THE BMFA/BAE SYSTEMS CHILDREN’S FLIGHT CHALLENGE.
8th of July 2006 Barkson Heath, Lincolnshire.
The well established Flight Challenge which is held annually in conjunction with BAE Systems, this year saw a significant change of venue with a move to RAF Barkston Heath at the BMFA Top Gun event.
The Elite Class winning aircraft heads
for the rafters on it’s way to achieving
the longest flight of the day.
The large aircraft hanger proved to be an ideal venue for this competition, with seventeen teams entered and six individual entries in the new Elite Class, the scene was set for a day of close competition. The team of helpers were ready for action by around 9.00 am (all looking very smart in their BMFA/BAE polo shirts) and some of the teams took the opportunity to make a few final test flights.
The competition started at 11.00 am prompt with a competitors briefing given by Roger Bedford FSMAE, flying commenced in earnest at 11.15. From then on it was action all the way with almost continuous flying until the final hooter sounded at 2.15 pm.
Each team is required to fly a hand launch glider, a rubber powered helicopter and a BMFA Dart (or modified variant depending on the class) the hanger was a flurry of activity with teams flying their aircraft in rotation to achieve the maximum total flight time within the prescribed half hour slots. Teams were allocated a timekeeper and a scribe for the duration of each slot, the longest flight of the team event was made by Garstang High School Team B with a time of 46 seconds. A wide variety of HLG designs were in evidence with everything from the BAE Hawk to the Canberra being represented.
The new for this year Elite class produced some of the closest flying, entrants had to use a specified plastic propeller (8”) and stay above an airframe weight of 14 grams. This encouraged a number of different approaches and designs. Rubber motors were wound to the maximum and entrants were allowed to make as many flights as possible within the 30 minute slot with the longest single flight to count.
The pressure of competition had obviously taken it’s toll as I saw two aircraft that had flown well in practice spiral in from the first launch, however others were starting to record some serious flight times. As the final hooter sounded we found that first and second place were separated by just one second! It doesn’t get much closer that that. The final winner of the Elite class was Hazel Creaghan with a time of 61 seconds, using an aircraft weighing 26 grams. Hazel is a seasoned Flight Challenge competitor and has featured in the winning team for several years running.
At 2.30 everyone gathered for the prize giving, the trophy table looked very impressive.
The impressive array of trophies and awards that the teams were competing for
Awards were presented by Group Captain Steve Townsend (O.C. RAF Cranwell) and Mr Robin Gowler, BMFA Chairman. The David Oxborough award was presented by Mrs Ann Oxborough, this award was donated in memory of her late husband and is awarded annually to the team or individual that has shown outstanding determination and commitment. This year the Newquay Tretherras School received the trophy in recognition of an outstanding effort and a 700 mile round trip to compete in the Flight Challenge! Aircraft kits were also presented to individual winners.
The Newquay Tretherras School team receiving the David Oxborough Award from Mrs Ann Oxborough. |
The winning St Leonards School Senior League team. |
All entrants in the 2006 Flight Challenge are to be congratulated on their participation, everyone that I spoke with had an enjoyable day and I have received much positive feedback on the 2006 competition.
I would like to express my thanks to all those that attended the competition and those that enabled the children to participate, also my team of very enthusiastic volunteers (who all seemed to enjoy themselves as much as the children) and all those who worked in the background to make the 2006 Flight Challenge a success.
The final results were as follows:
Junior League
1st place. Manland Primary School
2nd place. St Leonards Junior School
3rd place. Ridgewood School
Senior League
1st place. St Leonards School
2nd place. Garstang Highschool “B”
3rd place. Ivanhoe College
Premier League
1st place. West Bridgeford School
2nd place. St Leonards School
3rd place. Ivanhoe College
Elite Class
1st place. Hazel Creaghan (61 seconds)
2nd place. Daniel Fountain (60 seconds)
3rd place. Urbaid Nisar (48 seconds)