Sandtoft now open again.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: Up There!!!
Hi Rick,
Sandtoft now has a £10.00 landing fee which entitles the pilots to a cuppa & cake free i think.
I'm quite happy to pay the landing fee's else where, but it seems to be a sore point with some people............
Trev
Sandtoft now has a £10.00 landing fee which entitles the pilots to a cuppa & cake free i think.
I'm quite happy to pay the landing fee's else where, but it seems to be a sore point with some people............
Trev
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 594
Likes: 1
From: 32°55'22"S 151°46'56"E
Hey Trev,
Do you think they will reinstate the reciprocal agreements? It seems to encourage people in for fuel and food, and it's not like your losing out when members get access to 20+ other airfields.
Do you think they will reinstate the reciprocal agreements? It seems to encourage people in for fuel and food, and it's not like your losing out when members get access to 20+ other airfields.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool
Amazing isn't it? There was a lot of heartsearching and hand wringing when Sandtoft closed. Now there appears to be mutterings about the landing fee being £10.00. The place has a newly laid runway, free aircraft parking and a good cafe. If you could just point me towards ten similar airfields I can use for £10.00 I should be grateful.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: Up There!!!
Amazing isn't it? There was a lot of heart-searching and hand wringing when Sandtoft closed. Now there appears to be mutterings about the landing fee being £10.00. The place has a newly laid runway, free aircraft parking and a good cafe. If you could just point me towards ten similar airfields I can use for £10.00 I should be grateful.
AND the coffee is made for you, i have been to other airfields where i have to make my own coffee.......
I quite happily pay landing fee's elsewhere.
Cheers Trev
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 594
Likes: 1
From: 32°55'22"S 151°46'56"E
Not an argument, just a discussion. When I was a member at Sandtoft (and hopefully will rejoin again soon), I appreciated the reciprocal agreements and visited many of the airfields on the list.
Agreed its no big hardship having to pay, but I always felt as a member it is a nicety between flying clubs.
It's a loss of a membership benefit, which can add up to a handsome sum when you fly a lot.
I respect in this climate that for flying clubs to operate, that they have to be desperate for every penny that can be provided. Just a shame, that the good will between local clubs is eroded in the process.
The worst part is the 'I'm OK Jack' attitude, well yes those of us who can afford the fees, fine. But what about the 17 year guys trying to build hours, I would consider they make up a large proportion of the students at the likes of Sandtoft and Sherburn, even Humberside offers a discount for them!
Agreed its no big hardship having to pay, but I always felt as a member it is a nicety between flying clubs.
It's a loss of a membership benefit, which can add up to a handsome sum when you fly a lot.
I respect in this climate that for flying clubs to operate, that they have to be desperate for every penny that can be provided. Just a shame, that the good will between local clubs is eroded in the process.
The worst part is the 'I'm OK Jack' attitude, well yes those of us who can afford the fees, fine. But what about the 17 year guys trying to build hours, I would consider they make up a large proportion of the students at the likes of Sandtoft and Sherburn, even Humberside offers a discount for them!
Last edited by L'aviateur; 24th February 2011 at 04:57.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 594
Likes: 1
From: 32°55'22"S 151°46'56"E
The problem isn't with having a landing fee, that is accepted. But reciprical agreements between airfields just seemed like good sport. Effectively as a member of Sandtoft you are losing out on something from your membership, which can amount to hundreds of pounds a year, because withdrawing the reciprical agreement affects all the local airfields in agreement. Isn't not just the point of charging other people.
Obviously Sandtoft Management have felt that this part of the 'Membership Benefit' is no longer financially viable. Since I don't know the ins and outs of their membership, I can't comment on that point, but it is dissapointing and could sway someone to use an alternative airfield which provides more benefits and lower costs to a member. Some people, particularly those in LAA, Groups and Students may consider flying elsewhere.
So my point in brief is having a landing fee isn't the discouragement, its more the withdrawal of the 'Membership Benefit' which is offered by all other clubs in the region. And don't get me wrong, I have a great deal of respect for Ray and Nikki, I'm just interested in other peoples views on this matter.
Obviously Sandtoft Management have felt that this part of the 'Membership Benefit' is no longer financially viable. Since I don't know the ins and outs of their membership, I can't comment on that point, but it is dissapointing and could sway someone to use an alternative airfield which provides more benefits and lower costs to a member. Some people, particularly those in LAA, Groups and Students may consider flying elsewhere.
So my point in brief is having a landing fee isn't the discouragement, its more the withdrawal of the 'Membership Benefit' which is offered by all other clubs in the region. And don't get me wrong, I have a great deal of respect for Ray and Nikki, I'm just interested in other peoples views on this matter.
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire, England
I dropped in to Sandtoft this afternoon for a bite of lunch, a coffee and a piece of free cake and a few litres of avgas. What a super welcome. The resurfaced strip is smooth, the team as friendly as ever and the GA atmosphere just great. The fire crews are pleased to be back and the men in hi-vis trimming the grass adjacent to the lead offs were smiling.
Get in there folks, pay your money and be thankful that an airfield has been saved.
Just remember, no airfields = no flying, and what's a tenner these days.
Get in there folks, pay your money and be thankful that an airfield has been saved.
Just remember, no airfields = no flying, and what's a tenner these days.
