2004 British Open Helicopter Championships

[Heliport]

2004 British Open Helicopter Championships

Heythrop Park Hotel, near Chipping Norton

Weekend of 6 - 8th August


The Championships will be run to World rules which can be downloaded here (http://www.fai.org/rotorcraft/documents/).

Heythrop Park is a Hotel, Golf & Country Club.
http://www.heythroppark.co.uk/images/pics/map/lrg.jpg

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.


Anyone competing?

Good opportunity for Rotorheads to meet up?

[Heliport]

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.

[Bravo 99 (AJB)]

Hi Heliport

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

Bravo 99 (AJB)

[Heliport]

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.

[md 600 driver]

i will be there see you then
not competing this year someone else can come last this time
steve

[Bravo 99 (AJB)]

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.

have a good weekend.

Sincerely

Andy

Bravo 99 (AJB)

[2Sticks]

The hotel have an allocation of rooms for HCGB members - Expensive but still some left.

[helidriver]

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.

The black tie do is infamous!

Look forward to meeting all who attend this year,

Regards, Helidriver :)

[AlanM]

Photographing the event.....

I work on 132.7 and 125.62 and spend some yime doing freelance photography.

Can I attend the event as a visitor, or speak to someone regarding press accreditation??

Cheers

Alan

[Heliport]

Can you attend as a visitor? :confused:

Of course you can attend as a visitor.
Anyone can attend.

The Championships are being held in the grounds of a large hotel complex which is open to anyone prepared to buy a drink or a sandwich at the hotel.

We'll arrange when and where Rotorheads can meet up nearer the time.
Sunday looks like the best day.


Heliport

[md 600 driver]

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

[AlanM]

md 600 driver...

I wish I were AlanMann!

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!!!)

Alan
132.7
125.62:cool:

[WhirlyGirl Sarah]

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!

Are any of you taking part?

WGS

[jerry712731]

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 :ok:

[md 600 driver]

i am off sat 10 am spare seat possible from tadcaster
steve

[AlanM]

Bugger - any spare seats form Blackbushe/Fairoaks area?

(Will do you some nice pictures!!!!!!!!!) :)

Alan

[jerry712731]

Will be driving up, and if anybody wants a lift.....
It is a shame that there is not a freestyle competion Frestyle Champion practising (http://libra-technology.co.uk/drkj2002.wmv)
If anybody has a spare seat :cool:
Just going to meet people :ok:

[md 600 driver]

sorry alan
maybe see you there leaving now shame as no one wanted the seats from this end
steve

[AlanM]

No worries - thanks for the kind offer.....

decided to drive on Sunday morning - any PPRUNERS around? (I will be the one wandering around with my SLR digicam!)

OH - AND WHAT TIME - AND WHAT FORMAT DOES THE SUNDAY COMPETITION TAKE???

[jerry712731]

Flying Starts at 10:15 until 13:00
Lunch
Flying Continues at 14:00 until 15:30

Slalom and Fender Rigging during both sessions

Hope this helps

[AlanM]

EXCELLENT

Thanks for that.

If anyone wants any pics of a particular aircraft let me know!!

[WhirlyGirl Sarah]

I'll be there tomorrow (Sunday) from about 11am, with my picnic basket!!

Hope to see some of you there. :-)

WGS

[ralphmalph]

Does anyone know how things went at the Helichamps this weekend?

Who came away with all the silver???

Thanks

Ralph

[AlanM]

I left at 1515L today and the Russian MI-2 looked slick!

Anyway - loads of pics:

http://www.pbase.com/image/32321754.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/32321286.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/32321290.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/32321377.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/32321460.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/32321322.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/32321323.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/32321712.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/32321758.jpg

More at: HCGB pictures (http://www.pbase.com/kbmphotography/hcgb)

Alan

[B47]

As first timers at the Championships we had a fantastic time and were very pleased with our performance scrapping with the military in the Open category.

Also very honoured to win the Concours d'elegance for our treasured 42 yr old Sioux.

More great pics of her competing at:

http://www.pbase.com/kbmphotography/gbfef>

[nigel f]

The B47 was immaculate, and more than deserved the Concours d'elegance, they sound great, and look so majestic flying.

There where pleanty of Gazelles, with good flying, but the Mil 2 team where very good.

[WhirlyGirl Sarah]

Had a great time spectating on Sunday!! Here are some of our pictures...

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4285964597
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4285963015&slideshow=1

WGS

[AlanM]

Nice pics Whirly Girl

[jerry712731]

Does anybody Know where they are going to be held next year as I understand that the UK is Hosting It ?

As a Resident on the South Coast, I would vote for Shoreham.
a) It is my nearest Airfield (Things I do to get free landing fees :O )
b) Accomodation is plentiful in Brighton.
c) Shoreham is expanding and would probably support the event and dare I say it, let it be hosted for a very reasonable fee (that's the free landing fees gone:{ ).
d) They have a popular Airshow each year which is well attended.
e) On Major Road and Rail Links

Lets get Support for Rotary Operations and make it interesting for the General Public.

Jerry

[cyclic_fondler]

Sorry Jerry but they've already made the decision to hold it at Kemble - 15th to 20th August.

[jerry712731]

A Nice Venue who have worked hard for Helicopters.
Now All I need is the Hours to Qualify and somehow get selected, but knowing my luck, I am too late for that too.....

[heedm]

I might be near there at the time. Has anyone got more info?

Matthew.

[Orange Arm Waver]

That is about all the information available at the moment... It's all I know and I'm working it!!!
I do understand that there is supposed to be about 35 teams with about 3 helicopters each - 105!!!!! - but I'd believe it when I see it cynical me...
OAW

[AlanM]

The website is under construction but here (http://www.whc2005.com/) for future reference.

[Bright-Ling]

Anyone know who won each prize?

[MadFor500s]

Yup the results are available at http://www.beanpix.com/gallery/heli/awards

The gallery also contains over 1000 photos covering the whole weekend

It gives a good feel for the event which I really enjoyed!

[Bright-Ling]

Excellent - thanks