The Championships will be run to World rules which can be downloaded here.
Heythrop Park is a Hotel, Golf & Country Club.
Cheaper hotels/B&B's in the area.
By air: Enstone airfield is very nearby if you can't get permission to land at the hotel.
By road: (approx) London 1hr 20mins Birmingham 1hr 30mins Bristol 2hrs Oxford 30mins
I haven't yet seen this year's schedule but usually Sunday is the most interesting day for spectators because of the Precision Flying events. Competitors are away for much of Saturday doing the Navex. If anyone has this year's schedule, please post.
Note: The HCGB doesn't publicise the event because it doesn't want the general public turning up in large numbers. I don't regard people who use this specialist forum as the general public.
The Heythrop Park Hotel will remain open for business as usual throughout the Championships.
The Precision Flying competition is particularly enjoyable. It's interesting to watch PPL, commercial and military teams competing - sometimes with unexpected results! That will be held on the Sunday.
Note: I've just called the Hotel. All rooms are currently fully booked for that weekend (subject to any cancellations nearer the time) but the restaurants, bars and (extensive) grounds will be open to visitors as usual.
Its been a long time since i have been, but do they still do the black and white dinner on saterday evening it was always a good night out.
as you say though if all rooms are booked it jiggers it slightly but i presume there is hotels in the same location it would be good to visit the event again.. Sincerly
No idea about the Dinner, I'm not a member of the HCGB.
I've only ever gone for the one day but if you're thinking of staying overnight, there are lots of smaller (and much cheaper!) hotels and B&Bs near to Heythrop Park.
I would love to go but its all happening around about a Job start time and its weekends as well so i think i will have to give it a miss but its a fantastic weekend
but you can tell the last time i was there, there was a belgium team in a hughes/swietzer and well they where nuts to say the least.
the one thing it proved to me then and has always stuck in my mind since is precision beats hasty flying every time.
these guys threw this machine around and you would think that there time was fast then the guys in the gazelle did everything tidy and precise 90d turns on the spot etc and they knocked spots off the sloppy flying that although looked fast was when checked on time not.
I competed last year for the first time and had a great time, even brought back a little silver! The events are quite demanding testing a whole range of skills.
The spirit of the whole event is about meeting and talking to other like minded aviators not to mention those who are not fortunate enough to be able fly i.e. be loaded or in the military.
rather than upsetting any one there are lots of hcgb members on PPRuNe all of them can invite who they wish ,and were all heli junkies and like to meet other heli junkies
i am a member of the HCGB any one want to be my guest email me for details
its not a secret society and i dont think the organisers want to alienate non members i think its all to do with security and safety and to stop people watching me when i do it badly and co*k up the excercises see every one there lets arrange nearer the date
alan mann
the hcgb members take the atc from lhr flying and arrange a visit to the tower each year give them a ring or speak to the hcgb ans ask if your atc can be involved
steve
Last edited by md 600 driver; 11th Jun 2004 at 20:52.
Anyway - I was sadly working you guys when you did the HCGB jollies from Tring a few weeks back!!! (sadly as in Couldn't accept the kind offer of hospitality and sadly then had to work you all!!!)
Last year I talked to 4 or of 5 when you did the visit to LHR in the radar room.
As we can't get famil flights with airlines anymore (there are very few Thames controllers who have actually flown in and out of LCY/BIG). It would be good to get more time on the helilanes.
And if you know anyone with a spare seat heading towards the championships let me know!!!! - Am off and will have to drive down.
Cheers
(will do lots of piccies for my cabby for free!!!)
I fancy going along as a spectator on the Sunday - a few people I know are probably competing. I would have gone last year but was out of town. It would be a nice opportunity for a get-together!
I will be popping up by car, longish drive from Hastings but both of the Aircraft I have access to are in for maintenance. It would be nice to meet other HCGB members See you there
Will be driving up, and if anybody wants a lift..... It is a shame that there is not a freestyle competion Frestyle Champion practising If anybody has a spare seat Just going to meet people
