The Loop Little Gransden Beginners Event - 2009

CD's Report
With 16 pilots entered, we knew that we were going to have a busy day at Little Gransden for the third and final Loop day of 2009. The TAF was forecasting 600ft and 4km viz. clearing early morning, so the BAeA team and 14 of the pilots assembled for a 9.30 briefing. Unfortunately three of the four aeroplanes were stuck at other airfields and Little Gransden was still sitting in 600ft and 3Km. Kester used his Edge to burn some Avgas to see if he could create enough global warming to clear the murk. He reported a cloud base of 1500 ft so the two Extras and the CAP10 were summoned from their airfields only to arrive and find a cloud base of 900ft. (If Kester offers you a used altimeter, then be slightly suspicious). Wyton weren’t very helpful saying that they didn’t think it was going to clear at all and the TAF pushed the time for it to clear out to between noon and 2pm. So we had 30 people all wandering about peering into the gloom. Andrew Barlow and Chris Burkett did a great job coaching groups of frustrated budding aerobatic competitors. It was shaping up to be one of those days where it stays murky all day, everyone was putting on a brave face but the disappointment was obvious. However, at about 1.00 we got a report that the weather and cloud base was much better just 5 miles to the south. So, with the brief complete and 4 aircraft ready we decided to use the time to let the pilots get some practise, even if they couldn’t fly a critiqued flight in the box. The first 3 pilots were airborne and heading south in search of some clear sky at about 1.30pm  …. and then our optimism was dampened when it started to rain!!

The rain proved a blessing in disguise as the cloud base rose and for the first time we could see blue skies to the south but Little Gransden was still stuck with a frustrating 800ft and haze to the North. The first 3 pilots returned without being able to fly in the box, but as Ron in his Pitts returned, the base of the murk lifted and the judging team of Phil, Wixie and Howard were quickly summoned and with umbrellas were able to critique the beginners sequence in the rain. The plan then slotted into place, the weather improved, the sun came out and the Loop day was underway, albeit 4 hrs late; you could sense the relief and excitement. Phil O’Donoghue had suggested setting up 4 separate training areas, one for each aircraft so this speeded up the proceedings and after Mark kindly allowed us to fly until 7pm we calculated that each pilot could fly two flights as planned…. Game on!!

After a horrible morning in the gloom and the rain, the afternoon couldn’t have been more different. Hot sunshine with families and friends sitting out on blankets watching the flying. A lovely garden party atmosphere. However, for the pilots, things were much more serious. Luke and the Cambridge Aero Club boys had been training hard. For most of them the challenge was seeing what it was like to fly a competition sequence in the box with judges and their fellow pilots watching. Other pilots had varying levels of experience. By 4.30 the training flights were complete so Mark treated everyone to a display in his new Extra 330SC, finishing by hovering in front of the audience.

Then we started flying the Beginners sequence in front of the judges.

The standard of flying was very high, positioning was noticeably good and we didn’t have anyone heading off in the wrong direction. Perhaps the morning spent talking with the coaches helped. Flying was finished by 6.30 and within a few minutes, Jen had produced the results. Scores were very good, with 4 pilots scoring over 70% and Mike Imlach in 12^th place managed to score 43% with his first flight in a Pitts.

First place went to Matt Summers flying Adrian Willis’s Extra 200 with Jonathan Duke only 4 points behind in the Cambridge Extra 200. Throughout the field there were many places separated by only a few points; they’ll have to come to another competition to see if they can move up a few points next time. We’re looking forward to seeing you again.

Last but not least, thanks to all the helpers who made the day run so smoothly. There is a lot of unseen hard work and running around (or sitting down in the case of the judges) which often goes unnoticed and I have received several emails thanking you for making it a great day. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.
David Jenkins
Event Director