Aerobatic Championships – Sywell

Damien,
You and me both, and I was supposed to know. He really is an ace aerobat and I think EXXON, his sponsor, will be well pleased since the four minute freestyle is more akin to an airshow performance that the other elements of the contest. Dave Perrin who the trophy commemmorates was one of the finest ever freestyle guys and those who saw him in the past saw a true artist at work. The video “Man in the sky” that was produced for Rothmans and featured David is an absolute classic. See it if you can borrow it.
Cheers,
Barry

Well its over for yet another year. The 2004 champions are as follows –
Unlimited
1st Tom Cassells – that taciturn Yorkshireman in a CAP 232
2nd Mark Jefferies – a true man of the soil in his Elite Extra 300S
3rd Gerald Cooper – aerial photographer and my namesake restorer extraordinaire in another CAP 232.
Advanced
1st Mark Walden – every womans dream of a pilot in his CAP222
2nd Garry Ferriman – garagiste fantastique in his Super Stinker Pitts S1-11
3rd – Tim Jenkinson – from the worlds favourite airline in his utterly immaculate and colourful Pitts S1 (modified)
The winner of the “David Perrin” trophy for the four minute freestyle was Mark Jefferies in the Elite Extra 300S
The start was delayed due to a wait for the cloud cover to break and then lift clear of the box so flying did not start until after 1200 however the afternoon saw non stop aerobatics of a very high order.
There were loads of folk there to enjoy the occasion.
Cheers,
Trapper 69

Went today. broken cloud stopped flying until after lunch, then some amazing aeros.

Never seen a ‘handbrake turn’ done in the air before. Didn’t try to take a picture, that’s not the point – just watched the action.

Interesting seeing the way different pilots interpreted the sequences, especially the pentagon loop!

A thoroughly enjoyable day in perfect surroundings – for FREE. And came back down the M11 past Duxford with no traffic jams!

YR

Oh don’t get me wrong, it’s enjoyable enough to watch if you’re into aeros, just awfully distant so not much interest to photographers – unless you just want static/taxiing shots. Box edge might be 25 metres away but what altitude are they at…?

But it’s not about photographs. It is about supreme flying. It’s about wonderfully honed aircraft.

Granted you are profoundly committed to your photography, but there are other things in life.

Maybe this is your opportunity to go to a flying event and not interpose a system of lenses and electronic screens between you and reality? Leave your cameras at home and go an enjoy a day of ‘watching’ aeroplanes and precision piloting. As a flyer yourself you must appreciate this?

Just a thought.

Moggy

Skybolt: There is an absolute world of difference between airshow flip flops and aerobatics

Love it. 🙂

Looks like the last day of the Nationals will be another one with superb weather. Will drop in at Sywell on the way to Turweston for the PFA AGM so should have an hour or so watching the action at this feast of aerobatics. Saturday is usually the day of the four minute freestyle for the David Perrin trophy and this gives contestants an opportunity to go beyond the Aresti confines and into the wierder gyroscopic manoevers to fill the aerobatic box with their brilliance (or otherwise). The judging standards do lean towards subjectivity as opposed to the fairly rigid objectivity imposed by the CIVA judging rules. Come along and test your own assessment of the various pilot’s skill.
Once again I emphasise it is all FREE. Viewing facilities could not be better and if you have an interest in aerobatics, actual or latent, then Sywell is the spot for you today – cos its just gone midnight and geriatrics should be in their beds (or someone elses).
Cheers and good night,
Trapper 69

Damien,
Could be down to 100 metres before incurring penalties so that keep them a bit higher as a precaution. Yes, the percentage of time they are in the front of the 1000 metre cube is limited but so is the time they are over at the far side. Halfway is the FAA munimum aerobatic airshow line in the States anyway. AND IT IS ALL FREEEEEEEEE….!
Cheers,
Trapper 69

Damien me old mate,
In a sense you are correct but these guys are the absolute aces in the UK and the front corner of the box is but 25 metres from the spectating area. That is 125 metres closer than is permitted at an airshow and I should know cos I wrote the book…!!! There is an absolute world of difference between airshow flip flops and aerobatics and once again I should know cos I do both. The trouble is, at my geriatric age, I do get confused as when I should be doing what………………..!!!!!!!!!!!!
REMEMBER FOLKS IT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE so do not let Damien B dissuade you from coming to see the contest. You will be made very welcome – unlike at some airshows.
Cheers,
Trapper 69