IOW. Sandown and Bembridge both now open

Read the forum code of contact

Member for

16 years 10 months

Posts: 313

I was told earlier this year that Bembridge had been closed to visitors at least until 31st March 2011 and whilst this does not seem to be strictly true it is clear they are having problems there due to a lease dispute between Britten Norman and the landowners.

Appears not to have been widely reported on but the airfield has become unlicensed and no longer available for commercial flights.

With the well-publicised problems of Sandown last year, at this rate there soon won't be anywhere left to fly to for those wishing to visit the Isle of Wight. :(

Wicked Willip :diablo:

Original post

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Now if the Isle of Wight could become an offshore island like the Channel Isles, it might be able to have an international airport, tax free and a tax haven for the rich, even its own aircraft register. :D

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Sandown is up and functioning very nicely.

The portakabin cafe has been replaced by a very nice facility run by Carla and her husband, on the opposite side of the field to the defunct tower and entrance.

PPR is essential

During operating hours 11:00 onwards at weekends, 11:30 weekdays) the number is 01983 402402. Prior to opening hours you can get PPR on her mobile number (given here at her request) 07930 242488.

And remember, there is no fuel to be had on the island.

Moggy

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 4,508

Now if the Isle of Wight could become an offshore island like the Channel Isles, it might be able to have an international airport, tax free and a tax haven for the rich, even its own aircraft register. :D

Newforest, the Channel Islands are neither Tax Free or a Tax Haven and at present do not have their own aircraft register, though this is being investigated as a revenue line !

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

But the Isle of Man does and why are there so many banks there and in the Channel Islands? ;)

Member for

14 years

Posts: 1,234

But the Isle of Man does and why are there so many banks there and in the Channel Islands? ;)

That's an offshore tax scam.
As for the Isle of Wight, the way this council is running it, visitors are being driven away. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they made it more and more difficult for you to bring A/c in. The present Bembridge dispute is between BN and the council I believe.
Cuts, due to the debt crisis....on the Island...
No public toilets. Not even at the beaches.
No tourist informations offices.
One Library. No mobile Library.
50p per person each way on the Floating bridge (All foot traffic was free). Very slight reduction for kids going to school. 50p per person each way for passengers in a car (So it's no use cramming 27 in a mini).
Roads not maintained and pot-holes that will take your axle off. Some have been maintained, which gives a false sense of security.
Sandown is limited to the time it takes to get all the plans for the housing / shopping through. The council will approve that of course. It lines their pockets.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Not quite right.

There turns out to be some kind of covenant, so the strip has to be maintained legally. The council are pretty stymied by that.

Moggy

Member for

14 years

Posts: 1,234

Which one? Bem or Sandy?

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Sandown.

That was in response to

Sandown is limited to the time it takes to get all the plans for the housing / shopping through. The council will approve that of course. It lines their pockets.

Moggy

Member for

16 years 6 months

Posts: 1,327

Thanks for the heads up on the IOW generally. I had told my other half that it was great place and she was up for a visit this year but with no public toilets and pot holed roads it doesnt even sound car friendly so it seems that a few days somewhere else is a better bet.

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 8,505

It is actually a pleasant island people wise so if you can live with the lack of public facilities(plenty of cafe's, pubs and restaurants) and the state of the roads (much like the rest of the country at the moment) i would reccommend a visit as I think you will enjoy it.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

We flew into Sandown and walked the mile or so from the airfield into the town. We had a very nice lunch on the terrace of a pub overlooking the beach, wandered down the pier, did a bit of shopping and walked back to the airfield.

Flight time 2hours 10 on the way out and 2 hours 30 for the return leg.

Trouble-free flight though Gatwick wouldn't play ball with a zone transit to cut the corner.

Moggy

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 239

Visit the Isle of wight

You might not be welcome at Bembridge, but you certainly are at Sandown (EGHN). Strictly PPR on 01983 402402. Great cafe, Great company. Come on down! :):):)

Member for

14 years

Posts: 1,234

Yes very welcoming indeed.
Have you rebuilt the cafe then? Or is it still the makeshift one round the back?

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 239

Sandown Operational

Yes very welcoming indeed.
Have you rebuilt the cafe then? Or is it still the makeshift one round the back?

Hi PeeDee. No the 'phoenix' has not reached the (Aviator) cafe, in fact it has now been lowered to the foundations, and the Porta-Cabin cafe (on the south side) is closed. Instead Carla has moved to the cafe in the Specialist Flying School on the north side of the airfield, and you and all are very welcome to a nice cosy club atmosphere with excellent food, drinks and friendship. But please note that all flights have to be srtictly PPR on 01983 402 402 or 07930 242 488.

Exactly what is going to happen at Sandown in the long run is still subject to much rumour and counter-rumour, but what is certain is that the airfield is open to GA and operating right now and it is the intention of all concerned that this is the way it will remain.

See you there. To-day?? :)

Member for

18 years 4 months

Posts: 439

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

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 239

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. :o

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. :D

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

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

Any comment Fieldhawk?

Moggy

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 239

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.

Member for

16 years 10 months

Posts: 313

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:

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

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