17 March 2026
Entries have opened for TopNav 2026, the Royal Institute of Navigation’s annual visual navigation competition designed to sharpen traditional flying skills in an increasingly GPS-driven cockpit.
The event, which combines competition with practical learning, will take place across five UK airfields in May 2026: Bodmin, Compton Abbas, Popham, White Waltham and Peterborough Conington. Weather contingency dates are scheduled for each location.
TopNav requires crews – a pilot and navigator – to plan and fly a route using dead reckoning techniques, relying on map reading, timing and visual references rather than satellite navigation. The format builds on a long-standing ethos: precision flying and situational awareness remain core airmanship skills, even in the age of glass cockpits.
Competitors are tasked with navigating a multi-leg route, identifying waypoints from the air and maintaining strict tolerances for track accuracy and timing. Previous events have demonstrated the challenge involved, with crews expected to remain within half a nautical mile of track and hit waypoints within one minute of their planned arrival times.
Organisers emphasise that TopNav is as much about learning as it is about competition. A full briefing is provided on the day, with Royal Institute of Navigation staff on hand to guide participants through routes, GPS tracking equipment and log requirements. The event is pitched as accessible to both experienced aviators and newcomers, with youth entries and flexible crew arrangements available.
The competition continues to attract a wide range of participants, from seasoned pilots to those newly qualified, reflecting its reputation as a hands-on way to reinforce core navigation techniques. As highlighted in reflections from the 2025 event, many pilots find TopNav a valuable reminder of the fundamentals—where stopwatch, compass and careful planning still matter more than advanced avionics.
Entry fees for 2026 start at £27.50 for RIN members, with discounted youth rates aimed at encouraging the next generation of navigators.
