Sir Morley Steven wrote:Sorry you don’t like my rules Michael. Most people are happy with them and we can sometimes use discretion. Unfortunately our Ops team are not pilots and as such cannot do that.
I respect your rules Steven, and I actually like what you are doing at Blackbushe Aviation. IMHO you’re doing an excellent job.
There is no complaint on my part about how you run your business.
It is standard for the industry here.
It does not suit me though as I have a very limited budget these days and so the number of checkouts I receive have to be considered.
Having run a few aviation businesses in my life, I have had to use my discretion many times.
I am an ‘unknown’ here these days, and so I accept the rules.
I do have the ‘hours I say I have’ and more...
What is apparent to me is that I should either buy an aeroplane, or get into a group to continue to keep my hand in, but where?
Until I find a settled place to be and a new income I will have to be very careful with my finances.
I am a member at White Waltham where I have many friends from my past, but even there I can’t ‘fly’ club aircraft within the rules, and so beyond the social I can only check out (28 day rule) when I have a specific purpose to rent an aeroplane. Every penny has to be carefully justified.
I could not keep my currency in the Super Cub due to potential cross winds in excess of five knots when I wanted to fly it, and so now I have exceeded 28 days in that aircraft type.
Much as I love the Super Cub, I know I have to justify a dual flight before I can do anything in it. So I should be patient and see what I can do in the future.
On the other side I well remember so and sos from the Tiger Club’s past turning up and being allowed to fly club aircraft soliciting gasps and worse as they were no longer the ace pilots they once were.
Their hours and reputations from decades before were no longer ‘current’.
So while I might be annoyed and somewhat offended I also understand why organisations have certain rules.
I still drop by Blackbushe on occasion, and say hello when I see Steven.