The Chairwoman’s Challenge
The aim of this competition is to undertake a flight on a theme, which is set each year by the Chairwoman.
The Chairwoman’s Challenge trophy is awarded annually to the BWPA member and pilot who has used their aircraft in the most imaginative and interesting way, and who has exhibited the highest standards of navigation and airmanship. The theme for this year’s challenge is:
Local Legends
To help with ideas, this theme could include famous people, historic sites, aviation heritage and landmarks, or even taking a local legend flying!
The competition is open to any member of the BWPA, including student pilots, and covers all types of flying. The experience level of the participant will be taken into consideration during scoring. Participants may enter as individuals or as a team.
The Challenge Logbook
Anyone taking part is required to provide evidence that their flight has taken place.
Details, explaining the route, purpose and significance of the flight, should be submitted using the entry form below, attaching ‘proof of flight’ in the Challenge Logbook document upload box.
Documents accepted for ‘proof of flight’ are:
- A signed copy of your Logbook page showing the entry for the Challenge flight
- Flight Plans
- Screenshot of the ADSB/GPS/SkyDemon (or similar) track flown
- Aerial photographs of significant waypoints/turning points/landmarks along the route
- If landing at an unattended landing site, such as a farm strip or field, then a photograph that includes the aircraft and any passengers and identifies the landing site will be required
Please upload as many of the above as you are able. *If you encounter any issues while uploading, please check your file size is not too large and that attachments are either PDF or JPEG
The judging panel will use your Form Submission and uploaded Challenge Logbook documents to note any difficulties encountered during the flight and will take into account examples of good airmanship.
How to enter
Simply fill in the Chairwoman’s Challenge Logbook form below, attaching your proof of flight documents, by midnight on 11 October 2026, or 21 days after the flight has taken place, whichever occurs first.
See our Awards page for information on other awards on offer!
The Rules
- The flight must be based on the set theme
- The duration of the flight must be between 75 and 120 minutes
- Flying time is defined as the time between take-off and touchdown
- Time spent on the ground, for example taxiing, cannot be included as flight time
- One interim landing is permitted during the flight
- The participant may act as Pilot in Command or as Pilot Under Training
- If you are entering as a team, all pilots and passengers must be included on the entry/declaration form
- The Challenge Logbook entry form and proof of flight documents must submitted below by midnight on 11 October 2026, or within 21 days after the flight has taken place, whichever occurs first.
Previous themes and winners include:
2024 – Colours of the Rainbow – winner: Isabelle Gledhill
2023 – ‘Crowning Glory’ – winner: Amal Lahrlid
2022 – ‘Noughts and Crosses’ – winner: Amal Lahrlid
2021 – ‘Castles in the Air’ – winner: Pernia Zeb
2020 – ‘Blue Sapphire’ – winner: Amy Chau
2015 – ‘Diamond’ – winner: Rosemary Clemo
2013 – Taking part in a precision flying event – winner: Allie Dunnington
2012 – Taking part in a precision flying event – winner: Annabel Cook
