Pilot

September 2003

 

1,996 at record PFA Rally"

"ALMOST TWO THOUSAND aircraft flew into this year’s PFA Rally, held for the first time at Kemble Airfield over the weekend of 11-13 July.  Brilliant weather brought a total of 1,996 aircraft flying in and an attendance of 10,500 to the Gloucestershire airfield.  Kemble has been confirmed as the Rally’s home for 2004, though dates have yet to be confirmed.

Among the many highlights was the presence of Denis Ward and Jack Berkin, pictured above.  They flew their kit aircraft, a Velocity 173 RG, from the manufacturer’s Florida HQ during the week before the Rally, attracting considerable national press coverage.  The two men are both in their late 60s "but that doesn’t mean a thing - it’s just a number," said Dennis.  2We don’t feel any different."

The pair won a PFA award for long-distance navigation, having flown up the east coast of the USA and Canada, across to Greenland, then Iceland to Scotland and down the length of the UK.  Ward, a retired airline pilot, said their only problem was when the landing gear refused to lower on the approach to Narsarsuaq, Greenland.  "This was a real problem," said Berkin.  "If we landed gear up, then the aircraft would have had to be abandoned."  Fortunately Ward realised that the bulky immersion suits the pair were wearing had fouled a gear recycle button.  Once cleared, the gear lowered and the landing was uneventful.

Several projects using the latest production Wilksch aero-diesel engine, the WAM 120, were shown in various stages of completion: a Van’s RV-9A being built by Steve Arnold had the engine installed with a mock cowling in place, a Long-EZ being converted to accept the engine, a Thorp T-211 and a Europa...

There’s more coverage of the PFA Rally on the Pilot website: www.pilotweb.co.uk"