In at 10 was a visit to Over Farm back in April, a little private microlight strip near Gloucester. It came to life with a microlight regional competition was hosted, with what must be a normal month's movements happening in one weekend!
Number 9 is a visit across t'hills into Yorkshire, the Hull Aero Club at Beverly to be exact! It was there summer fly-in and while well attended it was a little down on there total from 2009. However it was the fantastic atmosphere that earned this its place in the top 10. Now burger anyone?
Placing at 8 is a little different from the others in the list, in that its the only post from a trip not related to an event. We had put the frequency's from all the local microlight airfields into the scanner in the hope of getting something a little different & we hit the jackpot because as one of the touring pilots put it "The French have arrived"
7th is a visit to Fenland for a Vintage Aircraft Club rally, it certainly lived up to expectations with a lovely mix of classics dropping in throughout the day. All capped off with access to the parking area, given the definitely non-vintage hi-vis jackets were worn!
Another period event comes in a 6 with the De Havilland club rally hosted at RAF Halton in June. The collection of De Havilland classics that had arrived by the afternoon was most definitely a seen more fitted the 1930's, although if you walked over towards a burger bar the price was definitely from a much more modern era!
Half way now and number 5 is something that you knew was going to place in this list when it appeared on the calendar. It is of course the LAA Rally at Sywell, in particular the Saturday of the event was very impressive with a constant stream of arrivals for much of the day!
Another event that stood out on the calendar is in at 4, it is of course the Microlight Trade Fare at Popham in May. While not at the bursting numbers of previous years there was still a very respectable turn out considering the weather must have put off a good number of long distance visitors. Once again the Saturday was the best day, with Sunday being washed out & Monday a always destined to be the lessor of the 3 days.
Just getting onto the Podium is a bit of a hidden gem within the calendar, a late season fly-in at a strip near Hereford called Broadmeadow Farm. I honestly don't believe that its possible to have a more welcoming approach to visitors! All funds from landing fee's went to the Air Ambulance, a very worthy cause indeed. And no thank you, I've honestly had enough to eat!
Collecting the Silver award is an event that has earned its reputation as Europe's answer to Oshkosh, it is of course Tannkosh. The event has grown from a gathering of a few local microlight clubs into the biggest GA fly-in in Europe! Its a very good job that the owners of this Bavarian airfield own all the land around it, as it is needed for parking space! There was so little to pick between the 3 days of the event links to all are below. Oh and I've still got some of the free Red-Bull in the fridge!
Finally the number one spot goes to my trip to Hungary, I could have easily filled this whole list with different places from this trip so what I've done is pick out my favourite 3 places we visited. One word that I'm not going to forget in a hurry is "gumiszervíz" the Hungarian for a tyre fitters, this became very necessary after we developed a flat in rather dramatic style just before the arrival of a severe storm! Right on with the top 3 from this trip!
A small gliding field in central Hungary called Dunaújváros, helped by a regional championship taking place.
I doubt that I will ever see more Antonov 2's in one place than this airfield, Nyíregyháza.
Finally my highlight of the year, Papa AFB. Where the ex-Hungarian AF Mig 21's (and a few other bits) are stored. An utterly fantastic place.
And there we have it, my pick of 2010. May I wish you a Happy New Year & hopefully 2011 will be another good year for spotting!
