Sandtoft - Worrying news
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I think Phli4fun says it all. People have an affinity with Sandtoft not the operator. It has many benefits which those that have flown from Sandtoft appreciate. Sadly the last lease holder had problems with many people and tried to convert it from a flying club to a disco with flashing lights and wall mounted TV's etc, which is his stock in trade. Many good long term members resented this and voted with their feet. So maybe it's time to restore it back to a friendly (new kitchen staff) and welcoming place that offers flying at an affordable rate with pleasant people who are passionate about flying, are pleasant to deal with and care about their customers.
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Its interesting dontbeadingbat (posts 2 joined Nov 2010) is so defensive about 52nd Street move to Doncaster. Mr Ramsden tried this when he moved from Sheffield. Car parking problems, no 100LL fuel (who pays for the fill up trips?) and strict security checks before you got onto the apron were all problems experienced when Mr Ramsden ran the school at Doncaster. These were not problems that you came across at Sandtoft. For cjboy the cost of the runway resurfacing was met by the airfield owners not the person leasing the airfield.
Last edited by KarlwithaK; 29th Nov 2010 at 07:30.
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And so the traditional witch hunt begins. I today spoke to the CFI who assured me that AVGAS is readily available and in stock, so there would be no fill up trips. Apparently car parking is free so it sounds quite good to me.
Before people start throwing accusations around they should probably think a bit more. I've not been flying that long so havnt been at Sandtoft for years like some of you claim to have been. The move means it is a much shorter distance for me to travel and all my questions have been answered well by the club. I honestly cant see why people want to constantly put others down. Aviation is my hobby, just like it is yours and the club have never been anything but good to me. So please stop all the back-stabbing. We all want the same thing in the end - to fly.
Before people start throwing accusations around they should probably think a bit more. I've not been flying that long so havnt been at Sandtoft for years like some of you claim to have been. The move means it is a much shorter distance for me to travel and all my questions have been answered well by the club. I honestly cant see why people want to constantly put others down. Aviation is my hobby, just like it is yours and the club have never been anything but good to me. So please stop all the back-stabbing. We all want the same thing in the end - to fly.
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And so the traditional witch hunt begins. I today spoke to the CFI who assured me that AVGAS is readily available and in stock, so there would be no fill up trips. Apparently car parking is free so it sounds quite good to me.
Before people start throwing accusations around they should probably think a bit more. I've not been flying that long so havnt been at Sandtoft for years like some of you claim to have been. The move means it is a much shorter distance for me to travel and all my questions have been answered well by the club. I honestly cant see why people want to constantly put others down. Aviation is my hobby, just like it is yours and the club have never been anything but good to me. So please stop all the back-stabbing. We all want the same thing in the end - to fly.
Before people start throwing accusations around they should probably think a bit more. I've not been flying that long so havnt been at Sandtoft for years like some of you claim to have been. The move means it is a much shorter distance for me to travel and all my questions have been answered well by the club. I honestly cant see why people want to constantly put others down. Aviation is my hobby, just like it is yours and the club have never been anything but good to me. So please stop all the back-stabbing. We all want the same thing in the end - to fly.
I've just re-read this thread and can't for the life of me see anything that could be construed as a witch hunt or backstabbing, just, perhaps, slightly different points of view to your own. I hope everything works out for you at DSA, but I'm also looking forward to Sandtoft bouncing back.
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Sandtoft returns to the good.
Just been reading the posts here.
No one poaches me!! I'll make my own mind up, thanks.
I hope Sandtoft gets back on its feet soon. EGCN's gain is Sandtoft's loss-
Sandtoft is a great little airfield and is perfect for relaxed club flying and learning to fly. I'll be voting with my feet and returning to Sandtoft. With a bit of TLC we'll all put it back on track and repair the damage. I think the real people on here will agree that a club isn't about its membership. Its about its members!
Hope everyone is ticking along OK despite the snow!
No one poaches me!! I'll make my own mind up, thanks.
I hope Sandtoft gets back on its feet soon. EGCN's gain is Sandtoft's loss-
Sandtoft is a great little airfield and is perfect for relaxed club flying and learning to fly. I'll be voting with my feet and returning to Sandtoft. With a bit of TLC we'll all put it back on track and repair the damage. I think the real people on here will agree that a club isn't about its membership. Its about its members!Hope everyone is ticking along OK despite the snow!
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In reply to KarlwithaK, Avgas fuel is available at Doncaster from a small bowser but retails at £1.68 per ltr. To fill a PA28 with 40 galls would cost circa £300. By my calcs that puts the net cost of running a PA28 with aircraft lease towards£110 per hour. Not a large margin when hired out at less than £120 per hour. I wish them luck at Doncaster but they certainly seem to have set themselves some handicaps. If Sandtoft bounces back, and my gut feeling is it will, I wonder which way the members/ex members will vote ?
I flew into Sandtoft for a weekend last January and liked it very much so I wish it well. That said, my family live very close to Finningley and it would be much more convenient if light aircraft were welcome there at a sensible price. I don't mind a twenty or thirty pound landing fee for such a place but do resent the c. £75 compulsory handling I was quoted.
Do any of you locals know please whether the presence of a flying school at the spaceport means that we'll be able to take light aircraft there for a sensible price?
Do any of you locals know please whether the presence of a flying school at the spaceport means that we'll be able to take light aircraft there for a sensible price?
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I suppose I'm just re-posting Michael JP59's request here. Does anybody have information regarding Sandtofts future?
It all seems to have gone very quiet. As Michael says the snow won't help, but with the airfield phone number diverted to Robin Hood and no news from anywhere else, I'm starting to worry.
Mondo...Are you on frequency?
It all seems to have gone very quiet. As Michael says the snow won't help, but with the airfield phone number diverted to Robin Hood and no news from anywhere else, I'm starting to worry.
Mondo...Are you on frequency?
Last edited by Phli4fun; 8th Dec 2010 at 18:45.
From what i understand things are going on behind the scenes to keepc some activity at Sandtoft. At the moment I think that those who need to know what's afoot know.
I'm pretty confident to say this is by no means the end for Sandtoft, I wish everyone there the very best of luck whatever happens, its a nice airfield and reminds me of how some of the local airfields 'used to be' about 15 years ago.
I'm pretty confident to say this is by no means the end for Sandtoft, I wish everyone there the very best of luck whatever happens, its a nice airfield and reminds me of how some of the local airfields 'used to be' about 15 years ago.
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Doncaster.............A good move?
While some might say that to move to Doncaster is a good thing and that the Doncaster management are cooperative the problem is that this is the attitude of the current management.
So often have I seen the corperate wind change and a bean counter who has no real idea of how to run a business take over, the next move is pressure from the airlines saying that they are "subsidising" the little aircraft and so the charges to GA are increased to a level that makes the whole thing uneconomic.
So the "little" aircraft get forced out, the airport operating costs are unchanged and because of this the airlines have to find the full cost of the airport fees. Is this a victory for the airlines?
So who subsidises who?
It is a good question but a flying club that has moved to Doncaster will have to be quick on it's feet when the inevitable pressure from the airline bean counters starts to be applied.
My advice would be to stay at Sandtoft and deal with people who need your business.
So often have I seen the corperate wind change and a bean counter who has no real idea of how to run a business take over, the next move is pressure from the airlines saying that they are "subsidising" the little aircraft and so the charges to GA are increased to a level that makes the whole thing uneconomic.
So the "little" aircraft get forced out, the airport operating costs are unchanged and because of this the airlines have to find the full cost of the airport fees. Is this a victory for the airlines?
So who subsidises who?
It is a good question but a flying club that has moved to Doncaster will have to be quick on it's feet when the inevitable pressure from the airline bean counters starts to be applied.
My advice would be to stay at Sandtoft and deal with people who need your business.
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The Phoenix rises.
I have had a meeting today,(15th Dec 2010) with the landlord, at Sandtoft Airfield. I have received his assurance that the airfield should be up and running in the early part of January. The flight centre and cafe' will be decorated before Xmas and thereafter the staff will ensure that they are cosy and welcoming places to be. The legal paperwork in respect of flying activities has gone in to the CAA, as we speak. Fuel supplies have been secured and after further discussions we have the assurance that sufficient aircraft will be available for hire as soon as we become operational. I apologise that it has not been a seamless changeover, but most people will understand why. I personally have to thank the many people who have contacted me for their patience, expressions of loyalty and offers of good will. Have a Merry Xmas and I look forward to a Happy Flying New Year. Ray Price. C.F.I. designate. Sandtoft.
Last edited by Mondo; 15th Dec 2010 at 19:13.
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That's brilliant news Mondo, thanks for the early Christmas present. I look forward to flying with you in the new year. Best of luck to all involved in ressurecting Sandtoft airfield.