. Yes, the ex-Gill bowser cost a few thousand to fix up, but saving 10p a litre on 175,000 a year quickly paid for that.

As far as engineering is concerned post Littlewings, the engineer we got was excellent. Paul did his very best in a freezing hangar with clapped out equipment. People who had been taking their planes to Carlisle or Blackpool or Bagby for maintenance started using Newcastle again; but even then the landing fees issue raised its head. An airfield which owns the on site maintenance facility is not going to stifle engineering business by charging landing fees to customers. But of course Newcastle couldn't work like this, so a light twin driver would be £30 or so worse off if s/he was not based at Newcastle before the engineer even looked at the plane. And I think Paul did make a difference; he was courteous, the planes got fixed, and more were on line than before.

I have never met the more recent engineering staff, and have no experience of their work, so this is not intended as a comparison with recent times. It's just to set the record straight on that particular period. Eventually Paul left for family reasons, and a great shame too.
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Old 18th Dec 2004, 17:47
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Evening all,

Could somebody please just explain to me what is happening? I’ve had four lessons at the aero club but it had to be temporarily stopped, and I was hoping to begin again fairly soon.

I understand that the clubs in debt and big trouble. The cause of this I personally am not too bothered about, I am more interested in the solution, and what is being done to try and get it open again. Being only 17, at school I was hoping to get flying again very soon, and that’s why it was postponed – parents are paying. Newcastle is the best option for me, and generally a nice place.

I guess the main thing which I’d like to find out is if the club is going to reopen, and if so when?

Thanks and good luck. Hopefully see you all at the club some day, not too far away!

John
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Old 18th Dec 2004, 19:52
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Devil Recent Posting's

Urdy Gurdy

You have a valid point, Why did so many people attend the
" Wake " for NAC and not visit it when alive and help out in that way supporting the club, Granted it had lost that club feeling from the first time I used it but there were still a lot of good people
there.

Ppruners ?

Once again that committee word has arisen in the most informative previous postings, God help the person who mentions forming one. You are forewarned !

TJ what does the "R " stand for ( Rupert ?)

Regards All

JWF we all hope to fly again from the club but we will have to wait and see what happens....
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