The BAeA Special Beginners Event #3 - 2011

CD's Report
It was almost perfect weather for the 2011 BAeA beginners day at Little Gransden. Blue skies with a few fluffy clouds at 3500ft and the wind straight down the runway which meant straight along the box.

The format of the special beginners’ aerobatic days has been well refined with a practice flight followed by a critiqued flight in the box in the morning. Over lunch there is the opportunity to get detailed feedback from the judges and other aerobatic pilots. The afternoon gives every pilot a second flight in the box with the judges scoring their performance to give them a taste of what it’s like in a competition. Little Gransden is the perfect airfield for holding these events. The pilots and their friends and families can picnic on the grass watching vintage aircraft taxi past and their competitors aerobat in the overhead.

Nine entries allowed us to run to a leisurely schedule and despite having to sort out an intermittent radio in one of the Extras, all the flights were completed by 4.30. Perfect timing! As the last flight landed, the rain started and we did the “how many people can you get in the clubhouse” competition for a few minutes until the shower passed. Then we were able to go outside for Marks wife Cathy to present the winner with the trophy.

Top marks went to Maz Makari making his first outing in an aerobatic aircraft with an engine. Maz is a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing as he flies at unlimited level aerobatics in gliders and has competed for the UK at international competitions. His experience showed and he didn’t crack under the pressure!! In a very close second place was Erik Lundh, less than 3 marks in 565 behind Maz. Erik flew an excellent sequence. I overheard him saying” I only came here to give it a try, but now I’m hooked and MUST win”. In third place was Richard Hamlyn who scored an excellent 72.28% In fact 6 of the 9 competitors scored over 70% with no major errors amongst any of the flights.

One to watch will be Chris Millson who scored an excellent 72.05% in the Pitts that he and his father acquired last year. He is thinking of moving up, so watch out all you standard level pilots. Alan Young was back for the third year running and managed to score a personal best of 71.85%. Time to move up to Standard level? Amelie Windel won the “most improved” award. She got caught out by the clover leaf in the morning training flight and shot off diagonally across the box. After a bit of coaching she cracked it for the afternoon competition flight and scored an impressive 70.00%. Martin Owen worked harder than most to get the sequence in his head and could be seen walking the sequence on the ground. Despite a clean flight and a good score of 68.98% the stiff competition meant this only resulted in 5th place. Joe Brown scored a very creditable 68% but was up against stiff competition.

Bryan Cheek bought his lovely Skybolt up from the Isle of Wight. It does have a disadvantage against the Extras and Pitts. I enjoyed watching him fly it, but I have a soft spot for Skybolts as I entered my first competition in one. Unfortunately his score of 63% wasn’t enough to beat the Extras and Pitts. We hope to see you again next year Bryan.

A big thanks to all of the team of judges who sat in the middle of a field of long grass all day. Many had streaming eyes and blocked noses from hay fever by the end. Jen and Jack ran to and fro to make all the paperwork run smoothly. Without this great team of volunteers the day wouldn’t have happened, so thank you. Adrian and Luke worked tirelessly in their Extra-200's to get all the training and box flights completed. Thanks also to our hosts the Jefferies for the use of their lovely airfield and especially to Marks wife and daughters for providing the food and lovely home made cakes.
David Jenkins
Contest Director