2014 - Nympsfield
We had six days flying, covering 27, 892kms from Nympsfield to the Welsh hills and coastline, to Ely in the east, Dover on the Channel and places south west of Devizes. Some climbed to over 9000ft, explored the clouds and wave, found convergence and good thermals. Some found fields, others gliding clubs or small airfields, but most found their way home. The longest aero tow was 360kms and the latest retrieve, after rounding Dover, was Steve Eyles and Mike Oakley in the club DG500, with Justin getting home at 01.30hrs. We think that we have a record breaking flight, with the longest competition O/R ever set and completed in the UK, by Trevor Stuart at 572kms.
Winners;
Enterprise Challenge Trophy for the competition winner: Dave Masson
John Cadman Trophy for the most Enterprising flight: Ken Barker
Blunt Nails Trophy for best placed low performance glider: Philippa Roberts
Sam Witter Trophy for best performance after an engine start: Tony Maitland & Phil / Diana King
And here's how it unfolded;
Friday 27th: no flying yet, but enjoy the booking in drinks!
Saturday 28th: opening at 0930.
Saturday turned out not to be a scoring day, but with true spirit, one enterprising pilot narrowly missed a gold height climb in a cb.
Sunday 29th: This was one of the days when imaginative task setting was all: The Pilgrim’s Way. A list of turning points along or near the south coast following a strip of good weather – go to a tp and return, or several t/p’s. The winner turned near Dover, and in so doing made the longest out and return ever in any UK competition.. The day was won by Trevor Stuart to Dover with 572 km, making extensive use of the sea breezes..
Monday 30th: A day with a very uncertain forecast. The task was to make out and returns in any or all of the 4 quadrants of the Compass Rose, with bonuses for doing more than one sector. The winner was Tim Macfadyen with 382km.
Tuesday 1 July: Dave Mason went for possibly the best day of the year with a very good strip of weather in the south and east midlands. Being ambitious, a task was set with turning points every 50k or so to Ely and a similar set put to Haverfordwest. Nympesfield, Ely Harry west is 750k. The majority of pilots took the easy way and went in the general direction of East Anglia, where the conditions were good, nice with pretty views. The problem was the return! The more thoughtful pilots went home a round about route, but a number tried to get back in a straight line – mostly failing! Nick Gaunt, a perverse Yorkshireman wen the other way, to Camarthen and back. Out met man tried to live up to his forecast and did Ely & Brecon. A very enjoyable day with its challenges. The winner was Rodney Witter who went to Ely and then on Camarthen, slightly regretting no trying Haverfordwest, but in the event lost his nerve 20 km out and started the engine for a total 624 km.
Wednesday July 2, day 4, At Catherine Wheel task, based on a quadrilateral on Bromyard, Pershore and Swindon, with the option of out and returns from each t/p, fitting the task between 2 shslfs of high cloud. The north west sector proved difficult under the cirrus. Some collected a few km from Pershore, but a greater distance was available from Swindon whence the less thoughtful pilots went SE towards Lasham, where the conditions were good. In the event, the day was won by Dave Masson with a distance of 459 km, flown to the NE of Swindon, giving a longer distance available without running into the Sea air.
Running results:
At Day 4: 1st Dave Masson, then: Trevor Stuart, Paul Rice and Gedes Chalmers, all running close. All to play for on Days 5 & 6!
Thursday July 5th - day 5:
Another day requiring exact forecasting! A narrow strip of soarable weather forecast oriented 060/240 to the SE of Nympesfield. The task set was to fly to within a circle centered on Melkesham and the out & returns in either direction along a funnel 30 degrees wide on the axis of the weather. At midday the good weather looked just out of reach to the South. by about 2 Liam in the K6 was coerced into taking a launch, shaming everyone else into having a go. Most landed out or back by teatime, except one who was last heard of by the writer near Dunstable, Dave Masson landing at Membury and Mr & Mrs King in their Duo landing after 6 having been to Radstock and Hungerford, having the advantage of an engine to retrieve. Rodney Witter, being an independent sort, disregarded all instructions and climbed to over 8000 ft in wave over south Herefordshire.
The winner for the day was Tim Macfadyen with 194km, 2nd was Trevor Stuart with 223 km. Ken Barker was third, having been to Gransden Lodge and back to Dunstable for an aerotow retrieve which led to a wave flight!
Friday 4th July was a rest day, brought out by weather. The annual Enterprise Club Meeting was held.
Saturday 5th July - day 7 A task was set in Ever Decreasing Circles: out to a radius of a multiple of 20 km and return, with the option of making a further out & return to 20 km less. The day delayed itself as the weather took its time clearing, but everyone launched under severe penalties if not completed by 6 and scores in by 6.30. A question arose if the scorer had an unfair advantage in that he automatically had received his score card, no matter when he finished! Ken Barker won with 160km.
The landing time was set to enable all, including the scorer to be at the closing prize giving and party. Justin Wills announced the prizes and awards, and Ken Barker on his clarinet played us out at the end.
Final results are below. Nearly 28,000 km flown in gliders ranging from the mighty K6, Cirrus and ASW 15s up to JS1s and an Arcus. And that's what Enterprise is all about, maximising the day whatever you are flying!
2013 North Hill
In 2013, Enterprise headed back to North Hill, home of the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club. Here's what happened, in the words of first-time Enterpriser, 17 year old Liam Vile.
My First Comp.
Competition Enterprise coming home to North Hill for it’s 40th Birthday which coincided with DSGC’s 60th anniversary, set the stage for my introduction into the world of gliding competitions. This was quite a leap for me, as I had only completed the final leg of my silver badge a month before the comp. was due to start, and up until then had only done a handful of short cross-country trips with one single land-out after my silver distance flight. I probably should mention at this stage, that I am 17 years old and I have been very fortunate to benefit from the generosity and support of the Ian Beckett Fund and the Friends of HEB, - a small group of people at Devon and Somerset Gliding Club, led by John Burrow who allows his Ka6 HEB to be flown by our club’s juniors for free. This was to be my hot ship for the comp.
Friday night saw the arrival of the majority of the competitors with a welcome supper laid on and the packed clubhouse was buzzing with the excitement of what the week would bring.
Saturday.
The task: ‘The Point of No Return’, was to fly as far as you can away from North Hill and get back. One point awarded for every km flown out and two points for every km flown back with a 50-point bonus for getting home.
The weather forecast was not great for the southwest. We expected a lowish cloud base and the threat of top cover, but with the prediction of slightly better conditions being a possibility to the east. I was offered the back seat in 94, Bob Bromwich’s DG500MB, which I gladly accepted, thinking that the experience would be worth more than a few of my own points. The conditions were difficult with very broken climbs and a low cloud base, with the usual wave interference around the M5 motorway. The clouds ran out around Yeovil where most competitors turned back. Bob however set off on a long glide for the clouds in the distance and the gamble paid off as we were able to work our way north-east turning Honeybourne near Evesham in Worcestershire. We made our way back as far as Nympsfield, before having to fire up the iron thermal to eventually get home at about 7pm and nab 2nd place. Trevor Stuart had also jumped the gap from Yeovil and pulling out a low save, continued east to Ducton near Parham before turning for home and running out of day near Shaftesbury clocking up a very impressive 291km to win the day.
Sunday
Cloud base was a massive 1500’ above North Hill and by 1 o’clock there was no improvement so the day was scrubbed.
Monday
The forecast suggested that a convergence might set up along the South coast, but with some uncertainty of the timing of it’s inland progression, the task setters came into their own and dreamt up the ‘Beaded Breeze’. Ten turnpoints in two lines between Whiddon Down and Salisbury, which could each be turned once and in any order, with the option of including North Hill in-between to rack up more distance. This made for some interesting tactical decisions and I decided to try and just reach as many turnpoints as I could. The convergence did set up, albeit with a base of only 2000’ above North Hill, so after turning Tiverton and Chard, I headed for Axminster which by now was in sea air resulting in my second field landing. The one thing that did cheer me up from my field was the sound of a turbo firing up its engine overhead. Matt Wright in his ASW24 won the day covering 350km and collecting 8 turnpoints with Andrew Cluskey 2nd doing 353km but only 6 turnpoints in his ASW28-18T.
Tuesday.
Lots of rain and no flying - so to the wet weather program of talks and a visit to the University of Wyoming’s meteorological research aircraft, a tooled up Beach King Air, based at Exeter Airport investigating extreme convective precipitation events, Yes in the UK!
Wednesday
Jill Harmer our comp met decoder convinced the task setters that there was a good possibility for wave today and the task was devised to take advantage of this option especially as the wind was going to be strong and cloud base was not expected to be very high. ‘The Compass Rose’ was set, centred on TIE, fly out and back into each of the four quadrants divided by the North-South and East-West axes. Bonus points would be awarded for each 100 feet achieved above 2000’.
Waiting for the cloud base to improve, launching finally started at 16:00 by which time the cloud base had crept up to a whopping 1700’ above North Hill. Five gliders managed to find and connect with the wave over TIE with some achieving the base of the FL65 airway. I however, spent so much time focusing on getting into it that I ended up very low and after a marginal climb I managed to just squeak around Tiverton East. Then giving up in the hunt for wave, I decided to head off downwind as far as I could go. I don't think I ever managed to get more than 1800' AGL and eventually ran out of height just before I ran out of land at Weymouth and arrived in my next field, a beauty - overlooking Chesil Beach, and coming fourth for the day. The winners were Phil and Diana King in Duo Discus DD2. They managed to get into the wave and flew short O/R's into all 4 sectors. It was a day where the nature of Competition Enterprise came clear to me, make the most out of the day and just have a go. The achievements are often greater than the expectation on the grid. I’m not sure that, if at a normal comp, we would have even flown or that the grins would have been quite so cheesy!
Thursday
The cloud base was far too low even for an Enterprise task, so the day was scrubbed. But wasn't completely wasted, the conditions improved later in the afternoon and crew flying continued till late in the evening, but the highlight of the day was the return of the Eagle BBB that was recommissioned after 11 years of languishing in a trailer.
Friday
The day had looked to be the best for the whole week and the reality didn't disappoint. The task 'Some days are Diamonds' set a range of turnpoints in a line out to the north east of North Hill to cover the various performance of gliders (and expertise of the pilots), The Park, Avebury, Wantage, Newport Pagnell and Grafham Water. Points were awarded for the distance travelled and for each TP reached. The conditions weren't easy, with many people struggling low down soon after setting off. It had been forecast to turn blue to the east of The Park where the climbs were scarce and not especially strong. I had declared my first 300km, Wantage O/R and was expecting to end up in a field but thought, “What the hell, if you don’t at least set off on a 300 you will never do one!” So with little confidence I set out and actually made it to Wantage fairly easily, but it had taken so long getting there that the conditions were really deteriorating. The return flight consisted of many low saves guided by a single line of unreliable clouds which stretched down the south west peninsula and I ended up in a field, a stone’s throw from North Hill. No bonus points for getting back then, but I managed to cross the declared start/finish line, so got my Gold distance and Diamond goal instead, and the Ka6 shared third place with Ron Johns in his ASH25 711. My grin was so cheesy the top of my head was in danger of falling off!
The winner of the day was Trevor Stuart in his ASW27 621 who turned Grafham Water and made it most of the way back scoring a distance of 505km, Ron Johns in the ASH25 made it to Newport Pagnell and back for around 400km. Trevor commented that his average climb rate for the whole flight was just 1.5kts.
Saturday
The High pressure was stabilising out on the SW peninsula, and there was a wish to get all the competitors home early for scoring before the prize-giving and Anniversary party. The task was 'Ever Decreasing Circles' consisting of a series of out and returns to a set of concentric rings round North Hill at 20km, 40km, 60km and 80km. A time limit of finishing within 3 hours of start or before 5pm was also stipulated. The longest flight was 200km by Rory O’Conor in DG800B who won the day, followed by a bunch of 160km flights completed in the blue. I was tired after the long week and didn’t want to miss the Party so I turned back at the 40km ring. Due to logger problems, I wasn't scored on the full distance, the climbs were around 3-4 knots but with a blue sky and another 33C day, it was unpleasant to be in the cockpit. Oh and I landed out again!
The party started with a plaque being unveiled by Gillian Wills and Lisa Humphries (DSGC Chairman) which commemorates the founding of DSGC and the spirit of Enterprise. The awards ceremony saw Trevor Stuart winning The Enterprise Challenge Trophy and also the John Cadman Trophy for his most enterprising flight on the first day, Matt Wright was 2nd and Ron Johns 3rd. The Blunt Nails trophy for the best placed wooden glider went to Lemmy Tanner flying his Ka8, and the Sam Witter trophy went to Andrew Reid for his enterprising flight after using the turbo. I was awarded the John Fielden scholarship.
I really enjoyed the week and from the sound of all the laughing so did the rest of the competitors. I would like to thank not only the multitude of people that made it happen (led by Competition Director Justin Wills) and did such a fantastic job of it all, but also to the pilots that competed. Many new friends were made and it is a reminder of what a fantastic sport this is, with people of all generations and backgrounds coming together to share in the fun. It also showed the spirit of Competition Enterprise, despite the less than stellar conditions we flew 5 contest days and did far more flying than I expected.
I personally gained a lot in my own flying, finding myself being able to determine how to approach the task in a way that suited me, where speed wasn't necessarily key and where I could change the plan mid-flight to take advantage of the weather. From a relatively inexperienced cross-country pilot I would highly recommend giving Competition Enterprise a go, and I look forward to doing more next year at Nympsfield!
I’d like to thank all my friends and supporters for making my first competition achievable – (Junior Nationals next....)
Liam Vile (17) has been flying with Devon and Somerset Gliding Club since he was 13years old. He soloed on his 16th birthday and has been the most active of DSGC Junior pilots, completing his Silver in June this year and competing in Inter-Club league.
2012 Long Mynd
Midland Gliding Club was pleased to host Competition Enterprise in 2012 for the third time between June 30th and July 7th. 28 pilots were entered with 24 gliders ranging from a K6CR to a new JS1. The weather was not as kind as it might have been but we managed four task days out of eight.Day One (Saturday) started with a typical Enterprise task – two TPs making a 100k triangle but with the option for a free distance from any of the TPs to add to the distance points. Rory O’Connor finished first (DG 800B) with a distance of 112k, Justin Wills (Antares 18S) second with 26k and Andrew Cluskey (ASW 28) third with 20k.Day Two (Sunday) tasked the competitors to visit as many gliding clubs as possible and return to the Mynd. Justin Wills completed a total distance of 247k to finish first, Andrew Reed (Ventus BT) second with 190k and Mike Pope (Ventus 2CT) third with 140k.
It then rained fairly solidly until Day Three on Thursday when we tasked to collect the most TPs from a list that included Stone, Chirk, Vyrnwy, Leominster and Hinton-in-the-Hedges. Justin Wills won the day with 337k, Andrew Clusky second with 206k and Mike Greenwood (Duo Discus) third with 158k.
We all rested on Friday for a final push on Day Four, Saturday, when the field was charged with using any or all of the following turning points, in any order: Newtown, Welshpool North West, Shrewsbury West, Bridgnorth, Telford South West. The Mynd was also a turning point and any turning point could be revisited after having visited at least 2 other turning points previously. Justin Wills again finished first, Adrian Emck (Ka6CR) second and Mike Pope third.
Overall Justin Wills was Enterprise 2012 champion with 977 points beating Mike Pope (460) and Andrew Clusky (410).
2011 Sutton Bank
Competition Enterprise 2011 was held at Sutton Bank 2nd to 9th July with only 1 day scrubbed. Encouragingly, there were 9 new entrants (including 1 Junior) all promising to return next year when we go to Long Mynd. Final positions – 1st Justin Wills (Antares), 2nd David Masson (LS6) and 3rd Rod Witter and Mike Marshall (Duo Discus). Justin won on 4 days, including 605k, the biggest distance of the week, and on another more marginal day landed in Scotland via the North Sea, encouraged by bonuses to cross boarders and coast lines!First timer Helen Hingley won the John Cadman trophy, second timer Adrian Emck retained the Blunt Nails trophy and long timer Andrew Reid received the Sam Witter Trophy for the most enterprising flight after using the engine.
Friday 1st July
Excitement is rising as the weather today is proving very good for the start of the 37thCompetition Enterprise tomorrow. David Masson, last year’s winner and our weather guru, has flown over 500k whilst Justin Wills our president decided to fly up from Bidford but first going to Didcot then Carlisle! Steve Ball, first time entrant from Sutton Bank, declared and completed his 300k diamond.
Saturday 2nd July
The official opening has Moyra Johnson YGC president welcoming contestants to Sutton Bank on behalf of the Yorkshire Gliding Club and recounting her early years flying with Philip Wills from this very site in a Hols De Teufen in 1935 before going solo later that year. She then paid tribute to Chris Wills, Philip’s son, and who sadly died a few weeks ago. It was then appropriate for Justin, Chris’s brother, to formally open proceedings, noting how well the Enterprise spirit has endured since his father Philip instigated the competition back in 1974 and still attracting newcomers.
Briefing is now underway and David is promising good weather and saying we are in the best part of the country. Nick Gaunt and Bill Payton are setting the tasks and the 26 (still a few to arrive) entrants, are listening as Nick explain ‘A Spider on Speed’, a quadrilateral with an O/R from each turn point.
Day 1 – Spider on Speed
Quadrilateral:
Market Weighton, Pontefract, Masham and Sutton Bank
Fly quadrilateral in either direction with pilot selected out and return from any TPs (not including Sutton Bank)
Scoring: 1pt/km
10% of distance for completing task
10pts for MAS, PCT, MAW (once each)
Comp Bonuses: Out to sea: 50pts, E & W Coast in one day 150pts
Scotland or Wales: 50pts each
And what a day it turned out to be! 3 pilots headed for the east coast to claim the 50 points going out over the sea
Day 2 – 3 legged race:
There are 3 legs radiating from SUT1: SUT-YOR-SCU-GAI-NWK-RUT-KET
2: SUT-LEY-BAR-SNP-HEX-KIE-JED-MIL
3: SUT-PCT-CPH-ATW-TEL-MYN-MON
Go to any TP on a leg. Continue via SUT to any other TP on any leg not beyond previous TP on leg. Repeat as desired.
Scoring 1pt/km
Bonuses:10% of distance for landing back at SUT.
10pts for each TP turned.
50 pts for sea E or W. 150pts for both.
50pts for Wales, 50pts for Scotland, 150pts for both.
Day 3 – Cat’s Cradle:
MAL Malton, YOR York, WET Wetherby, PAT Pateley Bridge, KST Kirkby Stephen,
SKF Skelling Farm, ALO Alston, HBR Haydon Bridge, HEX Hexham, DER Derwent,
DUR Durham Cathedral, BRD Bradbury, GUI Guisborough, CAR Carlton, NRT Northallerton,
CTK Catterick, BAR Barnard Castle, SNP Staindrop,
Go to any TP. Continue to any other. Repeat as desired except that you may not return to the immediately preceding TP (no Yo-yoing).
Start 5km rad circle, all TP’s and finish 1km rad circles.
10 pts for the first visit to each TP (but can be visited again for distance).
1pt/km
Bonuses:10% of distance for landing back at SUT.
50 pts for sea E or W. 150pts for both.
50pts for Wales, 50pts for Scotland, 150pts for both.
Day 4: Bullseye:
There are a series of circles at 20k radius intervals from Sutton bank stretching to infinity.
Go to a point on a circle radius from SUT which is a multiple of 20 km. Go to a point on any other circle and you score the difference in the radii. 50 points for getting back to Sutton bank,
Day 5-Compass Rose
- Do (at least) 1 out and return from SUT, one turning point in each quadrant of the Compass rose. The sectors are centred on N, S, E and W.
Score is based on besr O/R in each area
Start and SUT TP 5 km rad circle
Finish 1kn circle
1pt per km
Bonuses: 50 points for landing back at SUT
50 points for sea E or W, 150 pts for both
50 pts for Wales or Scotland, 150 pts for both.
11.30 am. It’s raining, we are all drinking tea and waiting for a clearance.
Grid launched at 4 pm. A short soaring window, then Thai Curry Night enjoyed by all.
Day 6 – Four Leaf Clover
As yesterday but with the sectors centred NE, SE, SW and NW
points based on O/R in each area.
Big showers coming through, a few people flew at lunchtime, some landed out.
Clearance came through again at about 3pm, more launching, more landing out, several aerotow retrieves. Everyone back now.
Bob Bromwich won the day.
Friday 8th – Day 7
Weather isn’t looking good.
Enterprise meeting this morning 10.30 then rebrief at 12.30
Day Scrubbed
Saturday 9th – Day 8 – Another Spider
Uncertain weather forecast, possibility of some soaring this afternoon, rebrief later this morning.
Same idea as last Saturday, a triangle with turning points Tontin Inn, Ripon, Sutton on Forest, to be completed in either direction with out and returns from each turning point
start 5km rad circle, all TP’s and finish 1km rad circles.
10 pts per TP
1pt/km
Bonuses:10% of distance for landing back at SUT.
50 pts for sea E or W. 150pts for both.
50pts for Wales, 50pts for Scotland, 150pts for both.
Turned out nice again! Bob Bromwich arrived back at 7.30pm, scores are being calculated
Day results:
1. Justin Wills 260 kn
2. Jon Wand
3. Andrew Reid
4. David Masson
5. John Ellis
6.Rod Witter
Overall Results and Trophies 2011:
Sam Witter Trophy: (Best flight after starting an engine) Andrew Reid
John Cadman Trophy: (Most Enterprising Flight) Helen Hingley
Blunt Nails Trophy: (Best flight in a low performance glider) Adrian Emck in his K6E
Overall Placings
1.Justin Wills
2. David Mason
3. Rod Witter/ Mike Marshall
2010 Lasham
Our first visit to Lasham rewarded us with amazing conditions, a total of 45,569k an Enterprise record with one welcome rest day!. Justin Wills won 3 days so did local weatherman David Masson who managed 786k on a day rated by some as the best of the year with enterprising pilots going in all directions, from Bembridge, Ringmer and Parham in the south to Long Mynd and Talgarth to the west and Hus Bos to the north plus some went well into East Anglia. No one tried the cross channel task but in retrospect it could have been on. David was the overall winner just ahead of Justin with Bill Payton 3rd. The Blunt Nails and John Cadman trophies went to local Adrian Emck who managed over 500k in his K6e and landed on an island in the river Thames! The Enterprise Turbo Trophy for the most enterprising soaring flight after using the engine went to Tony Moulang.The following 2 articles were published in S & G Vol 61 no.6 Dec 2010/Jan 2011 and are accounts of 2 Competition Enterprise first-timers from Lasham. David Masson who won the week and Adrian who won the John Cadman trophy for most enterprising flight of the week and the Blunt Nails trophy for best wooden ship performance.
2009 Long Mynd.
We were blessed with 5 competition days out of 8 but there was some interesting flying on the other days too though often not starting until late in the afternoon. A field of 32 gliders stretched the MGC launch system but it managed to deliver 30 launches an hour. We flew over 17,000km in the week with Justin Wills achieving the longest flight ever from the Mynd of 837k to East Anglia eventually landing at Gransden Lodge. Other flights to Sutton Bank, Isle of Wight, Snowdon and the far reaches of Wales delighted all and we also managed to retrieve our plate from Camp Hill. Third overall was John Wand , second Rod Witter and Justin Wills took first place. The Cadman Trophy went to local pilot James Fisher for circumnavigating the Birmingham TMA. The Blunt Nails trophy for best young pilot went to Alex Ward in 323. The new trophy for the most enterprising flight in a turbo after an engine start went to Lindsay McLane.
2008 North Hill
The weather was not kind – with a low cloud base, torrential showers and a very brisk wind for most of the week. 35 gliders competed on 5 flying days in conditions that would not normally have seen any cross country flying. The first day, in typical Enterprise spirit, carried bonus points for flying over the sea and resulted in Nick Gaunt (2nd) and Martin Woolner (3rd) managing to claim Sea points by flying over the South and North coasts respectively! The day winner was Ron Johns who pretended to be a balloon until he identified a sea breeze front and used it to boost his score with bonus “into wind” points. This set the scene for the rest of the week and despite the challenging conditions over 9,400km were flown. The trophies were presented by Val Fielden to Lindsay McLane 1st, Ron Johns 2nd and the John Cadman Trophy and Simon Leeson and Mark Courtney (nicknamed the Dukes of Hazard in North Hill’s DG505) 3rd. Martin Woolner received the Blunt Nails trophy.
2007 Sutton Bank
A surprising 6 competition days out of 8 in a 2 month period dominated by appalling weather although 2 days were spent dodging cu nims and twisters. 300+km were achieved on the 1st 4 days, with Justin Wills excelling on day 3 with 625 km. The John Cadman trophy was won by local lad Lindsay McLane who, on day 1, was the only pilot to exceed 300km by switching from thermals and using the wave to 9,000ft. On the last day, wave was used on the 100 km ridge task giving speeds from 136 to 207kph!! Justin was the overall winner with Lindsay a very close 2nd and our weatherman Phil King 3rd. Novice Liam Watt (a recipient of the John Fielden Junior Scholarship) flying a Ka8, managed 189km, came 6th overall and won the Blunt Nails trophy.
2006 Aboyne
15 years to return to Aboyne but worth the wait. Flying every day, bar one, and very usable wave for the first 6 days (max 20,000ft). Good thermals then dominated with 7,000ft cloud base allowing memorable trips to Ben Nevis. Justin Wills and Rory O’Conor won 3 days each but Justin’s 663km just got him 1st place overall, with Rory’s 533km on the next day giving him a close 2nd and the John Cadman trophy. Our scorer Andrew Reid came 3rd and ‘Best Wood’ went to Stuart Naylor & Billy Fisher in Twin Astir (Fulmar)
2005 Long Mynd
The overall winner of the 8-day event was Phil King of Leamington Spa with Rory O’Conor of Yorkshire second and Justin Wills of New Zealand third. Jon Hall was the highest placed Mynd pilot at 8th. The Hill Aviation Services award for the best performance by young pilots went jointly to Sarah Platt of Craven Arms and Richard Billany of Burton-on-Trent, both Mynd pilots.
The total distance flown by all the gliders during the event was in excess of 30,000 kilometers.
2004 Aston Down
Saw the comp at Aston Down for the first time. The weather was flyable but most days were a struggle such that some extremely Enterprising flying was done. We were also dogged by airspace problems for the first time. As the only wooden glider Chris Nicholas’s Ka6e was inevitably again ‘Best Wood’ but the really sad thing is that he has now sold it and bought into glass! Paul Kite, Nimbus3, won over local boy Andreas Jelden a newcomer to the comp.
2003 Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank again and the weather was quite kind, giving us 6 contest days. Again 2 seaters 1st & 2nd and not “Big Wings” either. Mike Fox won with 2 A/c & 3 Co-pilots! DG500/Janus A & Steffi Frassl (Austria)/C.Tagg/Luke Roberts, followed by Justin Wills/Bob Starmer/Mike Pope in DuoDiscus. Chris Nicholas was “Best Wood” in K6e – the only wood entry this year!
2002 North Hill
Back to North Hill but sadly without John Fielden. Big wings/2 seaters led the way with Mick Wells ASH 25 1st just holding off Bob Starmer Duo Discus and Ron Johns ASH 25. Paul Kite won the John Cadman Trophy by visiting Lasham when they were grounded. Chris Nicholas again Best Wood in his Ka6E. We invited some Juniors who found the tasks challenging but their leader, Andy Perkins, had the last laugh by playing tennis with a nubile young lady shortly after landing out.
2001 North Hill
Total disaster! North Hill had to cancel because of the Foot and Mouth epidemic and so we moved to Sutton Bank. They then had to do the same! A much deserved tribute to John Fielden, long-term maestro and defender of Enterprise was held, much to his surprise. The weather offered wave then thermal enjoyed by a stalwart few, managing some cross country flying from Sutton Bank then Rufforth keeping outside the proscribed zones.
2000 Chauvigny
Chauvigny, in France. Enterprise made very welcome by the local club and 2 excellent days were enjoyed with flights up to 495 km (Jon Hart, Vega), 2 other mediocre competition days, but bad weather prevailed again. Alastair Macgregor, Discus BT won; Les Blows, LS3-17 2nd; and “Best Wood” Ron Davidson, SB5b.
1999 Feshiebridge
Feshiebridge, in the Cairngorm Mountains, for the first time. The weather was dreadful but 3 tasks achieved and some very enterprising flying. Won by Nick Gaunt, LS7 with Mike Wood 2nd. Chris Nicholas, Ka6E was “BestWood” and while not being able to fly far, found it extremely beautiful. Andy Anderson won the John Cadman Trophy, “Most Meritorious Flight”.
1998 North Hill
Lleweni Park gave way to a Silver Anniversary at the home of ‘Enterprise’, North Hill. Some very interesting flying, in low cloud conditions, including wave, convergence’s and low scrapes. Paul Kite won with Rod Witter 2nd. John Hart won the new ‘enterprise’ Silver Bowl with which we said a very sad farewell to John Cadman.
1997 Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank, and to quote an old Geordie song, ‘the rain it poored doon aal the day and made the groond quite muddy’. We didn’t fly ’til the Thursday but learned a lot about Yorkshire on the ground! Nick Gaunt won again with Stuart Thackray 2nd & Steve Longland 3rd. Locals will out!
1996 North Hill
North Hill put on a brave face but ‘not a vintage year’ comes to mind though some amazing performances were made in ‘grot’. The best weather was for the ‘fly home’ day on the last Sunday for those who were able to stay. Nick Gaunt (LS7) beat Jay Rebbeck (Ka6) into 2nd place but he was the very well earned ‘Best Wood’.
1995 Sutton Bank
Eight days out of 8 at Sutton Bank with every sort of soaring weather for a brilliant week! E.g. Nottingham in thermal and back by sea-breeze front & Newark by wave & back by thermal across the Humber. Justin won in his ‘Glass Slipper’ closely chased by Mike Brook, SHK, as ‘Best Wood’ including 718km one day!
1994 Colmar, France
Second French foray. To Colmar for 1500′ thermal tops forcing us to point cameras upwards for TP’s on top of hills & unlandable vineyards all around. Moved 300km W. to Troyes to flat land but still ‘inverted’. Nuclear power came to our rescue! Nick Gaunt (LS7) won, Gerry Martin (O.Cirrus) 2nd, Bill Longstaff 3rd & ‘Best Wood’ in his Dart.
1993 North Hill
A mixed bag with low cloudbases at North Hill in which we flew 7 out of 8 days and sent everyone to the coast on one of them. The initial reaction of ‘water and gliders don’t mix’ quickly changed to delight at having flown along the cliffs. John Cadman/Tim Harrison won with Damien le Roux and Gerry Martin in hot pursuit.
1992 Sutton Bank
More English weather, 4 days at Sutton Bank, headed by Justin Wills, LS6. Damien le Roux, Ka6CR, was second and ‘Best Wood’. An autumn ‘extra’ at Denbigh, organised & won by Rod Witter, got 2 more days in.
1991 Aboyne
Hot, sunny, easterlies at Aboyne with an inversion below the mountain tops meant that only experienced ‘Rock Polishers’ could make the distances. John Bally, Nimbus 3, won substantially, with a tie of the ‘Vegas’ of Justin Wills/Mike Pope & Dave White for 2nd. Tony Smallwood was again ‘Best Wood’ in the Gull 1.
1990 North Hill
‘English summer’ weather at North Hill provided only 4 days but some good distances were flown. Dave Reilly, harking back to 1976, triumphed in the Libelle over John Bally with Chris Nicholas, in the ‘Best Wood’ Ka6E, third.
1989 Le Blanc in France
First foreign foray – Le Blanc in France. John Bally won and a rest day was ‘allowed’ for crews to get their Diamonds! Chris Nicholas, Ka6E, was ‘Best Wood’ and 4th overall. 37,219 kms & many, many, hours of flying by 20 gliders.
1988 North Hill
Back to ‘home’ at North Hill and 11,457 kms flown. Justin won, in his LS6, with Tony Moulang et al (K13) again ‘Best Wood’.
1987 Aboyne
Aboyne did it again with 8 soaring days out of 8. Justin Wills won with Chris Nicholas, Ka6E, not far behind and “Best Wood”.
1986 North Hill
North Hill. An incredible 22,000 kms flown on only 4 competition days. Tony Maitland won for the second time.
1985 Sutton Bank
Enterprise at Sutton Bank. John Cadman won in spite of his engine and John Bally just managed the supermarket at Boulogne!
1984 North Hill
North Hill gave a week of excellent thermals. John Bally won in his ASW 20FL and flew 2173 km in 29 hrs 39 minutes, an ‘Enterprise’ record.
1983 Aboyne
Aboyne was the new venue and provided plenty of wave and enjoyment. Colin Cruse, Nimbus 2c won with Paul Griffiths and Alan Clarke second in their Astir.
1982 North Hill
North Hill was in fairly benign mood. Chris Simpson flew his ASW20L to victory. Lemmy Tanner was second with Ron Perry, third and ‘Best Wood’ in his Skylark 4.
1981 Shobdon
Shobdon for the second time. John Cadman won in his Mosquito; Norman Smith was ‘Best Wooden Ship’.
1980 North Hill
Back to North Hill. Chris Simpson won, hotly pursued by Tony Maitland and Justin Wills.
1979 Shobdon
Enterprise was held at Shobdon – the first away match! It was won by Tony Moulang. Tony Smallwood was awarded ‘Best Wooden Ship’ in his Gull 1.
1978 North Hill
Justin Wills won again this year with Ken Wilkinson second in his Kestrel. Tony Maitland was third. The weather was greatly improved from the previous year. A good time was had by all.
1977 North Hill
At last the Wills monopoly of top position was broken and the first prize went to Tony Maitland in his Diamant, Paul Richer was ‘Best Wooden Ship’ in his Ka6. This was a really bad year for weather with only 2 days competition.
1976 North Hill
Once again Justin Wills won in his Std. Libelle demonstrating his remarkable consistency. A special prize for Top Wooden Ship and another for top local pilot went to Dave Reilly in his Skylark 4. John Fielden set a cross-channel task and Mike Carlton & Bill Scull set off for France in Mikes’ Calif but had to turn back when Bill Scull pointed out that the water was getting close and he couldn’t swim!! Maurice Clarke had an ‘enterprising’ retrieve when he landed on a sloping shingle beach at Branscombe much to the surprise of a lone walker.
1975 North Hill
Justin Wills in the Std. Libelle won again. Maurice Clarke won a special award for ‘Top Wooden Ship’ in his Ka6 whilst Tony Smallwood won another special prize for his performance in the Gull 1.
1974 North Hill
The First Competition Enterprise, North Hill, Devon – home of the Devon & Somerset G.C. and home for C.E. for several years. Justin Wills notched up the first of his Enterprise wins in his Std. Libelle. In League 2 (‘Wooden Nails’,< Skylark3), Guy Gothard and friends came first in a T21 and Tony Smallwood was second in the Gull 1.
We had six days flying, covering 27, 892kms from Nympsfield to the Welsh hills and coastline, to Ely in the east, Dover on the Channel and places south west of Devizes. Some climbed to over 9000ft, explored the clouds and wave, found convergence and good thermals. Some found fields, others gliding clubs or small airfields, but most found their way home. The longest aero tow was 360kms and the latest retrieve, after rounding Dover, was Steve Eyles and Mike Oakley in the club DG500, with Justin getting home at 01.30hrs. We think that we have a record breaking flight, with the longest competition O/R ever set and completed in the UK, by Trevor Stuart at 572kms.
Winners;
Enterprise Challenge Trophy for the competition winner: Dave Masson
John Cadman Trophy for the most Enterprising flight: Ken Barker
Blunt Nails Trophy for best placed low performance glider: Philippa Roberts
Sam Witter Trophy for best performance after an engine start: Tony Maitland & Phil / Diana King
And here's how it unfolded;
Friday 27th: no flying yet, but enjoy the booking in drinks!
Saturday 28th: opening at 0930.
Saturday turned out not to be a scoring day, but with true spirit, one enterprising pilot narrowly missed a gold height climb in a cb.
Sunday 29th: This was one of the days when imaginative task setting was all: The Pilgrim’s Way. A list of turning points along or near the south coast following a strip of good weather – go to a tp and return, or several t/p’s. The winner turned near Dover, and in so doing made the longest out and return ever in any UK competition.. The day was won by Trevor Stuart to Dover with 572 km, making extensive use of the sea breezes..
Monday 30th: A day with a very uncertain forecast. The task was to make out and returns in any or all of the 4 quadrants of the Compass Rose, with bonuses for doing more than one sector. The winner was Tim Macfadyen with 382km.
Tuesday 1 July: Dave Mason went for possibly the best day of the year with a very good strip of weather in the south and east midlands. Being ambitious, a task was set with turning points every 50k or so to Ely and a similar set put to Haverfordwest. Nympesfield, Ely Harry west is 750k. The majority of pilots took the easy way and went in the general direction of East Anglia, where the conditions were good, nice with pretty views. The problem was the return! The more thoughtful pilots went home a round about route, but a number tried to get back in a straight line – mostly failing! Nick Gaunt, a perverse Yorkshireman wen the other way, to Camarthen and back. Out met man tried to live up to his forecast and did Ely & Brecon. A very enjoyable day with its challenges. The winner was Rodney Witter who went to Ely and then on Camarthen, slightly regretting no trying Haverfordwest, but in the event lost his nerve 20 km out and started the engine for a total 624 km.
Wednesday July 2, day 4, At Catherine Wheel task, based on a quadrilateral on Bromyard, Pershore and Swindon, with the option of out and returns from each t/p, fitting the task between 2 shslfs of high cloud. The north west sector proved difficult under the cirrus. Some collected a few km from Pershore, but a greater distance was available from Swindon whence the less thoughtful pilots went SE towards Lasham, where the conditions were good. In the event, the day was won by Dave Masson with a distance of 459 km, flown to the NE of Swindon, giving a longer distance available without running into the Sea air.
Running results:
At Day 4: 1st Dave Masson, then: Trevor Stuart, Paul Rice and Gedes Chalmers, all running close. All to play for on Days 5 & 6!
Thursday July 5th - day 5:
Another day requiring exact forecasting! A narrow strip of soarable weather forecast oriented 060/240 to the SE of Nympesfield. The task set was to fly to within a circle centered on Melkesham and the out & returns in either direction along a funnel 30 degrees wide on the axis of the weather. At midday the good weather looked just out of reach to the South. by about 2 Liam in the K6 was coerced into taking a launch, shaming everyone else into having a go. Most landed out or back by teatime, except one who was last heard of by the writer near Dunstable, Dave Masson landing at Membury and Mr & Mrs King in their Duo landing after 6 having been to Radstock and Hungerford, having the advantage of an engine to retrieve. Rodney Witter, being an independent sort, disregarded all instructions and climbed to over 8000 ft in wave over south Herefordshire.
The winner for the day was Tim Macfadyen with 194km, 2nd was Trevor Stuart with 223 km. Ken Barker was third, having been to Gransden Lodge and back to Dunstable for an aerotow retrieve which led to a wave flight!
Friday 4th July was a rest day, brought out by weather. The annual Enterprise Club Meeting was held.
Saturday 5th July - day 7 A task was set in Ever Decreasing Circles: out to a radius of a multiple of 20 km and return, with the option of making a further out & return to 20 km less. The day delayed itself as the weather took its time clearing, but everyone launched under severe penalties if not completed by 6 and scores in by 6.30. A question arose if the scorer had an unfair advantage in that he automatically had received his score card, no matter when he finished! Ken Barker won with 160km.
The landing time was set to enable all, including the scorer to be at the closing prize giving and party. Justin Wills announced the prizes and awards, and Ken Barker on his clarinet played us out at the end.
Final results are below. Nearly 28,000 km flown in gliders ranging from the mighty K6, Cirrus and ASW 15s up to JS1s and an Arcus. And that's what Enterprise is all about, maximising the day whatever you are flying!
2013 North Hill
In 2013, Enterprise headed back to North Hill, home of the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club. Here's what happened, in the words of first-time Enterpriser, 17 year old Liam Vile.
My First Comp.
Competition Enterprise coming home to North Hill for it’s 40th Birthday which coincided with DSGC’s 60th anniversary, set the stage for my introduction into the world of gliding competitions. This was quite a leap for me, as I had only completed the final leg of my silver badge a month before the comp. was due to start, and up until then had only done a handful of short cross-country trips with one single land-out after my silver distance flight. I probably should mention at this stage, that I am 17 years old and I have been very fortunate to benefit from the generosity and support of the Ian Beckett Fund and the Friends of HEB, - a small group of people at Devon and Somerset Gliding Club, led by John Burrow who allows his Ka6 HEB to be flown by our club’s juniors for free. This was to be my hot ship for the comp.
Friday night saw the arrival of the majority of the competitors with a welcome supper laid on and the packed clubhouse was buzzing with the excitement of what the week would bring.
Saturday.
The task: ‘The Point of No Return’, was to fly as far as you can away from North Hill and get back. One point awarded for every km flown out and two points for every km flown back with a 50-point bonus for getting home.
The weather forecast was not great for the southwest. We expected a lowish cloud base and the threat of top cover, but with the prediction of slightly better conditions being a possibility to the east. I was offered the back seat in 94, Bob Bromwich’s DG500MB, which I gladly accepted, thinking that the experience would be worth more than a few of my own points. The conditions were difficult with very broken climbs and a low cloud base, with the usual wave interference around the M5 motorway. The clouds ran out around Yeovil where most competitors turned back. Bob however set off on a long glide for the clouds in the distance and the gamble paid off as we were able to work our way north-east turning Honeybourne near Evesham in Worcestershire. We made our way back as far as Nympsfield, before having to fire up the iron thermal to eventually get home at about 7pm and nab 2nd place. Trevor Stuart had also jumped the gap from Yeovil and pulling out a low save, continued east to Ducton near Parham before turning for home and running out of day near Shaftesbury clocking up a very impressive 291km to win the day.
Sunday
Cloud base was a massive 1500’ above North Hill and by 1 o’clock there was no improvement so the day was scrubbed.
Monday
The forecast suggested that a convergence might set up along the South coast, but with some uncertainty of the timing of it’s inland progression, the task setters came into their own and dreamt up the ‘Beaded Breeze’. Ten turnpoints in two lines between Whiddon Down and Salisbury, which could each be turned once and in any order, with the option of including North Hill in-between to rack up more distance. This made for some interesting tactical decisions and I decided to try and just reach as many turnpoints as I could. The convergence did set up, albeit with a base of only 2000’ above North Hill, so after turning Tiverton and Chard, I headed for Axminster which by now was in sea air resulting in my second field landing. The one thing that did cheer me up from my field was the sound of a turbo firing up its engine overhead. Matt Wright in his ASW24 won the day covering 350km and collecting 8 turnpoints with Andrew Cluskey 2nd doing 353km but only 6 turnpoints in his ASW28-18T.
Tuesday.
Lots of rain and no flying - so to the wet weather program of talks and a visit to the University of Wyoming’s meteorological research aircraft, a tooled up Beach King Air, based at Exeter Airport investigating extreme convective precipitation events, Yes in the UK!
Wednesday
Jill Harmer our comp met decoder convinced the task setters that there was a good possibility for wave today and the task was devised to take advantage of this option especially as the wind was going to be strong and cloud base was not expected to be very high. ‘The Compass Rose’ was set, centred on TIE, fly out and back into each of the four quadrants divided by the North-South and East-West axes. Bonus points would be awarded for each 100 feet achieved above 2000’.
Waiting for the cloud base to improve, launching finally started at 16:00 by which time the cloud base had crept up to a whopping 1700’ above North Hill. Five gliders managed to find and connect with the wave over TIE with some achieving the base of the FL65 airway. I however, spent so much time focusing on getting into it that I ended up very low and after a marginal climb I managed to just squeak around Tiverton East. Then giving up in the hunt for wave, I decided to head off downwind as far as I could go. I don't think I ever managed to get more than 1800' AGL and eventually ran out of height just before I ran out of land at Weymouth and arrived in my next field, a beauty - overlooking Chesil Beach, and coming fourth for the day. The winners were Phil and Diana King in Duo Discus DD2. They managed to get into the wave and flew short O/R's into all 4 sectors. It was a day where the nature of Competition Enterprise came clear to me, make the most out of the day and just have a go. The achievements are often greater than the expectation on the grid. I’m not sure that, if at a normal comp, we would have even flown or that the grins would have been quite so cheesy!
Thursday
The cloud base was far too low even for an Enterprise task, so the day was scrubbed. But wasn't completely wasted, the conditions improved later in the afternoon and crew flying continued till late in the evening, but the highlight of the day was the return of the Eagle BBB that was recommissioned after 11 years of languishing in a trailer.
Friday
The day had looked to be the best for the whole week and the reality didn't disappoint. The task 'Some days are Diamonds' set a range of turnpoints in a line out to the north east of North Hill to cover the various performance of gliders (and expertise of the pilots), The Park, Avebury, Wantage, Newport Pagnell and Grafham Water. Points were awarded for the distance travelled and for each TP reached. The conditions weren't easy, with many people struggling low down soon after setting off. It had been forecast to turn blue to the east of The Park where the climbs were scarce and not especially strong. I had declared my first 300km, Wantage O/R and was expecting to end up in a field but thought, “What the hell, if you don’t at least set off on a 300 you will never do one!” So with little confidence I set out and actually made it to Wantage fairly easily, but it had taken so long getting there that the conditions were really deteriorating. The return flight consisted of many low saves guided by a single line of unreliable clouds which stretched down the south west peninsula and I ended up in a field, a stone’s throw from North Hill. No bonus points for getting back then, but I managed to cross the declared start/finish line, so got my Gold distance and Diamond goal instead, and the Ka6 shared third place with Ron Johns in his ASH25 711. My grin was so cheesy the top of my head was in danger of falling off!
The winner of the day was Trevor Stuart in his ASW27 621 who turned Grafham Water and made it most of the way back scoring a distance of 505km, Ron Johns in the ASH25 made it to Newport Pagnell and back for around 400km. Trevor commented that his average climb rate for the whole flight was just 1.5kts.
Saturday
The High pressure was stabilising out on the SW peninsula, and there was a wish to get all the competitors home early for scoring before the prize-giving and Anniversary party. The task was 'Ever Decreasing Circles' consisting of a series of out and returns to a set of concentric rings round North Hill at 20km, 40km, 60km and 80km. A time limit of finishing within 3 hours of start or before 5pm was also stipulated. The longest flight was 200km by Rory O’Conor in DG800B who won the day, followed by a bunch of 160km flights completed in the blue. I was tired after the long week and didn’t want to miss the Party so I turned back at the 40km ring. Due to logger problems, I wasn't scored on the full distance, the climbs were around 3-4 knots but with a blue sky and another 33C day, it was unpleasant to be in the cockpit. Oh and I landed out again!
The party started with a plaque being unveiled by Gillian Wills and Lisa Humphries (DSGC Chairman) which commemorates the founding of DSGC and the spirit of Enterprise. The awards ceremony saw Trevor Stuart winning The Enterprise Challenge Trophy and also the John Cadman Trophy for his most enterprising flight on the first day, Matt Wright was 2nd and Ron Johns 3rd. The Blunt Nails trophy for the best placed wooden glider went to Lemmy Tanner flying his Ka8, and the Sam Witter trophy went to Andrew Reid for his enterprising flight after using the turbo. I was awarded the John Fielden scholarship.
I really enjoyed the week and from the sound of all the laughing so did the rest of the competitors. I would like to thank not only the multitude of people that made it happen (led by Competition Director Justin Wills) and did such a fantastic job of it all, but also to the pilots that competed. Many new friends were made and it is a reminder of what a fantastic sport this is, with people of all generations and backgrounds coming together to share in the fun. It also showed the spirit of Competition Enterprise, despite the less than stellar conditions we flew 5 contest days and did far more flying than I expected.
I personally gained a lot in my own flying, finding myself being able to determine how to approach the task in a way that suited me, where speed wasn't necessarily key and where I could change the plan mid-flight to take advantage of the weather. From a relatively inexperienced cross-country pilot I would highly recommend giving Competition Enterprise a go, and I look forward to doing more next year at Nympsfield!
I’d like to thank all my friends and supporters for making my first competition achievable – (Junior Nationals next....)
Liam Vile (17) has been flying with Devon and Somerset Gliding Club since he was 13years old. He soloed on his 16th birthday and has been the most active of DSGC Junior pilots, completing his Silver in June this year and competing in Inter-Club league.
2012 Long Mynd
Midland Gliding Club was pleased to host Competition Enterprise in 2012 for the third time between June 30th and July 7th. 28 pilots were entered with 24 gliders ranging from a K6CR to a new JS1. The weather was not as kind as it might have been but we managed four task days out of eight.Day One (Saturday) started with a typical Enterprise task – two TPs making a 100k triangle but with the option for a free distance from any of the TPs to add to the distance points. Rory O’Connor finished first (DG 800B) with a distance of 112k, Justin Wills (Antares 18S) second with 26k and Andrew Cluskey (ASW 28) third with 20k.Day Two (Sunday) tasked the competitors to visit as many gliding clubs as possible and return to the Mynd. Justin Wills completed a total distance of 247k to finish first, Andrew Reed (Ventus BT) second with 190k and Mike Pope (Ventus 2CT) third with 140k.
It then rained fairly solidly until Day Three on Thursday when we tasked to collect the most TPs from a list that included Stone, Chirk, Vyrnwy, Leominster and Hinton-in-the-Hedges. Justin Wills won the day with 337k, Andrew Clusky second with 206k and Mike Greenwood (Duo Discus) third with 158k.
We all rested on Friday for a final push on Day Four, Saturday, when the field was charged with using any or all of the following turning points, in any order: Newtown, Welshpool North West, Shrewsbury West, Bridgnorth, Telford South West. The Mynd was also a turning point and any turning point could be revisited after having visited at least 2 other turning points previously. Justin Wills again finished first, Adrian Emck (Ka6CR) second and Mike Pope third.
Overall Justin Wills was Enterprise 2012 champion with 977 points beating Mike Pope (460) and Andrew Clusky (410).
2011 Sutton Bank
Competition Enterprise 2011 was held at Sutton Bank 2nd to 9th July with only 1 day scrubbed. Encouragingly, there were 9 new entrants (including 1 Junior) all promising to return next year when we go to Long Mynd. Final positions – 1st Justin Wills (Antares), 2nd David Masson (LS6) and 3rd Rod Witter and Mike Marshall (Duo Discus). Justin won on 4 days, including 605k, the biggest distance of the week, and on another more marginal day landed in Scotland via the North Sea, encouraged by bonuses to cross boarders and coast lines!First timer Helen Hingley won the John Cadman trophy, second timer Adrian Emck retained the Blunt Nails trophy and long timer Andrew Reid received the Sam Witter Trophy for the most enterprising flight after using the engine.
Friday 1st July
Excitement is rising as the weather today is proving very good for the start of the 37thCompetition Enterprise tomorrow. David Masson, last year’s winner and our weather guru, has flown over 500k whilst Justin Wills our president decided to fly up from Bidford but first going to Didcot then Carlisle! Steve Ball, first time entrant from Sutton Bank, declared and completed his 300k diamond.
Saturday 2nd July
The official opening has Moyra Johnson YGC president welcoming contestants to Sutton Bank on behalf of the Yorkshire Gliding Club and recounting her early years flying with Philip Wills from this very site in a Hols De Teufen in 1935 before going solo later that year. She then paid tribute to Chris Wills, Philip’s son, and who sadly died a few weeks ago. It was then appropriate for Justin, Chris’s brother, to formally open proceedings, noting how well the Enterprise spirit has endured since his father Philip instigated the competition back in 1974 and still attracting newcomers.
Briefing is now underway and David is promising good weather and saying we are in the best part of the country. Nick Gaunt and Bill Payton are setting the tasks and the 26 (still a few to arrive) entrants, are listening as Nick explain ‘A Spider on Speed’, a quadrilateral with an O/R from each turn point.
Day 1 – Spider on Speed
Quadrilateral:
Market Weighton, Pontefract, Masham and Sutton Bank
Fly quadrilateral in either direction with pilot selected out and return from any TPs (not including Sutton Bank)
Scoring: 1pt/km
10% of distance for completing task
10pts for MAS, PCT, MAW (once each)
Comp Bonuses: Out to sea: 50pts, E & W Coast in one day 150pts
Scotland or Wales: 50pts each
And what a day it turned out to be! 3 pilots headed for the east coast to claim the 50 points going out over the sea
Day 2 – 3 legged race:
There are 3 legs radiating from SUT1: SUT-YOR-SCU-GAI-NWK-RUT-KET
2: SUT-LEY-BAR-SNP-HEX-KIE-JED-MIL
3: SUT-PCT-CPH-ATW-TEL-MYN-MON
Go to any TP on a leg. Continue via SUT to any other TP on any leg not beyond previous TP on leg. Repeat as desired.
Scoring 1pt/km
Bonuses:10% of distance for landing back at SUT.
10pts for each TP turned.
50 pts for sea E or W. 150pts for both.
50pts for Wales, 50pts for Scotland, 150pts for both.
Day 3 – Cat’s Cradle:
MAL Malton, YOR York, WET Wetherby, PAT Pateley Bridge, KST Kirkby Stephen,
SKF Skelling Farm, ALO Alston, HBR Haydon Bridge, HEX Hexham, DER Derwent,
DUR Durham Cathedral, BRD Bradbury, GUI Guisborough, CAR Carlton, NRT Northallerton,
CTK Catterick, BAR Barnard Castle, SNP Staindrop,
Go to any TP. Continue to any other. Repeat as desired except that you may not return to the immediately preceding TP (no Yo-yoing).
Start 5km rad circle, all TP’s and finish 1km rad circles.
10 pts for the first visit to each TP (but can be visited again for distance).
1pt/km
Bonuses:10% of distance for landing back at SUT.
50 pts for sea E or W. 150pts for both.
50pts for Wales, 50pts for Scotland, 150pts for both.
Day 4: Bullseye:
There are a series of circles at 20k radius intervals from Sutton bank stretching to infinity.
Go to a point on a circle radius from SUT which is a multiple of 20 km. Go to a point on any other circle and you score the difference in the radii. 50 points for getting back to Sutton bank,
Day 5-Compass Rose
- Do (at least) 1 out and return from SUT, one turning point in each quadrant of the Compass rose. The sectors are centred on N, S, E and W.
Score is based on besr O/R in each area
Start and SUT TP 5 km rad circle
Finish 1kn circle
1pt per km
Bonuses: 50 points for landing back at SUT
50 points for sea E or W, 150 pts for both
50 pts for Wales or Scotland, 150 pts for both.
11.30 am. It’s raining, we are all drinking tea and waiting for a clearance.
Grid launched at 4 pm. A short soaring window, then Thai Curry Night enjoyed by all.
Day 6 – Four Leaf Clover
As yesterday but with the sectors centred NE, SE, SW and NW
points based on O/R in each area.
Big showers coming through, a few people flew at lunchtime, some landed out.
Clearance came through again at about 3pm, more launching, more landing out, several aerotow retrieves. Everyone back now.
Bob Bromwich won the day.
Friday 8th – Day 7
Weather isn’t looking good.
Enterprise meeting this morning 10.30 then rebrief at 12.30
Day Scrubbed
Saturday 9th – Day 8 – Another Spider
Uncertain weather forecast, possibility of some soaring this afternoon, rebrief later this morning.
Same idea as last Saturday, a triangle with turning points Tontin Inn, Ripon, Sutton on Forest, to be completed in either direction with out and returns from each turning point
start 5km rad circle, all TP’s and finish 1km rad circles.
10 pts per TP
1pt/km
Bonuses:10% of distance for landing back at SUT.
50 pts for sea E or W. 150pts for both.
50pts for Wales, 50pts for Scotland, 150pts for both.
Turned out nice again! Bob Bromwich arrived back at 7.30pm, scores are being calculated
Day results:
1. Justin Wills 260 kn
2. Jon Wand
3. Andrew Reid
4. David Masson
5. John Ellis
6.Rod Witter
Overall Results and Trophies 2011:
Sam Witter Trophy: (Best flight after starting an engine) Andrew Reid
John Cadman Trophy: (Most Enterprising Flight) Helen Hingley
Blunt Nails Trophy: (Best flight in a low performance glider) Adrian Emck in his K6E
Overall Placings
1.Justin Wills
2. David Mason
3. Rod Witter/ Mike Marshall
2010 Lasham
Our first visit to Lasham rewarded us with amazing conditions, a total of 45,569k an Enterprise record with one welcome rest day!. Justin Wills won 3 days so did local weatherman David Masson who managed 786k on a day rated by some as the best of the year with enterprising pilots going in all directions, from Bembridge, Ringmer and Parham in the south to Long Mynd and Talgarth to the west and Hus Bos to the north plus some went well into East Anglia. No one tried the cross channel task but in retrospect it could have been on. David was the overall winner just ahead of Justin with Bill Payton 3rd. The Blunt Nails and John Cadman trophies went to local Adrian Emck who managed over 500k in his K6e and landed on an island in the river Thames! The Enterprise Turbo Trophy for the most enterprising soaring flight after using the engine went to Tony Moulang.The following 2 articles were published in S & G Vol 61 no.6 Dec 2010/Jan 2011 and are accounts of 2 Competition Enterprise first-timers from Lasham. David Masson who won the week and Adrian who won the John Cadman trophy for most enterprising flight of the week and the Blunt Nails trophy for best wooden ship performance.
2009 Long Mynd.
We were blessed with 5 competition days out of 8 but there was some interesting flying on the other days too though often not starting until late in the afternoon. A field of 32 gliders stretched the MGC launch system but it managed to deliver 30 launches an hour. We flew over 17,000km in the week with Justin Wills achieving the longest flight ever from the Mynd of 837k to East Anglia eventually landing at Gransden Lodge. Other flights to Sutton Bank, Isle of Wight, Snowdon and the far reaches of Wales delighted all and we also managed to retrieve our plate from Camp Hill. Third overall was John Wand , second Rod Witter and Justin Wills took first place. The Cadman Trophy went to local pilot James Fisher for circumnavigating the Birmingham TMA. The Blunt Nails trophy for best young pilot went to Alex Ward in 323. The new trophy for the most enterprising flight in a turbo after an engine start went to Lindsay McLane.
2008 North Hill
The weather was not kind – with a low cloud base, torrential showers and a very brisk wind for most of the week. 35 gliders competed on 5 flying days in conditions that would not normally have seen any cross country flying. The first day, in typical Enterprise spirit, carried bonus points for flying over the sea and resulted in Nick Gaunt (2nd) and Martin Woolner (3rd) managing to claim Sea points by flying over the South and North coasts respectively! The day winner was Ron Johns who pretended to be a balloon until he identified a sea breeze front and used it to boost his score with bonus “into wind” points. This set the scene for the rest of the week and despite the challenging conditions over 9,400km were flown. The trophies were presented by Val Fielden to Lindsay McLane 1st, Ron Johns 2nd and the John Cadman Trophy and Simon Leeson and Mark Courtney (nicknamed the Dukes of Hazard in North Hill’s DG505) 3rd. Martin Woolner received the Blunt Nails trophy.
2007 Sutton Bank
A surprising 6 competition days out of 8 in a 2 month period dominated by appalling weather although 2 days were spent dodging cu nims and twisters. 300+km were achieved on the 1st 4 days, with Justin Wills excelling on day 3 with 625 km. The John Cadman trophy was won by local lad Lindsay McLane who, on day 1, was the only pilot to exceed 300km by switching from thermals and using the wave to 9,000ft. On the last day, wave was used on the 100 km ridge task giving speeds from 136 to 207kph!! Justin was the overall winner with Lindsay a very close 2nd and our weatherman Phil King 3rd. Novice Liam Watt (a recipient of the John Fielden Junior Scholarship) flying a Ka8, managed 189km, came 6th overall and won the Blunt Nails trophy.
2006 Aboyne
15 years to return to Aboyne but worth the wait. Flying every day, bar one, and very usable wave for the first 6 days (max 20,000ft). Good thermals then dominated with 7,000ft cloud base allowing memorable trips to Ben Nevis. Justin Wills and Rory O’Conor won 3 days each but Justin’s 663km just got him 1st place overall, with Rory’s 533km on the next day giving him a close 2nd and the John Cadman trophy. Our scorer Andrew Reid came 3rd and ‘Best Wood’ went to Stuart Naylor & Billy Fisher in Twin Astir (Fulmar)
2005 Long Mynd
The overall winner of the 8-day event was Phil King of Leamington Spa with Rory O’Conor of Yorkshire second and Justin Wills of New Zealand third. Jon Hall was the highest placed Mynd pilot at 8th. The Hill Aviation Services award for the best performance by young pilots went jointly to Sarah Platt of Craven Arms and Richard Billany of Burton-on-Trent, both Mynd pilots.
The total distance flown by all the gliders during the event was in excess of 30,000 kilometers.
2004 Aston Down
Saw the comp at Aston Down for the first time. The weather was flyable but most days were a struggle such that some extremely Enterprising flying was done. We were also dogged by airspace problems for the first time. As the only wooden glider Chris Nicholas’s Ka6e was inevitably again ‘Best Wood’ but the really sad thing is that he has now sold it and bought into glass! Paul Kite, Nimbus3, won over local boy Andreas Jelden a newcomer to the comp.
2003 Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank again and the weather was quite kind, giving us 6 contest days. Again 2 seaters 1st & 2nd and not “Big Wings” either. Mike Fox won with 2 A/c & 3 Co-pilots! DG500/Janus A & Steffi Frassl (Austria)/C.Tagg/Luke Roberts, followed by Justin Wills/Bob Starmer/Mike Pope in DuoDiscus. Chris Nicholas was “Best Wood” in K6e – the only wood entry this year!
2002 North Hill
Back to North Hill but sadly without John Fielden. Big wings/2 seaters led the way with Mick Wells ASH 25 1st just holding off Bob Starmer Duo Discus and Ron Johns ASH 25. Paul Kite won the John Cadman Trophy by visiting Lasham when they were grounded. Chris Nicholas again Best Wood in his Ka6E. We invited some Juniors who found the tasks challenging but their leader, Andy Perkins, had the last laugh by playing tennis with a nubile young lady shortly after landing out.
2001 North Hill
Total disaster! North Hill had to cancel because of the Foot and Mouth epidemic and so we moved to Sutton Bank. They then had to do the same! A much deserved tribute to John Fielden, long-term maestro and defender of Enterprise was held, much to his surprise. The weather offered wave then thermal enjoyed by a stalwart few, managing some cross country flying from Sutton Bank then Rufforth keeping outside the proscribed zones.
2000 Chauvigny
Chauvigny, in France. Enterprise made very welcome by the local club and 2 excellent days were enjoyed with flights up to 495 km (Jon Hart, Vega), 2 other mediocre competition days, but bad weather prevailed again. Alastair Macgregor, Discus BT won; Les Blows, LS3-17 2nd; and “Best Wood” Ron Davidson, SB5b.
1999 Feshiebridge
Feshiebridge, in the Cairngorm Mountains, for the first time. The weather was dreadful but 3 tasks achieved and some very enterprising flying. Won by Nick Gaunt, LS7 with Mike Wood 2nd. Chris Nicholas, Ka6E was “BestWood” and while not being able to fly far, found it extremely beautiful. Andy Anderson won the John Cadman Trophy, “Most Meritorious Flight”.
1998 North Hill
Lleweni Park gave way to a Silver Anniversary at the home of ‘Enterprise’, North Hill. Some very interesting flying, in low cloud conditions, including wave, convergence’s and low scrapes. Paul Kite won with Rod Witter 2nd. John Hart won the new ‘enterprise’ Silver Bowl with which we said a very sad farewell to John Cadman.
1997 Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank, and to quote an old Geordie song, ‘the rain it poored doon aal the day and made the groond quite muddy’. We didn’t fly ’til the Thursday but learned a lot about Yorkshire on the ground! Nick Gaunt won again with Stuart Thackray 2nd & Steve Longland 3rd. Locals will out!
1996 North Hill
North Hill put on a brave face but ‘not a vintage year’ comes to mind though some amazing performances were made in ‘grot’. The best weather was for the ‘fly home’ day on the last Sunday for those who were able to stay. Nick Gaunt (LS7) beat Jay Rebbeck (Ka6) into 2nd place but he was the very well earned ‘Best Wood’.
1995 Sutton Bank
Eight days out of 8 at Sutton Bank with every sort of soaring weather for a brilliant week! E.g. Nottingham in thermal and back by sea-breeze front & Newark by wave & back by thermal across the Humber. Justin won in his ‘Glass Slipper’ closely chased by Mike Brook, SHK, as ‘Best Wood’ including 718km one day!
1994 Colmar, France
Second French foray. To Colmar for 1500′ thermal tops forcing us to point cameras upwards for TP’s on top of hills & unlandable vineyards all around. Moved 300km W. to Troyes to flat land but still ‘inverted’. Nuclear power came to our rescue! Nick Gaunt (LS7) won, Gerry Martin (O.Cirrus) 2nd, Bill Longstaff 3rd & ‘Best Wood’ in his Dart.
1993 North Hill
A mixed bag with low cloudbases at North Hill in which we flew 7 out of 8 days and sent everyone to the coast on one of them. The initial reaction of ‘water and gliders don’t mix’ quickly changed to delight at having flown along the cliffs. John Cadman/Tim Harrison won with Damien le Roux and Gerry Martin in hot pursuit.
1992 Sutton Bank
More English weather, 4 days at Sutton Bank, headed by Justin Wills, LS6. Damien le Roux, Ka6CR, was second and ‘Best Wood’. An autumn ‘extra’ at Denbigh, organised & won by Rod Witter, got 2 more days in.
1991 Aboyne
Hot, sunny, easterlies at Aboyne with an inversion below the mountain tops meant that only experienced ‘Rock Polishers’ could make the distances. John Bally, Nimbus 3, won substantially, with a tie of the ‘Vegas’ of Justin Wills/Mike Pope & Dave White for 2nd. Tony Smallwood was again ‘Best Wood’ in the Gull 1.
1990 North Hill
‘English summer’ weather at North Hill provided only 4 days but some good distances were flown. Dave Reilly, harking back to 1976, triumphed in the Libelle over John Bally with Chris Nicholas, in the ‘Best Wood’ Ka6E, third.
1989 Le Blanc in France
First foreign foray – Le Blanc in France. John Bally won and a rest day was ‘allowed’ for crews to get their Diamonds! Chris Nicholas, Ka6E, was ‘Best Wood’ and 4th overall. 37,219 kms & many, many, hours of flying by 20 gliders.
1988 North Hill
Back to ‘home’ at North Hill and 11,457 kms flown. Justin won, in his LS6, with Tony Moulang et al (K13) again ‘Best Wood’.
1987 Aboyne
Aboyne did it again with 8 soaring days out of 8. Justin Wills won with Chris Nicholas, Ka6E, not far behind and “Best Wood”.
1986 North Hill
North Hill. An incredible 22,000 kms flown on only 4 competition days. Tony Maitland won for the second time.
1985 Sutton Bank
Enterprise at Sutton Bank. John Cadman won in spite of his engine and John Bally just managed the supermarket at Boulogne!
1984 North Hill
North Hill gave a week of excellent thermals. John Bally won in his ASW 20FL and flew 2173 km in 29 hrs 39 minutes, an ‘Enterprise’ record.
1983 Aboyne
Aboyne was the new venue and provided plenty of wave and enjoyment. Colin Cruse, Nimbus 2c won with Paul Griffiths and Alan Clarke second in their Astir.
1982 North Hill
North Hill was in fairly benign mood. Chris Simpson flew his ASW20L to victory. Lemmy Tanner was second with Ron Perry, third and ‘Best Wood’ in his Skylark 4.
1981 Shobdon
Shobdon for the second time. John Cadman won in his Mosquito; Norman Smith was ‘Best Wooden Ship’.
1980 North Hill
Back to North Hill. Chris Simpson won, hotly pursued by Tony Maitland and Justin Wills.
1979 Shobdon
Enterprise was held at Shobdon – the first away match! It was won by Tony Moulang. Tony Smallwood was awarded ‘Best Wooden Ship’ in his Gull 1.
1978 North Hill
Justin Wills won again this year with Ken Wilkinson second in his Kestrel. Tony Maitland was third. The weather was greatly improved from the previous year. A good time was had by all.
1977 North Hill
At last the Wills monopoly of top position was broken and the first prize went to Tony Maitland in his Diamant, Paul Richer was ‘Best Wooden Ship’ in his Ka6. This was a really bad year for weather with only 2 days competition.
1976 North Hill
Once again Justin Wills won in his Std. Libelle demonstrating his remarkable consistency. A special prize for Top Wooden Ship and another for top local pilot went to Dave Reilly in his Skylark 4. John Fielden set a cross-channel task and Mike Carlton & Bill Scull set off for France in Mikes’ Calif but had to turn back when Bill Scull pointed out that the water was getting close and he couldn’t swim!! Maurice Clarke had an ‘enterprising’ retrieve when he landed on a sloping shingle beach at Branscombe much to the surprise of a lone walker.
1975 North Hill
Justin Wills in the Std. Libelle won again. Maurice Clarke won a special award for ‘Top Wooden Ship’ in his Ka6 whilst Tony Smallwood won another special prize for his performance in the Gull 1.
1974 North Hill
The First Competition Enterprise, North Hill, Devon – home of the Devon & Somerset G.C. and home for C.E. for several years. Justin Wills notched up the first of his Enterprise wins in his Std. Libelle. In League 2 (‘Wooden Nails’,< Skylark3), Guy Gothard and friends came first in a T21 and Tony Smallwood was second in the Gull 1.
