IOW. Sandown and Bembridge both now open

Any fuel, perchance, or shall I thermal home ? 😉

The good news is……..

The good news is that Sandown will continue to be operational this weekend, and every week day and weekend, as indeed it has been since it never closed late last year.

So why no come on down to the Isle of Wight. Soon.

See you there. 🙂 🙂

Fly-in at Sandown on Sunday July 31, theme being Aircraft in Uniform…aircraft in military markings.

Tour around the Airframe Assemblies Spitfire factory in the afternoon.

Details from [email]fieldhawk@virginmedia.com[/email]

Soon after getting my PPL, I took my family to Sandown in our club’s rather tatty Auster. At that time I hadn’t learnt to swim, (I was only about 40 at the time) so decided that just in case the Gipsy went quiet over the Solent, I would be at such a height to get back to the mainland, or drift down onto the island. I can’t remember exactly, but I think I was at 4000 feet over the wet stuff. All very well, but an awful lot of height to loose to get into Sandown!
In later years I took my short span Auster Aiglet Trainer there for Auster Club Fly-ins. It was a tad warm though and on departing, I noticed my rate of climb barely exceeded that of the Vectis bus climbing the hill beside me…:eek:

Having visited both airfields as a non pilot I still have to agree with you. I’m afraid I found Bembridge too cold and impersonal for my liking though I would not have to be pushed very hard to say downright unfriendly. Yes, Sandown was the better and long may it remain that way.

I agree, Bembridge is not a sun-destination airfield. I was there on day and there was a stationary cloud over the Sandown beach. So we trecked back to the airfield and took off from Sandown and was immediately on approach to Bembridge to try to find the sun. We got a tour of Bembridge from the security guard and saw Islanders and Trislanders on the production line. Interesting but not Sandown and sun. 🙂

Saving Private Flying

And we hope that it (Sandown) will remain the best. Even if you are going ‘off site’, please request to park north side and visit our cafe before, and after, your walk to the beach. Who knows, I may even be your marshaller 😉

Hi Fieldhawk

Good meeting you at the weekend at Sandown’s ‘North Terminal’ and thanks to all for the hospitality. With Bembridge now being something of a busted flush, I don’t think that it is any exaggeration to say, that for the time being at least, the likes of Henry, Carla, yourself & co. have preserved the future of private flying on the Isle of Wight. 😀

Long may Sandown continue to flourish. Keep up the good work and please keep us informed of developments.

Wicked Willip :diablo:

Having visited both airfields as a non pilot I still have to agree with you. I’m afraid I found Bembridge too cold and impersonal for my liking though I would not have to be pushed very hard to say downright unfriendly. Yes, Sandown was the better and long may it remain that way.

Sandown was a regular destination for me in the 1980s. Go there on a sunny, hot day and take a walk to the beach, you’ll love the whole experience. We used to spend the day at the beach and fly back with the sunset. A great way to get to a beach and avoid the heavy traffic of the mainland. Lovely memories. We sometimes landed at Bembridge too, but Sandown was the most enjoyable destination. :rolleyes::)

And we hope that it (Sandown) will remain the best. Even if you are going ‘off site’, please request to park north side and visit our cafe before, and after, your walk to the beach. Who knows, I may even be your marshaller 😉

Sandown was a regular destination for me in the 1980s. Go there on a sunny, hot day and take a walk to the beach, you’ll love the whole experience. We used to spend the day at the beach and fly back with the sunset. A great way to get to a beach and avoid the heavy traffic of the mainland. Lovely memories. We sometimes landed at Bembridge too, but Sandown was the most enjoyable destination. :rolleyes::)

UP-DATE – SANDOWN – EGHN

I am reliably informed that PPR is no longer required at Sandown! :):):)

Apparently you can call SANDOWN on 119.275MHz or, if you wish, telephone 01983 405125 (SANDOWN TOWER) for airfield information.

Park on the NORTH side for the Flying School / CJ’s Cafe and all mod cons. You can also pay your landing fee here. Telephone 01983 402402

If your map and SATNAV data base are so up to date as not to show us, according to my rather old Pooley’s, the airfield co-ordinates are 50 39 06N 01 10 50W, but PLEASE CHECK THAT WE HAVE NOT MOVED 😮

So what are you waiting for? See you soon..

Update on Bembridge.
Fun was had last Saturday when two BN2’s and the Drag Rap were taken from Bembridge without the permission of the CAA nor the landowner.
In a military style operation at 7:30am, the Gates were blocked by vehicles, a fork-lift truck was then used to remove the obstacles blocking the taxiways and the A/c departed as fast as possible. The Islanders went to the place leased by Britten Norman at Lee-on-Solent (Although BN say they were not involved with the repatriation of the A/c). The Drag Rap bounced into Sandown and then onto Bournemouth.
The CAA is looking into the matter.

……… but at SANDOWN you now have a tower 7 days a week and, on a good day, someone to marshal you in to your parking slot, greet you with a smile, answer any questions that you may have, a real live person to accept your landing fee AND a great cafe on the same side of the field as you park (no hedge hugging at Sandown!), permitting of course you get there early enough – due to space constrictions overflow parking is on the south side.

Plus, of course, good company. Now where would I prefer to land? Yep, Sandown :):):)

Please note that the pilot information Vectis are promulgating on Bembridge is arrant nonsense.

They are using the term QDM, trying to ask you to join on the centreline of the runway in use.

If you really want to use Q codes it appears they mean QFU. However, as long as we all know that we are talking 120 or 300 as appropriate, things should remain safe.

Moggy.

All change again

Whilst it is great news that Sandown aerodrome has quickly become so successful again (I’m told over 80 visitors last Wednesday and again yesterday), it seems we wrote off Bembridge too soon, as aircraft from Shoreham have started visiting there again this weekend. See the gliding club website www.vectisglidingclub.co.uk for the procedure to be followed.

Maybe the thread title should have been renamed something like ‘IOW Sandown fully open, Bembridge not yet definitely closed’.

Despite the local authority wanting a retail park and such-like there is also encouraging news about the situation at Lee on Solent, which is now managed by the former manager of Bembridge, as indicated by the website of the Lee Flying Association www.eghf.co.uk. I’m informed just beware of all the razorwire fencing there.

Wicked Willip :diablo:

SANDOWN FULLY OPERATIONAL

Yes, as the revised title says, Bembridge might be closed, but SANDOWN IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS, as indeed it always has been . (Thanks Willip 26 & Moggy for making the change to the thread title).

Current situation on the Isle of Wight:

Bembridge: Closed to all except resident aircraft (approx 5) and the Vectis Gliding Club.

Sandown: Open and operational 7 days a week. Tower (119.275) is on the south side is now operated by the Britten Norman Group.
Full facilities (parking and booking-in, flying school, CJ’s excellent food restaurant, proper toilets, smiles and good company on the north side. Taxis are available. Those ‘not wishing to facilitate’ can park on the south side.

So, what are you waiting for?

See you there.

For Sandown

FIR: EGTT
Code: AZAW
Traffic: VFR IFR
Purpose: Immed. atten. aircraft operators PIB entry Operationally significant for flights
Scope: Aerodrome Enroute
Lower limit (FL): 000
Upper limit (FL): 030
Centre and radius (nm): 5039N00111W005
Parent ICAO: EGHN
Start date/time: 09/06/2010 11:59 UTC
End date/time: 30/06/2011 23:59 UTC
Activity period: null
Lower height limit: 000
Upper height limit: 030

ISLE OF WIGHT/SANDOWN ATZ. FOR THE PURPOSE OF RULE 45 OF THE RULES
OF THE AIR REGULATIONS 2007 THE ISLE OF WIGHT/SANDOWN ATZ IS
CANCELLED WEF 02 AUG 2010

And for Bembridge

Ref: L1044/11
FIR: EGTT
Code: FALT
Traffic: VFR IFR
Purpose: Immed. atten. aircraft operators PIB entry Operationally significant for flights
Scope: Aerodrome
Lower limit (FL): 000
Upper limit (FL): 999
Centre and radius (nm): 5041N00107W005
Parent ICAO: EGHJ
Start date/time: 04/03/2011 11:01 UTC
End date/time: 04/04/2011 23:59 UTC
Activity period: null
Lower height limit: 000
Upper height limit: 999

AD MUST NOT BE USED BY ACFT THAT REQUIRE THE USE OF A LICENSED AD.
IN EXERCISE OF ITS POWERS UNDER ARTICLE 228(2) OF THE ORDER AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION 6(4) OF THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY
(CAA) REGULATIONS 1991, THE CAA HAS PROVISIONALLY SUSPENDED THE AD
LICENCE P854 GRANTED TO BEMBRIDGE AIRPORT LTD.

Ref: B0011/11
FIR: EGTT
Code: AZCD
Traffic: VFR IFR
Purpose: Immed. atten. aircraft operators PIB entry Operationally significant for flights
Scope: Aerodrome Enroute
Lower limit (FL): 000
Upper limit (FL): 030
Centre and radius (nm): 5041N00107W005
Parent ICAO: EGHJ
Start date/time: 04/01/2011 15:50 UTC
End date/time: 04/04/2011 23:59 UTC
Activity period: null
Lower height limit: 000
Upper height limit: 030

BEMBRIDGE ATZ. FOR THE PURPOSE OF RULE 45 OF THE RULES OF THE AIR
REGULATIONS 2007, THE BEMBRIDGE ATZ IS INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED.

Ref: L6538/10
FIR: EGTT
Code: FALC
Traffic: VFR IFR
Purpose: Immed. atten. aircraft operators PIB entry Operationally significant for flights
Scope: Aerodrome
Lower limit (FL): 000
Upper limit (FL): 999
Centre and radius (nm): 5041N00107W005
Parent ICAO: EGHJ
Start date/time: 31/12/2010 18:00 UTC
End date/time: 31/03/2011 09:00 UTC
Activity period: null
Lower height limit: 000
Upper height limit: 999

AD CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT REGISTERED RESIDENT ACFT AND VECTIS GLIDING CLUB

Moggy

Rumour or truth?

Who knows, but I also heard whisperings about B-N at the weekend, supposedly having taken a 2 year lease at Sandown as well as responsibility for the air traffic service.

From the same source the latest word was that they also now have a hangar at Lee on Solent and their staff were likewise going to take over ATC there from 1st April.

Could be good news for two airfields, but what future now for Bembridge if just a few private aircraft plus the gliding club remain in operation there?

There was mention of a NOTAM – has anyone seen it?

Wicked Willip :diablo:

Sandown is still here!

Rumoured elsewhere that Britten Norman have taken an interest in Sandown, thus making its immediate future a little more secure.

Any comment Fieldhawk?

Moggy

Keyword: Rumour. Just wish someone would put their head above the parrapet and say something, even if it is “Get your head down”.

Fact: Sandown is still operational. Strictly PPR 01983 402 402 or 07930 242 488. Call 119.275 Sandown Traffic. Park north side outside Flying School and come in for tea, coffee and good food. And good company. Toilets available (yes, rarity on the Isle of Wight I know :mad:).

Sorry, no aviation fuel, except Mogas, is available on the Isle of wight, so fill up before coming over.

For the record, at least 70 aircraft visited Sandown to-day, Saturday 19 March. It was a great day. Thanks to all who made the trip. Come again; soon.

Rumoured elsewhere that Britten Norman have taken an interest in Sandown, thus making its immediate future a little more secure.

Any comment Fieldhawk?

Moggy

Yes, we do have toilets at Sandown

PeeDee no pun intended, but do you have toilets there? 🙂 🙂

Of course we have toilets. Both Ladies and Gentleman, inside the club. Or if you are that desperate, there is an earth bank nearby. 😮

The toilets, I can assure you, are run by the club and NOT the local council who find it more important to pay a Chief Executive (what ever that is) £150K, rather than the same sum on public toilets – wait till they get old!!

Ironical the abbreviation for the council is I WC. 😀