Message from Dave Barber

To those of you who expressed an interest in the XC Development Weekend to be held at Airways on 22nd, 23rd February and anyone else who might be interested.
We’ve had a really positive response and are now in a position to take firm bookings. The £50 cost for the two day programme will include presentations and workshops from some of the country’s leading pilots, as well as a buffet lunch and refreshments on both days.
Further details including payment details and deadlines are included in the Booking Form linked below
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqI4zJNulKSXyA7bnQNF3VbfNJsAkxK-52ZP0JVlW7OenZkA/viewform?usp=sharing
Book early - places are limited and filling up quickly

The 2025 Hang Gliding World Championships will be held in Ager, Spain from the 13th to the 26th of July 2025.  The United Kingdom plans to send two full teams, six pilots in Class 1 and four pilots in Class 5.

Applications for places in the team were invited from competition pilots.  We received nine applications for Class 1 and five for Class 5.  Therefore a selection process was carried out in accordance with the rules in the Competition Panel's constitution: you can find those rules elsewhere on this website.  As always the discussion was detailed, lengthy and robustly-argued.  We offer our congratulations to the pilots who were selected, and our commiserations to those who were not.

The teams are as follows:

Class 1

Grant Crossingham
Dave Mathews
Gordon Rigg
Jeremy Soper
Steve Penfold
Darren Brown

Class 5

Tim King
Mike Armstrong
Stewart Reid
Nigel Bray

Reserves are Malcolm Brown (Class 1) and Neil Atkinson (Class 5)

Team Manager: Gary Hume

Sports Class Worlds in Laveno

The decision has also been taken to support a team at the Sports Class Worlds in Laveno, Italy (1st to 14th June). The panel will be requesting pilots to submit applications once the local rules have been issued and team sizes and qualification requirements are finalised.

Neil Atkinson
Competitions Panel Chairman

Message from Neil Atkinson

Following our very productive annual HG Comps Planning Meeting, as incoming Chair I would like to thank Oliver Moffat for his excellent work as Chairman over the last three years. While panel membership remains the same as last year, some roles have been changed, with Irene Carson taking over as Vice Chair and Dave Barber as Secretary (with assistance from Doug Neil).  
The full panel and their positions can be found here: https://hgcomps.uk/index.php/panel-members

Further information about our plans will follow.

Panel Members can be e-mailed using hgcompspanel@gmail.com with the relevant panel member name in the subject box, or contacted directly as appropriate.

Proposed Hang Gliding XC Skills Development Weekend

The Hang Gliding Comps Panel are proposing to run an XC Skills Development Weekend for those who would like to start flying XC, or those who have started on this journey but would welcome support and guidance.  If this is you, read on!

Target group?
This is aimed at competent hill pilots who have either not yet flown XC or lack confidence in XC flying.

What will the weekend involve?

• A structured programme of both classroom based activities and flying tasks (weather permitting). 
  • Flying tasks will each have a specific focus to address concerns of pilots with limited or no cross country experience and any identified in registration form.
  • Many of the skills required to fly XC successfully can be learned within reach of a site and where relevant we will take advantage of this. 
  • The ultimate goal is to instil the confidence and skills needed to leave the hill and with this in mind (depending on the weather), we may set very short XC tasks to predetermined landing fields which will be visited prior to the task.
• Numbers will be limited to allow individualised support

When?

Hopefully at the end of the season (late September or October).  Otherwise possibly early spring.  Possible dates included in the Registration Form.

Where?
Site and base is yet to be confirmed. We are currently looking at the Long Mynd area but this may change. 

Cost?

• Cost of the event will be kept to a minimum but there will be a charge to cover any venue costs and limited expenses.  
• Participants will be responsible for their own food, accommodation and transport for the weekend.  
• We will have a system in place to support retrieves with contributions from pilots using this.

I am interested - What do I need to do?

At this stage we need an indication of the numbers as well as geographical location, experience and availability of interested pilots.

If you would like to know more, please complete the Registration of Interest Form as soon as possible.

Completion of the form does not commit you to anything at this stage. If the event is oversubscribed, priority will be given to those who respond earliest.

Dave Barber: Pilot Development Coordinator 

BHPA Hang Gliding Competitions Panel

Please note the following files for BOS 3 are available for download from the CIVL Website:

• Waypoints files 
• Airspace Files
• BOS 3 Sites Information
• BOS 3 - Updated Retrieve System - Updated following trial of new approach at BOS 2.   Please read and return associated form as soon as possible. Relevant links also available below:
  BOS 3 RETRIEVE SYSTEM - UPDATED JUNE 2024. This document includes the BOS RETRIEVE RESOURCES FORM which you are asked to complete and return as soon as possible.

DEADLINES

• BOS 3 MEAL ORDER FORM - RETURN DEADLINE 2PM MONDAY 24 JUNE - BOS 3 MEAL INFO AND ORDER FORM
   
• CAMPSITE BOOKING CHECK - DEADLINE SUNDAY EVENING 23 JUNE
  Anyone planning to stay at the campsite must message Jon Sacre, either directly or via BOS Scurrilous, to confirm booking details and ETA  or to confirm needs if you have not yet booked.  The campsite are very busy this weekend and have asked that you do not phone them direct. 
  Jon is liaising with them first thing Monday morning.  It is very important that he has all the info needed. 

British Open Series: Round 3

This event which is open to all with a Club Pilot Rating or above follows close on the heels of a highly successful BOS 2 in Scotland which was enjoyed by pilots of all levels. 

The BOS 3 Meal: This will be held on Tuesday 2 July, Hundred House Inn.  Pre-orders essential by 2pm Monday 24 June using this form: BOS 3 Meal Order Form

Not registered for BOS?

If you are not registered for BOS 3 but would like to come along please check out the information on the CIVL Event website:  BOS 3 Event website
Information is also available in the hgcomps website: hgcomps.uk 2024 Information

If you do decide to come along to BOS 3 this year here are some links to help you get there:

Step by Step guide to registration:  Step by Step Guide to Registration

BOS Challenge Information – Alongside the competitions we run a  supported event for those with a BHPA Club Pilot Rating and for others not ready for or interested in competition. Find out more here: BOS Challenge

Retrieve Drivers welcome

If you are interested in coming along to see how it all works and are willing to do a bit of driving, we are always looking for drivers to support the event.  If you think this might be something you can help with please drop a line to hgcompspanel@gmail.com or send telegram to Jon Sacre.

BOS ROUND 3 - Sat 29 June - Wed 3 July - 5 Days

BOS 3 is coming up very soon. It follows a very successful Round 2 in Scotland, where everyone, from our best competition pilots, to low airtime Club Pilots in the BOS Challenge, left very happy. 

The BOS events are open to anyone with a Club Pilot rating and above and can provide a great learning opportunity for pilots at all levels.  If you have not been along to a BOS event before, maybe BOS 3 is the time to try. 

BASE: Fforest Fields Caravan Park (Near Builth Wells)

• All campsite bookings to be made directly on their website. 
  https://fforestfields.co.uk/#/
• While this is a large campsite, it can get booked up early, especially for weekends.  Early booking is recommended especially if you want Electric hookup.  The discounted rate up to 1 May is no longer available but please let them know when booking that you are part of the hang gliding event as they try to keep us together.

Further information here:  BOS 3 INFORMATION

I will be travelling home tomorrow, after which I will be posting more info as soon as possible, including waypoints files and Competition meal booking form (the deadline for ordering your meal is 2pm on Monday 24 June so WATCH THIS SPACE!

COMING SOON - BOS Round 1: Saturday 27 April - Wed 1 May - Crickhowell. South Wales

The BOS events are not only about competition, they are open to all pilots holding a BHPA Club Pilot Rating or higher as follows.

• The BOS Challenge is aimed at pilots holding a Club Pilot Rating as others with low currency looking for a bit of support.  We have secured the services of two BHPA Club Coaches for each round of the BOS this year.
• There are 3 competition classes for those holding a Pilot Rating or above:  Class 1, Class 5 and Club Class.

For more information check out the hgcomps website where links to all published information are available.  https://hgcomps.uk/books/02-bos-series-2024-information

If you are thinking about participating please register soon.  A detailed overview of all BOS 2024 Rounds, including links to the CIVL websites to register and a Newcomers Guide to Competitions is available here:  BOS 2024 - Detailed overview for all BOS Rounds

NEW INFORMATION NOW AVAILABLE

BOS 1 COMPETITION MEAL

• All meals must be pre-ordered by 6pm on Monday 22 April using this booking form.  BOS 1 Meal Booking Form
• The cost of the main meal for BOS 1 is included in the registration fee for all pilots who have registered and paid by 17 April. 
  Meals may be available for later registrations, but pilots must telegram or phone Irene Carson directly to request this.
• A discount on the cost of the meal is available for officials and retrieve drivers who are prepared to participate in the co-ordinated retrieve service on each flying day.

BOS 2024 COMPETITIONS RETRIEVE SYSTEM

The following information has been pulled together to help ensure smooth retrieves. Please take time to read this.   BOS 2024 COMPETITIONS RETRIEVE SYSTEM

BOS 2024 - T-SHIRTS
The T-shirts have already been ordered for confirmed pilot entries (apart from BOS Challenge) and are included in the cost of registration.  Later entrants will get a T-shirt with a later order. 
The following order form allows BOS Challenge pilots and others to order a BOS 2024 T-shirt.  The design and cost is included in the form.  BOS 2024 T-SHIRT ORDER FORM

TO FOLLOW:  Sites Information and Waypoints Files are currently being checked.  They will be published as soon as possible.

QUERIES? - Any queries contact hgcompspanel@gmail.com or Telegram to Irene Carson.

What's New?

• The HG Competitions Panel have done a lot of work to bring our documents and procedures up to date - and this work is ongoing.  Quite a lot has changed so you are advised to take  a look at the key documents at some point before turning up to an event.
• We have reorganised the website to make it easier to find what you need. 
  If you spot any broken links or have any queries, please drop an email to hgcompspanel@gmail.com (or message Irene directly)
• It is good to see a number of newcomers to our BOS events.  Welcome!!

Key documents now uploaded 

• https://hgcomps.uk/books/02-bos-series-2024-information
  The 2024 BOS info tab (above) has now been populated with the up to date documents as well as all previously published documents relating to the BOS Series. 
  The CIVL event website for each BOS Round also includes further information specific to that round.
   
• https://hgcomps.uk/books/05-bos-competitions-rules-scoring-na-bos-challenge:
  Section 5 includes key information about the competitions, including a document with additional information for Club Class.  This section is not relevant for BOS Challenge
   
• https://hgcomps.uk/books/07-bos-events-further-information
  Section 7 contains additional information including a document specifically written to support newcomers to competitions.  As some things have changed, this document could be of interest to others.

APPROACHING EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT DEADLINES

• Round 2 - Payment by 15 March
• Round 3 - Registration by 15 March, payment by 1 April.
  Full details included in the Pricing Structure document which can be found at
  https://hgcomps.uk/books/03-bos-2024-costs-payments-refunds