For the third year in succession, the Royal Air Force Flying Clubs Association, asked the BAeA to run an event for 'club' level pilots, using our open club day format. Like last year, this was to be held at RAF Halton, near Aylesbury.

BAeA member Squadron Leader Dave Hall was at the helm this year, filling Phil Burgess's shoes admirably. RAF risk assessments done, accommodation booked, pilots signed up. In fact, you name it, it was done. All we had to do was rock up with the personnel and bunch of aircraft and roll out our tried and tested event format. Simple. No, it never is in aviation. One of our booked Pitts broke a leg at Sleap and would not be fixed in time. (Our Chief Judge actually saw it on a lo-loader on the M1...!! What are the chances of that?). No problem, Iain Smith offered his as a replacement, which then got gremlins in its radio and couldn't be used either. Tom Cassells was drafted in with his Extra 200 but the forecast for the Saturday morning was not good and we very much doubted if he would make it. Heeeeeeelp!!!!!!!

Most of us arrived on the Friday evening and were treated to a very tasty BBQ. The irony of the very loud mooing cow in the next field was not lost to me as I tucked into my burger. A night in the Sergeants Mess accommodation and we were ready to go on the Saturday morning, but the forecast had not improved and the clouds were ominously low, but not low enough to keep Tom in Yorkshire. Before the bacon had hit the bread, Tom was shutting down, declaring it to be 'fine'. No it wasn't.

So we had made it to four aircraft, the ever faithful Cassidy Pitts, the CRM Slingsby, the white and red Extra 200 G-EEEK, yes back to it's old livery, and Tom's Extra. We briefed, with Julian Murfitt explaining the figures and how to spot the judges (you had to be there). We ate bacon, drank caffeine and waited for the weather to improve, which unfortunately it never did.

In hanger 4 at Halton, there were several displays for us all to view. Of particular interest was 'The Spirit of Ayre'. A Pitts S2E (home built S2A) which Tony Ayre, 'winner' of the first ever RAFFCA event that the BAeA were involved with, was part way through building when he was sadly killed in a road accident. His family bequeathed the project to RAFFCA who are continuing the project in his name. It's not far from completion now and there was a model to show off the colour scheme that has been chosen. Watch this space, it's going to be a beauty.

Emily Collett gave her presentation on the GB team's experiences in South Africa during the first Intermediate World Championships. An inspirational talk with some great pictures to accompany her words. I'm sure she would have rather flown her demonstration flight as planned but.....

So, as some very senior officers of the RAF made various formal presentations, our instructors scurried for home, as the weather radar showed some nasty showers fast approaching. We shall have a re-run in September, but let's hope we don't break our training aircraft this time.

Thanks to everyone who attended, ready willing and able as always, but no cigar. That's flying folks.