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Newcastle Aero Club

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Newcastle Aero Club

Old 17th Feb 2005, 17:06
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I too have just received information(heard the rumour anyway) that Neil Clark will be running the old NAC a/c from either today or tomorrow.
All those wishing to fly fixed wing now could contact him direct which I believe is through Northumbria Helicopters, also based at EGNT.
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Old 17th Feb 2005, 17:45
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Beaten to it!

I took a call from JC today. He also confirmed Northumbrian Helo's have acquired the use of 2 ex-NAC planes and is offering training from next week. Not sure about the extent of training though.

NC also suggested to me a couple of weeks ago he hoped to have self-hire available soon. Guess this is what he had planned.
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Old 17th Feb 2005, 17:47
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But what about the bar????
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Old 17th Feb 2005, 18:10
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Well...

Sounds like Martin Ballinger's got the bar doesn't it>
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Old 17th Feb 2005, 19:26
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Anyone know which aircraft NC has, and how much he will charge per hour?

Anyone know if this is, FACT or FICTION, this is after all a take the p*** fourum.
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Old 17th Feb 2005, 20:08
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Exclamation Mr Clark

Hi folks

I have some time booked with NC 2 moro and will advise cost,
when I spoke to book he said it would be a little cheaper than NAC,time will tell.




Reagrds All
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Old 17th Feb 2005, 20:51
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GonTek: It is correct they are cheaper, it costed me Ł98 for an hour on Wednesday at Northumbria Helicopters.

backtothefuture: This is true, I was talking to Northumbria Helicopters on Wednesday and were saying that everything was just waiting to be signed and that. He also said by the sounds of it, that they would infact move into the Aero Club for fixed wing and keep NH open for the helicopters.
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Old 17th Feb 2005, 21:06
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captainben and GonTek

Thanks for that it sounds promising.
Hope it is real this time.

Can`t wait to spend a fortune getting current again,
my cheque book is screaming at the thought of it.

Mu Beta

Have you had any feedback from your earlier post about exmembers getting together to have a drink or CUP of TEA and a good chin wag about Flying?
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 10:16
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Press Announcement - The Journal

The following article appears in today's Newcastle Journal. Sounds quite postive, although Northumbria Helicopter's involvement is not explicitly mentioned.

Aero club mayday brings millionaire Feb 18 2005
By Paul James, The Journal


A North flying school that plunged into administration last year with estimated debts of Ł200,000 has been rescued by one of the region's top businessmen.

Samson Aviation, owned by Morpeth millionaire Martin Ballinger, last night announced it had bought the assets of Newcastle Aero Club, the oldest flying school in the country.

The company has paid an undisclosed sum to buy six of the club's seven planes and the equipment in its flying school, restaurant and bar. Rumours of the takeover have been circulating among the 400-plus flying-club members for months, but until last night the future of the club's training remained uncertain.

Airport bosses, who had impounded the club's planes last November over unpaid landing fees, said they hoped to see it develop into a major centre for aviation training.

Samson has given some of the previous club employees their jobs back and also intends to revamp the 1930s terminal building as a social club for all airport employees.

Mr Ballinger, an accountant, set up the Samson Jet Centre 10 years ago at Newcastle on the back of an award-winning career in public transport.

He turned Go-Ahead from a small bus company in Gateshead into a flourishing and listed plc, valued by the market at more than Ł650m.

He confirmed last night that Samson had completed the deal.

The company is planning to rent out the aircraft and flying school to keep aviation training at Newcastle.

The club's oldest member, Ken Doyle, of Davenport Drive, Gosforth, last night said: "It is absolutely marvellous news and will raise spirits no end.

"We had known he had bought the assets but we were uncertain of what would happen to the flying side of the club.

"One of the big plus points is that he's a man who has been running a successful business there already for some time."

Graeme Mason, the airport's planning, development and facilities manager, said: "Newcastle International is delighted with the outcome of the Aeroclub Administration Order.

"It has enabled the future of flight training at Newcastle to be put on a sound financial footing.

"We see that facility, together with the existing Newcastle Aviation Academy, becoming an important centre for aviation staff training in the North of England. And of course we all look forward to the airport staff membership of the old terminal restaurant and bar."

Club administrator Mike Pott, partner of Newcastle accountants RMT, said "We are absolutely delighted that the administration has allowed a flying training facility to remain at Newcastle."

The club was launched on November 25, 1925, and has trained dozens of pilots who have gone on to fly professionally, including former England rugby player and RAF officer Tony Underwood.

As financial problems mounted last year, Newcastle General Hospital neurosurgeon and club member Nick Todd looked into offering it a financial lifeline, but said the sums did not add up.

Then after the administration order, Australian tycoon Elia Golfin correct planned to take on the club to expand his US flight-training firm.

But the 31-year-old former commercial pilot withdrew, saying he had been offered only a three-year lease rather the 10 he had hoped for.
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 10:32
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Well on the face of it this all sounds like a great outcome!

Lets just hope that half of it is true, and we might even be back flying and having the odd pint (or 10 Bigstu)
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 11:02
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Exclamation

Morning All


Had check ride this morning and can only say goods things, I will say everything said was positive.

Cost was not to bad either !!!!!!! (landing fine included )


Looks like some CB's do have a silver lining.


Here's hoping...
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 13:27
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Taken from Newcastleairport.com:

Samson Aviation acquire Newcastle Aeroclub
18 February 2005

Samson Aviation Services Limited has acquired of the assets of The Newcastle upon Tyne Aeroclub Limited in Administration.

Samson has paid an undisclosed sum to acquire six of the seven aircraft previously operated by the Aeroclub; as well as the equipment and associated furniture in the flying school, restaurant and bar. Samson will also be signing a lease with Newcastle International Airport Limited for occupation of the associated premises.

Samson intends renting out the aircraft and flying school facilities to existing flying training providers at Newcastle International to ensure that, as far as commercially possible, the training services previously operated by the Aeroclub are reinstated. The existing providers have re-employed some of the previous Aeroclub employees.

Samson further intends to refurbish the 1930’s heritage terminal building previously occupied by the Aeroclub, reopening the bar and restaurant facilities and making them available, not only to all previous Aeroclub members, but also to all current airport security pass holders and their families. It is expected that a small annual membership fee will be levied in due course.

Graeme Mason, Planning, Development and Facilities Manager of NIAL said today: “Newcastle International is delighted with the outcome of the Aeroclub Administration Order. It has enabled the future of flight training at Newcastle to be put on a sound financial footing.”

“We see that facility, together with the existing Newcastle Aviation Academy, becoming an important centre for aviation staff training in the North of England. And of course we all look forward to the airport staff membership of the old terminal restaurant and bar”.

Mike Pott, Partner of accountancy firm rmt, Administrators of the Aeroclub since the middle of November 2004, said “We are absolutely delighted that the administration has allowed a flying training facility to remain at Newcastle. The Administrators worked closely with NIAL to achieve this. We are pleased that our professional services, and those of our colleagues at Dickinson Dees Law Firm have helped to achieve this outcome.”
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 13:46
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Sounds like very promising news indeed.

For what it's worth, I happen to like the idea of the Aero Club bar being open to airport employees (though I'm not sure that they'll be flocking through the doors if a membership fee is required). After all, any money in the coffers is a good thing if it helps to secure the future of the flying side of the business. Those who want to see it as a glorified private members club should take up golf instead - it's that kind of Little Britain mentality that sunk it in the first place.

Just hope all the intentions with this buyout are honourable.
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 14:17
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It sounds like they're going to try and create a real aero club feeling, where anyone connected to aviation can go and chat. Obviously this is great news - can't wait for it to actually happen, assuming the plans go through.

Thats made me very happy today - brilliant!

Hopefully see you's there, and get flying in the not too distant future!!
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 17:12
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back to the future said

Mu Beta

Have you had any feedback from your earlier post about exmembers getting together to have a drink or CUP of TEA and a good chin wag about Flying?

The answer is no...but I guess all it takes is for someone to suggest a time and place.
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 18:17
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The answer is no...but I guess all it takes is for someone to suggest a time and place.
Place = Aeroclub

Time = As soon as it's open!

Don't forget your name tags!!!
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 18:40
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The existing providers have re-employed some of the previous Aeroclub employees
Do we know who has/will get their jobs back yet and with whom?

I might be missing something, but isn't this final outcome (ie Martin Ballinger buys the whole club) essentially the same as that which Alan Coulson proposed to the membership at the November AGM? Could we not have saved ourselves all this heartache and most of the staff a couple of months dole if we had just voted "yes" then? What does AC think about this?
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 18:46
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Exclamation

There will be a phoenix from the ashes.


MB : you are voted foreperson of the "former members get together meeting "


As posted earlier I was at N/Heli this morning and got good feelings from them if all comes to fruition.


Lets all hope it works.

Regards all
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 19:04
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MB is leasing the club house and aircraft out to Northumbria Helicopters.
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Old 18th Feb 2005, 19:07
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This is good news, congratulations.

Hopefully it'll also put some of the more ridiculous assertions that NIAL are anti-GA to rest.

Enjoy your flying.
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