FOREWORD

For many people John Fielden was 'Enterprise'. In the Foreword he wrote for Enterprise 2002, he explains both the history and the objectives that started with the moment Philip Wills asked him to take up the Enterprise baton. Sadly John died before the competition took place so Enterprise 2002 became a tribute to one of gliding's most remarkable people. (Justin Wills gave an address at the family's celebration of John's life, see S & G Oct-Nov 2002.) There seems no more fitting legacy yet again, than to repeat John's Foreword from 2002:

Competition Enterprise in the 21st Century

A personal view after setting tasks for 25 Enterprise Competitions.

Lest we, the current stewards of the "Enterprise" philosophy, be accused of

hankering after the past, I intend to start with some direct quotes from Philip Wills, who specifically asked me to hold the "Enterprise" baton for him in 1974, when he presented me with his Book "Free as a Bird"

First, he and many wise philosophers before him, have expressed the rights and privileges of the "freedom of man". I think the nicest way of expressing it comes in Philips’ "Free as a Bird" prologue so I quote it with full acknowledgements.

He relates the story of that rare day when you get a launch at the right time and set off on a self set task for a few hours on a perfect summer cumulus day, and quietly glide out as the last cumulus dissolves. He ends with this paragraph:

"You have just had a day of freedom ‘in excelsis’, yours has been the sky and all that therein is. It would seem in retrospect as harmless a glory as man could aspire to”. This book will try to show how this freedom was won and retained and to foreshadow the work and struggle that lies ahead to maintain it. For if it is taken for granted, it will, stage by stage, be worn away and, like the evening cumulus, will die."

Enterprise Philosophy.

Freedom in the Air was easier to assume in 1974, Philip had earned for us the right to control our own destiny, with a structure which was devoid of bureaucracy. It was with a real sense of sadness that he added at the end of his request to me to hold the fort. "It seems that we are only too willing to make rules which abandon the idea of free will or judgement....... do you think you can keep it alive, at least in "Enterprise?".

It has been my lot for the last 27 years to carry that banner of freedom in the eternal hope that some of the star dust, which I see so often at Competition Enterprise, will spread to the wider field of conventional gliding competitions, both here and overseas, acknowledged in the rules by which we fly (and even live). Therefore I am delighted to see the recent introduction of Designated Area Tasks, which represent the type of tasks set at Enterprise since its inception.

Sometimes I despair when I am told that competitors want to have an exact, and in all senses a "fair" task set for them to carry out on that perfect day. Would it be that perfect day if you had been constrained to do something which was only a best guess at what the day could do for you? Therein lies the difficulty of task setting for a day when All Pilots have different aims and objectives.

One pilot wants to be told to do something very exactly and to set off only when conditions are exactly right, and when all the rest set off at the same time, to be fair!

Another wants to set off when the magic of the day begins, and then make love to it for every minute which it grants him.

One is in his expensive, difficult to derig, huge glass two seater, whose partner has never even scratched it once and doesn't want to risk landing out. Another is in his own K6 with 100 outlandings behind him, and doesn't even think of it as a risk.

In these circumstances I have had to find a formula which keeps faith with Philip, and at the same time leaves the pilots with freedom to choose how to exploit the day from each different perspective. That is the fundamental background to the idea of “no rules” when trying to set tasks and assess scoring at the end of each day. The winner is always meant to be the one who has beaten the greatest obstacles, The task setter; The weather; The rules;

Himself.

Thus, and ONLY thus is freedom maintained. BUT....Like all freedoms, it brings with it a real need to understand the division between the responsibility to one’s self and the responsibility to the rest of society... or the rest of the competitors.

Again Philip summarises the situation in 'Free as a Bird,' Chapter 3:- "Liberty and Safety", after

John Stuart Mills in his famous essay "On Liberty".

Today the political and sporting attitude is different from the 1970's, there is a much greater acceptance of "Directives" from our political masters and we seem less inclined to make a stand. "PC" has become fashionable but not acceptable, but the result is that even the BGA has a rulebook of great detail and complexity which the average pilot would not wish on his greatest enemy.

Conclusions?

Philip's legacy of a gliding movement free of bureaucratic interference, promoting self determination, reliance and responsibility remains even more relevant today than it was 27 years ago. Enterprise represents that philosophy and tradition, which benefits the whole gliding community. We have inspired and achieved numerous UK records; we have had innumerable adventures. We are initiating a scheme for young pilots to participate very cheaply, and we welcome BGA soaring courses.

Above all, we fly whenever possible, and have tremendous fun. Come and join us.

John Fielden

WELCOME TO COMPETITION ENTERPRISE 2007

It is with great pleasure that the Yorkshire Gliding Club welcome Competition Enterprise to Sutton Bank once again. I understand that this will be your seventh visit to us. Those who have visited before will need no introduction to Sutton Bank but I must re-emphasise the need for a few formalities already stated in the Competition Director, Jon Hart’s letter of the 23^rd of April. I also have to ask that you all read the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the Club, which are available on the web site. End of red tape and as this is part of the posh bumf mentioned by Jon I suppose I need to drop a few names.

I note reading the welcome letter from the Chairman of the Long Mynd, two years ago that during the 1957 Easter Rally at the Mynd, Philip Wills and Nick Goodhart flew to the Kent coast with the intention of crossing the Channel. Enterprise pilots crossed the channel from North Hill in 1976 , or, you could follow in the footsteps of John Bally who in 1985, “flying home” from Enterprise at Sutton Bank, just made the supermarket at Boulogne! Well, bring your passports, you never know, our charming French Tug Pilot, Alex will I am sure brief you on the latest etiquette on French field landings.

I mention Philip Wills and, as you all know, Justin will be on hand to open proceedings, but our Club President, Moyra Johnson will also be in attendance to add to the dignity of the event.

I am sure Moyra will not mind if I whisper, but she is in her 92^nd year and was around at the inception flying at Sutton Bank. Amy Johnson was a contemporary. Moyra also tells me she flew with Philip on a number of occasions, most memorably for around four hours, in what was then termed ‘Evening Thermals’, practically freezing to death having rather foolishly only worn a summer frock! Now there’s Enterprise for you!

So Enterprisers, come and enjoy some Evening Thermals, I am sure the ridge may well be working at some stage in the proceedings and one never knows, there may be some convection to see you on your travels.

I am really looking forward to the musical, which we are hoping you will provide for us to compliment the full social calendar which Nick and Jon have planned.

Anticipating seeing you all,

Graham Evison

Chairman

Yorkshire Gliding Club

COMPETITION OFFICERS

COMPETITION DIRECTOR Jon Hart

COMPETITION ORGANISERS Nick Gaunt

Jon Hart

Bill Longstaff

COMPETITION SECRETARY Josephine Runciman.

ENTERPRISE SECRETARY Sandy Harrup

TASK SETTER Nick Gaunt

MET FORECASTING Phil King

SCORER Bill Longstaff

Andrew Reid

TUG MASTER Richard Cole

WINCH MASTER Andy Parish

LAUNCH MARSHALL Andy Parish

CFI Richard Cole

STEWARDS/ARBITERS Chris Nicholas

Peter Poole

Gerry Martin

WEBMASTER Bill Longstaff

Alex May

RETRIEVE TELEPHONE Sandy Harrup.

CATERING Sonia and Team

GENERAL ASSISTANTS Ian Johnston

Lindsay McLane

Gerry Martin

INFORMATION

DATES: Saturday 7th July to Saturday to 14th July 2005, inclusive.

Sunday 15th July will be a “Fly Home Day”.

VENUE: Yorkshire Gliding Club Ltd

Sutton Bank,

Thirsk,

North Yorkshire, YO7 2EY

Telephone: 01845 597237

Email:- enquiry@ygc.co.uk

BOOKING IN: Pilots should book in Friday 9.00 to 18.00 hours or on Saturday before flying. First with Josephine Runciman (YGC secretary) in the club office, then Sandy Harrup (Enterprise Secretary) in the Control cabin.

Food and a free glass of wine will be available in the Club on Friday evening until 21.00 hours

ENTRY FEE: £130 per glider. £100 for YGC members

£65 juniors under 21 or under 25 if still in full time education

LAUNCH FEES: Winch, & Aerotow at cost.

CLASS OF ENTRY: All sailplanes and gliders, single class with appropriate .G.A. Speed

Index Handicaps. Pilots with minimum Silver "C".

NATURE OF TASKS: Tasks will be set in the spirit of Competition Enterprise, including alternatives for pilot choice and, if conditions are favourable, free distance and cross-Channel possibilities (however remote due to airspace constraints). Please note however that cross-channel retrieves will not be available.

PRIZE GIVING: An "end of contest" Prize-giving and party will take place on the final Saturday night, and "daily awards" will be presented at each briefing, sponsored by Hill Aviation / North Yorkshire .

SITE FACILITIES

/ACCOMMODATION There will be ample space for tent, trailer, and caravan parking. Modern private rooms/bunk rooms available on site. Clubhouse offers modern toilets/showers.

CATERING: Breakfasts, sandwiches, drinks, sweets and light meals will be available during the day

Evening meals will be available, full details will be given during the first briefing. The Clubhouse has a bar.

Friday 6^th July evening until 21.00 hours, food and a free glass of wine after checking in.

Saturday 7^th July Welcoming BBQ

COMPETITION ENTERPRISE RULES

When it boils down to choosing a set of rules for Enterprise, there is, "a refreshing lack of detail".

However, the rules are often set by the structure rather than the rule book. You have only to brief pilots that there is no held start and you choose the time you want to set off, and there are a series of inevitable consequences:

Generally there is no great panic at the launch point. Pilots have to think about how long to

make the task and what time to launch so as to give the greatest satisfaction and to best exploit

the task. The held start is anti-freedom and pro gaggle. What sort of safety rule is that? We

need to get away from what is being seen, at last, as a dangerous part of competitions.

Normally the finish will be within 5km of the site to avoid dangerous finishes.

The start line may be a circle or a designated line given on the day.

Enterprise, whilst able to offer grid launching, has always provided pilot selected launch times

with the pilot's start being timed from release. In practical terms this has proved entirely

satisfactory, eliminating gaggling and enabling pilots to select their start times according to

their own ambitions and assessment of the day.

Flying at Enterprise can involve more field landings than at conventional contests due to

the fact that tasks are set whenever a day is remotely soarable, and by pilots overreaching

themselves in their ambitions for the day (as opposed to the task setter circumscribing

them). However, perhaps because of the areas in Britain where we fly, and perhaps (we like to

think) because of the sort of people we are, we have never had a problem with farmers; on the

contrary we have legions of tales of the welcomes we have enjoyed from the farming

community.

One of the inevitable results of running a competition where tasks are intended to be

enterprising and different is that there should be a minimum of rules laid down and simple

scoring which can be adapted to local conditions on the day of the contest. It is

recognised that the results may not always seem to be fair (whatever that means!) on all

occasions.

In order to avoid any unpleasantness in what is designed to be enterprising, challenging and

fun, there will be no objections or complaints. In the unlikely event that any problems do

arise, the Stewards will be aware of them. The stewards will arbitrate on any matters that

require an unbiased decision. If, however, an official complaint is lodged with the stewards

this will of course be dealt with in the spirit of the B.G.A. rules.

The scoring system, which follows, is an adaptation of the "ladder" system of scoring. It

is intended to avoid an excessive value for each day by announcing a "Daily Factor" for each task. This means that every pilot will know his/her approximate score at the end of each

flight.

1. Straight or nearly straight Distance tasks – usually 1 point per km.

2. Closed circuit tasks - 2 points per km. A wind factor and a "day" weighting may be introduced by the task setter

3. Bonuses may be added for certain turn points or goals.

4. Wind and/or Task Factors may be announced at briefing.

5. The aggregate score after points 1-5 above will be subject to handicapping with reference to the current BGA Speed Index.

6. A daily factor may be set overall scores to the 'value' of the day.

7. Speed points (only used when announced) generally 3 points per kph above Target Speed.

(Target Speed is generally one third of the current BGA Speed Index).

We rarely set speed tasks but have used it as a bait to get competitors back in time for the final party and prize giving.

GUIDE TO COMPLETING SCORING SHEET

LIST OF COMPETITORS

Name Glider Number

Andrew Cluskey ASW 28.18E G-TRBO

Duncan MacKay Olympia IIB BKU

Richard Chapman Ventus BT 911

Ralph Bowsfield LS4 EMG

William Payton Ventus 2 CXT X11

Kenneth Lloyd ASH 25E FST

Robert Bromwich DG500 MB GBZYG

Mike Weston DG500 G-CKNK

Mike Pope Ventus or Duo Dis

Dominic Haughton LS8 Z19

Stephen Bradford Astir CS77 755

Peter Gill Duo Discus BGA 4113

Phil & Diane King LS8-18

Martin Hands LS1C X5

Justin Wills LS6 1

Steven Longlands ASW 19 A 19

Sam St Pierre DG 200 EDM

Gerry Martin Cirrus 17.7

Michael Wells ASH25 BB

Ann & John Parry Pegasus 101A FVP

Stuart Naylor Duo Discus R1

Robert Tait Grob JQG

Geddes Chalmers LS8 Z5

Ian Johnston DG 300 JAB

David briggs Duo Discus 572

Lindsay McLane Ventus BT G-KHCC

Alan Irving Ventus 2CXT G-CKGB

Nick Gaunt LS7 A98

Mike Greenwood Duo Discus 494

Chris Nicholas LAK 17a G-CKKK

Jon Hart Vega ECJ

Bill Longstaff DG600 M18 G-KOFM

Alex May Discus B JHM

Peter Poole Kestrel 182

LOCAL RADIO FREQUENCIES

123.25

BAGBY

123.60

CARLISLE

126.50

CHURCH FENTON

130.40

CLOUD

122.10

DISHFORTH

126.225

DONCAS/SHEFF'D

118.85

DURHAM-TEES

118.00

FIXED

132.325

FULL SUTTON

130.475

GAMSTON

130.10

GLIDE/ENTERPRISE

130.125

GLIDE

129.90

GLIDE/PARA

129.925

HIBALSTOW

119.125

HUMBERSIDE

123.75

LEEDS

127.75

LEEMING

118.55

LINTON

125.475

LONDON INFO

123.275

NETHERTHORPE

124.375

NEWCASTLE

130.425

SANDTOFT

119.875

SCOTTISH INFO

125.00

TOPCLIFFE

126.60

VOLMET NORTH

129.975

YGC

HOW TO FIND THE SITE AND ACCESS

The Yorkshire Gliding Club is situated approx 6 miles from Thirsk on the A170 towards Scarborough. It is easy to find - the airfield is immediately above the White Horse that can be seen for miles around. By road, we're signposted from the A170, about half a mile down the road from the top of the big hill (Sutton Bank itself).

Once on the A170, there are signs prohibiting caravans on the Sutton Bank hill. However, glider trailers are permitted but the hill is steep!! If in doubt that your car can make it (usually OK, until you have to stop for other people!) then follow caravan diversion signs to Helmsley and join the A170 to approach YGC from the east. DO NOT try and come up the White Horse bank!

Find us by air:-

Sutton Bank: 54.13.728N 001.12.580W
2 Grass runways: 06/24- 500 mtrs & 02/20 - 1000 mtrs

Local frequency: 129.975

LOOKING BACK AT PREVIOUS COMPETITION ENTERPRISES ...