Sandown Airport to close
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 874
Likes: 13
From: South East.
Sandown, IOW.
I have just checked an old teenage logbook to find that I first went to Sandown on the 31st.March, 1959, in Auster Autocrat, G-AIGR, from Leicester East Airfield, followed by Exeter, Staverton and return to Leicester.
I have been in many times since, when my flying started it's final descent, even with my sons, after a military and airline career of over 50 years.
It is a real shame that Sandown, with it's wide NE/SW grass runway, has succumbed to the greed of yet another "developer" but nothing was more certain than when someone was "encouraged" to burn down the beautiful (new) log restaurant. That was indeed the signing of intent that Sandown was to be no more.
Bembridge, even with the enthusiasm of B-N and the Hynetts, never had the same presence as Sandown; never the same cosy feeling as a landing at EGHN.
It was like White Waltham. The runway(s) weren't the smoothest but the reception was totally "garden party". Warm welcome, cosy lounge, great people and a feeling of acceptance like a second home.
Yep, in our progressive world, it was bound to happen. Money is all that matters. The fact that personalities like Mary Ellis (to whom I was introduced in the Tower, back in the dim and distant) now mean nothing, despite their exceptional contribution.
Congratulations, you a*esoles. I'm sure you can live with YOUR contribution to the wholesome story of the Island. Future local inhabitants may not be so condcesending in their assessment of your contribution. Still, who cares ? We've made our few bob.
I have been in many times since, when my flying started it's final descent, even with my sons, after a military and airline career of over 50 years.
It is a real shame that Sandown, with it's wide NE/SW grass runway, has succumbed to the greed of yet another "developer" but nothing was more certain than when someone was "encouraged" to burn down the beautiful (new) log restaurant. That was indeed the signing of intent that Sandown was to be no more.
Bembridge, even with the enthusiasm of B-N and the Hynetts, never had the same presence as Sandown; never the same cosy feeling as a landing at EGHN.
It was like White Waltham. The runway(s) weren't the smoothest but the reception was totally "garden party". Warm welcome, cosy lounge, great people and a feeling of acceptance like a second home.
Yep, in our progressive world, it was bound to happen. Money is all that matters. The fact that personalities like Mary Ellis (to whom I was introduced in the Tower, back in the dim and distant) now mean nothing, despite their exceptional contribution.
Congratulations, you a*esoles. I'm sure you can live with YOUR contribution to the wholesome story of the Island. Future local inhabitants may not be so condcesending in their assessment of your contribution. Still, who cares ? We've made our few bob.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: isle of wight
Tis Posso rather than rosso...!
Terry Warren drops into Sandown now and again in a borrowed Tiger, he has no aircraft based there. Frank Sharples continues to live in his log-cabin at the 23 end..taking to the skies in his Pitts on occasions.
As to where he and the other resident aircraft will go is open to debate. Bembridge is the obvious and only choice, though no hangarage space available.
Also without wishing to be a doom and gloom merchant the future here for G/A is far from certain due to a long running dispute between BN and the land owner of the airfield.
Happy days etc, Posso!
Terry Warren drops into Sandown now and again in a borrowed Tiger, he has no aircraft based there. Frank Sharples continues to live in his log-cabin at the 23 end..taking to the skies in his Pitts on occasions.
As to where he and the other resident aircraft will go is open to debate. Bembridge is the obvious and only choice, though no hangarage space available.
Also without wishing to be a doom and gloom merchant the future here for G/A is far from certain due to a long running dispute between BN and the land owner of the airfield.
Happy days etc, Posso!
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: isle of wight
In answer to Skyfish2 query about 'warf'..nothing to do with Mr Fisher. Instead Wharf Land Investments Ltd a Jersey based Investments / Property mob headed up by ex MP David Mellor at one point.
All loverly people no doubt, sure their mothers love them!
All loverly people no doubt, sure their mothers love them!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: UK
And no doubt once the new development is built on the Sandown site, the new residents will complain about the noisy pilots at Bembridge and yet another airfield will find its movements constrained, rendered unprofitable and bought up for more executive housing....
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Berkshire
"Sundown" Fly-In
Over on Flyer, the suggestion is for an informal Fly-In on Sunday the 26th of September as a farewell to Sandown:
FLYER Forums • View topic - Sandown reaches the end of the road.
FLYER Forums • View topic - Sandown reaches the end of the road.
Joined: Feb 2007
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 636
Likes: 792
From: England
