Willow Air- Southend Airport
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Willow Air- Southend Airport
Has anyone tried to contact these guys recently, I've been trying to book a lesson, but no-one has been answering e-mails or phone calls. It may of course be complete co-incidence and bad luck, but does anyone know if perhaps the number on the website is out of date?
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Oh doesn't sound good :-(
By chance if you happen to pass by again, would you mind posting the number on here (I'm presuming from your post you walk by occasionally)?
Many thanks!
By chance if you happen to pass by again, would you mind posting the number on here (I'm presuming from your post you walk by occasionally)?
Many thanks!
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Via a friend of mine, who did his training with Willow, I heard the owner stopped the business (no bankruptcy, I believe). Probably the rate of return was to low.
I believe it is hard to make a penny in the General Aviation Business. Luckily many people try to make a business.
I believe it is hard to make a penny in the General Aviation Business. Luckily many people try to make a business.
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Was this JAA or FAA training? WA did FAA training for sure but it was always fraught with problems as a result of the FAA checkride hassles. And a school which has to send students to the USA for a checkride is on a hiding to nothing because there is hardly any point in training in the UK if you have to go to the USA for the checkride.
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Well good to hear no-one is in financial hardship at least, these days, that is always a bonus.
If anyone else can shed anymore light, that would be much appreciated!
If anyone else can shed anymore light, that would be much appreciated!
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If it makes a difference, for me, I was attempting to book a lesson for JAA training in a C172 and also a trial in a Schweizer 300C (or Cbi, not sure, but essentially I just wanted a go in a heli to see what it was like).
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I believe that a couple of the instructors that were at W.A. are now to be found at Seawing Flying Club, and they certainly have a C172 on fleet, but not a Schweizer as far as I am aware. I think the Schweizer there is operated by 'Iris Aviation'
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One freelance instructor who used to work at WA was George Capon who is not hard to trace via google. He might know what is happening. The bloke who used to run it was Steve Papi.
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I can't recall who there has a C172 these days, but both Seawing and The Flightcentre have R22's. Contact numbers can be found on the main Southend Airport website.
To be honest, I'm surprised four schools managed to survive there for so long - there's still three there (for now - goodness knows how hospitable Stobart will be if/when their commercial activities really get going).
To be honest, I'm surprised four schools managed to survive there for so long - there's still three there (for now - goodness knows how hospitable Stobart will be if/when their commercial activities really get going).
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Willow Air
I'm doing my PPL at Southend Flying Club at the moment and I think they mentioned something about them going out of business? SFC have just bought a C152 from one of the other clubs at Southend and I think it may have been Willow Air?
I think it was put down to the fact that Willow Air didn't actually own the building they were using and had to pay rent to Southend and they had all of their a/c parked on the main apron, which they also had to pay for, which I'm guessing would have been a significant drain of funds. SFC own their building and parking area outright so they haven't got that problem.
KieranBal
I think it was put down to the fact that Willow Air didn't actually own the building they were using and had to pay rent to Southend and they had all of their a/c parked on the main apron, which they also had to pay for, which I'm guessing would have been a significant drain of funds. SFC own their building and parking area outright so they haven't got that problem.
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Thats a great shame but I suppose it's no suprise.
Those old farts among us will recall the days when Willow Air used to operate several twin turbo props (albeit under the OACs of other operaters), to and from all sorts of European destinations.
I also know a number of pilots who "cut their teeth" there due to the contracts Willow had in much better times, and went on to much better things.
Its all very sad, but has been on the cards for a while. I don't know much about the current management, but the previous guys in charge, in todays situation, would have ensured all the bills were paid before the doors were locked.
Hopefully that's still the case.
Those old farts among us will recall the days when Willow Air used to operate several twin turbo props (albeit under the OACs of other operaters), to and from all sorts of European destinations.
I also know a number of pilots who "cut their teeth" there due to the contracts Willow had in much better times, and went on to much better things.
Its all very sad, but has been on the cards for a while. I don't know much about the current management, but the previous guys in charge, in todays situation, would have ensured all the bills were paid before the doors were locked.
Hopefully that's still the case.
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I did some stuff there a few years ago and decided to leave when the airport had to get a 4x4 to pull my plane out of some massive ruts in the "grass" on which one had to park.
I suspect WA got screwed by that as much as anything else.
I suspect WA got screwed by that as much as anything else.
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Willow Air - Update
For those interested:
Willow Air has ceased trading. Apparently this was a sudden decision made by the proprietor, Steve Papi, and it seems that he closed the business leaving staff unpaid, money held on account by club members appropriated and money owed to Southend Airport left outstanding.
Most of the flying club members have taken their membership to another flying club at the airfield, Seawing. Apparently Willow Air's Chief Flying Instructor, Mark Carter, has moved to Seawing also.
In the light of these developments those people contemplating business dealings with Mr Steve (Stellios) Papi, especially in the field of aviation, may wish to think carefully about proceeding.
Willow Air has ceased trading. Apparently this was a sudden decision made by the proprietor, Steve Papi, and it seems that he closed the business leaving staff unpaid, money held on account by club members appropriated and money owed to Southend Airport left outstanding.
Most of the flying club members have taken their membership to another flying club at the airfield, Seawing. Apparently Willow Air's Chief Flying Instructor, Mark Carter, has moved to Seawing also.
In the light of these developments those people contemplating business dealings with Mr Steve (Stellios) Papi, especially in the field of aviation, may wish to think carefully about proceeding.
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willow members have moved to seawing
hi everyone yes most of the members of willow air flying club southend have moved to seawing .
both myself mark carter and rob bull have moved there.
please come in and visit us .
its a great club friendly and the planes are good .
george capon is there also and can do faa training
regards
mark
both myself mark carter and rob bull have moved there.
please come in and visit us .
its a great club friendly and the planes are good .
george capon is there also and can do faa training
regards
mark
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Biggles 617
Glad you all found somewhere to go
What concerns me is the Stobart Air plans to make Southend a 'big' airport.
When easyJet arrive it can turn managements head with a negative impact on GA. Heard charges have already gone up.
Does this resonate with you?
SGC
Glad you all found somewhere to go
What concerns me is the Stobart Air plans to make Southend a 'big' airport.When easyJet arrive it can turn managements head with a negative impact on GA. Heard charges have already gone up.
Does this resonate with you?
SGC
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Willow air
Hi All
I was training at Willow Air, but had not been back for about 12 months, they had a lump of my money paid up front
But my pilot Mark was excellent, does anybody know where he went?
Peter
I was training at Willow Air, but had not been back for about 12 months, they had a lump of my money paid up front
But my pilot Mark was excellent, does anybody know where he went?
Peter