Pooleys announces 2025 Dawn to Dusk competition

Pilot supplies company Pooleys has announced the launch of its International Dawn to Dusk Competition for 2025, the 61st year of the challenge.

“The Dawn to Dusk Competition is a great opportunity to further your flying, to expand your horizons and gives you the excuse you need to have the flying adventure you have always wanted,” said a statement from Pooleys.

• From Dawn to Dusk and 71 airfields

“The objective of Dawn to Dusk is to encourage the most interesting employment of a flying machine within the limits of competent airmanship and to demonstrate the capabilities of pilot and machine in the hours between Dawn and Dusk, whilst undertaking an original and praiseworthy objective.

“You have to set yourself a challenging goal and then go and fly it.

“The mission or task is yours to choose. It could be an area you are particularly interested in, a piece of your country’s history or something related to the current era.

• Eddystone, Lundy… flying round West Country lighthouses

“The challenges that people have set themselves over the years vary enormously but they are always unique because everybody sees the world differently.

“The key is to research a subject and couple it with a flying adventure.”

Sebastian Pooley talking about Dawn to Dusk on FLYER Livestream

You’ll need to write and submit a log which will be scutinised by the Panel of Judges. They will be looking at the following:

• Planning: Originality, research of the subject chosen and flight planning
• Flying: Airmanship and the difficulty of the chosen task
• Safety: Threat & Error Management and appropriate equipment on board
• The Log: Create an informative, accurate and engaging log of the challenge undertaken
• Handicapping: Pilot and crew experience, ability, aircraft type and the weather conditions.

Results and winners

“It is the taking part that counts of course!” said Pooleys, “That is a reward in itself.”

All entrants are invited to a presentation of awards reception and dinner at the RAF Club in central London, expected to take place in February 2026.

• Defying Dawn to Dusk: Adam Jackson and Martina Petkov fly to Norway

There is a cash prize for First Place of £1,000. There are also trophies including the Duke of Edinburgh Trophy for the winning entry. In addition, every participant receives a certificate and shield.

More info here