31st Annual Alderney Fly-In goes ahead despite bad weather in the UK and Europe
A band of heavy rain, with embedded thunderstorms, stretching across the Southern England on Friday 06 September, prompted many of the private aviators who had intended to fly to Alderney for this weekend’s 31st annual Fly-In to abandon their plans at the last minute.
Yet, none of the adverse weather conditions actually affected Alderney where the skies were clear for the start of the annual Fly-in on Friday. Ultimately, just 17 out of the expected 56 planes, landed in Alderney and some 60 visitors (pilots and their passengers), including an intrepid aviator from Niederstetten, South Germany, were able to enjoy a weekend of bonhomie, socialising. hospitality and entertainment.
Fly-In organiser David Earl, Acting Chairman of the Alderney Flying Club said: “Our team spent much time and effort in producing an enjoyable and versatile programme of events for this weekend. Naturally, we are all very disappointed that the weather in the UK and the Continent prevented so many of our expected guests from joining us this year. There’s nothing we can do about the weather but those who managed to get to Alderney really enjoyed their weekend.”
Introduced at last year’s Alderney Fly-in, a competition to see who was able to fly a small model aeroplane the furthest, with each table taking it in turns. For those taking it seriously much effort was put into tuning the model fighter aircraft. However, it was John Milner who showed everyone else how to do it.
As always at the Gala Dinner, the moment everyone was waiting for was the presentation of trophies for the following categories:
Best Vintage Plane: Not awarded in 2024
Best Classic Plane: ALON AZA AIRCOUPE N5478F – Robert Tompkins
Best Modern Plane: CESSNA 172 N75822 – Marc Naylor
Winning Home-Built: EUROSTAR SL G-AVSL – Gordon Verity
Best External Finish/Colour Scheme: PIPER ARRROW G-ONOA – Peter Berntley
Longest Distance Flown: Gerard Sontheimer from Niederstetten, Germany
The Most Senior Pilot: Gordon Verity (age 77)
The Most Junior Pilot: James Cole (age 19)
Largest Entry from UK Club: Cheshire Flying Club
Ralph Burridge Spirit of the Fly-In: Renate Maddocks-Born from Sherburn, North Yorkshire*
*We awarded the Ralph Burridge Spirit of the Fly-In award to Renate Maddocks-Born who, on arriving in Le Touquet, discovered she had brought the wrong passport with her and was sent back to the UK by French officials. He husband then drove over seven hours to hand Renate her proper passport. Finally after spending Friday at Lydd, waiting in vain for the weather to improve, she gave up.
The 2024 Alderney Fly-in was sponsored by:
Official Fly-in Programme
Official Fly-in events include the Welcome Reception, Aviators BBQ, and the Gala Dinner. These are organised by the Alderney Flying Club and places should be booked using the online Registration Form. Please note a deposit is required for tickets to attend the Aviators BBQ and the Gala Dinner. Instructions regarding payment will be sent to you once we have received your Registration Form. The balance is payable, along with landing and other charges, when you arrive in |Alderney.
Friday 6th September
09:00-19:30 – Fly-in Registration and Help Desk
Location – Airfield
Our Welcome Team will be on hand until the last arrival to assist you with every aspect of the Fly-in.
Please note there will be a free shuttle to your hotel and other accommodation.
18:30-19:30 – Welcome Reception
Location: The Moorings, Braye Street
Enjoy a welcome drink courtesy of the Alderney Chamber of Commerce.
Your free drink voucher(s) will be handed out on arrival.
19:30-Late – Aviators BBQ
Location: The Moorings, Braye Street
Delicious food, a pay bar and live music music to get you in the mood for the Fly-in weekend.
Pre-Booking is essential (book using the online Registration Form) – £28 per person.
Please note: A £15 deposit per person for the Aviators BBQ is required. Payment instructions will be sent to you once we receive your Registration Form. The balance is payable, along with landing and other charges, when you arrive in |Alderney.
Saturday 7th September
09:00-19:30 – Fly-in Registration
Location – Airfield
Our Welcome Team will be on hand until the last arrival to assist you with every aspect of the Fly-in.
Please note there will be a free shuttle to your hotel and other accommodation.
19:00 until Late – Gala Dinner and Prize Giving
Location: Island Hall, St Annes
Three-course dinner provided by the ‘Blonde Hedgehog’, with pay bar, live music, and the opportunity to pit your flying ability against fellow pilots.
Pre-Booking essential (using the online Registration Form) – £55 per person.
Please note: A £25 deposit per person for the Gala Dinner is required. Payment instructions will be sent to you once you have submitted your Advance Registration Form. The balance is payable, along with landing and other charges, when you arrive in |Alderney.
Sunday 8th September
09:00-19:30 – Flight Planning and Help Desk
Location – Airfield
Our Welcome Team will be on hand until the last departure to assist you with your flight planning.
Please note there is a free shuttle bus from hotels and other accommodation to the airport. Call 07839 209912 to book a ride.
Other things to see and do:
For information on other places to go and things to do during your visit here is no better place than the the Visit Alderney website which contains information on everything there is for visitors to see and do here in Alderney. However, we have also arranged a few special attractions, as follows:
IMPORTANT – As places for some events are restricted, it is recommended that you book well in advance by contacting the event organiser using the information provided. Payment for any events, other than Aviators BBQ and the Gala Dinner should also be made directly to the event organiser.
Guided Tour of Alderney’s Roman Fort and the Odeon – NEW
11:00-13:00 – Saturday 7th September
Organiser: Alderney Wildlife Trust
Alderney is home to one of the finest examples of small Roman Fort in the United Kingdom, while the Odeon was a naval fire direction tower, built during the German occupation of the Island. Your guide, Nigel Clark, will provide you with a fascinating insight into two distinct periods of the Island’s heritage. For more information on these and other historic sites visit the Visit Alderney website. Pre-Booking is advised – £9 per person.
For more information and to book places contact Nigel Clark on 07815 746623 or email him using: ntclarkeuk53@gmail.com
Please note it is advisable to wear stout shoes or boots as a certain amount of walking is involved.
Round the Island Boat Trips,
13:30 and 15:00 – Saturday 7th September
Organiser: Alderney Wildlife Trust
Alderney has one of the most unique coastlines of any British Isles, crammed with seabirds including the much loved Puffin and more than 1% of the world’s Northern Gannet population. This amazing diversity of marine life, coupled with strong tides and the dramatic backdrop of Alderney’s coastline makes this a favourite with Fly-in visitors. Pre-Booking is advised – £30 per person.
For more information and to book places contact the Alderney Wildlife Trust on 01481 822935, or email them using: admin@alderneywildlife.org
Meet outside the Alderney Sailing Club 15 minutes before departure. Lifejackets provided.
Padel Tennis – NEW
10:00-12:00 – Sunday 8th September
Organiser: Alderney Tennis and Padel
The Alderney Tennis and Padel centre are offering Fly-in visitors special Introductory and Intermediate Padel tennis clinics with a professional on Sunday 8th September. The clinic will be followed by a Mojito and nibbles reception in the Caribbean beach themed Club House. Pre-book by Friday 30th August to reserve a place – £20 per player & £10 for non-players.
For more information and to book places contact Edward Hill on 07781 127831 or email the Alderney Tennis Club using: alderneytennisclub@gmail.com
Note: The organisers will provide padel rackets and balls. Please bring sporting shoes and sports wear.
Clay Pigeon Shoot
10:00-12:30 – Sunday 8th September
Location: Fort Albert
Enjoy clay pigeon shooting in the safety of one of the Island’s Victorian Forts, Fort Albert, courtesy of the Alderney Shooting Club. Pre-book by Friday 30th August, latest, to reserve a place – £30 for experienced shooters (50 clays) and £15 for beginners (25 clays).
For more information and to book places call (or text) Chris Reeves on 07911 723231
Everything is included.
Note: Please be at the entrance to Fort Albert by 0945 as the gates are locked while shooting takes place.
Visitor’s Information Centre
When in Alderney, you can also visit the Island’s Visitor Information Centre.
Location – Victoria Street (01481 822333).
See the Visit Alderney website for opening times and other information.
Getting around:
Cycle & Surf
Location: Bottom of Victoria Street
Electric bikes are a great way to see the Island and, if you mention you’re in Alderney for the Fly-in, Cycle and Surf will give a discount.
Pre-booking advised.
Visit the Cycle & Surf website for more information or contact Andrew Kissick on 07781 154045.
Island Bikes
If you fancy being adventurous and going off-road, Island Bikes offer rugged electric mountain bikes, for hire. For more information contact John Horton at ‘The Little Garage’ on 07815 549191.
Pre-booking advised.
Braye Hire Cars
If you would like to rent a car to explore the island Braye Hire Cars offers a friendly and efficient service. Call Mike Davis on 01481 823881 or email him (reservations@brayehirecars.co.uk) for more information.
Bill’s Taxis
Telephone: +44 (0) 7911 730303
A1 Taxis
Telephone: +44 (0) 1481 824182
Michelle’s Taxi
Telephone: +44 (0) 7781 137053
Meeting Point
Fly-in Meeting Point
Location: Victoria Street
If you are looking for a place in St Anne’s to meet up or enjoy a coffee and tasty snack with fellow pilots you will receive a warm welcome at PJ’s Café.
Call Jill Guille on 1481 823382 for more information.
Aviation Fuel Availability
Important – Currently, AVGAS 100LL and JET-A1 are unavailable in Alderney, a situation that is unlikely to change any time soon. Despite this, ASG, the Guernsey FBO, has kindly agreed to waive handling fees for for any Fly-in aircraft refuelling in Guernsey over the Fly-in weekend. Current fuel prices in Guernsey can be found here.