Sorry, you are probably right- Well-known within the club of course does not equate to being a public figure. Private flying, and especially aerobatics, is a pretty small world.

Steve, without a doubt the PFA DOES make flying accessible in financial and practical terms.

All over the country, members are flying uncomplicted single and two seaters which they are permitted to maintain themselves (cheaply) under the auspices of a benign and effective inspection regime, with a PROVEN record of safety. Many of them are flying for less than £15 per hour (all in) and it would be unusual for the hourly cost to exceed £40. Does this not meet your criteria? How would you match that, flying on a C of A ? If you want cheaper aviating than this, allow me to point you towards the highest hill you can find, and ask to borrow a hang-glider.

Like Skybolt, I really wonder if people have grasped the nature of the threats which face us. We simply can not spare the time or resourses to behave like the Peoples’ Front of Judea.

What on earth are people expecting at a UK General Aviation Rally ? Chariot racing, alligator wrestling? The best that can be hoped for is for a lot of light aeroplanes to arrive for the gratification of aircrew and spectators alike.

Any parallels with Oshkosh are spurious, the industry and the market here are so much smaller that nothing similar can ever be possible. Warbirds have never figured at the PFA rally, as there are dedicated events for them at displays such as Flying Legends.

It is no surprise that same trade stands are similar at Kemble, London Air Show, Aerofair et al. As stated above, we are a relatively small community, and we support only a small industry. Just examine the content of the GA mags to appreciate that GA is not surging ahead, but rather ticking along, with the odd product launch here, or innovation there, but really, not all that much.

The PFA runs the rally, and promotes it as best they can. They acknowledged the short-comings of last years event, and have made efforts to address these issues, with an element of success. They were upbeat in promoting this FFF ( as of course they HAVE TO BE) but anyone with a knowledge of light aviation in the UK, and a pragmatic outlook will see that there is a certain inevitability in the final format and flavour of the event. How can it be otherwise?

The fundamental factor in the perceived success of the rally is weather. If turnout is low, the ‘feel-good’ factor is missing, and the griping begins. It would appear that for the second year running, weather has had an adverse effect.

Remember too, that though it is a commercial venture, the staging of the rally relies on voluntary help from within the association. Without it, the event does not happen. If the efforts of those individuals are constantly denigrated, and their achievments ignored, what enthusiasm will there be to keep on trying. See the event for what it is, warts and all, but it is vital that there remains some gratitude and encouragement for those that made it happen.

We should be asking ourselves, apart from ther PFA, who else is lining offering to organise the largest G.A event in Europe?