Participating aircraft in air rally down to 23

Small aircraft from seven European countries have taken part in the annual International Air Rally of Malta, which was held at the weekend for the 35th consecutive year.

Although the number of light planes coming to Malta to take part has declined in the past years, down to 23 this year, Capt George Kissaun, chairman of the organising committee said interest was still there, and he already had enquiries from people who wanted to take part in next year's rally.

Captain Kissaun explained that circumstances had changed, and it was now more difficult for small aircraft to take part in such rallies, mainly because of constraints posed by airports.

The rally chairman also said that a few years ago the organising committee decided that the rally should not have more than 35 planes participating. Before that, as many as 60 planes used to come to Malta for the rally.

As in previous years, the largest number of participating aircraft this year, nine, came from the UK. Four came from France, reflecting increased interest from that country.

"There is interest from all over France," Captain Kissaun said, adding that a French pilot came to help in the rally this year even though she could not come with her plane.

Other participating aircraft flew in from Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Switzerland and Germany. There was no entry from Malta.

Captain Kissaun said the International Air Rally of Malta was the second oldest rally of its kind in Europe.

Participating pilots are tested for precision flying and navigation, with marks also given for the upkeep and safety of the aircraft. The pilots are assessed on their timing while flying from Gozo to the Malta International Airport.

Preparations for the annual rally are ongoing for most of the year. Captain Kissaun stressed that organising the rally takes a lot of preparation, and added that the committee was made up solely of volunteers.

One of these, Liz Vella, has been a member of the committee for the past 25 years. Today she is the administrative secretary of the Air Rally, a post she has occupied for a number of years.

Ms Vella told The Times that she became involved in the air rally after she was approached by a colleague to join as a hostess. She had been doing this for three years when she was asked to sit on the committee, as the first woman member. She said initially it was not easy to be taken seriously because of her gender, but now she was accepted as part of the team.