Flyer

Verão de 2003

 

"SUN 'N FUN

(Mas este é o PFA Rally!)"

"A expectativa foi grande para o PFA Rally deste ano, que foi realizado, pela primeira vez, em Kemble.  So what caught Miles McCaIIum's eye (apart from the superb weather; that is)?

First reflections, the day after: quite the best PFA Rally that I've been to.  New venue, memorable weather; and an extremely friendly atmosphere throughout the weekend.  Although visitor numbers didn't break any records, the number of aircraft flying in did: 1050 on the first day, and a total of 1910 aircraft registered over the weekend.  The true total is reckoned to be over 2000, with at least 100 pilots sidestepping the required formalities.  Come on chaps - play the game.

It wasn't a show that featured much new stuff - more a consolidation of current business - but the standard of aircraft attending was superlative.  John de Frayssinet and Jenny Ayres' Glasair RC took the Pilot Trophy for Concours D'Elegance, and would give anything seen on the other side of the Atlantic a run for its money.  There were too many beautiful aeroplanes to mention, but some really did catch my eye: the Millinship/Ferriman Pitts Super Stinker (best plansbuilt winner) with its 4-bladed prop was something to behold - and, one would imagine, is somewhat quieter than the average aerobatic aeroplane.  Carl Pattinson's award-winning Europa provided incentive to get on the with FLYER Europa, and a target to aim for...  Personally, the aeroplane that lit me up the most was a little single seat Pitts S1C - G-OSIC.  In the true spirit of the original - no electrics, very simple, beautifully built and clearly lightweight - the pun of its registration also had me chuckling.

A Wilksch Airmotive estava lá em peso, mostrando um certo número de "airframe installations" em progresso: o Vans RV-9 é, talvez, o primeiro casamento de um "airframe" moderno com um motor de nova geração, mas "still sports an aesthetically challenged cowl; however", eles estão planejando aumentar o um pouco o motor, e "that should do the looks a power of good".  O Wilksch Long-Eze just looked right: a fair bit of work to do yet - cooling installation and cowls are next on the list - but they think that it could (just) be transatlantic capable on standard tanks..."