Ground crewing on small aerodromes
 

How's everyone doing!

Way back in the mists of time I used to fly at West London Aero Club (White Waltham) where they have an active ground crew in addition to the usual Ops staff. Mostly young guys and girls after their first start in flying. The tradition was to buy a share in "Noddy" - now long dead - a decrepit Jodel D9 :E and that was how they got their hour-building done.

Are there any other small airfields with a staff of ground crew like White Waltham? When all this coronavirus has blown over I'd like to get back on with my attempts at a flying career and I'd like to work at a small airfield in that kind of capacity. Obviously ops staff too.

Any heads up regarding where I might apply are MOST appreciated :ok: and I hoped some bored Prunes might be able to help.

Cheers

We have a similar set up for part timers. I asked on behalf of a.n.other before the virus hit - they had no vacancies for part-timers let alone full time. Only the full timers working at present and only one per day. It's likely to stay that way for at least a few months...........

Booker certainly does.

G

I started my career by being the office dogs body at White Waltham back in 1971. Wound up retiring as a 767 Captain four years ago, so it can be done.

Nothing beats initiative and enterprise so get around all the airfields you can commute to, or are prepared to live near and poke your head around the door of clubs and FBO's. Asking face to face is the best way to get in.

Good Luck.

Hello chaps -

Excellent work. Thank you for your suggestions :) I didn't realise Booker had the same situation as WW so that is a great bit of gen. Thanks Genghis.

BoeingBoy - spot on. I have learned, at least at entry level, the best way to get a job is to pick up the phone or show your face :ok:

MrAverage - who is "we" ? Which airfield are you :} Thank you.

Smashy smashy :E Can't wait to go flying again, it's been too long. The last thing I flew was a Quad City Challenger in Canada - now that was a hoot!

What happened to Noddy? I had a brief flirtation with him, challenged me a couple of times. I hadn’t heard of his demise. Did I miss something? As for decrepit...it was only £3 per hour to fly it...

The groundcrew at Fairoaks are also the fire crew - properly trained of course - and re-fuellers etc.
There was one guy with a PPL who was ground crew part of the time as well as being a FISO part time; he was doing this in order to pay for an ATPL course which he successfully completed and last I heard he was an F/O on 757 freighters; probably a Captain by now.