PFA Rally
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
Spent the whole day at the rally and yes it is different from previous years, perhaps more compact with fewer extra-curricular activity - no cars, kids arena, etc.
So on the whole think it was an excellent day out, basically 100% PFA activity.
Had intended to spend the night in my tent next to the aircraft but few of my chums were overnighting or arriving until later tomorrow and as Aerbabe and Whirly weren't staying to party decided to slide home with a view to poling up again tomorrow if I'm in demand!
Traffic on the way in at circa 10H local was not too bad and upon departure was very light.
Lots of interesting stands - eventually found the day when I was flush enough with cash to buy 2 American built geared ratchet ringkey spanners. Sad but happy.
Lots of interesting homebuilts - most of them absolutely beautiful. I will confess that Europas/Jaiburus don't do it for me but some of the workmanship was to be envied and as a previous award winner at the Rally that really is a compliment!
G-RUNT was a real treat to see, a far nicer aeroplane post renovation than ever before - Cassutt Racer. I was invited to fly another Cassutt recently so shall probably pursue this channel now that I've seen the sister ship from the same folk!
One particular "dog" was offered for sale for £14k, I promise you that I'd not have taken £1.4k as payment for a ride in it!
All in all a super day out and with a nice s westerly found myself maintaining 150kts all the way home and was home in just over 25 mins or 16 litres! Biplanes are sooooo draggy.
If you were thinking of not going, think again!
Stik
So on the whole think it was an excellent day out, basically 100% PFA activity.
Had intended to spend the night in my tent next to the aircraft but few of my chums were overnighting or arriving until later tomorrow and as Aerbabe and Whirly weren't staying to party decided to slide home with a view to poling up again tomorrow if I'm in demand!
Traffic on the way in at circa 10H local was not too bad and upon departure was very light.
Lots of interesting stands - eventually found the day when I was flush enough with cash to buy 2 American built geared ratchet ringkey spanners. Sad but happy.
Lots of interesting homebuilts - most of them absolutely beautiful. I will confess that Europas/Jaiburus don't do it for me but some of the workmanship was to be envied and as a previous award winner at the Rally that really is a compliment!
G-RUNT was a real treat to see, a far nicer aeroplane post renovation than ever before - Cassutt Racer. I was invited to fly another Cassutt recently so shall probably pursue this channel now that I've seen the sister ship from the same folk!
One particular "dog" was offered for sale for £14k, I promise you that I'd not have taken £1.4k as payment for a ride in it!
All in all a super day out and with a nice s westerly found myself maintaining 150kts all the way home and was home in just over 25 mins or 16 litres! Biplanes are sooooo draggy.
If you were thinking of not going, think again!
Stik
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Kent
Didn't find a lift 
Will have to be very organised next year, and not start looking for a lift two weeks before the Rally
If you see Barry, or any of the Clipgate crew, say hi from me!
have a good weekend folks!
tKF
LowNSlow, you planning any trips down this way this Summer?
Will have to be very organised next year, and not start looking for a lift two weeks before the Rally
If you see Barry, or any of the Clipgate crew, say hi from me!
have a good weekend folks!
tKF
LowNSlow, you planning any trips down this way this Summer?
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Great day at Cranfield, followed by barbecue at Welshpool Airfield, just home. Aerbabe and I left Halfpenny Green...er...I mean Wolverhampton at about 10 am in the end; we'd arrived there at 8.30, but no-one arrived to open the place till nearly 9 am. I think they were all watching that funny game where you kick a ball around. It was raining, with showers forecast - but for once the met man got it wrong and we were pleased. Lovely wx all the way down, and really easy for helicopters - you approach at 500 feet, well below everyone else, to a huge field. We spent nearly all our time talking to people - Stiknruda, Genshis the Engineer, Cran, , and many others I'm sure, but can't remember right now. Sat in the sun eating lunch. Then had to leave as the helicopter was due back at 6 pm. Still good wx and endless visibility on the way back. Wolverhampton have changed to ATC a couple of days ago, and I confused them by asking if I was cleared to land - don't think they're used to telling me what to do; I usually tell them what I want to do. 
Anyway, definitely a good day out.
I think they were all watching that funny game where you kick a ball around. It was raining, with showers forecast - but for once the met man got it wrong and we were pleased. Lovely wx all the way down, and really easy for helicopters - you approach at 500 feet, well below everyone else, to a huge field. We spent nearly all our time talking to people - Stiknruda, Genshis the Engineer, Cran, , and many others I'm sure, but can't remember right now. Sat in the sun eating lunch. Then had to leave as the helicopter was due back at 6 pm. Still good wx and endless visibility on the way back. Wolverhampton have changed to ATC a couple of days ago, and I confused them by asking if I was cleared to land - don't think they're used to telling me what to do; I usually tell them what I want to do. Anyway, definitely a good day out.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Yep - great day out! Met most of the people I expected to see, but didn't come across Whirly or AerBabe.
Saw Stiknruda, looking very happy in his matching top. Did you meet AerBabe this time, Stik?
Sad that TKF didn't make it. We were about 20 lbs below max (Alex is *such* a svelte lad) so couldn't go via Kent.
Plan ahead early...
Came back IFR (just for kicks!)
Like the new format - more compact, and all relevant.
Saw Stiknruda, looking very happy in his matching top. Did you meet AerBabe this time, Stik?
Sad that TKF didn't make it. We were about 20 lbs below max (Alex is *such* a svelte lad) so couldn't go via Kent.
Plan ahead early...
Came back IFR (just for kicks!)
Like the new format - more compact, and all relevant.
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Keef,
Aerbabe and I were looking out for you, but missed you. But yes, Aerbabe met Stiknruda. She can't answer for herself right now as she's off walking the Pennine Way, and I don't think they have Internet access there yet.
Aerbabe and I were looking out for you, but missed you.
But yes, Aerbabe met Stiknruda. She can't answer for herself right now as she's off walking the Pennine Way, and I don't think they have Internet access there yet.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Dorchester, Dorset
tKF may have a ride.
One of our group wants another pair of Mark I eyeballs in the cockpit for his trip tomorrow, and I've put them in contact - down to Mr & Mrs tKF now.
She went yesterday, and it was my turn to take our Aiglon into the maelstrom today. We were 4 PPL's and it made the nav and arrival a doddle - I had to do a groovy 500' slow speed 'S' to keep spacing from the Robin ahead.
My first rally, and it really is a feast for the eyes - I'm contemplating going back tomorrow and just watching the flying'n'taxying.
One of our group wants another pair of Mark I eyeballs in the cockpit for his trip tomorrow, and I've put them in contact - down to Mr & Mrs tKF now.
She went yesterday, and it was my turn to take our Aiglon into the maelstrom today. We were 4 PPL's and it made the nav and arrival a doddle - I had to do a groovy 500' slow speed 'S' to keep spacing from the Robin ahead.
My first rally, and it really is a feast for the eyes - I'm contemplating going back tomorrow and just watching the flying'n'taxying.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Kent
Thanks, Steve (and thank Moose as well!) but due to family commitments this morning (well, about 30 mins time!) I couldn't make it to the Rally in VV 
I'm really gonna HAVE to get organised next year
Have a good day if you do go again....anyone taken a camera?
tKF
Should get up to Clipgate this afternoon though, so might have some aviation in my weekend
I'm really gonna HAVE to get organised next year
Have a good day if you do go again....anyone taken a camera?
tKF
Should get up to Clipgate this afternoon though, so might have some aviation in my weekend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Kent
Just following on from my last post, I did get some aviation in this weekend, but no actual flying.
Spent the afternoon and some of the late morning chatting to people at Clipgate airfield, most of who had been to the Rally over the weekend.
After hearing some of the fun they had and about the whole "Rally Experience", I am hoping more and more I can make it next year
tKF
Spent the afternoon and some of the late morning chatting to people at Clipgate airfield, most of who had been to the Rally over the weekend.
After hearing some of the fun they had and about the whole "Rally Experience", I am hoping more and more I can make it next year
tKF
High Flying Bird
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 0
From: Old Sarum ish
HUGE thanks to Whirly for the lift - how to arrive in style 
Stik, I'm slightly disappointed... you told me you were the ugliest Pitts driver around Great to meet you at last And if you ever need a microbiologist...
Keef, kept my eyes open for you all day, but no sign. Didn't see G-UTSY either
Really nice to meet all the other various people from PPRuNe and elsewhere - another thanks to Whirly!
Can't wait until the next one... but there's no way I'll be flying myself in
Stik, I'm slightly disappointed... you told me you were the ugliest Pitts driver around
Great to meet you at last And if you ever need a microbiologist...Keef, kept my eyes open for you all day, but no sign. Didn't see G-UTSY either
Really nice to meet all the other various people from PPRuNe and elsewhere - another thanks to Whirly!
Can't wait until the next one... but there's no way I'll be flying myself in
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Whirly and AerBabe
Sorry I missed you! G-UTSY and friends arrived about 11am, left about 4.30. Met Stik, and a whole load of other folks.
Saw several flying eggwhisks parked up. I think Richard McL was there in one, but didn't meet up with him. Did have a long yak with the chap with the big beast (Jetranger, I think he said it was) from EGMC.
Sorry I missed you! G-UTSY and friends arrived about 11am, left about 4.30. Met Stik, and a whole load of other folks.
Saw several flying eggwhisks parked up. I think Richard McL was there in one, but didn't meet up with him. Did have a long yak with the chap with the big beast (Jetranger, I think he said it was) from EGMC.
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Aerbabe,
Good to have you along. I like having someone to navigate for me, and "head for that tower over there" is my kind of nav. And since I'm a bit close to the minimum solo weight for the R22, it flies better with some live ballast too.
Oh, I enjoyed your company as well as the above advantages.
Good to have you along. I like having someone to navigate for me, and "head for that tower over there" is my kind of nav.
And since I'm a bit close to the minimum solo weight for the R22, it flies better with some live ballast too. Oh, I enjoyed your company as well as the above advantages.
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 2
From: north of barlu
lack of airmanship
I went on friday and have to as that in the short time that i was flying in it was clear that some pilots had not taken the time to read the AIC.
One guy called on the radio as if it was a normal day at cranfield and one idiot was orbiting on final aproach , still at least this year some one was not trying to talk to the ATIS !.
It would seem that as hard as the PFA and CAA try to publish the details in an easy to use format some will go out out off the way to egnore it.
One guy called on the radio as if it was a normal day at cranfield and one idiot was orbiting on final aproach , still at least this year some one was not trying to talk to the ATIS !.
It would seem that as hard as the PFA and CAA try to publish the details in an easy to use format some will go out out off the way to egnore it.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
Anyone wish to own up to being the bent wing driver who approached the reciprocal runway down to about 100 ft? - no doubt thinking 'Look at all those fools going the wrong way!'
Good couple of days though and camped under the wing of the C310 (not very PFA I know but had loads of camera gear to carry). Organisation of the awards left something to be desired and most of the awardees weren't there. Stayed in the beer tent Sat evening and realise should have been at Cafe Pacific - If I chose to stay over again I will know better next time.
There must be some device the PPRUNE ers could carry around which gives distance and bearing to others of a similar disposition - I've heard of something similar using SMS for making friends in busy bars. Could be worth investigating for future bashes of this nature.
Good couple of days though and camped under the wing of the C310 (not very PFA I know but had loads of camera gear to carry). Organisation of the awards left something to be desired and most of the awardees weren't there. Stayed in the beer tent Sat evening and realise should have been at Cafe Pacific - If I chose to stay over again I will know better next time.
There must be some device the PPRUNE ers could carry around which gives distance and bearing to others of a similar disposition - I've heard of something similar using SMS for making friends in busy bars. Could be worth investigating for future bashes of this nature.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 10
From: Just South of the last ice sheet
When I arrived on Saturday around 12:15 there was nobody in the holding area, I just followed a Robin in until I was carved up by a Cranfield based Traumahawk. No probs cos the Auster can fly reeeeeeeaaallllyy slowly but a tad ignorant given that it wasn't busy. Thirty minutes later it was like LHR in the rush hour with bods going around all over the place.
I liked the new format but it was quite a hike to book in/out. Still, there were lots of nice aeroplanes to look at on the way.
My only gripe was that the marshalling aircadets would have been better placed on the centre line of the main taxiway so that they can be seen from the left seat. Even on the side taxiway they stood on the right which made life interesting in a 15kt crosswind
All in all I enjoyed my first flying visit to the Rally. Well done all you volunteers.
I liked the new format but it was quite a hike to book in/out. Still, there were lots of nice aeroplanes to look at on the way.
My only gripe was that the marshalling aircadets would have been better placed on the centre line of the main taxiway so that they can be seen from the left seat. Even on the side taxiway they stood on the right which made life interesting in a 15kt crosswind
All in all I enjoyed my first flying visit to the Rally. Well done all you volunteers.
