Some years ago it was realized that there were too few Advanced Level trophies so, representing my own Cavendish Hotel (www.cavendish-hotel.net), I undertook to sponsor one. It is a bronze sculpture entitled “The Man by the Aid of his Aeroplane Overcomes the Attraction of the Earth”, and shows a man climbing onto a winged horse whilst the features of a woman emerging from a globe of the earth attempts to grasp the horse.  It was first contested in 2008, and as sponsor I am invited to act as CD for the event, to date always at Elvington.

Writing a CD’s report from Elvington inevitably incorporates some statistics: its runway is threequarters the length of Heathrow’s, but 10 mts wider, it has 30 mtr wide same length taxiways, it has a 3000sq ft pan which itself is larger than the whole of Fenland airfield, and it was listed as an emergency landing site for NASA’s Shuttles. Conversely comfort facilities are minimal: running water, facilitating flushing toilets, was this year’s innovation.

Historically Elvington has always been an important ADV/UNL event, often with high entries, hence operations Friday and Saturday with contingency Sunday, but because recent entries have been lower and Sunday less used (tho it was last year!), one suspects it might become a Saturday/Sunday event, which might itself increase entries: comment welcome!  

Thus at 1000hrs on Friday, Eric Marsh, as CD briefed 8 Advanced Level pilots (none at Unlimited). I had delegated a dedicated weather forecaster (new Chairman Steve Todd), who reported a clear but cold day, with wind from the northeast. This CD’s briefing includes a summary of the standard BAeA Risk Analysis, which included a belief that the surface below the Box was sterile, ie uninhabited, but Airfield Operator, Carl Bullock, warned that airfield contractors were working on urgent maintenance under the box: therefore the CD, in acordance with BAeA policy, consulted said contractors with an explanation of intended aerial activity and risk, who accepted said risk. The risk assesment was then amended accordingly. It might well be that, following Shoreham, such additional actions might be required.

Flight commenced at 1100 with the new-rules Free Known, and finished at 1300 to be followed by the first Unknown. All went well until Alan Cassidy declared an airborne technical: the wooden grip on the throttle control had separated from its mount. It was resolved (on the ground!) by relocating the wooden grip from the front cockpit.

The next several hours were spent in the time-consuming and therefore sometimes contentious process of pilots compiling the second Unknown. At least it delayed starting time at the pub, which is probably a good thing…

Saturday at 0900, and a first briefing for 6 Intermediate pilots, with met officer Steve Todd forecasting fine weather until soon after noon, when showers were forecast including – to some incredulity – snow…of which more later.

The first Intermediate took off around 1000, and the last landed about 90minutes later, with no reportable incidents. There then followed a longish break for Advanced pilots to learn their various sequences, with Alan Cassidy the first to go at 1315 and Mark Stewart the last at 1530. Between them however pilot Mike Collett found the forecast but unexpected snow at 4000ft in the form of ice on his tailplane, so landed, slightly shaken but otherwise unstirred. Fortuitously the wintry sun soon returned, allowing the first of the Intermediates to follow Mark and the last to land 1700ish, leaving Mike ample time to refly at Advanced in non-icing conditions.

As aforementioned sponsor of The Cavendish Hotel Trophy, I appointed myself to present the awards. In thanking all for their contribution to the success of the event, notable as ever were the judges, a team led by CJ Ian Scott and including judges Nick Buckenham and Steve Todd, plus newcomer Adrian Cornwall from Chesterfield  (initially a spectator!), Martin Sandford, a former pilot member, and gliderman Stephen Hardy from Dunstable. I made special mention too of the pilots who, it must be re-iterated, sacrifice so much to our sport on the principle that success IS directly proportionate to their effort.

Awards were presented to those listed elsewhere, plus a gold medal for Jan Nijhof for his win at Breighton the previous weekend.