LAA Rally Sywell

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Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 699

It looks as though it will cost non-LAA members £20 to go airside for this event, £10 entrance and a further £10 for airside access.

Regards

Original post

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

That's about on a par with an event at Old Warden packed with historic aircraft being beautifully flown.

I'm not sure I'd want to pay that amount for a walk round a field full of small GA types, but if you are interested in that sort of thing then it's about the going rate

Moggy

Member for

19 years 6 months

Posts: 1,518

I'll be there, but I'll be working ;)

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

Pay by direct debit and membership is only £44 p.a.. Considering all the additional benefits of membership, maybe the better bet would be to join the LAA rather than stump up £20 for one day airside privileges!

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 699

Although I support the idea of the LAA and what it aspires to achieve, as a ground based enthusiast I cannot see what it can offer in membership that will improve my life, sorry. If I were building an aeroplane then things would be different. As it is the LAA Rally is held over a weekend which also includes air displays at Duxford and Old Warden so there is real competition for my money and I think that the Duxford BoB event is the more attractive.

I think the LAA has to take care over when it holds its event and how much it charges if it wants to appeal to non-members even those non-members who are sympathetic to its aims.

Regards

Member for

20 years

Posts: 3,902

As a member who greatly appreciates the LAA and what in enables, I have a (maybe irrational ) instinct to come to their defence. If one examines the calender of air events, from spring to autumn, there will be no weekend which is not clashing with something or other, so really they can only please so many people.

They are not really in the airshow business, and have learnt that primarily the rally is for the membership. If you are interested enough to want to come, you are welcome, but the event is not devised with the aim of attracting the broader public.

£20 is not a busting lot these days, but everyone will make their own value judgement on that , and either come or not come. Historically, rallies have not been profitable, and can not be allowed to become a big drain on funds.

The LAA is a pretty big organisation these days, and facilitates the operation of a LOT of aeroplanes. I concur that a non-flying member may not derive much benefit, but if I, as a non-driver joined, the AA, I would probably find I wasn't getting huge benefits from them either.

Member for

20 years

Posts: 3,902

The Rally had a very successful first day, with a delightfully laid-back atmosphere, in perfect weather. The slot system fell apart of course, since all the pre 11.00 slot were fogged out, but everybody seemed to keep a good look out, and sorted themselves into orderly streams, grass and hard.

The Storch was there, and a sprinkling of vintage stuff, and lines of RV's, Europas, Sportscruisers and all the modern 'fare' of the LAA. Not much following now for the Lutons, FREDS and VP's we saw 30 years ago.

So there is not all that much new to see, no display, and nothing very interesting for the general public, which is fine. But if you wanted to wander around the aircraft, chat to the owners, and catch up with old flying buddies it was the place to be, an LAA rally for LAA flyers.