2021 Chairwoman’s Challenge launches today

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 Castles in the Air. The interpretation is as open as your imagination and the boundless sky allows.

The competition is open to any member of the BWPA, including student pilots. The judges will use a handicapping system based on factors including pilot experience and ratings, aircraft type and avionics to ensure that every competitor has an equal chance. The flight can take place in any type of flying machine, including single or multi-engine fixed wing, rotary, microlight, glider, hang-glider or balloon.

To take part, you must plan and fly a route, and submit a written account of your flight – a Challenge Logbook (see Rule 9 below).

The presentation of the trophy will take place at the AGM and Christmas lunch (date TBC), where members will also be able to examine all the Challenge Logbooks.

The rules

1. The flight must be based on the theme set.
2. The flight may be undertaken at any time between 11 February and 31 October 2021.
3. The duration of the flight should be between 75 and 120 minutes.
4. Flying time is designated as time taken between takeoff and touchdown.
5. Time spent on the ground, for example taxiing, cannot be included as flight time.
6. One interim landing is permitted during the flight.
7. The pilot in command may take a co-pilot/navigator. They may each fly a portion of the route, but all pilots and passengers must be included on the entry form.
8. The pilot/s must provide evidence that the flight has taken place. This should include flight plans/route plans, weather details, aerial photographs of features and turning points, receipts for fuel/landing fees, and any other relevant documents.
9. Details of the flight should be presented in the form of a written Challenge Logbook, explaining the purpose and significance of the flight and including documentary evidence (as outlined above).
10. Completed Challenge Logbooks must be with the judges by 1 November 2021 or 21 days after the flight has taken place.
11. The judges will take careful note of any difficulties encountered during the flight and will take into account examples of good airmanship.

Once completed, save your Challenge Logbook as a pdf file and email it to chairwoman@bwpa.co.uk. If you would prefer to submit a hard copy, please email the Chairwoman for address details. Your Challenge Logbook will be returned at the following AGM, where the winner’s trophy is awarded.

See our Awards page for information on other awards on offer!