Sandown - Open & Excellent!
 

With the demise of Bembridge as a decent lunch stop I was delighted to discover that Britten-Norman has taken the lease on Sandown.

Speaking to the chap in the tower there is no need to ppr when it is manned (0915-1700)

Outside those hours you can get a ppr from the delightful Carla on 07930 242488 who operates the cafe on the North side of the field at the Flight School

Decent grub & a great view of the airstrip.

I'll be back for lots more this summer.:ok:

I'll second that
 

Delightful airfield - dropped in (maybe that's the wrong phrase) last week. Professional A/G radio, not busy, runway wasn't too bumpy even if the taxiways were.

Great views of the Solent as you approach/depart.

Plenty of walks nearby including through the town to the beach.

Paid landing fees at the cafe (12.50 for a single) and not a hi-viz jacket in sight.

Definitely one to visit again :)

Also a bus stop on the main road (200m from the tower) for buses to Sandown, Bembridge one way and Newport the other. Every hour at around :45 both directions.

And a good one for camping at too....a fairly leisurely stroll into the town & beach.

Supermarket a 5 minute walk away for that full English breakfast the next morning!

Do they have fuel now?

Still no fuel yet unfortunately. Remains to see if the old storage tank is useable if it is pumped out (currently full of water - apparently a safety precaution when it was left empty for some time) and even if it is, whether or not someone is prepared to fill it. Goodwood or Popham are our nearest fuel stops at the moment!

I'm fairly sure you will be able to get fuel from Paul Coppin at Lee on Solent and I understand no landing fee if you have a landing card for Sandown...

I'd very much like to make a trip to the Isle of Wight this summer. However I'm torn between Sandown or Bembridge. I'm interested to see which one would be more suitable for a new PPL. Well known pubs or cafes close to the airfield might also hold the biggest swing towards making my decision!

Presumably no fuel at Bembridge either..?

Sandown and Lee on Solent
 

I flew in to Sandown today and all was well (except no fuel). Nice mug of tea and a slice of cake.

I also went to Lee on Solent which is now pretty much fully functioning as a 'normal' airfield. They do have fuel (by arrangement with Paul Copin). The only downside is there is no cafe or anything much else to do on the airfield. I understand there is a medium term plan to address this. All the old business about PPR and Crown Indemnity insurance has evaporated. Just call them up on the radio. The frequency is even on the CAA chart.

Best of all, the Tigers junior motorcycle team was back in action on the field.

Sadly, Bembridge appeared to be deserted. Not a single aircraft to be seen.

Bembridge
 

Pleased to say Bembridge is PPR 7 days a week. Good food and refreshments at The Propellor. Check out:-

Gliding one of the fun activities on the Isle of Wight

for info. All very easy.

Paulbat, with the cafe gone and all the nonsense that has gone on at Bembridge, the reality is you have lost us all to Sandown now.

Shame.

Bembridge has the Propellor Inn pub, which is an excellent stop and airfield view point. I was pleased to fly in last week :ok:

Last time I went there was in our Comanche about 6 years ago. It was very bumpy, especially at the SW end. Has it improved, as now that I have an RV6 with tiny wheels, I would like to go back, but I am very cautious with bumps and unseen holes in the grass. I have stopped going to White Waltham for that very reason.

Fly-in at Sandown on Sunday July 31st...theme being 'Aircraft in Uniform' ie Military marks... Chippies, Tigers, Hurricanes, Lancs etc. No doubt all others welcome!

Tour around the Airframe Assemblies, Spitfire factory in the afternoon for those interested.


Details from [email protected]

Does anyone know how much overnight parking costs?

Bembridge is fine and v friendly at the gliding club, once again. You can always walk like you used to into the town, for grub if you dont want the propellor inn( and theres nothing wrong with it either).

Bembridge
 

Aussie Andy,

That is a shame - do not give up that easily! There is no 'nonsense' with the use of the airfield. PPR 7 days a week either by phone or email. Decent food at the Propellor. Would be nice to see you.

Bembridge again
 

I would like to hear their version of the story so I can make a decision if Bembridge should be blacklisted or not from my airfields to visit this year list.

I flew to Sandown today. Open as usual. £12.50 for a PA28. Stopped by for some food too. Great value for money - full english breakfast for £4.50. Friendly too. Go check them out. No PPR required either. Just call up when close.

Also flew over Bembridge - definitely closed.

That is not what other posters are saying.

No it's not closed- Check the Vectis Gliding club website.
Just call for PPR, then make blind calls.

OK, so went to Bembridge on Saturday -- it was great. The Vectis Gliding club returned my telephone call about PPR within 5 minutes. I flew down in my RV6 from Biggin, the radio calls were simple, I called the aircraft in the circuit in front of me to ask if they would be backtracking or going to the end and taxiing around on the grass. Landed, walked across the runway to the gliding club caravan, paid my £10 landing fee, then walked for 20 minutes to Whitecliffe beach. It was so nice to go back again after thinking it was going to be closed forever. Just remember that more sensible airmanship is required, as no real ATC and the westerly runway is often backtracked to the parking area, so you have to space your circuit accordingly.

Bembridge

Just to add I have been there quite a few times under the "new" arrangements.

Leaving aside the politics the airport has not changed, same runway, same location etc. It is PPR but the gentlemen with the 'phone always answers and always gives a friendly invite. Yes, there is no air ground, but as long as you are comfortable sorting yourself out that is not an issue.

The courtesy box took a little finding the first time (as you face the front door of the Propellor Inn turn right walk along the front of the pub and left down the first passage way) but that is about it.

As it happens the resteraunt beneath the old tower would still seem to be open although I gather you are not meant to cross the bridge which is netted off.

It is still a good bet if you prefer a hard runway or want to be that side of the island.

I hope they resolve the politics and I hope Bembridge continues for many years to come.

I am also pleased to see Sanddown up and running again.

Bembridge
 

This response is to correct some of the information contained in the earlier Britten Norman message. Bembridge is open all week on a PPR basis for both fixed wing and rotary traffic and is being managed by Vectis Gliding Club. We still have a concrete runway not a 'Farmer's Strip'!!!!

Please visit:- Gliding one of the fun activities on the Isle of Wight for full and correct details about the operation of the Airfield and the payment of landing fees. You can also call 07770228852 for more information.

No need to worry about the impending closure of the aero club at Britten Norman as taxis', good hospitality and food are available at the Gliding Club and the Propeller Inn on the south side of the Airfield.

We look forward to seeing you.

Visited be bembridge yesterday, very friendly and helpful bunch at the gliding club. Such a shame what has happened, looks like it has some great facilities there.

I will definitely be popping back

Uav

What gives
 

Why is the farmer in such a tizz. Did he want lots more money or did he just want total control and has thrown his toys out of the pram? :ugh: I expect he will lose a lot of business from the pub The Propeller Inn - isnt that the one he runs. People may boycott it over his attitude.

Why is it that I guess you haven't a clue what happened at Bembridge?

Well I was looking for a bottom line on what caused the farmer to flip out. Was it a cash thing, ie not enough money paid or to be paid in the future. Or was it a control thing where personalities had clashed. I thought someone in PrRune would know. I have searched the net and the farmer remains tight lipped as to why and what his plans are. I think his actions speak louder than words and the term that rhymes with slick come to mind. :E

If you need the other side of the story. Why not fly in and ask ?
this is not the place to discuss it.