sherburn- dead or alive?
I learned to fly at Sherburn a few years back, and it was a great place. But even as a PPL student, I became aware of political games going on in the background, which appear to have ruined the club and resulted in the loss of some great people from the place.
So I popped in for a coffee and a bite to eat about two months ago on a Saturday afternoon to see if the place had improved, so that I might consider rejoining. I had my 8 year old son with me.
What I found confirmed that nothing had changed, in fact it had got worse. The place was dead, except for a group of individuals sat around with one individual talking in a manner which I found quite alarming. They were saying something along the lines of, "once I've decided something, that's it, nobody is going to change my mind and people will have to do what I say". I didn't get the full gist of the conversation, but it was certainly associated with the running of the club.
Even worse was the fact that I got the distinct impression that I was being 'watched' and fully expected to be thrown out of the place for not being a member at any moment, which was reinforced when I read the comments about what happened at the PFA rally.
Had I been asked to leave, I was going to say that I was looking around the club and taking in the atmosphere with a view to (re)joining the club, but I'm not sure if that would have worked.
Such a shame, as the place has some great staff and characters knocking about.
So I popped in for a coffee and a bite to eat about two months ago on a Saturday afternoon to see if the place had improved, so that I might consider rejoining. I had my 8 year old son with me.
What I found confirmed that nothing had changed, in fact it had got worse. The place was dead, except for a group of individuals sat around with one individual talking in a manner which I found quite alarming. They were saying something along the lines of, "once I've decided something, that's it, nobody is going to change my mind and people will have to do what I say". I didn't get the full gist of the conversation, but it was certainly associated with the running of the club.
Even worse was the fact that I got the distinct impression that I was being 'watched' and fully expected to be thrown out of the place for not being a member at any moment, which was reinforced when I read the comments about what happened at the PFA rally.
Had I been asked to leave, I was going to say that I was looking around the club and taking in the atmosphere with a view to (re)joining the club, but I'm not sure if that would have worked.
Such a shame, as the place has some great staff and characters knocking about.
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Don't give up on sherburn - if there are people there that you don't like make the effort to bring in an atmosphere thats more enjoyable. There are plenty of people there who will have a laugh and a joke with you??? Everyone behind the flight desk and all the instructors will bend over backwards to help you.
I got my PPL there, enjoyed every min of if and I reckon that just because some idiot decided to make a few bob through drug running its turning the whole Sherburn "Situation" on its head.
It's a great place, its nice and cheap, its got excellent facilities, nice clean aircraft, a good bar and variety in its flying surfaces.
I got my PPL there, enjoyed every min of if and I reckon that just because some idiot decided to make a few bob through drug running its turning the whole Sherburn "Situation" on its head.
It's a great place, its nice and cheap, its got excellent facilities, nice clean aircraft, a good bar and variety in its flying surfaces.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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As Ian says, the club has a lot going for it especially the condition of the aircraft. I have flown at quite a few different clubs and have been disappointed by the condition of the aircraft. The standard club C150/PA28 at most clubs I have seen has a knackered interior with more avionics unserviceable than serviceable. This is far from the case at Sherburn.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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What is this thread saying? I've been a member for 5 years,and have always found Sherburn to be fine.Aircraft good,prices,facilities etc as good as anywhere,I hardly ever get a problem with availability.This was not the case when I flew from Leeds Bradford with a certain flight school who were the complete opposite! I am surprised that people visiting have had a bad experience,so maybe something is amiss,but I am not in the least interested in internal politics there!
As stated before there are no issues with any of the a/c the facilities or the staff its other underlying issues that are dragging it all down.
unfortuantly after that drugs scandle sherburn is the brunt of many Jokes.. despite the fact it had very little to do with the actual incident
most people who walk in though the doors can see there is a haze sourrounding the place, it doesn't seem as jolly as it once was
The thing that drags it down is the politics and the attitude of the committee that runs the show. on the front of it all they seem to have a 'what we say goes, thats the end of it... your an outsider... please go away' i dislike the back stabbing that goes off behind closed doors... may i also add that a small minority of members as well as the committee are guilty of that
unfortuantly after that drugs scandle sherburn is the brunt of many Jokes.. despite the fact it had very little to do with the actual incident
most people who walk in though the doors can see there is a haze sourrounding the place, it doesn't seem as jolly as it once was
The thing that drags it down is the politics and the attitude of the committee that runs the show. on the front of it all they seem to have a 'what we say goes, thats the end of it... your an outsider... please go away' i dislike the back stabbing that goes off behind closed doors... may i also add that a small minority of members as well as the committee are guilty of that
Join Date: Jan 2006
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I visit Sherburn regularly and find "fit for my purpose".
It is somewhere to land, reasonable cost - landing fee and /or fuel, runways OK, open some evenings for after work flying in summer, reasonable food at a reasonable price. The front desk and re-fuelers are friendly and the toilets are clean.
The natives can be a bit stand offish but that is the way of most clubs.
I enjoy going to Sherburn and will continue to do so
IMHO when clubs stop being social with some training and try to be commercial training schools without the professional commercial expertise and backing but run by a committee of volunteers (usually well meaning but often self centered) they are doomed. A flying club is for FUN not PROFIT and yes it does cost money to be a private flyer.
That is why I am not a member of a club, I want to be able to fly and not get involved in politics, there is enough of that at work.
It is somewhere to land, reasonable cost - landing fee and /or fuel, runways OK, open some evenings for after work flying in summer, reasonable food at a reasonable price. The front desk and re-fuelers are friendly and the toilets are clean.
The natives can be a bit stand offish but that is the way of most clubs.
I enjoy going to Sherburn and will continue to do so
IMHO when clubs stop being social with some training and try to be commercial training schools without the professional commercial expertise and backing but run by a committee of volunteers (usually well meaning but often self centered) they are doomed. A flying club is for FUN not PROFIT and yes it does cost money to be a private flyer.
That is why I am not a member of a club, I want to be able to fly and not get involved in politics, there is enough of that at work.
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Join Date: Apr 2007
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as i originally asked the question, is it as it seems , mainly down to the atmosphere which i suppose is created by the comitee? I realise the newly formed comittee seem somewhat out of touch with the rank and file , so maybe it's time to for members not to be brushed aside by those who would like to think they know better.This club not so long ago was buzzing!, the aircraft were always in use(not lined up as now), the instructors were always on the go, a brilliant place! lets get it back to that!!!!!!!!And funflier44, unfortunately, clubs do need a membership, and they do need to be profitable, otherwise you a'int going to have a sherburn to fly into!!
You may notice that any time in the past when there has been sign of an uprising amoungst members certain individuals seek the so called ring leader and have him promptly 'nipped in the bud' its prevents the happy boat from rocking
from my opinion it must get a lot worse before it can get better, the club will need to hit rock bottom before certain people jump ship and at that point only will the club be able to be restored back to the atmosphere it once was.
I thought it was the new layout/funriture that was put in (nice as it is) but then i remembered at Sandtoft they did that.. and while that nice 'homely' atmosphere went a little it was/is still a wonderful place to grab a snack and have a laugh with like minded people in a great atmosphere
I think the club needs to remember that GA flying for the majority is all about flying and enjoyment... not Politics.. thats what the CAA is for
from my opinion it must get a lot worse before it can get better, the club will need to hit rock bottom before certain people jump ship and at that point only will the club be able to be restored back to the atmosphere it once was.
I thought it was the new layout/funriture that was put in (nice as it is) but then i remembered at Sandtoft they did that.. and while that nice 'homely' atmosphere went a little it was/is still a wonderful place to grab a snack and have a laugh with like minded people in a great atmosphere
I think the club needs to remember that GA flying for the majority is all about flying and enjoyment... not Politics.. thats what the CAA is for
Not sure that would stack up. From memory, the land is leased from a local farmer (I seem to recall there was a debate about the merits of keeping both 29/11 runways after the tarmac went in and associated cost)
Also, why would you spend a load of money on extending the club house and also signing up to an extended/new lease if the intention was to close/fold/move the club?
Also, why would you spend a load of money on extending the club house and also signing up to an extended/new lease if the intention was to close/fold/move the club?
true the land is leased from a very friendly local farmer, if 29 Grass was to be removed there is the possibility for large problems.
currently 29 Tarmac (from memory) is subject to movement restrictions whereas 29 Grass is not; so in theory 29 Tarmac can currently be operated with no limitations - thats also not to mention the easier change over when a TD requests the grass
(although with the lack of flying at that place lately i doubt they would reach the quota anyway
)
currently 29 Tarmac (from memory) is subject to movement restrictions whereas 29 Grass is not; so in theory 29 Tarmac can currently be operated with no limitations - thats also not to mention the easier change over when a TD requests the grass
(although with the lack of flying at that place lately i doubt they would reach the quota anyway
)
