OUTLINE PLAN FOR 2023
For 2023 the BHPA Hang Gliding Competitions Panel (the Panel) will be running the following:
BRITISH OPEN SERIES - COMPETITIONS

Classes

• Class 1 (Flexwing Gliders)
• Class 5 (Rigid Wing Gliders)
• Club Class (Flexwings + other glider types accepted with a ‘handicap’). Note - Club Class is a separate but closely linked competition for less experienced competitors who do not feel ready to commit to national level competition

Competitions: 

• Individual BOS Rounds: 
  • For each of the above classes
  • Each round is scored separately
• The BOS Championship: 
  • For each of the above classes
  • Scored across all valid scoring tasks across all rounds in the Series
• The British Open: 
  • For Class 1 
  • Normally held in round 1

BRITISH OPEN SERIES - NON-COMPETITIVE EVENTS

NEW - BOS Challenge Weekends - non-competitive event

• For Club Pilots and above
• Supported by Coaches

NEW - End of Season Fly-in 

• 3 day Fly-in and Social Event
• For Club PIlots and above
• Supported by Coaches
• Additional BOS Scoring Days (if needed) will be held at this event.

For planning purposes you are asked to complete this Initial Expression of Interest Form as soon as possible. The initial return date of  6 March has been extended until 19 March to allow further information in advance of our next Panel Meeting on 21 March.  I

More detailed entry forms will be made available when all the information required has been confirmed.

OVERVIEW

The British Open Series (BOS) is a flexible, accessible and friendly series of UK based national competitions, for Flexwings (Class 1), Rigid Wings (Class 5) and Club Classes.  Club Class is designed for those pilots who wish to develop their skills, but are not yet ready to commit themselves fully to national level. You will find pilots from Club Class level right up to national squad level taking part in the British Open Series.

The BOS is totally UK based. Pilots can choose to enter one or more rounds, but do not have to commit themselves right from the start.  However, there is a surcharge for entries paid later than
1 May 2023 or for entering only a single round.

The Panel has made a number of changes to the format of events for 2023, but there will be no significant change to much of the format of the competitions for Class 1 and Class 5.  Its challenging race to goal tasks will still provide a highly competitive platform for experienced pilots to compete directly against others on the same task, on the same day, in the same conditions.  

The Club Class Competition will also run in 2023 with some changes to provide more flexibility for Club Class entrants.

For 2023 the British Open Series will consist of two separate BOS rounds which will each run for 5 days from a Saturday to the following Wednesday. 

Each BOS round is a separate competition in its own right, but together they comprise the overall series.  

New for 2023

BOS Challenge Weekends for Club Pilots (and above):  Alongside the BOS Competitions detailed below, the Panel are running BOS Challenge Weekends and an End of Season Fly-in to allow Club Pilots to participate, with support from a BHPA Coach. 

End of Season Fly-in:  For 2023, a non-competitive End of Season Fly-in and social event will also be organised for a long weekend (Saturday to Monday) in September.  Again this event will be supported by Club Coaches to allow Club Pilots to participate.

Additional Scoring Days: If too few valid scoring tasks have been achieved in the course of the two BOS Rounds, additional scoring days will be held on the Saturday and Sunday of the End of Season Fly-in. The Monday will not normally be used as an additional scoring day to avoid it being disadvantageous to pilots who cannot stay longer. 

BOS 2023: Location and Dates

BOS 1 and BOS 2 events for 2023 will run from the Saturday until the Wednesday, with free flying opportunities available for those who may wish to stay on for the full week.  

• BOS 1: Base - Yorkshire Dales - Streethead Caravan Site
           Competition Dates: Sat 10 June to Wed 14 June
           Challenge  Weekend: Sat 10 and Sun 11 June
   
• BOS 2: Base - Wales - Fforest Fields Caravan Site
           Competition Dates: Sat 1 July to Wed 5 July
           Challenge Weekend: Sat 1 and Sunday 2 July
   
• End of Season Fly-in: Base - Yorkshire Dales - Streethead Caravan Site 
            Fly-in Dates:  Sat 9 to Mon 11 September

Campsite Booking and Other Accommodation

• BOS23 Street Head Caravan Park:
  BOS 1  NOTE: Priority Booking Period for this site ends 15 MARCH - after this date contact campsite direct
  BOS FLY-IN - BOS has block booked the campsite and has priority booking until 21 May after which pitches will be available to the public. 
  Use the BOS END OF SEASON FLYIN - STREETHEAD CAMPSITE PRIORITY BOOKING FORM BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY ON 21 MAY to avoid disappointment if you are planning to stay at Street Head for the Fly-in.  This is especially important for caravans and camper vans.
  From 22 May, book directly with the campsite and use code 'BOS 23' for discount (include quotes if booking on website
   
• Fforest Fields Campsite information and booking: 
                   Book direct but early booking advised.
   
• For other accommodation nearby: You are advised to use the postcode for Streethead and Fforest Fields and look on accommodation search site e.g. Booking.com and Airbnb for options. You are recommended to contact providers directly for the best deals. 
   
• For other activities in the area: There are multiple visitor attractions in both areas for non-fliers or non-flying days. These are easily found on the Internet.  

Campsite Booking and Other Accommodation

STREET HEAD CARAVAN PARK

• BOS 1 - Priority Booking Period for BOS 1 has now ended. Further bookings should be made directly with the caravan park.  Use code 'BOS23' for discount (include quotes if booking on website).

• BOS FLY-IN - BOS has block booked the campsite and has priority booking until 21 May after which pitches will be available to the public. 
  Use the BOS END OF SEASON FLYIN - STREETHEAD CAMPSITE PRIORITY BOOKING FORM BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY ON 21 MAY to avoid disappointment if you are planning to stay at Street Head for the Fly-in.  This is especially important for caravans and camper vans.
  From 22 May, book directly with the campsite and use code 'BOS 23' for discount (include quotes if booking on website).

FFOREST FIELDS CAMPSITE

• Fforest Fields Campsite information and booking:
           Book direct but early booking advised.

OTHER ACCOMODATION NEARBY

• You are advised to use the postcode for Streethead and Fforest Fields and look on accommodation search site e.g. Booking.com and Airbnb for options. You are recommended to contact providers directly for the best deals. 

• For other activities in the area: There are multiple visitor attractions in both areas for non-fliers or non-flying days. These are easily found on the Internet.  

BOS CHALLENGE WEEKENDS/BOS FLY-IN:

REWARDS FOR COACHES

What we can offer on BOS Challenge Weekends and Fly-in for those with a Club Pilot rating, will ultimately depend on us being able to encourage some BHPA Club Coaches to support these events.

If you know of coaches who might be able to help, especially if they are local to the areas where we are holding the events, please tell them about these events and ask them to contact us for more information on hgcompspanel@gmail.com or complete the BOS23 Expression of Interest Form.

To show our appreciation of volunteer coaches, they will be given: 

• An agreed gratuity towards expenses - level to be agreed once a better estimate of numbers is known
• Some beers at the Saturday night campsite social gathering
• The same ‘freebies’ as BOS Competition entrants (e.g. T-shirt/Umbrella)
• Free entry to the BOS Championship for the remaining BOS days
• Free Tuesday Evening BOS Meal/Sunday Evening Fly-in Meal

While the BOS Competitions run from Saturday to Wednesday, the BOS Challenge will only run on Saturday and Sunday. 

While we do not think we have the capacity to provide support on any additional days, BOS Challenge entrants, with enough experience, are welcome to stay on for the remaining days to free fly, with the approval of the Meet Director, if the conditions and the competition sites are suitable.

Alternatively, they may wish to stay on to support the competitors as a retrieve driver for example.

COMMUNICATIONS

Email: The Panel email is hgcompspanel@gmail.com

Radios: Competition pilots are recommended to fly with a Radio.  Information about the safety channel will be provided at the initial briefing.

HG Comps Website - https://hgcomps.uk/ :Used by the  Panel to make announcements and share documents.  Key information  in advance of events will be posted here. Links to new posts on the website will also be posted on the BOS Official (Telegram) and British Hangies Facebook.
Limited Internet access means that the website is unlikely to be updated during events.

BOS Telegram Groups: The following Telegram Groups are used for BOS.

• BOS Official:  Posts should only be made by the Meet Director and organisers by others in to pass on urgent safety information.
• BOS Scurrilous: This group is available to all participants and supporters in any BOS event.
• BOS Pyramid Retrieve: For use by those opting into or supporting the Pyramid Retrieve system.
• BOS Challenge: To allow information sharing between BOS Challenge participants and Coaches

In the event of an accident or incident 

• In the event of a serious incident it is important to keep communication channels free for those involved in dealing with the incident.  
• The Meet Director will ensure a BHPA Incident Report is completed.  If you witnessed the incident please contact the Meet Director.
• Under no circumstances should anything about an incident be posted on Social Media.
• Media requests for information should be directed to Meet Director or the BHPA.

The name of anyone involved in an incident MUST NEVER BE SHARED on social media.  It is up to that person and/or their family to share such information if and when they choose.