As many as 40 planes, with pilots and partners, are expected to arrive if the weather holds, but, as Mr Earl said, that is the one thing outside the control of organisers.
Last year only 17 out of an expected 56 planes landed following complications with adverse weather over southern England which made reaching the English Channel and the 65-mile stretch of open water to Alderney untenable, despite sunny skies over the island itself.
Numbers of attendees have declined over the years, which Mr Earl put down to bureaucratic restrictions, and that Alderney does not have the fuel to supply the visiting planes.
He has negotiated with Guernsey’s aviation services to ensure Alderney’s visiting pilots can make a fuel detour to Guernsey without having to pay a handling charge for refuelling, only a landing charge.
‘I think general aviation has been declining,’ Mr Earl said.
‘I’ve done a lot of things in my piloting life you couldn’t do now – there was so much more freedom.’
This year, modern and vintage aeroplanes are flying in the from the UK, France, Belgium and Germany. Many of their pilots are repeat visitors who have grown to love Alderney over the years.
‘We aim for people to enjoy themselves,’ Mr Earl said.
‘The island has got a lot to offer with our stunning scenery. Our satisfaction comes from hearing pilots say “we love coming to Alderney”. And as soon as one’s finished, we start planning the next one.’
The visiting pilots and their passengers will be entertained with a programme of events, with a three-course dinner at the Island Hall, live music and paper plane-throwing competitions.
Prizes including the longest distance travelled, best-painted plane, and the oldest and youngest pilots will be recognised.
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