Planning for the event took a year and was admirably organised by AYA member Prof. Marco Petroni, aided by a top-notch band of people from the Pisa Aero Club, who included its President: Colonel Giulio Ottaviani and supported by Dr.Barbara Guidi, Colonel Ermanno Ferro, Dr.Maurizio Tredici, Simona Sacchini, General Dario Orru and our very own personal ATC man Colonel Tino Moia (+ Pasticcio, Barbara’s dog!)

With such a bunch of ex-military men the event just HAD to go off with military precision and excitement – and so it proved.

The lead up to the actual gathering started early for some, many had to come from long distances and we were very glad to see that once again we had enticed some Americans to be present. Matt Drahzal had made the supreme sacrifice and had volunteered to help this scribe find his way in his AA1 Yankee all the way down from England. (I think he found that he had some grey hairs after that!). Les Staples (he of Sky-Tec Starter fame) and his delightful wife Barbara came with friends Gene & Carol Chiappe.