The rally is not a race, but is composed of a number of competitions, some of which were added as the years went by. Although the rally itself is open to all, the organizers have limited participation to 75 entrants. A description of the various competitions which comprise the rally is given below.
Trophies are handed by the Organising Committee of the Air Rally for the following sections: Air Rally Overall Competition, Arrival Competition, Timed Section Competition, Flight Planning Competition, and Concours d’Elegance.
Arrival Competition: Each participant is allocated a time in which to arrive over the Gozo NDB. Each pilot must arrive within 10 minutes of his allocated time, and not more than 1km horizontal distance from the beacon, at an altitude of 1,500 ft on the QNH or as instructed by ATC. No pilot can ask for radar or direction-finding assistance from the control tower, except for emergencies.
Each pilot starts with 600 points, and a point is deducted for every second that the pilot is either early or late over the Gozo NDB. 50 points are allocated for accuracy over the NDB, which are progressively reduced the further away from the beacon the pilot flies, falling to zero if the distance is 1km or more.
If there is a tie, in either first, second or third place, the winner will be the pilot with the longest airborne time, from the last take-off to passing overhead the NDB.
Timed Section Competition: In this section, the pilot has two to fly between points A and B, the Gozo NDB and the Control Tower at Luqa respectively, a distance of 17.2 miles. Each pilot is given an Elapsed Time, based on the aircraft’s cruising speed. The cruising speed is selected by the pilot, who declares it on the entry form. It should be noted that this is a timed section competition, and that the result of the Arrival Competition does not affect the results of this section.
After passing overhead the Gozo NDB, the pilot picks up a heading (without circling) of 130 degrees, which will put him on track to overhead the control tower at Luqa. A height of 1,500ft on the QNH is to be maintained, and the aircraft cannot be more than 0.5km horizontally away from the control tower. If, due to instructions from ATC, the participant cannot pick up the 130 heading after passing the Gozo NDB, a second “run” cannot be made.
Each pilot starts with 120 points, and a point is deducted for every second that the pilot is either early or late over the tower. If the pilot is more than two minutes in error, he/she loses the 120 points. If there is a tie in any of the first three places, the place is awarded to the pilot who was the closest to his allocated time in the Arrival Competition.
Flight Planning Competition: To qualify for this section, the participant must arrive in Malta on the allotted day in the aircraft he has entered. Within thirty minutes of shutting down he/she is to submit the following to Air Rally Representatives the following:
a) Official Flight Plans covering each sector flown between the initial point of departure, and arrival in Malta;
b) Documented evidence of pre-flight planning (40 points);
c) Documented evidence of in-flight log-keeping, which must be those made during the flight (40 points);
d) Documented evidence of fuel log-keeping (20 points);
In (c) due consideration will be given to solo entrants and/or type of aircraft operated. Again, in the case of a tie, the place will go to the entrant with the better placing in the Arrival Competition.
Concours D’Elegance: This section is run on a handicap basis, and is partly dependent on the aircraft’s year of manufacture. To qualify, an entrant must –
a) Arrive in Malta in the aircraft he has entered, and on the allocated day;
b) Does not clean the aircraft externally, although a reasonable amount of tidying inside the aircraft is permitted;
c) Prominently exhibit any safety equipment carried on board the aircraft;
d) Exhibit the Entry Sticker for this competition.
Bonus points will also be awarded according to aircraft’s year of manufacture as follows:
Aircraft manufactured between Additional Bonus Points
2000 – Present Day 0%
1992 - 1999 5%
1982 - 1991 10%
1972 - 1981 15%
before 1972 20%
Air Rally Overall Competition: The Air Rally Trophy is awarded to the entrant with highest aggregate placing marks in the four qualifying competitions: Arrival, Timed Section, Flight Planning and Concours d’Elegance.
Aero Club Competition: This competition does not count towards the overall Air Rally Competition. To qualify, an Aero Club must enter a minimum of two aircraft. A Certificate of Membership, or documentation showing current membership is to be produced by Arrival Day.
The winner receives the White/Campbell Memorial Trophy (1982) presented by the Malta Aviation Society.
Longest Distance Flown: This competition does not count towards the overall Air Rally Competition. To qualify, a pilot must show documentation, stamped by the Airfield Authority at the point of departure, to prove that he had left after a particular date.
This trophy is presented by the International Air Rally of Malta.
Spot Landing: This competition does not count towards the overall Air Rally Competition. The aim is to judge pilot on accuracy of landing. Six markers, A, B, and T (three on each side) are placed on either side of the active runway, and measure 6 by 1.2 m. Markers A and B are painted yellow and black, lie flat on the ground, and are 100 meters apart. Marker T is orange, and lies in the middle, between markers A and B. It is also raised .76m.
Pilots must land on an imaginary line running between the two ‘T’ markers on either side of the runway. Each entrant starts with 100 points, and two points are deducted for each meter he lands away from the imaginary line. If the entrant lands outside the 100-meter area as defined by markers A and B, he is not awarded any points.
The winner receives the Air Malta Trophy with keepsake.
The George Cross Memorial Trophy, with keepsake, presented by Ms. Liz Vella.
The Ladies Trophy, presented by the International Air Rally. For this section, a female pilot must be shown as the entrant on the entry form, and hold a valid pilots licence.
The Novice Trophy, the Royal Air Force Trophy, presented by the former Royal Air Force, Malta. For this section, the Novice must be shown as the entrant on the entry form, and hold at least, a valid pilots licence.
Most Sporting Entry, to the entry not awarded any other trophy in the Rally.