The 2011 LAA Sywell Rally is being heralded as an outstanding success by the many members and visitors that attended over the September 2/3/4 weekend. Superb hot, sunny weather on Friday saw a record number of arrivals, and Saturday was reminiscent of rallies of old with streams of aircraft stretched out on final approach as far as the eye could see. We do not yet have the final figure of aircraft flying in but it must surely more than match last year’s 850.

 

It is of course more than a numbers game, so just hold for a moment the vision of the parking area down the side of the main apron on Saturday afternoon : the one and only Phillips ST2 Speed Twin; Martin Jones' beautiful bright red Rollason Beta – the product of  a 35 year build; Dave Bonsall's rebuilt Replica Mustang – now powered by a 230hp IO-540;  the Percival Mew Gull (courtesy of owner Robert Fleming) that the late, great Alex Henshaw flew London – Cape Town - London in a record four days in 1939 and along side it the Steve Noujaim’s Van’s RV7 in which he captured that record in 2010; and Manuel Queiroz’s Van's RV6 in which he circumnavigated the globe in 2006 – Chasing the Morning Sun. A magnificent array of LAA Permit aircraft to admire before you had even stepped out into an aircraft park packed with a host of beautifully built and restored aircraft.

 

The LAA Sywell Rally is primarily a volunteer organised and run event. A huge THANK YOU goes to everybody who pitched in to help. Thank you too to the owners and staff of Sywell Aerodrome, a fantastic, quality venue that welcomes us each year like old friends. We are already looking forward to LAA Sywell 2012.

 

What some of our members thought.

 

My first visit and it took my breath away – Tom Sheppard.

 

A great couple of days and will be back next year with the other half and the Europa and tent ! well done all who made a great weekend – Nigel Henry.

 

As a brand new LAA member, last year I flew in and knew no-one. This year I realised how many new friends flying has brought me in the past 12 months  – James Lipman

 

Just a few comments off the LAA Forum – Why not have your say too!

 

List of awards and winners can be found here.

 

See the full Rally report in the October issue of Light Aviation magazine, the LAA’s highly regarded monthly magazine.

 

THE 2012 RALLY TAKES PLACE AT SYWELL

From Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September

 

 

Beta	RV8
Luscombe Line up	Mew Gull