www.theblisspages.com - travel: Bognor
www.theblisspages.com - travel: BognorThe weather was a bit disappointing but not unusual for an English summer.
We arrived in Bognor early and found a good vantage point.
Shame that it was the wrong side of the pier! On the other side of the pier was a giant electronic scoreboard showing wind speed and direction, time in the air and distance travelled. A laser theolodite is used to measure distance.
We wandered around and got some good views of some of the competitors.
Then the 'Utterly Butterly' wing-walking team gave us a display - could have been called the utterly mad team as they stood on the biplanes as they looped-the-loop, flew inverted and similar stunts.
Next
the less serious fliers started, including the frog-man, a house and several
commuters, complete with briefcases and umbrellas.
They did not so much fly as plummet!
One man unfortunately injured his back and was tended just in front of us.
I do hope his injuries weren't too serious.
During the day, the wind picked up, and by the early afternoon it had reached 16 knots.
Typically, my 35mm camera ran out of film at this point, so I had to rush off to buy another.
Finally
the serious fliers had a go.
One
competitor soon managed a 19 metre flight lasting over 9 seconds.
This was bettered by another with a 23 metre flight, but even this was eclipsed by a magnificent 37.67 metre flight lasting 9.8 seconds.
The crowd gave enthusiastic, though slightly damp, support throughout.
There were various support events including Weapons of Sound, innovative junk-percussion
music, using gas pipes, kitchen sinks and plastic barrels.
I'll certainly be going again next year, but hope the weather is better!
Radio coverage of the event is offered on Spirit FM, broadcasting on FM 96.6 & 102.3 MHz.
I've been told the official video is available and I'm planning to get one. Cheques should be made payable to Stealth Video Supplies. Send £9.99 plus £1.99 postage and packing to:
Stealth Security Systems
24 Felpham Rd
Bognor Regis
W Sussex
PO22 7AZ
Check out the International Bognor Birdman Rally website for further details about future events.
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: © Mike Bliss 2009