In the first year around 40 aeroplanes met at Bembridge, and celebrated in the 'Propeller' inn next to the airfield. 2002 saw the party move to its current home of Sandown. We emptied out one of the hangars and took over. Over a hundred microlights flew in during the weekend, which was the largest gathering of microlights at any fly-in to date. One of the many highlights of the party was seeing Richard Meredith-Hardy fly to the island with a paramotor. Round-the-world adventurer Brian Milton gave a talk about his latest venture - an attempt to cross the Atlantic by flexwing microlight, the theme of his book 'Chasing Ghosts'. We also welcomed a number of foreign aircraft, particularly from France, and BMAA Chief Executive greeted them in their own tongue!

2003 the event was no longer a novelty, it had become THE party of the year. Numbers surpassed 250, leading to a re-think the facilities, bringing in a large marquee to house the bar, along with catering vans to feed the hungry. Airfield owner Dick Steele was delighted to have us, he waived all landing fees for the weekend and we were able to donate close to £2,000 to local charity. The weather did its best to put paid to Wightparty 2004, conditions were only just flyable for most of the weekend, and it is testament to the popularity that more than 200 aircraft flew in - such is the determination of microlighters to support the premier party of the year. In 2005 more than 375 microlights flew in from every corner of the UK and beyond, some from Scotland, others across more than 70 miles of open Irish sea. The airfield recorded more than 1100 airfield movements, making Sandown one of the busiest airfields in the UK. The new clubhouse and bar was also completed...

WightParty 2006 built on the great success of previous years - three days of hot sunshine made for the most successful party yet - over 430 planes flew in during the weekend. The pizza van ran out of ingredients and the karaoke singers lost their voices. Pilots travelled from Northern Ireland and Scotland, and we welcomed some pilots from Germany, even a New Zealander managed to hitch a ride over the Solent to take part. Airfield owner Dick Steele worked late into the night and started again early in the morning, helping to make the party go off with a bang.

The safety record of the Wightparty is exemplary, even when we have ten or more aircraft in the circuit, the skill level displayed by microlight pilots is high and a credit to our sport.