Return of the Rally?

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:21 am

Cirrus, as you no doubt know, the LAA agreed to underwrite losses for Struts running regional rallies and did in fact pay Devon's loses last year.
My personal view, and I am certainly at odds with some EC members here, is that the regional concept lacks the appeal of a single major rally. I've been to them all, and most have been no different to a decent strut fly-in, enjoyable but certainly not 'special.'
A joint venture is certainly a possibility worth looking at, either with another organisation or as a profit/loss sharing exercise with an airfield owner - which is why such a venture is being investigated.

Dave Hall · Post by **Dave Hall** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:17 pm

They've just had the annual steam event at Kemble - it took up a lot of the space that the rally used to use - and the weather wasn't brilliant for flying!

JonKil · Post by **JonKil** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:55 pm

It would be great to think that a 2009 rally could make a return, alas I believe it to be already too late to get the idea running.
Blois in France runs an excellent event each year, is it not possible for the LAA to run something along those lines?
Blois is scheduled to run on the last weekend in August this year and I will attend again in absence of the PFA/LAA event.... not quite the same but at least it is a descent outdoor rally to look forward to.

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:13 pm

Anybody want to tell us the result of the meeting last week…

Rod1

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:47 pm

Hi Rod, the meeting was between members of the Rally committee, including CEO Peter Harvey, and representatives of Sywell Aerodrome. The committee will now (possibly) be in a position to prepare a proposal for presentation to the EC, which will then decide whether an annual rally is viable. The next EC meeting is on September 19th but I am not aware yet whether a rally proposal will be ready to present at that meeting.
Once a proposal is made and decided upon, no doubt the LAA website will carry the news. They do say that patience is a virtue.

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:47 pm

Brian,

Thanks for giving us the update. It does sound positive, will you give us an update after your EC meeting on the 19th please.

Rod1

Ian L · Post by **Ian L** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:40 pm

I for one am keeping my fingers crossed that we get the Rally back, it's part of our culture

Ian L.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:02 pm

A national rally does give a focal point for suppliers and meeting pals but given the weather this year (and last) it is as well there was no major financial commitment.

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:44 am

How did the meeting on the 19th go?

Rod1

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:13 pm

The mag is on the way and details are within. For those that cannot wait, the EC gave the Rally committee the green light to progress to a full business case, a go/no go decision will depend on that and should be made (hopefully) by the end of Novemberish. Proposed date for the event is September 4/5/6 2009, and the venue would be Sywell.

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:28 pm

Thanks Brian

Rod1

pillpoppinpilot · Post by **pillpoppinpilot** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:02 pm

This could be the shortest possible flight I'll have made to a flyin...6 miles!

JonKil · Post by **JonKil** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:48 pm

Any updates yet on the LAA rally 2009 ?
Hoping to see it back again on the annual events calendar.

Jon

Nigel Ramsay · Post by **Nigel Ramsay** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:17 pm

The rally committee have been busy, there's been a lot of preliminary planning work done with very encouraging results. We now await a go/no-go decision from the EC at this Friday's meeting. Fingers crossed we will be looking at Sywell for next September! Watch this space!