PFA Rally
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Rally Days
Just checked my first log book and I first flew into my first Cranfield PFA Rally on the 7/7/1984 on the way back from touring in France, we had to divert to Old Warden as the Airshow was due to start and flew in afterwards my Chariot for this event was a Cessna 172n G-BHAN club A/C; as Chippy G-BCSL was already there of which I had a share. Since then I have flown numerous A/C to the Rally from Luton Minors to PITTS S1, and I can honestly say that last weekend had to be the worst.
This time after browsing the stalls (30 mins) we took off after only two hours at the event, just before the Airshow(?) Started.
Those that have compared this event with IAT and even the Silverstone GP are on a different planet to most people who attended.
As some one just mentioned Billed as the BIGGEST
FLY-IN OUTSIDE OF THE USA, just does not cut it anymore, long gone are the days that 2000 A/C turned up. ENTRY FEES have to be a factor. But there are those that will bury their head in the sand to this view.
Last year was not bad. Even so I have to agree with the criticism so far.
At one of the EC meetings ten years ago the motion came up to change the name of the PFA (which still comes up as Professional Footballers Association on every search engine "Nuff said") To something that would attract PILOTS, I say that again PILOTS.
99% of glider pilots join the BGPA and the same with BMPA and BWPA and all parachutists join the BPA. PFA means nothing in 2004. Sorry guys but it's true, which is why only a small percentage of registered PPL’s joining.
AOPA I believe should be stronger and as mentioned recently in PILOT MAG, AOPA in EUROPE combining all countries; has the potential of 200,000 members, Now that’s a lobby group that could take a lesson from AOPA USA.
I am not anti PFA on the contrary; I even have the rather expensive PFA Credit card and stick the Rally sticker in my log book every time and as previous mentioned was an active member at grass roots.
BUT as in allot of organisations we have people that behave like TRAFFIC WARDENS with new hats (or John Prescot, which ever seems appropriate) in charge that choose to concentrate on things that will not help the long term survival of the PFA.
2008 will be a crisis but I see nothing happening to try and change the loss of permits, apart from the proposed two-year extension to 2010. Where does that leave people building aircraft now??
Any way the original posting now seems to have produced a healthy debate that I hope the EXCEC takes notice of!!
This time after browsing the stalls (30 mins) we took off after only two hours at the event, just before the Airshow(?) Started.
Those that have compared this event with IAT and even the Silverstone GP are on a different planet to most people who attended.
As some one just mentioned Billed as the BIGGEST
FLY-IN OUTSIDE OF THE USA, just does not cut it anymore, long gone are the days that 2000 A/C turned up. ENTRY FEES have to be a factor. But there are those that will bury their head in the sand to this view.
Last year was not bad. Even so I have to agree with the criticism so far.
At one of the EC meetings ten years ago the motion came up to change the name of the PFA (which still comes up as Professional Footballers Association on every search engine "Nuff said") To something that would attract PILOTS, I say that again PILOTS.
99% of glider pilots join the BGPA and the same with BMPA and BWPA and all parachutists join the BPA. PFA means nothing in 2004. Sorry guys but it's true, which is why only a small percentage of registered PPL’s joining.
AOPA I believe should be stronger and as mentioned recently in PILOT MAG, AOPA in EUROPE combining all countries; has the potential of 200,000 members, Now that’s a lobby group that could take a lesson from AOPA USA.
I am not anti PFA on the contrary; I even have the rather expensive PFA Credit card and stick the Rally sticker in my log book every time and as previous mentioned was an active member at grass roots.
BUT as in allot of organisations we have people that behave like TRAFFIC WARDENS with new hats (or John Prescot, which ever seems appropriate) in charge that choose to concentrate on things that will not help the long term survival of the PFA.
2008 will be a crisis but I see nothing happening to try and change the loss of permits, apart from the proposed two-year extension to 2010. Where does that leave people building aircraft now??
Any way the original posting now seems to have produced a healthy debate that I hope the EXCEC takes notice of!!
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Errrrr... was there an airshow? If there was on Saturday I didn't notice it... I had hoped Mark Jeffries' Extra would liven things up...
First time I've been in nearly a decade. Originally as a spotter, later as a simple enthusiast of things vintage and homebuilt. Latterly as an appreciative passenger in an Archer. This time round by road with a colleague who wishes to learn to fly and is considering a share in a PFA project. How did he feel? Too polite by far I think....
For me there were few aeroplanes of real interest, weather being the factor. But I saw interesting aeroplanes disappearing over to the north side. Couldn't be bothered to traipse over there in the bus.
So: keep vintage and PFA types on the south side. Reserve North side for overspill Spam Cans (sorry but we've all seen hundreds of PA-28s and C172s).
I recognised a few people: James Black, Martin Robinson and Whirlybird (sorry, I should have come and said hello, but you were in deep conversation!) plus the four women manning the BWPA stand who seemed familiar but none of which Whirly or Aerbabe! And G-KEST's mount. And a flier from the redoubtable Maurice Kirk "special adviser (sic) to the CAA". Sorry G-KEST, but I did enjoy that!
Bloke with Teddies? Why? Radio Whatsit Live Bus? Ditto... There'll be a funfair next...
Raod traffic exiting - appalling! Sort it out please Gloucs Constab.
Will I come next year - if Fish predicts great weather, yes...
First time I've been in nearly a decade. Originally as a spotter, later as a simple enthusiast of things vintage and homebuilt. Latterly as an appreciative passenger in an Archer. This time round by road with a colleague who wishes to learn to fly and is considering a share in a PFA project. How did he feel? Too polite by far I think....
For me there were few aeroplanes of real interest, weather being the factor. But I saw interesting aeroplanes disappearing over to the north side. Couldn't be bothered to traipse over there in the bus.
So: keep vintage and PFA types on the south side. Reserve North side for overspill Spam Cans (sorry but we've all seen hundreds of PA-28s and C172s).
I recognised a few people: James Black, Martin Robinson and Whirlybird (sorry, I should have come and said hello, but you were in deep conversation!) plus the four women manning the BWPA stand who seemed familiar but none of which Whirly or Aerbabe! And G-KEST's mount. And a flier from the redoubtable Maurice Kirk "special adviser (sic) to the CAA". Sorry G-KEST, but I did enjoy that!
Bloke with Teddies? Why? Radio Whatsit Live Bus? Ditto... There'll be a funfair next...
Raod traffic exiting - appalling! Sort it out please Gloucs Constab.
Will I come next year - if Fish predicts great weather, yes...
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Peking Duck ...
99% of glider pilots belong to the BGA because all clubs have to be affilliated and by default so do their pilots. The PFA has no "captive" membership and relies solely on people wanting to be join. You don't even "have" to be a member to own a PFA permit aeroplane! ... so let's not get too hung up on membership comparisons. Also the days of 2000 aircraft attending the rally are not long gone as over 2000 attended last year. This year you would expect a lot less due to the weather, but even so, I believe over 1000 dropped in ... so not bad considering; do you not think?
I've been a member since I was 17 and as I'm easily pleased and not too fussy I always enjoy the rally. That said, I can see why some might find it a bit lack-lustre. But for those of us interested in the engineering side as much as the flying side, there is plenty to see and do. I do see the rally as the main recruiting tool though, and think we do need to do a lot more to promote ourselves ... but can't the same be said of general aviation in general?
I think the Northside parking area should be for club types or at least for those not stopping overnight ... my shoes got very wet walking over for breakfast Saturday morning
I think the mini airshows of previous years should be reinstated as we all know that airshows help draw a crowd. The most important thing though, should be the promotions and opportunities to join. Entrance fees reduced for people joining on the day would go a long way to increasing membership and hopefully a reasonable percentage of those who join might stay.
SS
99% of glider pilots belong to the BGA because all clubs have to be affilliated and by default so do their pilots. The PFA has no "captive" membership and relies solely on people wanting to be join. You don't even "have" to be a member to own a PFA permit aeroplane! ... so let's not get too hung up on membership comparisons. Also the days of 2000 aircraft attending the rally are not long gone as over 2000 attended last year. This year you would expect a lot less due to the weather, but even so, I believe over 1000 dropped in ... so not bad considering; do you not think?
I've been a member since I was 17 and as I'm easily pleased and not too fussy I always enjoy the rally. That said, I can see why some might find it a bit lack-lustre. But for those of us interested in the engineering side as much as the flying side, there is plenty to see and do. I do see the rally as the main recruiting tool though, and think we do need to do a lot more to promote ourselves ... but can't the same be said of general aviation in general?
I think the Northside parking area should be for club types or at least for those not stopping overnight ... my shoes got very wet walking over for breakfast Saturday morning
I think the mini airshows of previous years should be reinstated as we all know that airshows help draw a crowd. The most important thing though, should be the promotions and opportunities to join. Entrance fees reduced for people joining on the day would go a long way to increasing membership and hopefully a reasonable percentage of those who join might stay. SS
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View from an exhibitor.
Last Year - 80-90 degrees, 2200 aircraft fly in and everyone has a great rally. (Shame about the toilets which was sorted this year - well done PFA)
This Year - Crap weather - 970 (approx) aircraft turn up.
Something is screamingly obvious with this one. The reason so many people didn't turn up was due to the weather. I don't doubt some people were put of with prices but come on - last week I spent £220 on flying (student) and didn't go anywhere more interesting than Fenland (no offence Fenland!). To land at an event with so many things to see and learn from and pay just £25 is something that I am looking forward to. I just hope the PFA continue to organise it.
Last year the PFA made a loss. This year they need to break even. They had to put prices up. Where they went wrong and Mike Cross and myself have discussed this for some time is in the marketing. If you landed, paid your £25 as a non member and were given a voucher for say £15 or even the whole lot to use against the cost of a full membership then the PFA would have gained many more members - not just this year but for many years to come.
However, I do have to say that I thought the organisation of the rally was excellent and the PFA deserve a lot of credit for the rally itself. It's the highlight of the GA event calender for me (personally) and the most successful event we have ever attended. Would have been a lot better if the sun had stayed out but there you go.
I think the PFA deserve all the credit in the world for putting on this event. It just needs some thought about how to turn more attendees into PFA members and some other 'GA' attractions.
On another note Mark Jeffries display was awe inspiring. Real style and the man has areobatics down to a fine art.
Last Year - 80-90 degrees, 2200 aircraft fly in and everyone has a great rally. (Shame about the toilets which was sorted this year - well done PFA)
This Year - Crap weather - 970 (approx) aircraft turn up.
Something is screamingly obvious with this one. The reason so many people didn't turn up was due to the weather. I don't doubt some people were put of with prices but come on - last week I spent £220 on flying (student) and didn't go anywhere more interesting than Fenland (no offence Fenland!). To land at an event with so many things to see and learn from and pay just £25 is something that I am looking forward to. I just hope the PFA continue to organise it.
Last year the PFA made a loss. This year they need to break even. They had to put prices up. Where they went wrong and Mike Cross and myself have discussed this for some time is in the marketing. If you landed, paid your £25 as a non member and were given a voucher for say £15 or even the whole lot to use against the cost of a full membership then the PFA would have gained many more members - not just this year but for many years to come.
However, I do have to say that I thought the organisation of the rally was excellent and the PFA deserve a lot of credit for the rally itself. It's the highlight of the GA event calender for me (personally) and the most successful event we have ever attended. Would have been a lot better if the sun had stayed out but there you go.
I think the PFA deserve all the credit in the world for putting on this event. It just needs some thought about how to turn more attendees into PFA members and some other 'GA' attractions.
On another note Mark Jeffries display was awe inspiring. Real style and the man has areobatics down to a fine art.
I have to say, Mark Jeffries display largely made me feel ill - I'm just glad that I wasn't actually IN the aircraft. Very impressive nonetheless.
Your other points seem fair to me, although it's clearly very hard to guess which is the major player between entrance cost and the weather, clearly they were both significant.
G
Your other points seem fair to me, although it's clearly very hard to guess which is the major player between entrance cost and the weather, clearly they were both significant.
G
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To land at an event with so many things to see and learn from and pay just £25 is something that I am looking forward to.
And good for you... But it isn't £25 - by the time I've loaded two or even three marginally interested passengers into the club's PA-28, its £100. That's another hour's flying. And what do I get for my £100? I'm at Kemble for maybe three hours (club probably won't let me have the a/c for longer on a weekend), I get parked on the north side, spend a while walking to the bus, wait for the bus to the south side, spend an hour or so walking around tat stalls and buying overly-expensive burgers, see a few aircraft (but no airshow, which doesn't really help with the marginally interested passengers), go back to the north side on the bus when it shows up, and fly home again.
So instead of going to what i regarded as the over-priced PFA rally, we went to Sleap (slightly shorter flight), paid £8 to land, had a nice lunch in their bar, chatted a bit, and then flew home again - good time was had by all. Total cost around half of going to the PFA.
Sorry, I'm not mean, but the PFA are going to have to look seriously at what they charge the very people who make the event what it is - those who fly in - before I go again, and I've been going to the rally for a number of years. I heard that the rally made a loss last year - well, the solution isn't to put up the prices to the point where you put even more customers off.
Andy
And good for you... But it isn't £25 - by the time I've loaded two or even three marginally interested passengers into the club's PA-28, its £100. That's another hour's flying. And what do I get for my £100? I'm at Kemble for maybe three hours (club probably won't let me have the a/c for longer on a weekend), I get parked on the north side, spend a while walking to the bus, wait for the bus to the south side, spend an hour or so walking around tat stalls and buying overly-expensive burgers, see a few aircraft (but no airshow, which doesn't really help with the marginally interested passengers), go back to the north side on the bus when it shows up, and fly home again.
So instead of going to what i regarded as the over-priced PFA rally, we went to Sleap (slightly shorter flight), paid £8 to land, had a nice lunch in their bar, chatted a bit, and then flew home again - good time was had by all. Total cost around half of going to the PFA.
Sorry, I'm not mean, but the PFA are going to have to look seriously at what they charge the very people who make the event what it is - those who fly in - before I go again, and I've been going to the rally for a number of years. I heard that the rally made a loss last year - well, the solution isn't to put up the prices to the point where you put even more customers off.
Andy
Disappointed. I didn't miss the tat stalls that much but they did leave a big gap. My passenger paid 25 quid to get in and he was a bit cheesed off but the offer of 20% off the joining fee made it seem a little better. He had been expecting to join at the Rally like I had a number of years ago.
A few sugestions:
Can't there be reasonable rates for people participating in an aerojumble marquee?
As other people have mentioned, how about an hour's worth of airshow. There must be suitably qualified members who can provide this at cost?
A static park with the Kemble based aircraft in it would have been very interesting to see even if they were penned off to prevent general access.
Don't go down the classic British route of "we're losing money, let's raise costs." I appreciate that the PFA (and the Rally) needs to make a profit. I don't think charging people 25 quid to get in is going to encourage them a) to come back next year or b) to join the PFA. Better to try to improve the service and make themselves into an organisation that the average GA pilot wants to join.
All in all, if I had remembered that Flying Legends was on (it'd been a hectic week) I'd have gone there instead.
PS shortstripper you do need to be a member to own a PFA aeroplane. Well you dd when I had a Cub.
A few sugestions:
Can't there be reasonable rates for people participating in an aerojumble marquee?
As other people have mentioned, how about an hour's worth of airshow. There must be suitably qualified members who can provide this at cost?
A static park with the Kemble based aircraft in it would have been very interesting to see even if they were penned off to prevent general access.
Don't go down the classic British route of "we're losing money, let's raise costs." I appreciate that the PFA (and the Rally) needs to make a profit. I don't think charging people 25 quid to get in is going to encourage them a) to come back next year or b) to join the PFA. Better to try to improve the service and make themselves into an organisation that the average GA pilot wants to join.
All in all, if I had remembered that Flying Legends was on (it'd been a hectic week) I'd have gone there instead.
PS shortstripper you do need to be a member to own a PFA aeroplane. Well you dd when I had a Cub.
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The point I am making is that £25 is not a huge amount of money in aviation or event terms.
A couple of weeks ago I paid £29.50 for a ticket to see Paul Weller in concert.
A month ago I took the kids and the good lady to the Zoo and it cost me £35.
My point is that all things are relative (especially in Norfolk!!) and if you don't think it's good value it's not good value. I believe that with a good offer to join the PFA with the £25 ticket, memberships would go up significantly and revenues year on year would grow.
A couple of weeks ago I paid £29.50 for a ticket to see Paul Weller in concert.
A month ago I took the kids and the good lady to the Zoo and it cost me £35.
My point is that all things are relative (especially in Norfolk!!) and if you don't think it's good value it's not good value. I believe that with a good offer to join the PFA with the £25 ticket, memberships would go up significantly and revenues year on year would grow.
Awesome but Affordable
Flew down Thursday pm in fairly unpleasant weather via Rendcomb to see my daughter. Got a magic AFIS service on final with a crosswind gusting to 25 knots at 80 degrees to the runway. The AFISO gave me a continuous broadcast of wind off the anemometer so I could check I was inside my personal limits. Nice B&B in Nailsworth.
Friday great, meeting loads of friends and making new ones. Trade exhibition definately down on previous years but some gems among the tat. Same with aircraft where the numbers were down - anyone flying VFR in a light aircraft especially if not IMC rated would have thought twice about coming on the basis of the TAF's and METARS. In actual fact it was never that bad but after all we were there already. Mark Jefferies excellent display in the EXXON sponsored Extra 300S was all above board and sanctioned by both the CAA and PFA operations.
Saturday was similar in terms of weather and visitors but all seemed to be having a reasonable time with some enjoyable bits.
Flew out 0740 Sunday back to EGBG in order to drive down to Legends.where my warbird passions were totally sublimated with an absolutely brilliant show.
All in all a weekend that would be hard to beat.
Thanks all involved at the PFA - especially Penny who put her all into it.
Whatever you think this was the biggest number of light aircraft you are likely to see over three days in the UK this year.
Long may it continue but I am certain there will be changes in time for "FLYING FOR FUN 2005" which may well be the new focus for the PFA rally.
Trapper 69
Just checked my own logbook prompted by the thought that my first PFA rally was a fair while ago. It was 1958 at Little Snoring when the, then, Fakenham Flying Group hosted a rally which attracted all of 22 aircraft, 5 of which were our own. Harold Best-Devereux, John Blake, Norman Jones along with a Tiger Club contingent and Roy Mills were there along with 4 aircraft from "le Reseau de Sport del\'Air". We had a great time with several bi-lingual check outs on each others aeroplanes then a fabulous dinner held at the USAF Sculthorpe Officers Club. The booze was at duty free rates and flowed in gallons. Oh..! the hangover was stupendous on the Sunday morning. A memorable occasion followed by so very many more including those halcyon events at Sywell, Leicester, Cranfield and Wroughton.
Thanks indeed for all those memories and friends some of whom are long gone.
PFA no matter what its shortcomings is THE flying organisation that fights for the chance for all of us to fly for fun, many of us in aircraft we ourselves have built at the lowest possible cost. That is not to denigrate the BMAA or the BGA who also do a grand job but for those who fly "conventional" light aircraft the PFA is it.
The PFA AGM is to be held in the near future and there are a fair number of new faces putting up for the EC (Executive Committee). Why not come along to voice your praises and any grievances face to face. It is a democratically run organisation and the members get the chance to vote for the guys they think will make the best job of it.
Well thats it from a grey bearded geriatric old fart who has been in GA as P1 for a half century and loved nearly every minute of it.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
Friday great, meeting loads of friends and making new ones. Trade exhibition definately down on previous years but some gems among the tat. Same with aircraft where the numbers were down - anyone flying VFR in a light aircraft especially if not IMC rated would have thought twice about coming on the basis of the TAF's and METARS. In actual fact it was never that bad but after all we were there already. Mark Jefferies excellent display in the EXXON sponsored Extra 300S was all above board and sanctioned by both the CAA and PFA operations.
Saturday was similar in terms of weather and visitors but all seemed to be having a reasonable time with some enjoyable bits.
Flew out 0740 Sunday back to EGBG in order to drive down to Legends.where my warbird passions were totally sublimated with an absolutely brilliant show.
All in all a weekend that would be hard to beat.
Thanks all involved at the PFA - especially Penny who put her all into it.
Whatever you think this was the biggest number of light aircraft you are likely to see over three days in the UK this year.
Long may it continue but I am certain there will be changes in time for "FLYING FOR FUN 2005" which may well be the new focus for the PFA rally.
Trapper 69
Just checked my own logbook prompted by the thought that my first PFA rally was a fair while ago. It was 1958 at Little Snoring when the, then, Fakenham Flying Group hosted a rally which attracted all of 22 aircraft, 5 of which were our own. Harold Best-Devereux, John Blake, Norman Jones along with a Tiger Club contingent and Roy Mills were there along with 4 aircraft from "le Reseau de Sport del\'Air". We had a great time with several bi-lingual check outs on each others aeroplanes then a fabulous dinner held at the USAF Sculthorpe Officers Club. The booze was at duty free rates and flowed in gallons. Oh..! the hangover was stupendous on the Sunday morning. A memorable occasion followed by so very many more including those halcyon events at Sywell, Leicester, Cranfield and Wroughton.
Thanks indeed for all those memories and friends some of whom are long gone.
PFA no matter what its shortcomings is THE flying organisation that fights for the chance for all of us to fly for fun, many of us in aircraft we ourselves have built at the lowest possible cost. That is not to denigrate the BMAA or the BGA who also do a grand job but for those who fly "conventional" light aircraft the PFA is it.
The PFA AGM is to be held in the near future and there are a fair number of new faces putting up for the EC (Executive Committee). Why not come along to voice your praises and any grievances face to face. It is a democratically run organisation and the members get the chance to vote for the guys they think will make the best job of it.
Well thats it from a grey bearded geriatric old fart who has been in GA as P1 for a half century and loved nearly every minute of it.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
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I see a lot of mention on exhibiters and visiting aircraft. Did any of you attend any of the excellent educational forums? Not well marketed, but very good if you found out about them.
I had a good time, but as an aircraft builder I managed to source several bits I needed at very good prices, so I have a different outlook on it to most people. The only cost I would criticise is the camping. I was there for three nights so £20 was ok, but several members wanted to camp for one night and people tried to charge them the full £20. The result was they found a local sight and paid £5.
One other point, nothing much will happen to the PFA in 2008. Home built aircraft are exempt from the regulations! Permits will go on as normal for home builds, and others may join subject to a strong PFA putting up a good fight, or not, as the case may be!
Rod1
I had a good time, but as an aircraft builder I managed to source several bits I needed at very good prices, so I have a different outlook on it to most people. The only cost I would criticise is the camping. I was there for three nights so £20 was ok, but several members wanted to camp for one night and people tried to charge them the full £20. The result was they found a local sight and paid £5.
One other point, nothing much will happen to the PFA in 2008. Home built aircraft are exempt from the regulations! Permits will go on as normal for home builds, and others may join subject to a strong PFA putting up a good fight, or not, as the case may be!
Rod1
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LowNslow
No you don't have to be a member to own a PFA aeroplane ... well certainly not if a co-owner in a group. As I've been a member for longer than I've owned aeroplanes it's never been an issue for me. As the elected engineer/repair man in a group operating a permit aeroplane I suppose I cover it. However, I know that in such a group all the members do not have to belong to the PFA. In fact I wouldn't be at all surprised if I was the sole PFA member out of the five of us?
SS
No you don't have to be a member to own a PFA aeroplane ... well certainly not if a co-owner in a group. As I've been a member for longer than I've owned aeroplanes it's never been an issue for me. As the elected engineer/repair man in a group operating a permit aeroplane I suppose I cover it. However, I know that in such a group all the members do not have to belong to the PFA. In fact I wouldn't be at all surprised if I was the sole PFA member out of the five of us?
SS
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There is currently a proposal to make PFA membership compulsory for all (co-)owners of PFA permit aircraft groups.
You can follow the debate at the PFA website
FD
You can follow the debate at the PFA website
FD
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Sorry Shortstripper, you're not the only one
I went to the rally Sunday, and was a little disappointed. It seemed a bit flat compared to last years, and I think that whilst the weather may play a part, the attractiveness to the GP (and to flyers who aren't in the PFA) needs to be addressed.
Didn't stop me lusting after the Silence Twister and the Alpi 300 though. SWMBO had to drag me away before I did something I'd have regretted later....
JP
I went to the rally Sunday, and was a little disappointed. It seemed a bit flat compared to last years, and I think that whilst the weather may play a part, the attractiveness to the GP (and to flyers who aren't in the PFA) needs to be addressed.
Didn't stop me lusting after the Silence Twister and the Alpi 300 though. SWMBO had to drag me away before I did something I'd have regretted later....
JP
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I can see it now...the inaugural meeting of PFAA...
'Hi, I'm Jason, and I've been a PFA'er now for...err...1 year...'
'Welcome Jason, and thanks for sharing that...we all know how hard it must have been for you. Now, tell us how your obsession with flying has affected your life...'
Seriously though - I think that the PFA rally has got to that 'awkward stage' where it's neither a meet for the members nor a show that can be fully appreciated by those who are just interested in aviation. I suppose it will always be like that, but I think with a bit of imagination on behalf of the organisers something could be done to change that. If I'd paid £25 as a member of the public I'd have been cheesed off. If the PFA doesn't make a profit this year (or break even) then a rethink is in order, and I think that some of the ideas posted here (more airshow elements for example) may be worth thinking about.
Mind you, with all the spotters in line, how about a scoring system for arrivals, with marks for style, technique and artistic interpretation....
'arriving now, Juliet Papa with his homage to Barnes Wallace....'
JP
'Hi, I'm Jason, and I've been a PFA'er now for...err...1 year...'
'Welcome Jason, and thanks for sharing that...we all know how hard it must have been for you. Now, tell us how your obsession with flying has affected your life...'
Seriously though - I think that the PFA rally has got to that 'awkward stage' where it's neither a meet for the members nor a show that can be fully appreciated by those who are just interested in aviation. I suppose it will always be like that, but I think with a bit of imagination on behalf of the organisers something could be done to change that. If I'd paid £25 as a member of the public I'd have been cheesed off. If the PFA doesn't make a profit this year (or break even) then a rethink is in order, and I think that some of the ideas posted here (more airshow elements for example) may be worth thinking about.
Mind you, with all the spotters in line, how about a scoring system for arrivals, with marks for style, technique and artistic interpretation....
'arriving now, Juliet Papa with his homage to Barnes Wallace....'
JP
