JAC member Brian Heath has just returned from Alderney having successfully competed in the final round of the British and European Air Racing Championships.

Flying the club’s Cessna 150 G-BTYC, Brian managed 12th place on both days and was justifiably pleased with his results, given his limited experience of handicapped air racing.  There were 18 starters on the Saturday and 16 on the Sunday.

A member of both the Jersey Aero Club and the Alderney Flying Club, Brian has competed in the Alderney event over the past three years but most of his competitors have far more experience through regular competitions in the UK. This year, for example, there have been seven weekend events in all, featuring 14 races.

‘In 2005 and 2006 I entered with Ralph Burridge in the Alderney Flying Club’s Archer G-BXRG,’ recalled Brian.  ‘Our results have been variable but enjoyable. A first past the post (but disqualified, sadly) was followed by subsequent placings further down the field, but I was not disheartened and this year decided to race in “YC”.  ‘Bob Wright kindly agreed to extend the insurance to cover air racing and let me put some racing numbers on top of the new paint scheme.’

Organised by the Royal Aero Club, the Alderney event – sponsored by Aurigny and Reynards Jewellers – attracted a variety of aircraft types ranging from ‘YC’, the slowest at 120mph, to Pipers, Grummans and Mooneys and a Beechcraft Baron that can fly at 240 mph, pulling around 4G in 80 degree turns around certain scatter points.

Both the Alderney races involved six laps of a circuit following along the island’s south coast, beyond forts Raz and Albert and the Breakwater, around Burhou Island, the Casquets Lighthouse and due east, back to the airport.  Under the handicap system the fastest aircraft took off several laps (and over 30 minutes) later than the likes of the Austers, Jodels and Brian in ‘YC’.  The normal 500ft rule applied, except at the finish, but as much of the course was over empty sea there was the opportunity to make the best of any wind gradient. 

‘If the handicappers get it right, and all the pilots are flying well, the final turn at the Casquets and run in to the finish over the airfield at not below 100ft agl is the most exciting point for competitors and pilots alike, with all the entrants crossing the line in quick succession,’ said Brian.  'YC and I were the first to set off in each race as we were the slowest aircraft. The second slowest, an Auster, came second on Sunday but I beat him on the Saturday.  ‘At Sunday’s finish I was just overtaken by a Twin Comanche and just held off a Siai Marchetti; the three of us diving for the line from "Point Alpha" over the Alderney cliffs.’

Even YC’s most ardent admirers would be hard pressed to describe her as a speed machine but she does more than the 100 mph minimum top speed for racing and the handicappers ensured that she got a fair chance.  ‘The main drawback to racing a 150 is the poor view above and to the side from the high wing, but her strengths are light control forces and a good view down, for the turning points, and behind, for when faster aircraft are closing in to overtake,’ explained Brian. ‘Her other great strength is that at £69 per hour she provides probably the cheapest rental flying in Great Britain! 

‘I’d love to race a full season, which includes the prestigious King’s Cup and Schneider Trophy races, and if my results thus far were maintained I would have a chance of a championship placing,’ concluded Brian. ‘However, unless a sponsor comes forward, I’ll be content with an annual outing and the chance to stand an ordinary club aircraft on its wingtip at full throttle around Alderney Lighthouse!’

This article is an extract from  Jersey Flyer Autumn 2007 (6.43 MB)