FLY INS

J.C. · Post by **J.C.** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:32 am

Much has been said lately about fly ins. I didn't go to Sherburn this weekend due to a last minute hitch, so cannot comment hence this new post.

Fly ins in general seem to come in for a lot of flack on here, mainly by the same people that naysay anything to do with the LAA.
In my experience, the people doing the moaning are always the type of person that wants everything done for them, but are unwilling to give anything in return.

It would do the LAA a huge amount of good if they could host an international rally. If they could insure perfect weather right across Europe for the week, find a sponser to give free fuel( That used to happen at Shaffen) and arrange a gig by a major pop star for free in the beer tent.

No one would argue about any of the above but lets get back to reality.

Ther are more fly-ins to go to now than ever. People are spoilt for choice, and it is natural that this dilutes things to a degree.
With all this in mind, WHY do you expect the LAA to pay for these events?

Would you be willing to pay double the membership to fund more events?

I understand from some of my friends that there were a quite a few good events that they attended over the last weekend that were nothing to do with the LAA.
There are a couple more in the pipeline over the next few weeks that are my favourites, but they are abroad. I am looking forward to them very much, but I wouldn't expect the LAA to get involved..why would they be?

So.. bottom line..Surely it would be best for all concerned for the LAA to concentrate on the issues that keep us all flying, and leave it up to others to provide us with places to go..That way we all benefit.

With that in mind I would remind you that I am organising a BB fly in, invitation is open to all ( permit, microlight, C of A, etc ) at Tibenham 22/23 august. Camp if you want, bar will be open, food avalaible from Cafe, BBQ on Sun( simple hot dogs or burgers..nothing exstravagent!).
showers on site.
No ppr required. There will be gliding takeing place so look out for gliders and give way to them, no overhead joins bcause of cables.
Standard landing fee (sorry..£6) waived if buying fuel or taking a ride in a glider. Special reduced rates on trial flghts for the weekend for people flying in.

Radio 129.75 Tibenham Ground.Make sure you emphasise TIBENHAM, its the gliding unicom.

So who's coming, you can't winge at the LAA for this one though, but you can winge to me in person!

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:49 am

Hi John,

I hope to make the BB Flyin, not sure which day yet.

My answer to your question revolves around us being a member’s organisation. We need to be involved in flyins to gain members, keep existing members and to build a sense of identity. To a member in the more outlaying regions, miles from the nearest strut, the LAA appears very remote. There only contact will be through an inspector, who is probably a friend and not seen as part of the establishment Give him a regional fly in within reasonable range of a basic LAA machine and he can come along and feel part of the empire.

The same is true of non LAA members who are curious about our kind of flying. Give them a relatively local event with relatively simple procedures (no 30 aircraft on final scare tactics) and they will turn up and have a look. I met a guy at the SAC event who had flown in in a spam can expecting to see a lot of “cloth bombers” (in his words). He had come because his machine was costing him a lot of money (based at an international airport), but was considering it a big step down from a metal spam can to a basic homebuilt. A quick demonstration of my glass cockpit, an explanation of the costs etc and he was amazed at how much more modern most of the aircraft were. He thinks an LAA machine would save him £8k a year and has gone away to join up and find out more. If this can happen by just talking to someone who was having a look round my aircraft, then you can reasonably assume that there were another 40+ who were thinking the same thing but did not bump into an owner at the right time.

The identity argument comes from the camaraderie of getting a number of like minded people together at an airfield. This was very evident at Wick, which was both a fun challenge to get to and a friendly place to relax.

What we need is about 3 regional fly ins, all conforming to a minimum specification. One in Scotland, one in northern England and one in the south. If we can add a national rally then fine, but this has to be low risk. Who pays for the regionals? The chances of three events in different geographical locations all suffering bad weather are remote. If the LAA cannot afford a few £100 to prop up a strut which has been adversely affected by a particularly bad weekend, then we have to ask if we have our priorities right. The same is true of LAA support for events. We have a number of democratically elected representatives, who represent our members. Is this not almost the only opportunity for such people to get out and meet the members? Add in local Strut support and LAA presence should be no problem and no cost.

Rod1

J.C. · Post by **J.C.** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:15 am

Bump to the top, weather looking good.

Alan Cooper · Post by **Alan Cooper** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:23 pm

Hope to attend on Saturday in my Robin ZIPI.Belighhtfully informal I hope!!!.

Nick Allen · Post by **Nick Allen** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 9:34 am

J.C. Thanks for setting up the Tibenham do. Grand day out. Hope you got the D9 started...

Alan Cooper · Post by **Alan Cooper** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:35 am

Thanks from me and ZIPI too.My idea of a fly in relaxed,informal and good company.Lovely club setting.VBR

Post by **John Dean** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:46 am

Really good day out, John. Thanks for the invite and organising it.

Pleased to see you have got yourself a proper aeroplane with a bent wing.

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:09 am

Well done on the event. What a superbly friendly airfield. It was very considerate of you to provide the entertainment in the way of an uncooperative engine, think how much weight you lost swinging it. That was some of the best weather we have had all year and some excellent company to (+ Brian).

Rod1

Norfolkjohn · Post by **Norfolkjohn** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:40 pm

If anyone that flew into Tibenham on Saturday 22nd Aug is interested I have quite decent digital pictures of most of the arrivals (taken when aircraft were on short final for 21). I'll gladly pass on digital copies to any of the owners / pilots. Just send me a PM with your e-mail address. I got shots of the following aircraft :

G-AIGF, G-ARNG, G-ATCD, G-AWVG, G-AXCG, G-AXUJ, G-AYGG, G-AYSH, G-BTCI, G-BEAH, G-BLPG, G-BTTE, G-BTWL, G-BUGL, G-BVVE, G-AARK & G-ZIPI

Cheers, John

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:33 am

JohnC,

Have you got the VW going yet?

Norfolkjohn

Did you get G-KARK?

Rod1

J.C. · Post by **J.C.** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:43 am

Nope! both mags have run only 4 hours, gone back for refurb.

Norfolkjohn · Post by **Norfolkjohn** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:26 am

Rod1 - Yes got a couple of decent shots of G-KARK. Have sent you a PM.

Cheers

John A

Nick Allen · Post by **Nick Allen** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:11 pm

Can I have a pic of BCTI please? -- PM sent

Norfolkjohn · Post by **Norfolkjohn** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:47 pm

Rod & Nick - pictures e-mailed

John A

Rod1 · Post by **Rod1** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:41 am

Good pics!

Thanks,
Rod