General Aviation Navigation Group

The Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) is pleased to announce that the TopNav South Challenge, will take place on Sunday 17 May 2009 at White Waltham.

The RIN is very grateful for the cooperation of the White Waltham Aero Club who will be hosting this event again and has agreed to waive landing fees for the competitors.

For information on the airfield visit the Club's website page here

The following details are provided for those interested in entering the competition:

What is TopNav?

How to enter and fees

TopNav Competition Rules

Sponsorship

 WHAT IS TOPNAV?

The Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) runs this long-established competition. It is arranged to provide a challenge to crews irrespective of their navigational experience and is open to crews of GA aircraft, motor gliders, microlights and helicopters, with the route appropriately adapted.

What is the reward for taking part in this challenge? Well in previous years up to 30 crews have experienced two hours of exhilarating flying in pursuit of good training, trophies and cash prizes.

Sponsors and prize-givers include AOPA, BALPA, RAFFCA, Flyer Magazine, GAPAN, Transair, Wansbrough-White & Co Ltd and the West London Aero Club. GASCO and the RAeC support the event.

Details of the route are issued to crews 30 minutes before taxi in order for flight planning to take place. The route to be flown by competitors is around 200nm and consists of 8-10 waypoints, which are fully described as a combination of VOR radials and ranges and lat/longs. For aircraft of limited endurance or low cruising speed there is a shorter route of around 120nm.

Crews must endeavour to get airborne within a reasonable time and their aim once airborne should be to navigate around the route in the most efficient, accurate and safe manner. Photographs should be taken of each waypoint and evidence of navigation and safety procedures recorded in an issued flight log.
The performance of crews is assessed by a panel of judges using the evidence of the log and photographs together with reference to a trace of the flight produced by a GPS tracker, which is carried in each aircraft. Flight logs and trackers must be handed in on return to the Aero Club, and photographs submitted to the RIN within two weeks of the competition.

Crews are handicapped according to their flying experience and the type and number of nav aids carried. However, crews are encouraged to use the aids that they are happiest with and the judges will be looking for accurate, efficient and safe navigation combined with good airmanship.

The winners of the overall TopNAV competition will be presented with the TOPNAV trophy and a cheque for £100. Details of where the presentation for the 2009 will take place will be published in due course.

 

HOW TO ENTER AND FEES

Entries should be submitted using the Form provided by the RIN. A copy may be downloaded below.

Entrance fee for TOPNAV is £50 including VAT @15% per crew for RIN Members (this includes members of Affiliated Clubs and £60 including VAT @15% per crew for non-members. This entrance fee includes lunch and drinks throughout the day. The charge for additional persons, including passengers is £10 inc VAT each; this covers all sustenance. Landing fees are waived for competitors.

TOPNAV COMPETITION RULES

The General Aviation Navigation Group (GANG) of the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) organizes the TOPNAV competition on behalf of the RIN. The ultimate authority for the competition rests with the RIN.

The competition is open to teams of general aviators who may fly a range of aircraft – GA, motor gliders, microlights and helicopters. Competition crews should consists of a minimum crew of two persons.

The RIN will appoint a management committee to organise the event.

The RIN will appoint a panel to judge the event and decide the competition winners, the decision of this panel will be final and all competition must accept this fact.

The pilot in command must hold a current and valid licence to fly in the UK and in the type of aircraft operated in the competition.

At all times during the competition the crew and aircraft must be operated in accordance with all UK legislation, including the current Rules of the Air Regulations and Air Navigation Order. The aircraft used in the competition must conform fully with the appropriate airworthiness requirements.

Competitors will be required to certify that all details of their entry are correct and that they agree to the Competition rules. Failure to comply with regulations in force during the competition will result in a crew’s disqualification.

The competition will be flown on the day stated, although if the organising committee decides that conditions on the day are unsuitable, alternative arrangements may be employed. In the event of a competitor being unable to reach the competition during the day due to a last minute problem such as airframe problems or illness, the judges will consider the circumstances and may make arrangements for the entrant to fly on another occasion, which would normally be within one week of the competition date.

Entrants are required to complete and submit, after the flight, a detailed flight log on the forms provided and photographs or digital pictures of the stated waypoints within 14 days.

The points on which the competition is to be scored will be awarded for planning, accuracy of navigation, airmanship, log and handicapping.

Any queries regarding the rules should be address to the RIN in writing.

SPONSORSHIP

Sponsors and prize-givers include Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), British Airline Pilots Assocation (BALPA), Royal Air Force Flying Clubs’ Association (RAFFCA), Flyer Magazine, Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN) , Transair Uk Ltd, Wansbrough-White & Co Ltd and the West London Aero Club. General Aviation Safety Council (GASCO) and the Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom (RAeC) also support the event.