(as reported in Arnprior Chronicle on April 10, 2007)

Arnprior skies could be teeming with scores of airplanes of all descriptions and sizes next year as the IMAA Rally of Giants descends on the town like an angry plaque of locusts.

The 11,000-strong International Miniature Aircraft Association are planning their first ever Canadian rally.

The once a year event is normally held in the United States but is scheduled for the Arnprior Airport June 26 to 29, 2008. This will be the first time the event has come to Canada.

The Rally of Giants is a little like the Grand Prix for those who fly the larger radio controlled aircraft. Only the best of the best compete at this level. The reason it is considered a rally of giants, is because these planes are the larger version model aircraft. They all have a wingspan of at least 80 inches, and many are considerably larger. Locally, the Arnprior Radio Control Club is quite active and holds regular training and flying sessions from a private airfield on Morris Island near Vydon Acres.

It is a huge coup for the local IMAA Ottawa Valley Chapter to be invited to host the rally on its own home turf.

At least 150 pilots with 250 aircraft are expected to compete in the event. As many as 40 RVs will be on site as many travel for thousands of miles with their families and their equipment to compete. There will be room for 20 vendors on-site as well.

The lure of the model aircraft of this caliber - the best in North America - is also expected to bring in enthusiasts from as far off as Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, just to get a good look at the aircraft.

As many as 1,200 spectators per day are expected at the Arnprior Airport, particularly on the weekend.

The Arnprior Lions Club is also planning to be involved in some of the organization particularly where it applies to the visitors expected to converge on Arnprior. Some of the details still need to be worked out but anyone local expecting friends to attend the event had better be prepared for house guests, or make sure hotel reservations are made now.

This is one of the biggest events the airport has hosted since the Snowbirds were here. In some ways, it may even be bigger because it runs over a four-day span.

During the rally, airport manager Dan Lynch says the airport will operate normally using the primary runway. Control will be tight both on the model aircraft side and the full sized planes, to assure no one wanders into each other's airspace.

A higher than usual volume of regular aircraft are also expected that weekend, as private pilots are often also radio control enthusiasts or enjoy any kind of aircraft show.

So, mark your 1:alendars for June 2008 and the Rally of Giants.

pdewolf@runge.net