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FAQs - Answered | |
How do I register for the competition?
Registration is via this airtribune link www.airtribune.com/GBAR3/registration.1. Please register for an airtribune account (Note: you do not need to have a FAI license and insurance should be your own insurance policy or BHPA 3rd Party).
2. Navigate to the flying event page on Airtribune, linked above, and then select register. Submit your details to register.
3. You should receive a confirmation email that you have registered and you need to pay. If this is not received within 12hrs please contact us via the email below.
4. The entry fee is required within 24hrs of registration (see local rules for allocation of places), please note aerotow fees are not included.
5. An email will be sent once your place is confirmed.
6. Count the days down to Spring and the start of the Great British Aerotow Revival!
What is the cost structure of the aerotow revival
The Aerotow Revival Organisation is a not for profit operation. Our aim is to promote hang gliding and the advantages of aerotowing. We want to make it inclusive, not just a flying event for XC hounds, but a friendly atmosphere that encourages individuals and clubs to continue to develop aerotowing.The cost of the event is split into two main parts:
1. Facilities - airfield rental, temporary hangarage for tugs, comp meal, supporting materials, and administration.
2. Tug costs - transportation, towing and tug pilot subsistence
The plan is to fund the above via three methods:
A) Grants, sponsorship and merchandise
B) Entry fees
C) Tow fees
A & B - will fund the facilities to cover the fundamental ground and administration costs of organising the event. Anything left over in this pot, after a nominal time, will be split between the clubs in a fair manner. Any distribution of funds left over will reflect the commitment through resources supplied to support the event and the number of tows performed during the event.
C - The tows fees will cover the tug costs which could include but are probably not limited to the transportation and operation of the tug, including tug pilot subsistence. We are estimating the tows to cost to be between £15-20 per tow. The first £15 from each tow will be given directly to the aerotow clubs that have provided the tug and tug pilot. The distribution of fees back to the clubs will be directly proportional to the number of tows the club and or their pilots complete during the event.
It is important to understand that although we have run a forecast budget it is just that, a forecast - or estimate. We have to protect against losses. Therefore, if it looks like we are going to make a loss or need to raise additional funds for something we didn't envisage, we reserve the right to raise the tow fees by a limited amount to ensure we cover all eventualities. The £15 set aside for the aerotow clubs will be protected.
Remember we are not here to make money, the bank account that we have set up is a not-for-profit bank account. On completion of the event the finances will be open to scrutiny. Like the aerotow clubs that are spread throughout the UK we want to promote aerotowing and thank them for their support. We aim to make the investment of funds, time and energy worthwhile.
How much will it cost to attend the event during the practise days and during the competition?
Tow fees apply whether you are a flying event pilot or a recreational pilot.If you are in the flying event then your entry fee has already been covered, this includes the practice days you attend.
If you are a recreational pilot you must pay the entry fee to use the airfield, which is either £40 per day or £120 for 3 days or more.
Please remember that if you are attending the event during the flying event days and plan to fly recreationally you will only be able to launch outside the flying event launch window. If you are already a member of an aerotow syndicate and you are not competing in the event but your club's tug is being used for the event you can obviously negotiate your local club fee to tow behind your particular tug. This is a benefit for being part of an aerotow club. However, if you are towed behind another club's machine the cost is the standard tow fee as explained above.
Tow fees will be between £15-£20 (to be confirmed very soon).
How do I register if I just want to attend the event for a couple of days and not fly in the competition?
Recreational flying will be permitted outside the launch window of the flying event when a tug is available. There will be an airfield charge (£40 per day or £120 ) plus aerotow fees (between £15-£20 for a tow to 2000') if you wish to fly behind one of the tugs. Please register via Air Tribune as if you were flying in the flying event (see above) so we have your details. In the 'Sponsor' and 'Club' fields please enter the words 'recreational pilot' so we know you are not interested in flying in the competition.How will the flying event and Tasks run?
This will be managed by the meet director who is very experienced along with the task committee. Rest assured that it will be designed to challenge a range of abilities and match the class that you have entered as well as the weather conditions for the day. Your main task will be to come along, enjoy the flying event and fly with your friends.Are there places to tie the hang gliders down while waiting to fly?
We will try to organised this but at this stage assume that the answer is no, therefore you should bring your own pegs or ground anchors. The dog tethers & tie-outs are perfect for this. A hang glider should never be left unattended without being tied down. If left rigged overnight two anchors should be the minimum one anchored to the hang strap and one to the wing.Are the retrieves available?
There is no official retrieve system in place. We will try to coordinate retrieves with those happy to offer to retrieve pilots and those that need a lift. However, we recommend you organise yourself in to groups. A minimum of £10 should be donated to the vehicle owner or the driver of a car that gives you a lift back to the airfield. This will help towards mileage, insurance, expenses and general wear for having a vehicle that has been used to retrieve you back to the airfield. This should be standard whether your lift is 2 miles or 100miles. Retrieve vehicles and drivers are fundamental to making a task and a flying event successful. Long live retrieve drivers!Is this an official BHPA event covered by the BHPA insurance?
The BHPA official procedures are being used as a basis for the organisation (rules). Key people in the BHPA and on the competitions panel were consulted for advice about insurance cover. All people flying in the event or helping on the ground will be required to be BHPA members so it will be an official event covered by the BHPA insurance.Will I be charged a tow fee if a weak link breaks or I have to release low down?
If a weak link breaks or you have to release below 500ft and require a relaunch, there will be no charge.Are there going to be hang glider spares & repairs available?
Currently Moyes UK, Avian, Green Dragons, Fly Pure Air, Cloud 9 hang gliding and Neville and his carbon repair shop are attending the Aerotow Revival.Can I only fly behind my tug?
If you want to fly in the flying event there will be a launch order and it is unlikely that you will be able to choose which aircraft you can fly behind. In fact, flying behind other aircraft is a very good learning process. It helps to further develop your flying skills so it is something you should actively seek to do. This flying event provides the perfect opportunity to try towing behind different aircraft and tug pilots. However, if you are really concerned about this then you can fly behind your tug but you will have to wait until all competitors have launched.Apart from the competition, is there anything else happening at the event?
We are exploring lots of areas and should be able to confirm some of the following things, if people are interested: Aerotow Coach course, XC course, aerotow training, club coach course, first aid course, lectures and discussion groups. There will also be things for the family – such as tandem flights, social evenings and may be some microlight air experience flights. If you are interested in any of these or have any other ideas then please get in touch so we know that there is a demand for such things.Are there camping and caravan pitches available?
The airfield owners are managing the camping facilities. There’s room for about 40 tents beside the hangar and cafe. There are also hard standing areas for a number of caravans too. We were told that camping or caravans will be £10 per pitch per night for a large tent or £5 for a small tent. There are limited hookups available and they are first come first serve and booked via Deenethorpe airfield. There are two conventional toilets, 1 shower on site too and running water. There are no refrigerators, cooking or laundry facilities available but there is a cafe on the airfield. You do not have to book accommodation to camp at the field. Brightside Camping and Caravan Club is a small commercial site opposite the entry to the airfield that has more substantial facilities.The cafe is planning to cater for breakfasts and light meals.
Is there wifi available at the airfield or cafe?
There is wifi but it is intermittent and slow. However, there is good data signal.Are dogs allowed at the airfield?
Yes they are allowed but the owner is responsible for the dogs actions and behaviour. Dogs must be kept under control on a lead at all times. A loose dog on an active airfield presents a hazard to aircraft.Are radios mandatory otherwise how do pilots know if a task is stopped?
Radios are not required. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable with the conditions you need to land whatever is being discussed or decided by the safety committee.The standard task cancelled signal for pilots in the air is when a pilot has their legs out of the harness and mimic a running/cycling action followed by pilots circling to land at the nearest safe field. However, please note that just because another pilot has landed in a field it should not be assummed that it is a safe place to land!
There will be a specific signal designated for the launch area just in case we need to clear the airfield for an emergency helicopter that is inbound.