Elstree temp closure
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 3
From: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
You go back a bit! Based at Denham, we found Leavesden's RADAR extremely useful when coming back and the weather was a tad less than advertised. But then it was owned by Rolls-Royce, so who was going to pay to keep it open when they didn't need it any more?
I recall the CAA pulling Elstree's licence a few years ago due the parlous state of the runway, until they patched it. I'd guess the cost of a full resurface somewhere around £1million. Who is going to pay for that? Is that Lake Bucaneer all covered in green mould still there?
I never enjoyed going to Elstree. Our Head Office was there and we had to drop off a/c for servicing, waste of an afternoon as far as I was concerned, but they did pay me!
I would imaging the runway would need to be closed for a hangar construction if the equipment was going to infringe the safeguarded surfaces, possibly the sideslope if it's near the rest of the buildings.
TOO
I recall the CAA pulling Elstree's licence a few years ago due the parlous state of the runway, until they patched it. I'd guess the cost of a full resurface somewhere around £1million. Who is going to pay for that? Is that Lake Bucaneer all covered in green mould still there?
I never enjoyed going to Elstree. Our Head Office was there and we had to drop off a/c for servicing, waste of an afternoon as far as I was concerned, but they did pay me!
I would imaging the runway would need to be closed for a hangar construction if the equipment was going to infringe the safeguarded surfaces, possibly the sideslope if it's near the rest of the buildings.
TOO
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 17
From: London
You go back a bit! Based at Denham, we found Leavesden's RADAR extremely useful when coming back and the weather was a tad less than advertised. But then it was owned by Rolls-Royce, so who was going to pay to keep it open when they didn't need it any more?
I recall the CAA pulling Elstree's licence a few years ago due the parlous state of the runway, until they patched it. I'd guess the cost of a full resurface somewhere around £1million. Who is going to pay for that? Is that Lake Bucaneer all covered in green mould still there?
I never enjoyed going to Elstree. Our Head Office was there and we had to drop off a/c for servicing, waste of an afternoon as far as I was concerned, but they did pay me!
I would imaging the runway would need to be closed for a hangar construction if the equipment was going to infringe the safeguarded surfaces, possibly the sideslope if it's near the rest of the buildings.
TOO
I recall the CAA pulling Elstree's licence a few years ago due the parlous state of the runway, until they patched it. I'd guess the cost of a full resurface somewhere around £1million. Who is going to pay for that? Is that Lake Bucaneer all covered in green mould still there?
I never enjoyed going to Elstree. Our Head Office was there and we had to drop off a/c for servicing, waste of an afternoon as far as I was concerned, but they did pay me!
I would imaging the runway would need to be closed for a hangar construction if the equipment was going to infringe the safeguarded surfaces, possibly the sideslope if it's near the rest of the buildings.
TOO
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 32
From: France
I did my first solo at Elstree 46 years ago (!) and also did a year as a flying instructor there, so I suppose I have a soft spot for the place but if I’m honest, it always has been a bit shabby. Short, undulating runway; school one end and power cables the other, not ideal for EFATO.
Some of the characters brought a bit of money and glamour with them from North London. Spencer Flack, Alan Dyer, Jan Behrman, Keith Ewert (with Bill Bailey, of St Johns Air Ambulance fame), the Czech Stephan Brod (who imported Aero 145s), Hughie Green, Graham Hill and of course the amazing man who made it all possible, John Houlder.
Who can forget Geoffrey’s booming voice from the “tower” and the calmer, measured tones of Pete? The ground crew (of whom I was proud to call myself a member for a short time) included Jock, his dog Haggis (who miraculously avoided decapitation by walking close to spinning props), Ollie and Tom Kilcoyne the manager, who also looked after JH’s Aero Commander.
I also have fond memories of Leavesden, having instructed there for six years. A much quieter, more professional atmosphere with the advantage of a wider, longer runway and a superb SRA down to 1/2 nm which saved a few diversions over the years.
Sorry for the ramble but to stay on topic, I’m glad if some improvements are being put in place at Elstree. It has a great history and deserves a bright future.
Some of the characters brought a bit of money and glamour with them from North London. Spencer Flack, Alan Dyer, Jan Behrman, Keith Ewert (with Bill Bailey, of St Johns Air Ambulance fame), the Czech Stephan Brod (who imported Aero 145s), Hughie Green, Graham Hill and of course the amazing man who made it all possible, John Houlder.
Who can forget Geoffrey’s booming voice from the “tower” and the calmer, measured tones of Pete? The ground crew (of whom I was proud to call myself a member for a short time) included Jock, his dog Haggis (who miraculously avoided decapitation by walking close to spinning props), Ollie and Tom Kilcoyne the manager, who also looked after JH’s Aero Commander.
I also have fond memories of Leavesden, having instructed there for six years. A much quieter, more professional atmosphere with the advantage of a wider, longer runway and a superb SRA down to 1/2 nm which saved a few diversions over the years.
Sorry for the ramble but to stay on topic, I’m glad if some improvements are being put in place at Elstree. It has a great history and deserves a bright future.
Last edited by eckhard; 25th June 2018 at 19:09.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,458
Likes: 368
From: Wildest Surrey
Notice you didn't mention Mike Searle. When I went there to buy an aircraft from him, it was parked between Roland Fraissinet's Spitfire and Gary Numan's Harvard.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 32
From: France
Sorry if I forgot some important people. Yes, Mike Searle and Tim Vaughn, together with the aforementioned Stephan Brod, formed SBV Aero Services. Mike flew with me in an Aztec, to help diagnose some engine trouble. Didn’t he come to grief in Spencer’s Sea Fury?
Then there were Pat and Rudi, on the other side of the hangar who formed Light Aircraft Services.
Ive just remembered that it was Tom Kilcoyne who was the hangar/airfield manager, not “John”. I’ll correct my previous post.
Then there were Pat and Rudi, on the other side of the hangar who formed Light Aircraft Services.
Ive just remembered that it was Tom Kilcoyne who was the hangar/airfield manager, not “John”. I’ll correct my previous post.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Joined: Jan 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 15,200
Likes: 1,202
From: Too close to Croydon for comfort
It was Spencer who pranged two of his Sea Furies after engine failures, the third escaped to the US unscathed!
Mike Searle may have been involved with the Spanish Jungmann caper, three were wrecked en-route from Spain to Elstree...
Mike Searle may have been involved with the Spanish Jungmann caper, three were wrecked en-route from Spain to Elstree...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 32
From: France
Ah yes, weren’t Clive Hawes and Gary Tait involved with that too?
Thread drift alert:
I have a vague memory of meeting Gary and his business partner in Lagos, when they were ferrying a Beagle 206 from Fernando Po to the UK.
Thread drift alert:
I have a vague memory of meeting Gary and his business partner in Lagos, when they were ferrying a Beagle 206 from Fernando Po to the UK.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,458
Likes: 368
From: Wildest Surrey
Bringing a Beagle 206 back to the UK?
I'm surprised that was allowed; most people were glad to get rid of them (especially the RAF who I'm told by a guy who worked for Shorts at Bovingdon were given all the 'rogue' airframes; he had to try to service them)
I'm surprised that was allowed; most people were glad to get rid of them (especially the RAF who I'm told by a guy who worked for Shorts at Bovingdon were given all the 'rogue' airframes; he had to try to service them)
Gnome de PPRuNe
Joined: Jan 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 15,200
Likes: 1,202
From: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Used to be a few ex RAF Beagles at Biggin, they seemed to there for a while including one registered intriguingly in Paraguay. Most went to the USA I think. Couple of ex-Australian examples turned up as well...
Gary Tait - did he fly a Baron or a Duke?
Gary Tait - did he fly a Baron or a Duke?
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 32
From: France
Gary probably flew most types at some point! Wasn’t his business partner called Dudley Clarke? Did they start National Airways, which then moved to Southend?
Last edited by eckhard; 26th June 2018 at 18:41. Reason: remembered Dudley Clarke’s name
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 17
From: London
Uh huh, whatever you say. It's still closed, which was my main point.
And I don't live in Europe. I live in England. But thanks for your snotty reply anyway. I'm sure the people based there would disagree with your description of '!!!!hole'.
And I don't live in Europe. I live in England. But thanks for your snotty reply anyway. I'm sure the people based there would disagree with your description of '!!!!hole'.
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 8
From: elstree
Describing Elstree as a !!!!hole is very unfair.
it may not be as picturesque as some
airfields but it’s a busy successful airfield with at least 7 different flying schools on site, a mix of GA and ‘light’ commercial, Pooleys shop, maintenance outfit and excellent restaurant. Location is excellent for those visiting central london (via thameslink)
I don’t own shares but I do live in Elstree (the town) and feel privileged that I have a working airfield, that’s not under threat, 5 mins from my house.
it may not be as picturesque as some
airfields but it’s a busy successful airfield with at least 7 different flying schools on site, a mix of GA and ‘light’ commercial, Pooleys shop, maintenance outfit and excellent restaurant. Location is excellent for those visiting central london (via thameslink)
I don’t own shares but I do live in Elstree (the town) and feel privileged that I have a working airfield, that’s not under threat, 5 mins from my house.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,458
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From: Wildest Surrey
I’m sadly prompted to think about quoting that famous line about polishing turds. Leavesden was a tremendous aerodrome, with proper facilities, and that north London was left with Elstree to cater for GA perfectly shows the damage done by the absence of any kind of general aviation strategy in the UK.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 4
From: London