This piece was originally penned by Ian Lane around 1997. Apologies for any inaccuracies, which can always be corrected on request..
The idea of forming a new flying group was first mooted in the pub in September 1989 when four members of another group, based on a 2-seat Robin, decided that they would like to operate a 4-seater that was economical to run, had reasonable performance and where the Group emphasis would be on touring.
At first, we had hoped to get 20 potential members interested enough to come up with the money so that we could start looking for an aircraft but this proved harder than we had anticipated - not because of the proposed Group size but more a case of wanting to see something tangible before parting with the dosh! However, we did manage to recruit a further two brave souls prepared to commit themselves and so we now had six members. The inaugural group meeting, on an informal basis, was held in Ian Lane's house in October 1989 when we discussed how we should move everything forward.
The first step was to find a suitable aircraft and so the original four members were delegated this task. This was probably the most difficult part of the whole exercise. We looked at several potential aircraft but they were overpriced, or had too many hours on the engine or were just plain clapped out. Nevertheless, it was good fun trying them out and we managed to log a few hours in different types. Also, we now had fourteen members.
By late November, we hadn't found anything and were about to give up but, by chance, we came across a PA28 Cherokee 180, G-BABG, at Staverton which fitted into our price bracket and had only 800 hours or so on the engine. It was quite old, having been built in 1965, and looked rather tatty with horrible brown paintwork. Our first impression was not favourable and so we decided against it but over the next few days we debated long and hard and then decided to test fly it anyway.
In fact, it flew like a dream and everything seemed to work O.K. so, subject to an engineer's report, we agreed to buy it. The report was favourable, emphasising that the airframe was very sound in spite of the tatty appearance and so,apart from a few minor faults, it seemed to be a good buy. - we now had an aeroplane!! It was flown to Bristol Lulsgate, where the group was to be based, by Ron Perry and Paul Edwards on 12th December 1989. We didn't have a hangar slot so we had to park it outside but during the first night we almost lost her when a storm blew up. A midnight phone call from Ron Perry woke me up and we went up to the airfield to make sure that our investment was still securely picketed down. It was lucky that we did because the pickets had come out and BG had obviously "moved". Other aircraft had been blown over, or damaged by flying debris, but luckily, BG had remained unscathed.
By now, we were 19 in number with only one share left to sell and the first formal monthly meeting was held on 14th December at the Bristol & Wessex Aeroplane Club to establish some basic operating rules, booking procedures and election of Officers.
The founder members of the Group were:-
Initially:
Ron Perry ( now flying an Emeraude from a private strip)
Paul Edwards ( now living in Kent with, we believe, a share in a Condor at Rochester)
Ian Lane - now migrated to Scotland
Julian Telling - currently passing out pilots on Citations and Kingairs at BFC.
Next:-
Bill Sweetnam - has subsequently left the group.
Stan Robertson - has subsequently left the group.
Then the following:
John Sadler, Tony Martin, John Hocking, Nick Tyne (now flying G-BAMU, based in Northamptonshire), Steve Mather ( Now has share in TB10 at Bristol), Mark Griffiths ( Has share in TB10, I think)
Richard Markham, Mike Booton, Ian Hey ( now flys at Staverton ), Clive Richards, Lou Casali, Derek Estcourt, Gordon Cockhill.
Since then the group, still 20 in number, has seen a several changes. The last of the original members (Stan Robertson) left in 2006. 'Father of the House' is now John Pritchard, who joined in 1993.
BG was completely repainted in 1993 and had a new engine in 2006.
Countries Visited:-
France, Holland, Germany, Spain, Morrocco, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Czech Republic as well as Scotland and Ireland.