PRESIDENT’S CHATTER
The Centennial Convention in Chicago is approaching fast. All the plans have been made so that we will have an exceptional IFFR occasion. Full details of the timing and location of the Annual Banquet, Board and AGM are given on this site. I look forward to meeting as many members - both old at new - as possible at what will be a unique gathering. If you can spare just a few hours of your time your assistance in manning the IFFR booth in the Hall of Friendship would be much appreciated. Contact Tom Surowka - surowka@iffr.org - he would be very pleased to add your name to the roster.
As a form of preparation for the Post Convention flyaround, which is approximately 2000 nm long, Alisma and I joined the Italian Section for their meeting at Lake Como at the beginning of June. This trip of around a similar distance was however was done over the weekend - out on Thursday – back on Sunday! Now we know how a Transatlantic crew feels after over eight hours flying in a day – but we didn’t have an autopilot!
The journey was most worthwhile – the Italian Section have taken their mission further than most Sections – apart from the form of Fellowship that we all enjoy – they have worked jointly with a university to fund a scholarship and they are working both with their National Aero Club and the central authorities in European Union in Brussels to promote the interests of Disabled Flyers. Not content with that, the opening part of their weekend meeting was a symposium on water flying in Europe. This I had the privilege to chair. It attracted speakers of the highest order with a quality attendance of external interested parties and IFFR members. The social side of the weekend was beyond the standard we have come to expect form the Italian Section – the flying highlight was unquestionably the seaplane trips from Lake Como. At the final dinner I was honoured to be able to present, on behalf of the Italian Section, a Paul Harris Fellowship to Giorgio Aletti in recognition of his four years leadership of the Section. A much deserved award.
The weekend also gave me opportunity to wish members of the French section well as they left on their five-day flying trip to Croatia. This followed their groundbreaking visit last year to North Africa when they visited Morocco. It is good to see IFFR so active and innovative.
Chicago here we come!
Angus Clark
World President 2004-2006