What I was trying to get at was, if the committee recently was anything like it was when I was on it, there will have been some on it who knew more and did more than others. I was secretary for a while, and did what I could, but being someone who was only up at the club more than once or twice a month, there were others who did far more. So it would have been possible for some members of the committee to take actions of which others were completely unaware. And if they had wanted the rest of the committee to not find out, then that would not have been impossible either.

Anyway, I found I was attending committee meetings, and getting grief, and not flying; so I stopped beating my head on a wall and went flying instead!

Newcastle Aero Club
 

Gentleman

I must point out that in my last few postings I refer to "our recently departed chairman" - please read "our recently departed acting chairman"


Regards

''With the flying rates as they were recently, I would imagine that it would be possible to rack up a significant loss even in the best run company!''

£186 for one hour dual and 5 T&Gs you're having a laugh! Did the £66 L/fess get paid to the airport - I guess not!

If this club is to survive then there is a real culture shock ahead for some folk. Yes, I've sat in the club house whilst the 'elders' have smirked at my USA log book but I put my money where my mouth is and I fly from EGNT - if it wasn't for the help and support of certain people on the books of NAC then that would never happen.

See you on the 9th!:D

I spoke to a longstanding member a few days ago who complained of the number of people who, as he put it, "sat on their hands " at AGMs when the voting occured.
How can an ordinary member like me vote when I am not given the info to make a judgement?It has seemed at times that AGMs were a public display of hornlocking by secretive cabals.
This is an honest view by someone who just wants to go to the place,pay my money and fly.:(

May a new dawn for GA at EGNT be the result of this very public and unholy shakedown.

Well, I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but has any of this been run past Parkin yet? I don't get the feeling that he will entertain much interest in any proposals to resurrect any form of club or FTO. I may be wrong (probably am) but it has proved impossible to base any new aircraft at NCL due to "lack of space" and, "cost of delays to commercial traffic". Eh? If he doesn't want a single group aircraft that may only fly once or twice a week, what chance does a commercial training operation stand? Call me pessimistic but I think there's two hopes for this :(
He's still smarting from his bruising encounter in the courts. Add to that that he's blown £4.6m on what could turn out to be a white elephant fuel farm and I don't think he's going to be feeling too charitable for a while.

" The Aero Club"
 

Ref Ncle Aero Club.

I am a member of the above and would firstly echo the praise given to the already mentioned members of the stalwart training staff,after spending a lot of time and not to mention a large amount of money learning to fly, I think it is time we members support the club stop bickering and get on with it.

If there is a question of misdirected funds," Do something about it"

Regards....

carbheat - I couldn't agree more. I have yet to see anything from the club about the various "rescue plans". I would love to pore over each scenario in the comfort of my own home rather than turning up to a meeting where all that is going to be achieved is bickering and bleating about the wrongs of the past. Who cares I say. If you want a club going forward then look at the options available, get rid of the people associated with the demise and move forward.

As an aside is there any reason why folks on this thread appear to see the new propsal as the be all and end all of salvation for the club? Wasn't there an offer for a sale and leaseback that has been on the table for months now? I would have thought that if what people wanted was a "club" then this sort of proposal would make more sense than backing a commercial FTO.

Daw,

That proposal fell through a while ago. This is the only one i'm aware of thats on the table for the offering. To be totally honest I think it's a damn good idea to do away with the whole comittee idea. This appears to be where all the problems have been.

We need to move on and move up, and offering commercial training etc is a pretty good idea I reckon.

My 2p worth...G-WK

Don't want to sound too pesimistic Topjet, but i gather elia and his legal team were not seen on saturday as you predicted.

I,m also informed that elia does not actually own Lynch Aviation academy, but did work there.
I hope your 200% accuracy doesn't take a knocking!!

As someone about to tackle a career change and dive headfirst into commercial training I hope he has done his market research. From my research there is a significant level of excess capacity amongst the commerical FTO's. Many are discounting to get numbers up. It is a very different beast to the traditional plain vanilla PPL/IMC club or school. The choices involved in which commercial FTO you train at are not limited to simple choices such as proximity to your home. Other factors such as tacit links/networks to future employers to name just one need to be factored in as well. What the future will hold for these FTO's with the proposed new co-pilots licence is also a source of much debate.

Good luck to whatever or whom ever comes of it. Would be a shame to lose GA at NCL although I still can't help feeling that a not for profit "group like" setup would be the best approach for the majority of the members who want to self fly.

Been doing a bit of research. Mr Golfin has registered various AussieAir companies in Florida around August but being all new companies - no results. Have a look at the link.

http://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/cornamelis.exe

Re my previous URL link - Click on Corporation Enquiy then Name List and enter Aussie

Con Artist warning!:suspect:
Look, I've been a member since '79. This looks well dodgy to me. Is this Elia bloke going to pay back those of us who donated amounts of money following the pleading letter to help the club recover? Or has that gone down the swannee as well?

Martinidoc:

I note wth interest your thinly disguised sarcastic swipe at TOPJETs information. I for one am grateful that some members are getting off their butts and trying to assist a rescue for the club.

I also note your previous self plaudit for the free work you have done for the aero club (and no doubt charity and medical science to boot!).
I would be grateful therefore, if you would care to tell the club members on this forum WHEN and how much you and YOUR CLIQUE have assisted the aero club by paying for hangarage for the jet provost and navajo both prior to the current difficulties and NOW???

<quote HiSpeed Tape>
Con Artist warning!
Look, I've been a member since '79. This looks well dodgy to me. Is this Elia bloke going to pay back those of us who donated amounts of money following the pleading letter to help the club recover? Or has that gone down the swannee as well?
</quote>

Hi HST

I think the point to remember here is, that is it's if he chooses to take over the Aero Club as The Newcastle-upon-Tyne Aero Club Limited, or whether an act of taking over the assets by a new company happens, allowing the old company to be closed.

IMHO.. if he takes it over in the former route then technically the liability is still there to pay back the debt unless agreed in paperwork otherwise. If he takes over in the latter route, there is likely no comeback on him to cover the loans made to the Aero Club.

It's not conning, it's just a business fact and it happens no doubt every week in this country.

TJ
Sorry if I caused offence, about the 200% certainty, however, there is only one thing that I am 100% certain about and that is that I am never 100% certain or correct about anything.

I know that you have the best interests of the club at heart, and I really do hope that your recovery plan suceeds. I do however have honestly held reservations about the likelihood of this bid being a realistic option, and I just hope that it isn't a hoax, which ends dissuading any other plans, and we end up with nothing. Let me make it clear if this is the best proposal and is proved to be genuine I will wholeheartedly support it, I certainly do not want to see any realistic proposal fall flat.

It is hardly surprising that given the recent train of events at NAC, that I treat anything and anybody with a healthy degree of suspicion, particularly if prima facie the proposals seem to be too good to be true. I think it is therefore right and proper to voice my concerns, so that hopefully you proceed with great caution.

JV
I appear to have upset you, by defending myself and other instructors against unwarranted accusations of greed levelled at us in previous posts. One is of course always at a disadvantage, when defending oneself against an anonymous contributor. I answer your questions therefore not because I believe that you deserve a reply, but rather because I believe that the membership of NAC does.

With regard to the PA31, I can confirm that hangarage is paid to the airport authority. That the aircraft was hanagerd for commissioned urgent engineering work (a serious water leak with potentially very serious consequences for the instrumentation and avionics) to be done. Since the club aircraft have been impounded and the airport authority have refused to permit the club aircraft to be placed in the hangar (presumably to try and ensure that they have first charge over the club aircraft) it has rested in the club hangar by agreement, and any fees owing the club will be paid. This arrangement was made by another member of the PA31 group, and as a club member, I would not support the continued hangarage of the PA31 if required for the club aircraft. The PA31 will be moved out as soon as the club aircraft are released by the Airport authority, but in the meantime the club is generating income out of space it cannot use in any other way. This also assists other club members who are private owners by releasing the pressure on the Bellman, which is where the PA31 has a designated space.

With regard to the JP (of which I am only 1 of 20 members and not a director), an agreement was reached between a former aero club chairman and the chairman of the JP group regarding the hangarage. I was not party to that agreement, but I believe that hangarage fees are paid. I regret that I am unable to give you any figures as I am not involved in the administration of the JP. I suggest that you ask either NM or KL for the figures involved.
ICM:(

Whilst I sympathise with doc's desire to defend himself, aren't all the recent posts getting slightly off the point and delving into the relatively trivial nitpicking which in itself has been so devisive for the club.

Do we know if the club has actually gone formally into administration or not yet? Presumably a court order will be needed.

Contrary to a previous rumour, it is my understanding that the proposed AGM WILL go ahead on Thursday, albeit sadly with no bar service.

NO BAR SERVICE!?

Aero Club
 

Hi everybody

Thanks to Martinidoc for comments.

CSerpant - I hear exactly where you are coming from and I'm sure that issue re: donations will be examined fully.

Great news in tonights Evening Chronicle re: Elia's proposal - really good write up, very positive indeed.

I really do understand how people are treating this proposal with a pinch of salt if members are not aware of certain aspects.

I speak with Elia on a very regular basis and the man is desperate to save our club from ruin - he's a "members" guy, loves the family side of flying where "Dad goes flying & Mum sits at the bar getting drunk"...:)

It is unfortunate at present that all members are not privy to his proposals but I myself have read the draft copy in full and without damning any other offer which may or may not be tabled, this is the most complete offer that could be tabled. A mixture of a cash injection and a new fleet.

I will do my utmost to keep you all posted as and when I am told anything else.

Regards

PS - I wish we could all use our proper names!
:cool:

PPS: BigStu - I thought you would mention the bar, how do you think I fell....:{

Newcastle Aero Club
 

Ladies & Gentleman

The metting scheduled for Thursday 9th December 2004 WILL go ahead as planned contrary to some reports.

Meeting as normal Thursday 9th December 2004

Thank you.

Recent Events
 

Evening One and All

Can anybody shed any light on the rumour that all our comittee have now resigned ?

Regards...

On a personal note "Stu "how can you think of more drink after
Dublin......