At £16 a landing that's not the Flying school's fault. That's the price that BAA are charging. Given the negotiations that have been held in the past about this - this is still a lot cheaper than the initial proposal was.

With no other licensed airfield close enough to commute in a lesson in order to do circuits (unless you do a bit of nav too and go to Inverness) of course that's going to put the cost of a flight up if you are concentrating on circuits.

PC, you are right in that it is not in the clubs control. However, it is the total cost for anyone learning that is important and if you look at the actual cost of lessons they are significantly higher then elsewhere aren't they?

Just heard a rumour that a student has been banned from FAS in Aberdeen for seeking advice from Ppruner's about other schools in NE Scotland. I can't see that helping the situation when word gets round :ouch:

I have contacts in Aberdeen but haven't heard this - understand one of the flying groups also has many things to address and looking for several new members - so looks like a lot of issues in ABZ. Perhaps the writing is on the wall for GA then??

can confirm that a student has been banned

for that reason? surely not? If this is the case then this needs to be raised with others surely? I have been at the other end of the world and I did hear rumours though!

QE - pm me

I got banned too!

So, YSW, what did you get baned for!!?? Asking questions???

Aberdeen
 

well I got banned for an apparently "libellous" thread on here, did you sneeze in the incorrect fashion or did they just not like your face also?

Apparently the saviour of FAS Aberdeen is one of the Operations staff from Cumbernauld. Currently on a Flight Instructor course before being dispatched up to Aberdeen. The manager at Cumbernauld has been heard bragging to members about how this guy is going to " clear out " and " sort out " the mess at Aberdeen. Now we hear of sackings and discplinary action we know exactly what this means.

Redline, dont know where you heard that there were problems with one of the flying groups but can confirm that its not the one I'm in. Aircraft, funds and members all in great shape !

As for banning students for posting on Pprune thats just madness!!

...................is that right??! This place has been in the hands of three different owners in the last three to four years, hasn't it? A runway built across the direction of the prevailing wind, the poor weather in the North east of Scotland and the high landing fees - now think about that and how conducive to flying is that? How many aircraft are in Aberdeen? There are excellent and weel established clubs and schools relatively nearby in Dundee, Perth and even Inverness (easy enough to travel to). All this really makes it very difficult for Aberdeen flying. I forgot, the premises and the aprons on which the aircraft are placed are owned by a different handling organisation aren't they?

UA, rumours, rumours and rumours - and by the way, which group did you say you were in?

The weather is really not that bad. The 16/34 runway direction can be bad for crosswinds, but often within limits. Aberdeen is still a wonderful place to fly despite it's problems. The airport is busier now and with ATC doing the best they can to fit the traffic in, training is more difficult than it once was, but with proper planning it can be achieved. The handling agent who own the property and the ramp, are very 'pro GA' and helpful to light aircraft pilots, surely it's better now that the cost of running the property has been split 3 ways instead of the school trying to pay all the rent on their own.
Remember back to when the Dundee operator owned the place, there was in excess of 200+ members, bookings were at least two weeks in advance with new students coming along all the time plus plenty PPL's hiring aircraft. Over the years with the passing of several owners both good and not so good, the place has been run down with moral at an all time low. Take a look at HJS helicopters at Peterculter, they are out the door with students paying over £200 per hour to fly an R22, the interest in GA up here is still strong. It needs dedicated people, enthusiasts with a real passion who are more interested in getting flying than trying to turn a profit, those people are still around. It will come around again, just wait and see.

(P.S just received a real classy private message full of personal insults and slander, I can't imagine who that's from!) :rolleyes:

YSW, I hope that yoy are right but my contacts in Aberdeen tell me that the situation gets more interesting and more interesting by the day - absolutely amazing what is happening: Perhaps moral and GA will rise again....................but how is that going to happen?:uhoh: