Last weekend saw the second Royal Air Force Flying Clubs Association’s (RAFFCA) aerobatic competition. This competition is run for the RAF, with the help of British Aerobatic Association members, and the competitors were fighting it out for the Tony Ayre Blade. Tony was the winner of the inaugural competition last year but was sadly killed in a motorcycle accident shortly after the contest; we were honoured to be joined by Tony’s family throughout the day.

We arrived to a free flowing BBQ, much to the delight of BAeA helpers and competitors alike. It was an early briefing and we were under a rather looming grey sky when competitors were briefed on the format for the day. However, there was an optimistic forecast and we were relieved to see that by the end of the briefing a blue sky was already appearing above. First up was Callum Hives who had obtained his PPL only a few days before the contest.

Following the briefing, the instructors (Alan Cassidy, Charlie Kimbell, Julian Murfitt, Adrian Willis and Simon Abbott) all briefed their students and then quickly enough the contest was underway. Brian McCartney and his team of judges – no less than five judging teams - were swiftly dispatched to the red and white launch point hut, normally used for gliding, it was marking the location of the judges for us.  

The morning saw all 16 competitors undertake a training flight away from the airfield, to learn to fly their sequence, and they then had the opportunity to fly in the overhead whilst being critiqued and scored by the judges.

This was their chance to get some feedback before the real competition in the afternoon. Whilst they were given their score sheets the results were not published – so here they are for the competitors to see for the first time. We also managed to fit in a few VIP flights for important visitors to, and sponsors, of the event.

It was then time for lunch, although only a brief one, before Brian’s team of judges were again dispatched and the second flights got underway.

With the weather playing ball the second flights progressed much quicker and these saw competitors launch straight in to the box to be scored for that competition flight which really mattered. It was interesting to see a number of pilots not quite living up to their first performance – perhaps they placed too heavy an expectation on themselves following their early success.

The awards ceremony concluded the day’s proceedings and thanks go to Sir John Allison for awarding the BAeA medals and Joan Ayre (Tony’s mum) for presenting the blade itself. Joan went on to have a flight in the Pitts herself with BAeA Chairman and contest instructor, Alan Cassidy – the smile after the flight suggests that she rather enjoyed it.

It’s just left for me to say well done to the medal winners and express my thanks to all the helpers and competitors alike for their assistance and patience throughout the day. I do hope that the BAeA and RAFFCA can continue to work together as I certainly had a good day out, as did everyone I spoke to throughout the day.