Regional events – the future

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:40 am

We may or may not have a national event next year, but what are we going to do about the regionals?

In my opinion the idea of regional events is a good one. If you own a basic single seat machine based at wick, you are unlikely to fly to Sywell, but the RV’s etc can visit you. This strengthens the LAA and makes the regions feel part of the empire.

Some Regionals have been very good; Devon was good, as was Wick, but Hucknal and Perth missed the target. If an event is carrying the LAA regional title it should fulfill some basic criteria. Some of the events have been almost impossible to attend as airfields have been closed for 90% of the day for air shows, or the actual event was on a Friday, but the LAA got it wrong in the mag etc etc. How about;

The prime focus must be the LAA event, not some other aviation event

Allow free airside access to members (almost all do)

Allow people to fly in on the main day with minimum fuss

The event should be on a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday (or all three)

Camping by the aircraft should be allowed.

Some official LAA personnel should be there, not just the local strut (Brian would do at a pinch

)

Even if you have different criteria, I hope you agree that we need to set a minimum standard for an event approved by the LAA as an OFFICIAL LAA regional rally. I have made a big effort to support the LAA regional events, which the LAA asked members to do. This represents many £100’s and many days for my time, in return ALL the events should be fit for purpose, or the national association fails.

Rod1

jamie_duff · Post by **jamie_duff** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:38 pm

I haven't been looking all that closely at LAA stuff recently due to work and other distractions, but I did go to Perth. I have to be honest, I went there with another LAA member because there was an airshow on. I did notice a reasonable number of LAA aircraft there but I wasn't aware it was also a LAA fly in until afterwards. I don't think my LAA friend knew it was a fly in either or we'd have tried to meet up with some other people.

Clearly I missed the clues! I was a good day out as far as an airshow was concerned, although I realise that the very fact it's an airshow makes it difficult for anyone to fly in.

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:52 pm

Rod, I agree that we need to look at our events options and decide exactly where we are going with them. It is currently a bit of a hotch potch, will there be an annual rally, wont there? If there is do we continue with Regionals as well?
Maybe we also need to ensure that Regionals fit a minimum standard, though the vagaries of different airfield management's do not always make that as straightforward as you think. My guess is that if we do have an LAA Rally nect year, Devon will continue with their SW Regional, and maybe it would be good to try and get the Scottish Struts to unite and hold a second Regional North of the border.
Whatever we do, let's at least decide on a policy early and start planning in plenty of time.

Kelvin Denize · Post by **Kelvin Denize** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:11 pm

What about Elstree for South East?

Not sure about the camping bit but the rest is fine.

Kelvin Denize · Post by **Kelvin Denize** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:52 am

I did what I could to try and aviod clashing with other events but at this time of year there are many all over the place.

I think a mix of regional and local is a fantastic idea, I will be attending the Boxted flyin on Saturday.

I agree with the principals laid out in the initial email and I think a lot of people are the same.

1. Slots are ok, but enable people to just choose one and fly in on the day...minimun of fuss arrival. We did it, boxted are doing it, it works.

2. Yes, the weekend is a absolute. Who can fly in on Monday?

3. Camping is always fun. Not sure if I could do this at Elstree...

4. Its fun enough to get planes, people and food together. Thats what we love so lets have a side show but keep it just a side show. Side shows are hard to set up anyway, nobody is really interested until your event gets really big and then it starts to lose its grass roots feel and becomes a job to set up rather than a joy.

5. Airside access and no silly yellow jackets. We want to see the aeroplanes and meet the pilots. Besides, how can you tell who is a marshaller if everybody is bright yellow.

Frank Parker · Post by **Frank Parker** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:10 pm

Peter, what about pluvius insurance for an event? The very first Flying for Fun at Sywell was a complete wash out, but there was no loss involved because of the insurance.

Frank Parker

Bill McCarthy · Post by **Bill McCarthy** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:07 pm

There is a place for both regionals AND a main rally. Although I live and fly in the far north (out of Wick) I would seriously consider attending a regional and if I had a steed fast enough I would even attempt a trip to Devon but the congested airspace down south would scare me to death. I organised the Wick fly-in in 2007 and the Devon lads made it here, and it was a credit to all the others (65) who ventured north round the hail storms !
The regionals make a change from visiting a "home" event in the same place year after year. Pilots need a challenge now and then. The event that I organised was purely that - no frills attached - get here if you can do. The cost to the strut was £150 which they reimbursed me for the trophies. The local distillery donated the bottles of twelve year old malt. There had never been so many aircraft at Wick - even during the war years. The local ATCO at Wick thought it a marvelous occasion and exercise for them.
At the very least, the regionals give the opportunity for our members to visit another airfield they wouldn't normally try should the weather put the mockers on the main event or a regional.

Jim Gale · Post by **Jim Gale** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:55 am

Brian wrote, "My guess is that if we do have an LAA Rally next year, Devon will continue with their SW Regional,"
Just personal thoughts Brian but as a Devon Strut member, I would say, "Don't bank on it."
We have voiced our concerns over this year's lack of support from HQ (apart from your presence and that of Mike Barnard and Barry Plumb, for which, great thanks) but have still, as far as I know, to receive a reply from the EC about our concerns.
As has been expressed before, the membership needs to know what the EC's stratergy is over Rallies, be they multiple Regional or single National/International. If they are to be Regional and meaningful to the LAA and it's members/public then there needs to be a commitment from management to attend ALL Regionals. Regionals are showcases for the LAA and should be a cost effective method of not only providing focus for membership but public participation too = more membership.
If the management cant commit to this then a single National Rally needs to be the focus.
If neither can be attained then for sure, membership will dwindle.

Nigel Hitchman · Post by **Nigel Hitchman** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:33 pm

I very much hope that we have a National Rally next year, but I dont see that the support is there from HQ or some members of the EC, so doubt that it will happen, hopefully Im wrong!
Even if there is a National Rally I would like to see a continuation of the regional events, or just plain strut fly-ins. I think there needs to be a set of requirements that a regional rally needs to meet in order for it to be accorded that status (like Rod and others have suggested) and a limited number per year need to be well advertised and supported by HQ. I dont really see the need for HQ to be paid to attend- sure they can come along in their free time if they like, just like we all do. But I do think that perhaps some HQ funding and logistical support may be necessary. Surely its better PR than running the same advert in Loop month after month for example.

This year we have seen some pre event publicity for the Devon regional rally, but much more for Aero-Expo and very little for any of the other regional events.

As with a lot of other things, the Devon strut has lead the way and are the example everyone should aspire to. LAA HQ should use the Devon strut model as an ideal in looking to "approve" any other regional rallys.