LOOP News

6 SEP 06: CHOPPER CHAMPS

SOME of the best male and female helicopter pilots competed in a closely contested display of flying at the British Helicopter Championship, held at Sywell Aerodrome last month.

The Championship is organised by the Helicopter Club of Great Britain (HCGB) and sponsored by Haywards Aviation Insurance. There are four separate events - Navigation, Precision, Slalom and Fender - and three classes, Club, Open and Company.

Russell Harrison and Paul Sanderson took first in the Club class flying their Robinson R-44, G-RUZZ. The Open class saw a very close result with Army pilots Ron Watkins and Jeff James in a Gazelle snatch the win from David Monks and Jonathan Penny in their R22, G-ZAPY, by three points! David and Jonathan did take victory in the Company class and also the prize for the cleanest helicopter!

This year's competition saw a number of newcomers. Stuart Rimmer and Adrian Clark won the Novice prize for the highest-placed first timers and also won the trophy for the 'Best Example of Safe Flying' in their R44, G-IBMS. Hanna Nobbs, a past winner of the Dennis Kenyon helicopter scholarship, also competed for the first time as navigator for the experienced Kevin Cinnamond in his Jetranger G-DOFY.

A Russian crew, Mikhail Kasachkov and Yuri Kasachkov, were allowed to compete as guests and they wowed the crowds with their lightning-quick run in the Fender event.

Ed Sturmer, chairman of the HCGB, told LOOP that the Championship is there to be enjoyed by HCGB members as well as non-members. "All round it was very competitive," said Ed. "It was great to see the Russian visitors, the close battle between the GB Team Captain, David Monks and Team Coach, Ron Watkins and it was also nice to see the first-timers taking part."

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LOOP News

6 SEP 06: CHOPPER CHAMPS