PFA Rally
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
Rally Dates Jun 21st -23rd
It is fun BUT read and memorise the AIC before departing!
AIC 21/2002 (Yellow 77) 4 April
You can normally predict whether 04 or 22 will be in use and you'll know whether you'd prefer to opt for grass or tarmac so there really is not a whole lot to remember.
Pick up ATIS early, confirm that your choice of 4 is available and you are on easy street. HOWEVER IT GETS VERY BUSY SO KEEP A GOOD LOOK OUT AND BE PREPARED TO GIVE WAY TO LESS "POLITE" TRAFFIC.
Have the AIC really handy just in case the r/way that you were expecting changes but if you have done your homework then it should not be a big issue.
Avoid peak times and you might not see much traffic inbound!
But rest assured it is there so CONFORM to the AIC.
If you have an aeroplane with pax and you brief them carefully then they can be a great help in spotting traffic, without a concise briefing then you may get lots of panic!
Have a great visit, this year we are slightly altering the whole Rally to better reflect the desires of the membership and the exhibition area will have moved too, to save the Association wonga.
I'll be the fat bloke in the beer tent!
Stik
AIC 21/2002 (Yellow 77) 4 April
You can normally predict whether 04 or 22 will be in use and you'll know whether you'd prefer to opt for grass or tarmac so there really is not a whole lot to remember.
Pick up ATIS early, confirm that your choice of 4 is available and you are on easy street. HOWEVER IT GETS VERY BUSY SO KEEP A GOOD LOOK OUT AND BE PREPARED TO GIVE WAY TO LESS "POLITE" TRAFFIC.
Have the AIC really handy just in case the r/way that you were expecting changes but if you have done your homework then it should not be a big issue.
Avoid peak times and you might not see much traffic inbound!
But rest assured it is there so CONFORM to the AIC.If you have an aeroplane with pax and you brief them carefully then they can be a great help in spotting traffic, without a concise briefing then you may get lots of panic!
Have a great visit, this year we are slightly altering the whole Rally to better reflect the desires of the membership and the exhibition area will have moved too, to save the Association wonga.
I'll be the fat bloke in the beer tent!
Stik
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
I shall be there working all weekend, but not flying in - too much risk of getting stranded if the weather changes over the weekend.
Anybody fancy a get-together in the beer tent (or I seem to recall last time quite a good curry tent) at some point in the proceedings? A lunchtime might be the best bet, to catch those just flying in for the day.
G
Anybody fancy a get-together in the beer tent (or I seem to recall last time quite a good curry tent) at some point in the proceedings? A lunchtime might be the best bet, to catch those just flying in for the day.
G
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: U.K
I'm most certainly NOT going.
-No display...Whilst i'm aware it is not a trade show per-se, there are many interesting PFA types that are very exciting to watch in action. Most DA holding members will be happy to fly for fuel money only, leaving just the CAA Article 70 exemption to pay for.
-Entry fee even for PFA members..the first year this has been the case, I believe.
-Crap grass runway...I have no desire to damage our aeroplane on that pitifully inadequate strip.
-Expensive beer...Why pay well over the odds for flat,week, southern beer?
I feel better now......hope you all have a grand time!
-No display...Whilst i'm aware it is not a trade show per-se, there are many interesting PFA types that are very exciting to watch in action. Most DA holding members will be happy to fly for fuel money only, leaving just the CAA Article 70 exemption to pay for.
-Entry fee even for PFA members..the first year this has been the case, I believe.
-Crap grass runway...I have no desire to damage our aeroplane on that pitifully inadequate strip.
-Expensive beer...Why pay well over the odds for flat,week, southern beer?
I feel better now......hope you all have a grand time!
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
Fast Erect
Although I totaly understand your points on the airshow, the unsubsubsidised ale and the grass that I personally choose not to use, notwithstanding the above - I do wish that you would come.
The entry aka landing fee of six quid (IIRC) really is small beer - most aerodromes charge you this. It is our Rally, we PFA'ers I hear you cry, why should we pay for entry to our own event?
An airshow sponsor was sought but as none engaged the concept before the AIC was put to bed, there can now not be an Airshow AT THIS YEAR's RALLY.
For many year's the Rally has been subsidised by the PFA! This obviously is not assisting the membership nor the Association. Many of the Association members are neither builders nor fliers but have a great interest in recreational aviation.
I don't feel the need on an open channel to explain the reasons behind all the new Rally decisions - but trust me these were debated at length and then unanimously agreed by the EC, the body that you elect to give up huge tranches of their own time to oversee the running of the Association.
Sir, if you decide not to participate then both you and the Association will be that much poorer for it. Should you change your mind, then I shall happily buy you an ale or two in "that" tent. If you decide not to come out and play, then I hope that you will stand for election as a committee member this year so that you can help mould the PFA into the organ that you wish it to be.
Yours
Stik
Although I totaly understand your points on the airshow, the unsubsubsidised ale and the grass that I personally choose not to use, notwithstanding the above - I do wish that you would come.
The entry aka landing fee of six quid (IIRC) really is small beer - most aerodromes charge you this. It is our Rally, we PFA'ers I hear you cry, why should we pay for entry to our own event?
An airshow sponsor was sought but as none engaged the concept before the AIC was put to bed, there can now not be an Airshow AT THIS YEAR's RALLY.
For many year's the Rally has been subsidised by the PFA! This obviously is not assisting the membership nor the Association. Many of the Association members are neither builders nor fliers but have a great interest in recreational aviation.
I don't feel the need on an open channel to explain the reasons behind all the new Rally decisions - but trust me these were debated at length and then unanimously agreed by the EC, the body that you elect to give up huge tranches of their own time to oversee the running of the Association.
Sir, if you decide not to participate then both you and the Association will be that much poorer for it. Should you change your mind, then I shall happily buy you an ale or two in "that" tent. If you decide not to come out and play, then I hope that you will stand for election as a committee member this year so that you can help mould the PFA into the organ that you wish it to be.
Yours
Stik
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Abingdon, Oxfordshire, U.K.
Fast Erect
No doubt you will be going to Fairford then. You needn`t worry about the runway, you can`t use it.
The entrance fee is £30
You won`t see any aircraft there that you could fly (probably)
Lots of display flying though.
Mike W
No doubt you will be going to Fairford then. You needn`t worry about the runway, you can`t use it.
The entrance fee is £30
You won`t see any aircraft there that you could fly (probably)
Lots of display flying though.
Mike W
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Did I miss something? I thought once I joined PFA that entrance to the Rally would be free.
I was planning to come with some other folks, who are happy to pay the £10 or so each that I recall from prior years. Has that all changed?
I was planning to come with some other folks, who are happy to pay the £10 or so each that I recall from prior years. Has that all changed?
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: uk
After the cancellation last year due to F & M you would have thought they would have wanted to organise a real bumper show this year - alas it is not to be.
Sponsorhip is needed and can be difficult to organise, but the Rally is supposed to be one of the prestige events in the light aviation calendar. Aerofair and other meets seem to have arranged sponsorship so why not the PFA. Might it be that the mandarins at Shoreham are a little too pipe & slippers and not as dynamic as other organisations. I think that it has something to do with that typical British approach to so many things - lack of commercialism. Being voted onto the EC is not good eneough - these people have other jobs and cannot commit the time and money necessary to do a complete and full job. Look at the EAA - it is a large organisation, run as a professional corporate body and yes, the Poberezny family got very rich out of it. Over here the attitude is that we should all muck in, be on a committee and muddle through - it is time to be more professional, more organised and commercial, let people invest and make money out of it. Then we may get better representation at CAA level, have less restrictions on what we can build and fly under permit rules and the rally would be a world class event.
Sponsorhip is needed and can be difficult to organise, but the Rally is supposed to be one of the prestige events in the light aviation calendar. Aerofair and other meets seem to have arranged sponsorship so why not the PFA. Might it be that the mandarins at Shoreham are a little too pipe & slippers and not as dynamic as other organisations. I think that it has something to do with that typical British approach to so many things - lack of commercialism. Being voted onto the EC is not good eneough - these people have other jobs and cannot commit the time and money necessary to do a complete and full job. Look at the EAA - it is a large organisation, run as a professional corporate body and yes, the Poberezny family got very rich out of it. Over here the attitude is that we should all muck in, be on a committee and muddle through - it is time to be more professional, more organised and commercial, let people invest and make money out of it. Then we may get better representation at CAA level, have less restrictions on what we can build and fly under permit rules and the rally would be a world class event.
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 2
From: north of barlu
Read the AIC ! its been writen above and I will just make it clear that it is the LAW that you must have it or the poolys or jepp charts for the rally with you in the aircraft.
Some years back it took me a wile to pick up the ATIS message as some one kept trying to talk to it !.
On the whole the standard of airmanship is very high at the rally but it only takes one pilot who has not taken the time to read the instructions in the AIC to be a real danger to all around him.
Some years back it took me a wile to pick up the ATIS message as some one kept trying to talk to it !.
On the whole the standard of airmanship is very high at the rally but it only takes one pilot who has not taken the time to read the instructions in the AIC to be a real danger to all around him.
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 0
From: Anywhere
Coke 611
Check your dates - it's actually 21-23 June this year.
As everyone says - read the AIC, listen to the ATIS and just follow the queue. It's easy
And if I hear anyone trying to call "Cranfield Approach" on the grass frequency thinking it's business as usual and not a TRA (Wycome Air Centre & Stapleford training aircraft please note this ESPECIALLY) asking to route via the overhead at 2000' they're likely to get short shrift. Believe me - it happened quite a lot in 2000! (Guess they don't read NOTAMs )
CM
Check your dates - it's actually 21-23 June this year.
As everyone says - read the AIC, listen to the ATIS and just follow the queue. It's easy
And if I hear anyone trying to call "Cranfield Approach" on the grass frequency thinking it's business as usual and not a TRA (Wycome Air Centre & Stapleford training aircraft please note this ESPECIALLY) asking to route via the overhead at 2000' they're likely to get short shrift
. Believe me - it happened quite a lot in 2000! (Guess they don't read NOTAMs )CM
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
If 1500 aircraft flying in isn't a decent visual event, I don't know what is?
If as PFA members we have to subsidise the rally, surely it is more sensible for those attending to do so by putting their hands in their pockets at the gate than the entire membership doing so in their annual fees, whether they go or not?
You had to pay in 2000.
G
If as PFA members we have to subsidise the rally, surely it is more sensible for those attending to do so by putting their hands in their pockets at the gate than the entire membership doing so in their annual fees, whether they go or not?
You had to pay in 2000.
G
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
From: Swindon, Wilts,UK
How many PPruners are going to be camping on Site? I myself will be there working over the weekend. Possibly we could have a get together in The CSA or Cafe Pacific (if it's still open?) The CSA has been very welcoming of Rally workers and visitors the last few years, the beers cheaper than the beer tent and they've got central heating! (Which can be a great boon if the weathers bad)
(Which can be a great boon if the weathers bad)
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Wessex
I’m going to be there from Wednesday onwards setting up and then working on the PFA stand at the weekend. I’ve been doing this since I joined the PFA and I have no problem forking out ten quid or what ever to get in. Come on its not even one good night out. As for the air show as the number of members who actually help out at there own rally is so pathetic I have never seen the air show as I am always working. So if you wish to whine about anything from the state of the toilets to the admission fee come down to the PFA stand and I will be happy to completely ignore you. If you wish to come on over and discuss planes, the CAA, the weather or anything else really I’ll be the fat hairy bloke behind the counter.
Oh and the CSA is the place to drink much cheaper than the beer tent.
Oh and the CSA is the place to drink much cheaper than the beer tent.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire, UK
Coke611, being 15 doesn't bar you from being a PFA member - check out the website re junior membership.
As a PFA member and rally visitor for many years, by road and air, I don't object to paying for admission. Its what you get for the money thats important. And at the rally you get the best aerial show in Europe! There are plenty of airshows, but nothing with the sheer volume and diversity that you see at Cranfield.
The rally was sadly missed in 2001, lets hope this year's is a memorable and safe event.
Genghis, your comment about being stranded by weather is very apt ..... on Sunday I had to leave the aeroplane 200 miles away...
Coke611 good luck with the career aspirations!
Slip
As a PFA member and rally visitor for many years, by road and air, I don't object to paying for admission. Its what you get for the money thats important. And at the rally you get the best aerial show in Europe! There are plenty of airshows, but nothing with the sheer volume and diversity that you see at Cranfield.
The rally was sadly missed in 2001, lets hope this year's is a memorable and safe event.
Genghis, your comment about being stranded by weather is very apt ..... on Sunday I had to leave the aeroplane 200 miles away...
Coke611 good luck with the career aspirations!
Slip
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 10
From: Just South of the last ice sheet
I'll be there, I just haven't picked a day yet. If anybody else wants to meet up drop me an email and swop mobile numbers.
Alternatively, find a cream Auster with ginormous green registration letters on the wings (G-AHAM) and look inside. I'll leave my number on the seat.
Alternatively, find a cream Auster with ginormous green registration letters on the wings (G-AHAM) and look inside. I'll leave my number on the seat.
