Flying Adventure
The cream of Cornwall…
Martin Ferid takes a trip to Bodmin in Cornwall, in the heart of one of the UK’s most popular holiday areas…
W
ell, you have to admire the indefatigable British spirit, as it certainly shone through at the 75th Anniversary LAA Rally this year. Considering the demographic, most of us should be looking for a quiet life watching the box or doing a bit of gardening. Not a bit of it, with around 800 arrivals still making it the busiest fly-in in Europe. As usual, the walk across the airfield takes anything up to an hour simply chatting with people not seen for so long. Remarkably most people also managed a degree of social distancing throughout the whole of the event. I did feel a little sorry for Eryl Smith, the new Rally Chairman, who had to hit the ground running with more balls to juggle than arms. But heigh-ho, I guess it goes with the territory. Also, well done to Chris Thompson and
Below Bodmin Airfield is an ideal location for a holiday break in Cornwall.
his team, who made the ‘air to ground’ radio work so much simpler than the old FISO system normally in place. In fact, a big well done and thanks to all those involved in helping out. As for my part, I got my usual stints at the Speakers’ Corner lectern, extolling the wonders of touring to the converted and unconverted alike. It was good to meet so many who possess the appetite for discovery which, after all, was what originally put the Great in Britain. Even CEO Steve Slater was smitten by exciting tales of glorious flights to lovely locations, and has booked a cross-Channel trip next season in his soon to be completed Piper Cub. Although my passion for touring lies on the other side of La Manche, this year’s features have intentionally been kept closer to home for obvious reasons. I’m hoping to move it up a notch or two in the new year. The rules for UK Permit aircraft are changing, along with our relationship
14 | LIGHT AVIATION | October 2021
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