2003 air rally 'more challenging'

More aircraft arrived at Luqa yesterday for the 34th edition of the International Air Rally of Malta, taking the number of arrivals up to 23.

The light aircraft flew in from a number of European countries, including Germany, France, Belgium, Liechtenstein and the UK, bringing with them some 64 pilots and crew.

The first aircraft started arriving on Saturday at 10-minute intervals but one Aeronca aircraft never made it, stopping in Italy, rally chairman Capt. George Kissaun said. However, its pilot and crew still managed to get to Malta.

The 2003 competitions are slightly more "exciting and challenging", Capt. Kissaun said, with stricter marking for any slight flight infringements.

"They have to be more careful in flight planning and the concours d'elegance, for example," he explained.

Pilots are being tested for their precision flying and navigation through a flight-planning competition and marks are also being given for the upkeep and safety of their aircraft.

Another competition is taking place between the non-directional beacon by Xlendi, in Gozo, and the Luqa tower. No zigzagging and over-correcting in cross winds is allowed on the way, Capt. Kissaun said.

On landing yesterday, the aircraft participated in a concours d'elegance on Park 4 of Malta International Airport.

The rally will see the 2,690th participant since 1969. In the past 34 years, it has brought to Malta 980 light aircraft from 24 countries in Europe, North Africa, the Far East and the US.

The rally continues until Wednesday.