Return of the Rally?

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:18 pm

“Surely with removal of the frills we can make it a viable proposition again”

I hope you are right. The trouble is that the last 5 national events were heralded as the first of a new era of no frills events which would cut out the waste and come in without a loss. The last one really seemed to try very hard to do this, and the result was a cut of 50% in the loss, which was still substantial. An airfield which is prepared to run the rally would remove a lot of pain, as will keeping the CAA and H & S as far away as possible.

Rod1

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:55 pm

Personally I do not believe sufficient effort was put into controlling the Rally budget, too many people were building empires in the belief that 'they would never cancel the Rally.' Well, they did, and rightly so.
If we do go with a national event again then it will need a single person in charge of finaces who rules with a rod of iron, only then will we stop the stupid waste that plagued every rally we held in the last ten years. Security men driving around intimidating people in 4x4s, so secure that one year they left the keys in one of them and it got nicked, costing us thousands of pounds. Medical services that would do justice to a small town, toilets that cost every person coming through the gate £3, the list goes on and on.
I do believe that it is possible to run a national rally again, and one that will make money on a reasonable weekend and not lose too much if the weather is bad, and I truly want it to happen. An airfield that wants to help rather than rip us off is an essential ingredient, and maybe we are on the way to that happening. But I won't be supporting any proposal that does not have rock solid financial control of LAA funds at its core.

BJ · Post by BJ » Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:26 pm

You could always see how the Microlighters do it - all invited.

13 -15 June

Spamfield (the Wight Party ) is a Go-go - Just for a change no
Karrychokey this year.. centre stage is Richard MH and a full
presentation of his record breaking exploits.. with a bit of music
too Smile Did I mention a bar? Food?

Marquee goes up later this week - the bins, bogs, food and bar are
organised..

Booking is available online (to get your discount) at
www.bmaa.org

This is, weather permitting, likely to be AGAIN the largest
Microlight Fly-in in the UK - a number of Aircraft related
traders are onsite too so bring your wallet if you fancy a new
flying suit amongst other stuff..

Meet old friends and make new ones.. this is the place to be.. The
event is NOTAM'd - its all ours Smile

Register online at www.bmaa.org and, if you want a spot of
discount, book your ticket in the online BMAA shop.

The event is open to any member of any association - No weight rules. Just fly in and enjoy.

See you onsite Smile
BJ
_________________
Some can and some cannot - some do not know that they cannot.

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:26 pm

Rumor is that we are looking at the traditional July date. The weather on this date has not been good for some years.

Rod1

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:09 pm

Rumours, rumours. Don't know whose putting them about but as of now there is absolutely nothing firm about an annual rally next year. The EC will decide, and nothing at all has as yet been presented for consideration, let alone a date.

Joe Iszard · Post by **Joe Iszard** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:57 pm

PLEASE LAA, No single rally.

No one enjoys an annual rally more than me - when the weather is kind.

But, when the weather is rough - as it has been so often - the rally is a miserable affair, Eggs and Basket comes to mind.

Joe

Planemike · Post by **Planemike** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:47 pm

An annual PFA (whoops LAA) rally..............GO FOR IT !!!!!!

The EAA have Oshkosh, we should have our own equivalent.

I see mention of Sywell as a venue, as a recollect about 500 a/c there in the late 70's was quite a squeeze.

Planemike

Planemike · Post by **Planemike** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:47 pm

An annual PFA (whoops LAA) rally..............GO FOR IT !!!!!!

The EAA have Oshkosh, we should have our own equivalent.

I see mention of Sywell as a venue, as I recollect about 500 a/c there in the late 70's was quite a squeeze.

Planemike

Will Greenwood · Post by **Will Greenwood** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:03 pm

I would like to see an annual rally return, but for saftey, i would bolt it onto an event such as Aero-Expo, which has been held at Booker, it attracts both aviaition business and the punters in an indoor hall/hanger, no soggy tents please. So find a contact at Benson, move the whole shooting match there, provide a large beer tent, toilets and camping for the LAA, and have the full range of exibitors of Aero-Expo and there you have it.....god if only it was that simple !

Will.

Ian L · Post by **Ian L** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:14 pm

I am in favour of the Rally; I agree that August is likely to be a bit quieter. We also need to advertise more in the local area and perhaps have a discount for local families looking for a day out.

As for being able to accept all the aircraft, you give us a rally and the marshalling team will fit them all in safely.

Ian L