19 June 2023
TopNav, the annual visual navigation competition for private pilots organised by the Royal Institute of Navigation flown in April and May was won by a pair of pilots from Bagby Airfield.
Due to patchy weather and aircraft issues, not all entrants were able to fly on the planned days at all venues. 17 entrants eventually took part from the 23 initially registered with some completing the competition when weather and aircraft availability allowed.
For the first time, a crew participated at Bagby and they won the overall competition, the Pooleys/RIN Plate. Benson Greatrex and Freddie Collier flying a Cessna 172 had a score of 232 out of a possible 240.
Route of the winners
In second place were Adrian Beney and daughter Brigid in a PA28 Turbo Arrow III scoring 224. The third place crew were father and son team David and Lewis Young flying a Vans RV-12. Lewis also lifted the TopNav Youth trophy with an impressive 209 points. David obviously enjoyed the TopNav experience so much that he flew again as navigator in a different aircraft scoring 183.
Although three microlights were registered, one suffered a communications failure so just two were able to compete on the day with both putting in creditable performances at Bodmin.
TopNav 2023 (Pooleys/RIN Plate): Benson Greatrex/Freddie Collier
TopNav Runners-up (WLAC Trophy): Adrian Beney/Brigid Beney
TopNav Second Runners-up (GNav Trophy): David Young/Lewis Young
Youth Trophy: Lewis Young
The competition is sponsored by Pooleys and the GANG team thank them for their generosity in backing TopNav.
The host airfields and clubs were: Bagby Airfield; Bodmin Airfield/Cornwall Flying Club; Peterborough Business Airport and Flying Club Conington; Popham Airfield/Spitfire Flying Club, Solent Airport/Hampshire Aero Club.
TopNav will again be held in April-May 2024.
