Ian,

In short - I don't really know! I didn't think things were as bad as they actually are until I attended the AGM.

It seems so wrong that when we are a year off celebrating our 80th year in existence the whole thing potentially looks like going t**s-up!

I keep hoping in the back of my mind that someone is going to come up with a 'cunning plan' next Wednesday but in reality I'm not convinced that will happen - we may have gone too far to change things now.

I'm proud to be a member of NAC, I'm proud that Newcastle is my home base and if it all comes to an end next week then that will be very sad indeed

I suspect all may not be lost. Flying seems to attract entrepreneurs, and once the dust has settled, if administration really is where this is going, there will still be planes, and there will still be people in the North East wanting to fly.

I suspect someone will make the administrators an offer for some planes: not all; UZ, WK and RT if they're feeling cheap and IF, JV and RH if they want youth (or it may just go on engine hours) and set up a fixed wing flying school again.

What will be missing is the "club" bit, but maybe if all the bickering stops, and someone runs the flying bit for profit, and as a business, then putting in some social facilities to encourage more people to spend money on his aeroplanes will make business sense. They could even call it Newcastle Aero Club....

It would be nice to think the name lives on.

BTW, the club owns the Norton Griffiths Trophy which is at Northern Goldsmiths, and since my grandfather won it twice I'm interested in what happens to it!

And indeed even as I was writing this, the news about the White Knight was being posted....

Aero Club
 

Hi

All isn't lost!

Elia WILL run it as a business and not as a "gravy train" which is what has happened for years.

The "club" bit to Elia is as important as the flying side of things - I like his plan and although I dont "crunch numbers" - -this is the ONLY plan that will save our club.

Cheers

A shocking thought that there might be non-Piper planes on the fleet ;) and a mixture of manufacturers..... good idea though, esp the P28R :)

Aero Club
 

Gentleman

Just reading some earlier postings, lets ALL stick together on this one, individual criticism is no use now... mistakes HAVE been made but should the club be saved then these mistakes will NEVER be made again.

Doc M made a few valid points, as did others but come on guys - we all want the club to survive but lets remain positive and come along to give Elia a chance to air his proposal.

Cheers gang

Hey this does sound good I must admit, is it real though?

I'll believe it when I see it, if it is the case, great! It's seems the only option available to us now.

GWK

Aero Club
 

Hi everybody

G-WK - I'm pleased you are more upbeat today after reading the proposal!

I have just spoken to Elia and everything is in place at his end so we are really waiting for the legal people to get their arses into gear - all being well it could be as early as next week, Elia will be at AGM so lets rally for him.

Just a thought, I'm sure there will be certain members of our club that would love to see this proposal fall flat on its face - my message to those people - "find another club"..... it's a case of "if I cant have it then nobody else can" - make no mistake, these people exist in our club and they know exactly who I mean.

Like I said - we ALL need to be together with the aim of backing Elia and saving our club.

Thanks

Yes indeed, I was a bit upset last night after thinking the situation through properly for the 1st time...and realising what it REALLY means.

Lets get this proposal to everyone we can, get everyone there on Thursday and see what we can do! The prospects are good!

G-WK

I haven't read the proposal yet but any club member who wants to see a new venture fail should take up a new hobby or move to another area to do their flying.

I hope this is not just a hoax.
On the face of it sounds too good to be true.
But if it is really genuine maybe our prayers are answered.
Aussie Air or Florida?? Any info on this company?

Exactly my other concern Charlie32, I can find nothing on this company in my limited looking around.

Fingers crossed though!

GWK ;)

Have had a look myself, and whilst unable to find anything on Aussie Air, I have found one mention of an Elia Golfin with the Lynch Air Flight Academy in Daytona Florida. But thats the only info I can come up with, otherwise drawn a blank. Doesn't give any info about his role in that outfit.

I too match Ian's sentiment. I completed my PPL in less than a year and have now held it for just over 2 - solely at Newcastle Aero Club.

It is with the instructors that I managed to get there.

I personally will miss the instruction of all those Ian listed above, and although it was Jonathan Charlton (now at Loganair as an FO) who did the majority of my training work to assist in completing my PPL, Keith still took the test, did my complex checkout on G-NELI, and was about to take my IMC test before the club folded. (I've now lost I suspect the remaining money I paid upfront for the IMC course). My thanks also go to Les Bates (for coming in in the evenings when he could have his feet up watching the football) for doing my IMC course; John Corlett aka The Sarge, for the checkouts when needed; Jon "Schumacker" Lamberton (as he ended up getting called but a few of us for his taxiing); Ian Chambers for nearly getting my IMC completed before the worst happened; Andreas Bakolis - who didn't end up getting to Blackpool in G-NELI that weekend!

One thing I would say though is Danielson needs to be called to account over his activities - for sure!

I too would like to know more about Aussie Air as I can't seem to find much on them either!

If thats the case well hooray! Of course we're all worried as it just seems like such a change of fortunes (albeit a very good one)!

Can't wait for more information!

GWK :D

NAC
 

WK!

I'm actually typing away int the internet lounge at the airport before my long haul flight to Exeter!

It's going to happen - he is very confident and that bodes well.

Like I said earlier, people WILL to throw a spanner in the works because what they cant have for themselves they WILL ruin for everybody else - I know who they are and they know who they are....

Cheers

God help them! If I come across somone who is obviously trying to spoil it for us all i'll have some very harsh things to say!

We live in hope, I think I speak for us all when I say thanks for keeping us informed and will look forward to more developments!

WK!

I agree with WK - many thanks for the postings keeping us up to date.

I have to say that I did have a slight 'sinking feeling' when I tried to Google for some additional info on the outfit.

Roll on the 9th.

hello ALL
 

Well What A Story,

I have known elia for quite some time and what A great
thing to happen to the AERO CLUB.

I must admit I just spoke to him and he is very excited about the
aero club and taking it forward.Apparently His partner's are going to the club on saturday to have a look at the final numbers, being
the debt owed by the club,lets hope it ain't as high as what they are saying.

Another big issue is that will the airport give him the same lease that has been around for donkey years or will they try to screw
him over.We all must remember that the club is in extremely
bad shape because a few individuals helped themselves over the years and basically robbed the members.
I also found out that MR ALAN COULSON HAS LEFT AND I BET HE WILL NEVER SHOW HIS FACE EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE ARE A FEW MORE BUT THAT I SUPPOSE IS IN THE PAST BUT
WE MUST HELP AND MAKE THE CLUB SURVIVE.

THE DEBT IS BAD LETS HOPE THIS WORKS OUT FOR EVERYBODY
SO WE CAN ENJOY GOING TO THE CLUB WITHOUT ANY BLOODY
COMMITEE MEMBERS.

LETS HOPE WE HAVE SOME NEWS ON SATURDAY.

SAFE FLYING ALL

MIKE

Indeed Mike, I know I have everything crossed here on some good news! How great it would be!

GWK - With his eyes peeled for more info!

aero club
 

Hello Guys

I just got some info on the club apparently some legal
people will be at the club on saturday to look at the books
and the debt that the club has.

The big problem is really how much debt has the club got
before this takeover goes forward.I really think that if it is
in over it's head who would take it over.

I know fingers are being pointed now but I hope this is not
to late to save the club.There is a lot of blame here and if the
club does not get taken over by Elia due to this hugh debt
then I suppose everyone should look at the commitee
and ask them where all the money has gone and what they
did with it.

It would be a sad day in aviation.
safe flying all

mike