Lee on Solent

[mikeparsons84]

Just a bit of an update for Lee on Solent.

Went flying yesterday from Shoreham to Fairoaks, then from Fairoaks to Bournemouth which was the usual £38 landing and handling, we knew the score..all good.

Then on to lee on solent because Bembridge was under water, why don't more people visit Lee now?

For a mere £15 with Sapphire aviation (who have big plans for the airport) you get a friendly smile from Steve and even shook our hands on landing...nice touch.

Free coffee, xmas choccies, good chat and the new cabin has a small pooleys shop with sofas, computer for planning and a good feel.

Give it a go, large hard runway and probably somewhere different.

[A le Ron]

Somewhere for the new year then.

[Bald Sparrow]

Somewhere for the new year then.

With all the rain, I think the usual New Year's Day venues of Popham and Compton Abbas may be a little damp. Perhaps Lee might be an alternative?

Any chance of free landings for New Year's Day I wonder???

[Lefty]

Somewhere for the new year then.

With all the rain, I think the usual New Year's Day venues of Popham and Compton Abbas may be a little damp. Perhaps Lee might be an alternative?

Any chance of free landings for New Year's Day I wonder???

Ya tight git. He is trying to get a fledgling business off the ground. We can sting him for free coffees and refreshments - or landing fee - but be fair - not both.

I'm keen to visit and bring the Waltham group down to visit - but we would expect to pay our way. Are they open on January 1st?

As Bald Sp says, our usual destinations are unlikely to be open.

[Monocock]

As Bald Sp says, our usual destinations are unlikely to be open.

Looking less and less likely too.

[BFCDA40]

Unfortunately, I don't think that Sapphire are open on 1st Jan, although they are there 27th to 30th inclusive and open as normal from 2nd Jan.

In my experience, Steve and the Sapphire team have been brilliant without exception. Nothing is too much trouble for them and I wish them every success. They really do deserve it.

[Paul_Sengupta]

Lydd is the "normal" forum New Year's Day get together.

[AndyR]

Slight correction Paul. It was always the NYE venue.

[AndyR]

To be fair to Sapphire they simply collect the landing fee for the airport, they have no say in the amount. Any reduced fee would have to be negotiated with LoS, though if there were enough for a fly in I reckon Sapphire could be persuaded to try

[Paul_Sengupta]

Slight correction Paul. It was always the NYE venue.

Ah, roger. What a difference a day makes! It's a year apart.

[JonEBgood]

Britten-Norman have a holiday season shutdown until 2 Jan, when the airfield opens to visitors again. Weather outlook at 25Dec is for decent wx 2-5 Jan, maybe pay Lee a visit then?

[Johnny boy]

Was there with Mike on Sunday and it was a breath of fresh air to be greeted with such enthusiasm and will definitely be going back and look forward to seeing the expansion plans take shape. I know it's very early days but look out Shoreham!!!!! You could have a bit of competition An airfield embracing GA ........nah! It'll never catch on

J

[30West]

Seasons Greetings from the team at Sapphire Aviation! We have decided to let the team spend New Years Eve and New Years day re charge their batteries for 2013 which is certainly shaping up to be a good year for GA at Lee on Solent.

Those of you who have visited to date will know that if you show up in a C150 or a PC12 you are treated exactly the same! Plans for 2013? Well we have just completed the second hangar and work starts on the third January 7th. 6 tie downs are installed with provision for more. A deli is being prepared off site to be in place before Easter (on site!). Bike Hire is planned before Easter as well and we are working with the local attractions to provide (hopefully freebies) tickets to explore.

sapphireaviation.co.uk now has an "Events" tab for 2013 as well as a virtual tour of one of our hangars on the services page.

Aerotech are expanding their maintenance activities with us as are Bournemouth Avionics, we can provide extremely competitive A/C cleaning courtesy of Kirsty and "Crystal Wings".

BN allow us to collect landing fees on their behalf which means no need to go to the tower, just ask for the "Sapphire Ramp".

Free handling from us.........we think it will catch on! Happy New Year!

[russ82]

Sounds excellent, you will certainly be seeing me at some point in the next few months

[JonEBgood]

There is a CAA Safety Meeting in January that all pilots in the M27 Area are very welcome to join in on.

CAA Safety Evening
Wednesday 23rd January 2013
1930 start at PNGC Clubhouse
Daedalus Airfield
Lee-On-Solent

The CAA return to the Daedalus area with one of their excellent Safety Evenings, organised by FlyBN and generously hosted by Portsmouth Naval Gliding Centre (PNGC) in the large refurbished briefing room at the PNGC Clubhouse. All pilots in the area welcome! No doubt the bar will be open shortly afterwards!

If not a Daedalus car-pass holder then please notify FlyBN (ats at eghf.com) of your intention to attend so that site security can be pre-notified of your visit (sorry, no site access otherwise!).

Hope to see you there!