Sandown
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: South uk
Sandown
Just been to The Aviator which is under new management. No dogs allowed, no smoking, lousy service yet again and as a 3800 hour pilot I would not recommend it to anyone. What will they do next - ban pilots?
The Isle of Wight is a brilliant place to fly to with the family - visit the beach, take a stroll in the country but as regards The Aviator at Sandown, forget it.
Have you tried Bembridge lately - different story!
The Isle of Wight is a brilliant place to fly to with the family - visit the beach, take a stroll in the country but as regards The Aviator at Sandown, forget it.
Have you tried Bembridge lately - different story!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 476
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From: Massachusetts Bay Colony
When did the management take over? I was there with a bunch of mates in November and couldn't fault the service or the food. Both were excellent.
As for the smoking ban, I can't wait until that's universal and enforced, so that's actually a plus point for me.
Pitts2112
As for the smoking ban, I can't wait until that's universal and enforced, so that's actually a plus point for me.
Pitts2112
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,684
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From: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
Bembridge
...has the added advantage of a hard runway at this time of seriously boggy airfields (still a bit dodgy parking, though)
You don't have to eat on the airfield. Take a stroll (healthy & appetite-inducing!) to the Crab & Lobster - one of the best destination pubs in walking distance of an airfield anywhere!
Cheers,
TOO
ps the Aviatior was great last June, but things do change - look at the ups & downs of AV8 at Kemble!
You don't have to eat on the airfield. Take a stroll (healthy & appetite-inducing!) to the Crab & Lobster - one of the best destination pubs in walking distance of an airfield anywhere!
Cheers,
TOO
ps the Aviatior was great last June, but things do change - look at the ups & downs of AV8 at Kemble!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 932
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From: Deepest Warwickshire
When did the management take over? I was there with a bunch of mates in November and couldn't fault the service or the food. Both were excellent.
As for the smoking ban, I can't wait until that's universal and enforced, so that's actually a plus point for me.
Pitts2112
As for the smoking ban, I can't wait until that's universal and enforced, so that's actually a plus point for me.
Pitts2112
Nice development they got there, building is reminiscent of a sailing club. Definate improvement over the hut they had beforehand.It's a 20/25 minute walk into Bembridge. Going out of the airfield up the hill is a bit risky with cars for there is little room to get off the road.
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Middle Earth
Fried Chicken
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,189
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From: Earth
lousy service yet again and as a 3800 hour pilot I would not recommend it to anyone
As a mere student in comparison I really enjoyed my last visit to the Aviator at Sandown. I thought the food was excellent (as always) and the staff were cheery and efficient. The experience was only slightly marred by having to spend the time with Pitts2112 and DubTrub but nothing in life is perfect.
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: ...back of the drag curve
No dogs allowed, no smoking,
Sandown used to have a superb little cafe in a tin building behind the tower, and then it expanded and ended up like the Ritz.. Kemble also used to have a lovely little cafe on the 1st floor of the tower, great bacon sandwiches and then the yuppies moved in and we now have AV8 or whatever it's called, selling overpriced crap food.
Which is why i no longer go to either of them
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: UK,Twighlight Zone
I was there last Sunday, excellant service, excellent food. FANTASTIC NO SMOKING. Just because others choose to inhale filth into their lungs passive 3rd parties should not have to suffer. The sooner smoking is banned everywhere the better.
Any reason why someone would want to take a dog into a restuarant?
Sandown gets a big thumbs up from me and is one of the few places my wife who sees flying only as transport will come out for lunch!!
Any reason why someone would want to take a dog into a restuarant?
Sandown gets a big thumbs up from me and is one of the few places my wife who sees flying only as transport will come out for lunch!!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 476
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From: Massachusetts Bay Colony
Maybe the reason my memory of Sandown was so good was because i had the pleasant company of Mono, BlueRobin, and DubTrub to add to the experience??
Every place can have an off day. I've been to Sandown 3 or 4 times in the last year and can only recommend it. They do live music on a Sunday as well. And I think they get a good mix of aviation folk and islanders/holiday makers in to watch the flying (and the aviation folk!)
Pitts2112
Every place can have an off day. I've been to Sandown 3 or 4 times in the last year and can only recommend it. They do live music on a Sunday as well. And I think they get a good mix of aviation folk and islanders/holiday makers in to watch the flying (and the aviation folk!)
Pitts2112
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 84
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From: Brighton, East Sussex, UK
Went there 6 time last year and I was impressed every time.
Sandown is one of my favourite airfields to visit.
Rans.
www.FlightForLife.co.uk
Sandown is one of my favourite airfields to visit.
Rans.
www.FlightForLife.co.uk
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,784
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From: Savannah GA & Portsmouth UK
They do live music on a Sunday as well.
This was under the new management and it was doing a roaring trade. Free landings for pre-1950 a/c. I didn't eat but bar service was very prompt and I detected no difference from previous visits where the food has always been good. If I live long enough to get 3800 hours under my belt maybe I'll become a miserable old sod and get lousy service too.
as a 3800 hour pilot I would not recommend it to anyone.
Mike
