PFA Rallies of old
I have a great affection for the ‘Old’ PFA Rallies, there again I can see how they grew financially to an overwhelming cost / liability for the PFA /LAA. This was also before we became so aware of liability issues and the ambulance chasers. Perhaps it’s better to allow an organisation that operates an airfield full time, as well as putting on other events, to run the rally and for the LAA to add their name to the event.
One of the early rallies I attended at Cranfield as a volunteer I just showed up by air on the Tuesday before the rally and offered my services to anyone needing unskilled labour. I didn't realise you were supposed to register / book with the organising committee, but I was allocated to the team putting up fencing and spent a pleasant few days with like minded folks. We camped on the field and when the work was finished took any kids (can’t remember who they were) who were also helping in the rig-up flying until dark. Just before the rally on the following year I received a letter saying that as I had worked as a volunteer previously, I was not required this year. I guess places in the rally crew were much sought after.
I seem to recall that the largest number of aircraft arrivals over the weekend was just shy of two thousand. As mentioned above, that probably needed a very specialist form of ATC, rather than a FISO / Follow the AIC approach. I vaguely remember being about fifth in line when on short final, with no doubt more following and an equal string of aircraft in parallel for the grass runway. Also being invited to “WK land long…….......... OK, that will do. Thanks” to help spacing behind.
The rumour about the demise of the ‘Old’ rally was that after a particularly financially disastrous event at Kemble there was a feeling that the rally could bring the whole organisation down. One story was that the external security firm hired for the event had one of their pick up trucks stolen and billed the PFA for it. If this was true, it could well have been the metaphorical last straw.
Hope to see lots of folks at the Rally this year.