BCC or run our own comp?

[brian day]

I've heard on the jungle drums that the Dales and the Cumbrians are not entering the BCC. This will mean that we will have to travel huge distances to compete in the rounds down south.
The other option, if there is enough interest would be to run a similar style comp for Northern clubs.
If The Dales, Cumbrians, George Caley, North Yorks, Borders and NHPC ran one comp each, that would be a good season.
Before asking the other clubs, would people like to indicate if there is an interest within our club. If so I will get the ball rolling.

[colin keightley]

I would be game.

[RichardC]

Brian,

I captained the NYSC team last year, badly! Didn't get to any rounds at which people flew

However, after the chaos at eyam edge and the tragic events at last years final I feel the BCC has somehow transformed into a serious XC contest for sky gods without the level of organisation required for that type of comp. What happened to the friendly introduction to comp flying it was supposed to be?

I will put something on our website to get views but I for one would like to get back to a friendly comp for lower airtime pilots who want to try comp flying without too much pressure. Plus us northerners have a much better time together

[RonDon]

That sounds good sense to me Brian. I am up for that. RonDon

[gary stenhouse]

sounds good too me and always a good excuse to do some weekends flying

[John Wallis]

Yeah why not sounds good to me it'll probably be more fun against our local clubs anyway

[Chris L]

Sounds great Brian, well up for it

[AlastairW]

Whilst on my travels I have met with a number of members of Southern clubs, including a couple from Avon and South Wales clubs, and got chatting to them about the BCC, the organisation of it, the rule changes last year, and matters generally.

I think we are far better out of it.

An inter club Northern Comp would be an excellent idea. I am certainly happy to take part!

[Aeros]

I'm only speaking for myself here but ...... I know being a Dales committee member that they will certainly not be entering. The CSC unlikely .... certainly I won't be doing it.

I think we could have a really fun do ourselves and with a little organising we could have a great time weather willing. I'll willing do anything to help get it together.

[brian day]

There seems to be a little interest and when the rest of the members come out of hybernation no doubt they will ask why they havn't been included.
I will put something together and officially ask the other clubs if they are interested and if they will run a comp.
I get the feeling that it could be a great social and flying experience for all.

[John Wallis]

And not to forget Brian all the local clubs have a link on the NHPC XC league to upload their flights. Dales N Yorks Cayley and Cumbria are all active maybe they aren't aware.

Sounds like the makings of a few great social weekends

[brian day]

Well the invites are on there way to Cumbria, The Dales (Ed is taking it to the committee meeting tonight), North Yorks, George Cayley, Lanarkshire, SMPC (Misks' mob who have said yes but are already making lame excuses for being disorganised, but I'm sure I can rely on him!) and Wingbeat.
I have stressed that this is a very relaxed type of comp aimed at pilots new to competitions with the emphasis on learning and socialising. Hopefully it may turn out to make a great season for us all.

PS HELP!!!!!!!!

[John Wallis]

http://www.nhpc.org.uk/nhpc/viewtopic.p ... hlight=bcc

Does anyone remember this thread and discussion about the BCC. There were new pilots who wanted to take part and there was quite a healthy debate. Reading below at what happened in the final shows how competition can bring out the best/worst/ in a pilot. It's worth reading again then reading the words below. If we can get some of the good guys from the northern clubs to host one or two day events setting tasks that most levels can take part in will be good for pilot development and good fun. For instance after I had just passed my paragliding course with Gordie we had an inter club comp Ed Cleasby (Aeros) set a task on Cross Fell to fly to Appleby. Just about everyone gave it a go including myself a few of the good guys made it a lot didn't but I can still remember how much fun we all had. Plus with it been along the ridge the retrieve was easy.

The sad side of competition below

Brian,

I captained the NYSC team last year, badly! Didn't get to any rounds at which people flew

However, after the chaos at eyam edge and the tragic events at last years final I feel the BCC has somehow transformed into a serious XC contest for sky gods without the level of organisation required for that type of comp. What happened to the friendly introduction to comp flying it was supposed to be?

I will put something on our website to get views but I for one would like to get back to a friendly comp for lower airtime pilots who want to try comp flying without too much pressure. Plus us northerners have a much better time together

The points I was making about competition and a mix of low/keen/intermediate/ airtime pilots in a club competition environment still stand (It can be a hostile sky even at this level) Looking after our own and bringing them on flying amongst friends is a good way to bring pilots on.

Your thoughts...........

[colin keightley]

I think having a trophy for our local clubs to compete for can only bring our clubs closer together bring on the parties

[brian day]

The sad side of competition below

It can be a hostile sky even at this level

These are the things I will strive to avoid, and no doubt will need help with and probably fail in, but I will try.

I would like the events to be social affairs, where families and friends can enjoy their weekends together in some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain.

[John Wallis]

These are the things I will strive to avoid, and no doubt will need help with and probably fail in, but I will try.

I would like the events to be social affairs, where families and friends can enjoy their weekends together in some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain.

Fail my arse! Sounds bloody marvelous

[gary stenhouse]

all sounds great to me and as long as theres flying and where having fun the rest will fall in place.

[brian day]

We are looking good for the Northern Club Comp with some very positive responces from both sides of the borders and Pennines.
Clubs are beginning to ask for more details. Anyone got any ideas?

[Aeros]

You got the ball rolling Brian .... I'll see if I can put something together and let you have it. Nothing flashy just the basic ethos and running arrangements .... so ... if anyone asks we are all singing (badly) from the same hymn sheet. Would you criticise, suggest or radically alter it and circulate as widely as possible. I do it with no club hat on.

My basic tenets are:

* sociable and enjoyable
* inclusive ... family, all grades of pilot
* safe .... fully briefed/ even buddying
* based around a good pub with food poss camping handy
* challenging tasks to suit all grades of pilot
* small contribution from each club to get a decent award we can use annually
* flexibility (if poss) to cope with the GBW
* no ties to be worn
* no singing of Queen songs

If anyone can add thing to this thread please do; I won't be doing this until next week ..... away to Oz 23rd Jan. So expect a silence ....

[colin keightley]

How about a name for it like

The camaraderie cup

[bill-scott]

wasnt there some kind of borders cup rose bowl type trophy thingy that
had drifted of into
the sands of time im sure I remember someone posting a picture of it a while back
or mybe I was just dreaming

[ron freeman]

I can remember trying to kick start at North of England Club comp 3 yrs ago, I emailed all of the clubs mentioned and got only one responce from N Yorks ! so good luck hope it comes off.

Bare in mind how many pilots are in each team ? quite a few of our sites can't take big numbers on the hill or parking..

[AlastairW]

* no singing of Queen songs

That was a truly brilliant night!

Especially the skinny dipping at 2am.

So you see, entering a comp like this is just the start of a long slippery slope into oblivion!

So lets try and be positive about it.

Which Northern sites would be suitable?

Model

Blease (possibly - but no low airtimers)

Clough

Cross Fell

So we then have sites that will work in most directions, apart from Easterly.

Each of these sites has camping potential, with the opportunity of a few beers on the Saturday evening!

Can I suggest that the organisation is arranged not by one club, but by all the clubs together, with one or two people from each club as part of the overall committee?

I am happy to help with this.

[brian day]

The idea I have put to the other clubs is that each club runs one comp. The club would be given a month in which to run the comp on the same standby system we have successfully used for the last 2 years for our club comp.
So far, I have a yes from Cumbria, Pennine and SMPC. Yes, but I've got to take it to the committee from N Yorks, George Cayley, LLSC and the Dales, with Wingbeat needing more deatils.
From the enthusiasm from the initial emails it seems that there will be a Northern Club Comp in some form this year.

Keep the ideas and offers of help flowing!!!

Ed, sounds exactly what we want, but with mandatory Queen song singing and skinny dipping!

[GlennP]

Amazing effort Brian!

To us new pilots the BCC was supposed to be an easy introduction to comps. That just wasn't the case in the last few years. False advertising or what.

If this Northern Club Comp comes off it will be a fantastic thing!

[brian day]

Quick update; Dales are in, Misk is struggling to whip up enthusiasm north of the border with SMPC. I'll try and get hold of Tommy today to get Wingbeat on board.
And who knows, we might even get flying tomorrow?

[brian day]

Well, we did get flying the next day and it was great fun! First real flight of the year!!!!!

Back to business, the Northern Club Comp.
Competing so far;
NHPC (that's us!)
Cumbria
Dales
George Cayley
Pennine
Lanarkshire

Still to hear from North Yorks
Wingbeat aren't going to compete, but will host a round if we get the format right.

No dates yet, we're waiting for the BPC to publish theirs so we don't get any clashes.
The Dales want to schedule their round to coincide with their bash.

The next move is to start to put together a format for the comps, team numbers, scoring systems, retrieve details. Ideas and help please, I'm getting out of my depth now!

[John Wallis]

What about 6 pilots per club 36 pilots per competition to be rotated at each event.

Keep the tasks simple like a relatively easy goal maybe with a turn point

A small triangle with one of the legs a little harder to reach but reachable.

A straight forward out and return

Best height gain in a given time period (vario download)

In light conditions the first to top land the summit of Cross Fell

The furthest upwind from the hill

The furthest downwind from the hill

Set six pilots off at one time and let them have an easy race

etc etc etc

[brian day]

Obviously the "Northern" was a bit of a teaser and it should really be called the "Can't Be Arsed To Travel Club Comp", having left out the 2 most northern clubs of Highland and Aberdeen.
However, on a more positive note, I see that there are 6 English clubs on the invite so maybe they ought to have their own series like the Scottish Nationals.
An interclub competition could then just be the one weekend. This could either be with a slightly flexible, weather-depending location / date or alternating between Scotland and England each year, so splitting the organisation.

Just knew I would upset some one!

Sounds a bit BCCish, north V south to me, but what do people think?

Dates are very tight to fit things in for the Scots though, see table below; (BPC are guesstimates not confirmed)

[John Wallis]

Keep it local Brian or you will run the risk of it getting too big. However it would be good fun to take on the Gay Jocks over a weekend we won't have much to beat Hello Bob Dunthorne hope you are still flying