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The Guernsey Aero Club brief
History
(
by Rob Le Page from old club website which was set up by Nikki
Le Page )
Aviation
history in Guernsey can be traced back to 1917 with the first visit to the
island of a British Seaplane.
The first passenger flight took place on 4th October 1919 when an Avro 536
prototype seaplane G-EACC arrived at St Peter Port harbour from Southampton
and Jersey with one passenger on board. Various seaplane services were
operated during the 1920`s but because they were not commercially viable
most were relatively short lived.
The first landing by an aircraft on Guernsey was on 26 April 1928 when a de
Havilland DH 60 Cirrus Moth G-EBOU piloted by Flight Lt. F.W.Soden plus a
lady passenger landed at Fort George.
On 15th September 1933 Guernseyman Mr Cecil Noel first flew his home built
Wee Mite from Vazon Bay. It was Mr Noel who was instrumental in the
formation of the original Guernsey Aero Club which started advertising the
sale of shares in the club in July 1934. By October of that year permission
had been granted for the club to use fields at L`Eree (near the west coast)
as their base. This was the Bailiwicks first aerodrome, it had three grass
runways, the longest being 500 yards
Cecil Noel became the Guernsey Aero Clubs Chief Flying Instructor and in
January 1935 the club purchased an Avro 594 Avian IV registration G-AACF.
This aircraft was damaged in a gale at L`Eree in November 1935 and the
remains were later put into storage in a garage in Upland Road where they
were seized during the occupation and shipped to Germany in March 1941.
The Aero Club is thought to have remained active at L`Eree up until the
opening of the new airfield at La Villiaze on 5th May 1939. However, with
the onset of the war and subsequent occupation of the Islands by the Germans
all activities ceased.
The current Guernsey Aero Club can be traced back to July 1966 after Mr Alan
Marriette had placed an advert in the local paper inviting people who were
interested in flying to meet him. About ten people responded and from this
beginning flying instructing on the island started and the Guernsey branch
of the Channel Islands Aero Club was formed.
During this period the club had the use at weekends of aircraft and
instructors from Jersey. Auster trainers and Cessna 150`s were used when
private flying at Jersey was restricted because of the volume of commercial
traffic.
The Guernsey Branch initially started with just three members but this soon
built up to twelve and with kind permission of the Airport Commandant Mr Jim
Walters the club was able to lease premises at the States Airport for
meetings and social activities.
In 1967 the Club President, Dereck Wilson, acquired his first aircraft, a
Percival Prentice registration G-AOKO. Some members flew the Prentice but it
was not generally available for Club use.
At this stage, in 1967, only four members of the Branch held pilots licences.
In those days the training costs were just £6 per hour and it would cost
about £270 to obtain a licence.
In September 1969 mother of five Mrs Gladys Smith became the first woman in
Guernsey to fly solo. Her instructor was Wing Commander 'Pick' Pickford who
regularly flew over from Jersey in those days to instruct the Guernsey
students.
On 8 August 1970 the Aero Clubs first purpose built premises were opened by
the Lieutenant Governor. Situated at the Eastern end of the Airfield behind
what is now the Freight Sheds, the building still stands today. Although
small it was well equipped, and included the traditional Aero Club Bar. To
celebrate the opening there was a fly in of 22 aircraft together with an
open day for the public.
During August 1971 the club purchased a four seater tourer the Garden
Horizon registration G-ATJT. Although there were still no hangar facilities,
the club managed to lease space for it in the nearby Louis Martin's hangar.
The following February the AGM agreed that the name of the club be changed
from the Channel Islands Aero Club (Guernsey) Ltd to the Guernsey Aero Club.
At this stage direct links with the Jersey branch of the Channel Islands
Aero Club were ended and instruction continued with a Cessna 150 owned by
club member Gordon Corlett with Mike Selwood as the instructor.
As a result of the success of the previous fly ins the 1st Guernsey
International Air Rally and Race took place from the 22nd to 24th September
1972. The event was a great success with 45 aircraft visiting including 11
race entrants.
In March 1972 the Aero Club sold the Horizon and purchased a Cessna 172 G-AZKZ
as a replacement.
With the immanent construction of freight sheds in front of the existing
building in 1975 the Club moved to premises twice the size on the West side
of the South Grass park adjacent the Fuel Farm. Today these are the premises
of Channel Aviation. It was from this building that membership and the Club
really grew, as facilities were far better and not so cramped. There was
also a reasonable sized kitchen that enabled functions to be catered for.
There was, however, still the disadvantage of there being no hangar
facilities.
During this period flying training was leaping forward and it was not long
before the Committee considered it essential to acquire or build a permanent
club house and adjacent hangar on their own land but with access to the
airfield.
The annual Air Rally had retained its popularity, and numbers increased each
year. The largest number of aircraft and rallyist's were catered for from
this building when the 10th rally was staged with 97 aircraft and about 300
rallyist's. Rally arrival lunches were catered for from the kitchen, and
from a secondary kitchen and wash-up in a tent, but the building could not
cope with the numbers, without a marquis tent being provided.
The search for new premises was on, but there were no other suitable
facilities available within the Airfield boundary for expansion. A bold
decision was made to look for premises around the airfield boundary, with
the hope of an access arrangement being negotiated with Board of
Administration (the Airport Authorities). There were no available buildings
but an old vinery was found as being a suitable site, not only for a
clubhouse but also for much needed hangar facilities. This site was south of
the main taxiway and west of the Fire Sheds.
After a long delay, planning approval in principal was issued by the local
IDC (Island Development Committee). After a further period, agreements were
reached with the Board of Administration and the insurers for an 'access'
agreement through the airfield boundary, for the Guernsey Aero Club. This
was the first and so far only granting of such an application by the airport
authorities.
The decision was taken to obtain a full building permit, raise finance with
club funds, bank borrowing, individual members funding, and Members Bonds,
and go ahead with the building of a purpose designed and build Club premises
and hangar. This was done on a very tight budget, with the building and car
parks initially having to be basic but able to be developed further in the
years ahead.
It took six years of club members time from initially searching for
premises, planning, negotiating with authorities, considering funding, and
then finally building the new clubhouse, to the time the new premises were
officially opened in January 1981.
From these new premises the Club has developed even further.
Flying training by the Guernsey Aero Club had recommenced in 1980 with the
purchase of Cessna 152 Aereobat G-BFZT. A second 152 (G-BGGP) was acquired
and for PPL members a Cessna 172 G-BKEV was purchased in 1983.
Training has continued, but handled by Guernsey Flying Training Ltd., with
two Cessna 152's (for training) and a Cessna 172 (for advance training and
touring). Many of the local airlines with Aurigny and Flybe (previously
Jersey European Airways) in particular have pilots and crew who started
their training from the club.
As membership improved further, so did finances, and this enabled further
improvements to be undertaken. Grassed areas adjacent the apron were
reshaped to provide additional maneuvering space on the apron. The car park
changed from being muddy and full of ruts, to a nicely Bitmac surfaced car
park with surface water drainage.
In 1997 alterations to the layout, and refurbishing of the Clubhouse were
completed, providing even better facilities to take the club forward for the
foreseeable future. The club is now described as having one of the best
facilities in the country.
The Air Rally's have continued to maintain their popularity. In recent years
the adjacent hangar has been transformed on rally weekends to a functions
facility where the main rally Banquet, ball and presentations have been held
instead of being at a local hotel. The use of the hangar has made the rally
even more popular and has enabled an impressive 'Hog-roast' meal to be
undertaken, catering for 350 rallyist and members all seated, plus a bar,
band and dance area, all in a 'heated' hangar. 2004 being the 33rd
International Air Rally.
Today the Committee and members remain active and organise a very mixed and
varied programme of events. The social activities include dinners, sports
evenings, lecture nights, films, quiz's, Euchre card evenings, Boule/Petanque,
weekly Meat draws and Members draw, annual auction, coffee morning, spot
landing competitions, and many other activities.
Other clubs and organisations also use the premises, including on Monday
evenings, the G.S.A.E. (Guernsey Society for Aviation Enthusiasts) whose
members have always actively supported and assisted with the clubs rally's
and other activities.
The club frequently provides it's facilities and entertains other visiting
Aero Clubs and organisations from the UK and all over Europe. These have
included: - The Comanche Club, the Flying Advocates, AOPA Switzerland and
Belgium, the American Yankee organisation plus individual Club fly-away's
from UK Aero Clubs. The Club is also used as a venue for organisations to
demonstrate new aircraft.
Flying activities for members and visitors are regularly organised and
include the Annual Guernsey Air Rally, the Christmas Spot Landing
Competition (for locals) and the Insomniacs Spot Landing Competition (the
last weekend in March to coincide with the clock change)
Each year the club organises a full programme of Fly-away's to destinations
in France and the UK generally with an overnight stay at the destination.
The is usually a fly-away organized to a more distant part of Europe. In the
past this has included Denmark, Spain, south of France, Slovakia etc.
Organised visits to other aviation events are regularly made by members, to
such places as the Paris & Farnborough air shows, EAA Sun-'n'-fun
fly-in, Oshkosh, and tours of aircraft production facilities.
In the Summer of 1998 a brand new Cessna 172R registration G-BXOI was
purchased and is used for advanced training and general hire. Plans are also
in hand to replace the other two aircraft at presently operated, Cessna 152
G-ANSW and Cessna 172 G-BKEV but at present no decision has been taken
regarding what will be acquired.
During the Spring of 1999 the Club saw the arrival of the new training
fleet, two brand new Piper PA-28 Warrior III's G-GFTA & G-GFTB, which
have replaced the Cessna fleet. Through to present day the club is very
active with the two Piper PA-28 Warrior III's
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