2013 Gathering Of The Classics

[Dave Hadfield]

It's been advertised in COPA for a year, but just as a reminder, Milan Kroupa and the Edenvale Aerodrome, and the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation are hosting the Gathering tomorrow, Saturday, Aug 10.

The forecast is PERFECT!!!! No rain, sunny, light winds right down runway 31, and temp 22C.

This is usually the largest fly-in in Canada. It features a wide variety of classic old taildraggers, plus many homebuilts and modern production airplanes. Also, the B-25 from Hamilton is scheduled to make numerous flights, and Harvards from CHAA, plus WWI aircraft from the Great War Flying Museum.

Over 200 aircraft are expected, plus it's also an Vintage Car Event, and several hundred Show Cars will attend.

There is an arrival briefing here http://www.classicaircraft.ca/Gathering ... dures.html

There is no Airshow, and no airspace closure. Just a large number of enthusiastic airplane people.




Dave

[Fleet16b]

Looking forward to it Dave
You should see the Finch overhead around 10:00 am

[DH82EH]

Here's to a successful safe gathering.
Sorry I can't be there this year (have to work)

Enjoy!!

Andy Scott

[Dave Hadfield]

Yes, the weather is perfect.

I'll be manning the unicom, perched up on the Bunker, wondering why everybody is going the wrong way....

I took the Fairchild there last night. There was a Bellanca Cruisemaster tied down already, plus others.

See you there, Cam. And Andy, next year your attendance is mandatory -- in CF-MAD!

Dave

[rcaf_100]

I guess I was spoiled for my first visit to Edenvale. Great show!

Here's a shot of some of the estimated 200-300 aircraft that showed up.



Recognize any?

[Dave Hadfield]

Tremendous day! Biggest Gathering ever, as far as we can tell. Upwards of 300 aircraft. Even more show cars.

And no flying "incidents". There were a couple of go-arounds, and one fellow burst a tire and ended up in the grass by the side of the runway for a while, but that's not much when you think about it.

For 300 aircraft to arrive at an uncontrolled field in the space of 3 hours, and get landed and parked with no conflicts, speaks very well of the caliber of ordinary grass-roots pilots. Give them a good Arrival Procedure so they can space themselves out, and a standard over-the-field circuit-joining, and feed them only USEFUL information ("Cub on short final, if you could clear on Delta, it would greatly help the B-25 behind you."), and then stand back and watch! They just do it.

I actually believe that an active/positive ATC control would only have slowed things down and caused confusion.

And there was a mature (if somewhat overworked) ground organization as well, getting people parked and keeping spectators out of propellers.

Cudoes to all!

Dave

[Dave Hadfield]

This is an overhead view at about 11:15. Aircraft and cars kept arriving until about 14:00 -- at least 50 more planes.



And some outstanding aircraft were nicely captured!

[Fleet16b]

I've got to say this show has really come into it's own
It is a real tribute to Edenvale Classics and all its volunteers.
As Dave stated Fly In procedures went really smooth with no issues. Everything was kept really simple and that
I think is the big secret to safety .
The Follow me guys were many and very helpfull with the aircraft movements
Great turn out on the ground with lots of interested spectators that asked lots of questions
I have attended this event many times and confirm Daves statement that this was the biggest yet
The only other observation(not a criticism) I would make would be to say that with the great turnout of people at the event,there is now a need for additional restroom facilities and food vendors ( that is a sign that the event is growing and getting more successful)
Special mention should also be made to the many vintage car collectors that put their classics on display

Thank you to everyone that made this event possible , it was a very pleasurable experience

[Robbie Stuart]

Looks like you guy's had a great time! Glad it worked out well.
Robbie

[Dan K]

It does look like a good time. Glad it was a safe one.

Concerning the growth of this event and operating sans any ATC: I wonder what the difference is (if any) in the cost for participant and spectator liability coverages if trained ATC is used?

Have underwriters ever demanded ATC be used for any fly-in? Does anyone have experience with this end of logistics for a fly-in?

[C VEICH]

Texas R/C Planes has a newly released giant scale ready to fly Fairchild and I think I know where they got the idea for the paint scheme! Too bad the overall outline is not a bit more accurate but I bet it flies real nice.

[Dave Hadfield]

Wow. There's glory for you! I love it!

As for ATC, it would kick the Nordos out, slow things down, and assume liablity for the ECAF. No point.

Adding complexity does not make things safer.

Dave

[Dan K]

...As for ATC, it would kick the Nordos out, slow things down, and assume liablity for the ECAF. No point.

Adding complexity does not make things safer.

Dave

Thanks for responding.

I never suggested ATC would make anything safer. It was all about the perceptions an underwriter may have concerning making an event safer. My apologies if I was unclear.

I would think that if the ECAF invites participation in this event, they have already assumed a certain level of liability for damage to aircraft or injury to participants and the visiting general public. Surely they must obtain some kind of liability protection for the event as organizer/host?