CD's Report

Throughout the week, preceding the Sports and Intermediate Nationals, the weather looked like it would provide us some challenges. 

As the aircraft and pilot arrivals descended on Conington, the host airfield for our second nationals of the year, the sun was shining, there was a layer of broken cloud about 8000ft but perfectly flyable. So it was prudent to get cracking and make the most of the bright and breezy start to the day.

Thursday 24th

By the advertised briefing time of 10:00, all pilots were in residence and with all paperwork checked, it was time to advise the assembled audience of all necessary operating procedures for the event, including safety, radio calls, all local conditions to be met and the actions in the event of an incident, however unlikely.

When planning an event and working out how much time it might take (certainly for Sports and Intermediate level pilots), a reasonable estimate for numbers of flights is 6 per hour. So with 20 pilots, totalling 80 flights, we were looking at nearly 14 hours of flights to get through.

After the briefing, the pilots were dispatched to prepare themselves to start the competition at 11:00 prompt and the judges travelled to their home for the next couple of days to get themselves settled in a ready for, circa 80 flights.

With a bustle of activity, the first aircraft, a Pitts S2A, fired up, captained by Adam was wheels up at 11:00, we have a competition underway, yes!

All pilots were on their toes and working efficiently through the running order. I took a check after the first hour and we were into the 7th flight, so good progress indeed, we may well get this all completed after all.

A small spat bolt issue was quickly resolved for James and he was up and away for his flight, with the first sequences in Sports completed by 13:15, a short comfort break for the judges before restarting with Intermediate at 13:45.

Some ominous, dark clouds rolled over the north side of the airfield but thankfully missed us and we retained our warm and sunny disposition.

Talking through the competition box with Tony revealed that the last time he had flown at Conington, it was in much the same position as we are once again using. Which I've worked out was 2001 based on the historic competition results, what do you think Tony?

The Intermediates pilots make light work of their Known sequence and are finished by 14:45. The judges having already consumed their lunch were happy to press on after a short break and the Sports pilots go out for their first Unknown at 15:00, with no undue stops, pauses or breaks they too are all wrapped in by 17:15 and Tony wasted no time getting straight into the box for the 1st Intermediate Unknown.

If it all goes in our favour we may well get a full set of second flights completed for all pilots on day 1, not something I think I've ever managed previously. 

At exactly 17:58 the final pilot in Andy in his spitfire silhouetted Twister, took to the sky for his second flight, first Unknown. By 18:07 his wheels were back on the ground so that’s a wrap, it’s definitely beer o'clock.

As the pilots departed to their digs, a few of us troop over for a meal at the local pub, the Admiral Wells, a quick drink and some convivial chat about the days flying before all heading away for a relatively early night....early start in the morning!

Friday 25th 

Given we managed to complete 2 full sequences for each class, we were able to resequence the flying order. This gives everyone the opportunity for the first pilot of the day slot.

A few minutes after 08:00 and we are gathered on the grass outside the clubhouse ready to brief the day's activities.

With only one pilot absent I delivered the abbreviated brief and prepared the first pilot their additional instructions.

Shortly thereafter Daz arrived and I delivered the same brief to ensure we were all suitably informed.

The first pilot, Jacob, in the Extra 200, taxied to the hold and we were back up and running at 08:48 for day 2.

Settling into a rhythm now, rattling through the flights and the Sports 2nd Unknown finished with Adam at 11:00.

A quick chat with Chief Judge Brian confirms a quick break for the judges and flying straight [pun intended :-) ] into the 2nd Unknown at Intermediate with experienced combatant Jez leading the charge.

The Intermediate pilots make quick work of their sequences and before long we're tooling up the Sports pilots again.

By about lunchtime, I'm already quietly confident we will complete the flying that afternoon but wait another couple of hours before we have the NOTAM cancelled for the following day. Its kind of a one way decision.

With one aircraft in Sports going U/S, the gap between shared aircraft reduced and we had a couple of delays but nothing we couldn’t regain. Thankfully a couple of hours later and the U/S aircraft was fixed and ready to fly at the end of the Sports class, well done everyone.

We march on at full speed and the final Intermediate flight culminates with Tony getting back on the ground at 16:35. 

As everyone starts to gather their belongings, pay up bills and prepare vehicles for the journey home, all that remains is to thank everyone for their assistance and present the awards for the winning contenders. Well done everyone. I'm certainly expecting to see a few pilots moving up a class in the new year.

It only remains for our grateful thanks to all the airfield team, Julie, Frank, John, Sarah, Holly and Trevor and I'm sure many numerous others that work tirelessly in the background to ensure our event runs smoothly and with minimal disruption to their normal operations.

Same time again next year everyone!

Chris Sills
BAeA Contest Director