Knettishall is a disused WW2 airfield and an ideal F3A site courtesy of the Bury MFC. The take off and landing area is tarmac and of a good size. Knettishall is approximately 12 miles to the NE of Bury St Edmunds.
If you click on this link (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.3753127,0.877829,1284m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)it will bring up the airfield in Google Maps.
Please note there is a new route in which is essentially on the western side of the airfield and using the perimeter track to get around to the pits area. Please see the attached PDF that has 3 views that give a number of key directions. I have included the Lat Long and the What3Words descriptions of the key points.
At the correct entrance to the airfield, you see the UKF3A Signpost. The Gate will be unlocked from soon after 7 am. If you get lost, please call me on 07725-314 950.
DO NOT USE A POST CODE - YOU MAY BE TAKEN TO THE WRONG ENTRY GATE!
There will be the usual catering service to provide hot and cold drinks and snacks all day starting with egg and bacon baps at 08:30 and a BBQ for lunch at £5 per head. I will collect the money on the day. Please let me know if you will not be partaking of this service by posting on this thread.
Entry Level, Clubman and Intermediate schedules in this competition will be open to BMFA members holding an A certificate. Other Schedules require a BMFA B Certificate. Entry Level and Clubman Entrants particularly welcome.
If you would like to judge, please let me know as soon as possible. This could be either as a pilot judge or pure judge. Normal fees for judging will be paid for non-flying judges.
All GBRCAA schedules to be flown, including an F only entry list.
Briefing at 08:45 - First flight at 0900
Entry Level Schedule
Mark Shipsides - caller Simon Clark
Ed Down - caller Mick Broad
Dale Hyde - caller Mick Broad
Clubman
Peter Sutton - caller TBD
Nigel Ashworth - caller Mike Wood
Intermediate
Mick Broad - caller TBD withdrawn
Simon Clark - caller Mike Wood
Chris Brewer - caller Keith Brightman
Neil Martin - caller Mick Broad
Masters
Darren Dorgan - caller TBD
Graham Gooch - caller TBD
Greg Butterworth - caller TBD
FAI P25 (only)
Peter Jenkins - caller Mark Allen
Mike Wood - caller TBD
Mark Allen - caller Peter Jenkins
Mike Pole - caller Kazie
Ross Donovan - caller TBD
Pete Madden - caller Yazz
Keith Brightman - caller TBD
FAI F 25 (only)
Reserve List
Judges
Simon Clark - Clubman
Greg Butterworth - Entry Level, and P25
Brandon Ransley - Intermediate, Masters and P25
Ross Donovan - Entry Level, Clubman and Masters
Peter Jenkins - Entry Level, Clubman
Pete Madden - Intermediate and Masters
(https://ukf3a.com/smf/Themes/Radiohead/images/icons/clip.png) New Knettishall Entrance.pdf (https://ukf3a.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=15153)
671.65 kB
downloaded
Peter,
I have a club member all the way from Sunny Southampton who is interested in having a go at the ELS (probably judged)! He is not currently a UKF3A member and is not on this forum. How does he go about entering?
Thanks
Simon
Hi Simon
Good work! If he goes to the website (https://www.ukf3a.com/WP/) and clicks on the blue button "Enter a Competition" he will then get access to the Entry Form. You may need to help him to fill it in so that he selects the correct Competition, date and CD name. That will then generate an email to me and I'll then add his name to the Forum entry.
Cheers
Peter
Hi Folks
Only 7 entries for this competition. Please could I encourage you to consider entering. I also need judges.
Thanks
Peter
Hi Peter,
Entry now sent. I will request that my fee for the cancelled Skelbrooke comp be transferred to this competition.
Thank you,
Mike
We;re up to 13 entries now but still no judges. A couple or more F25 entries would be helpful if they would be prepared to judge P25 and Masters.
morning Peter,
Entered and Paid...happy to judge P&F....
Gregster
Many thanks on both counts Greg.👍👍
Thank you for those who've entered and agreed to judge.
We now have 16 entries so I will be starting a reserve list.
I know we are a little way off yet, but do we know about the order of play yet? As we have three entry level entrants who have never competed and probably never even been to a comp, it would be better for them to go after having seen a few other people fly first?
Simon
Hi Simon
I normally don't have the newbies going first for the very reason you give. Not sure whether it will be Intermediate or Masters first. It certainly won't be ELS!
Hi Peter
I can make it now so please put me on the reserve list.
Many thanks
Keith
Hi Keith - done.
Peter, I am having to work next weekend, so will not be able to make the competition. Please cancel my place and see you soon
Regards
Nigel
Hi Nigel
Sorry to hear that. I'll arrange a refund. It might take some time though.
Keith,
please go shead and pay your entry fee as you are now in!
Peter
On current weather forecasts you should be aiming to practise taking off right to left with a cross wind blowing out circa 30 degrees.
Having said that at the weekend at the Nats we took off in both directions because the wind varied within the day.
But be ready for winds blowing you out and taking off from the right (as the forecasts for Friday and Sunday have similar wind conditions).
Hi Brandon
I am keeping a close eye on the forecast for Saturday. It changes just about every 12 hours from horrendous to well that doesn't look too bad. As I post, the weather forecast is in the latter category. You are quite right that the current forecast shows a SWly wind so take off will be right to left and it will blow out.
Interestingly, this afternoon at Knettishall was very pleasant with a light SWly dropping to almost a flat calm and then the wind swung round to a SE and strengthened all influenced by a large cloud formation coming in from the SW.
British weather eh!
In my experience, you can only fully trust a forecast with 24 hours to go. So, I will see how things look on Thursday evening and make a Go/NoGo decision either then or first thing on Friday morning.
This is not the usual weather pattern as when schools go back the weather normally improves!
Unless a miracle happens, I doubt I can make this now.
Had 4 practice flights tonight and seems like my Brenner contra is toast.
Stripped it down and the rear centre drive gear has snapped ... this is a V1 so doubt I can get spares.
Gutted as really getting into this and I think this will ground me for the next 2-3 comps, which is the rest of my first season
Will put a general post up for advice
Thanks for the heads up Darren. I have replied to your other post, so won't repeat it here other than saying I'm really sorry this has happened to you.
Quote from: Keith Brightman on 20, August 2025, 09:35:25 AMHi Peter
I can make it now so please put me on the reserve list.
Many thanks
Keith
Hi Keith
quick reminder that you need to pay your comp entry fee. I've not yet received your entry.
Cheers
Peter
Hi Peter
You should have my entry now. I have asked Javad to reallocate my fee for the cancelled Skelbrooke comp to this one. Hopefully he will notify you that he done this.
Keith
On behalf of Peter, here are the flight orders for Saturday's competition and to be flown in the following order:-
Masters, Intermediate, Entry Level, P - 25
The competition is ON.
I have attached the XCWeather forecsst that I have found to be pretty accurate with 24 hours to go. This forecasts light showers in the morning but otherwise dry. The wind is a bit stiff but almost down the line but blowing out.
Screenshot_20250912-081705_Chrome.jpg
See you all tomorrow.
Peter
Huzzah ! 8)
Mike
Great. Looking forward to judging and the excellent hospitality.
Brandon
Egg and bacon baps or sausages this year from 8:15 am!
Bring your £5 note (please) that pays for breakfast, lunch (BBQ) and teas and coffees all day PLUS you get lemon drizzle cake in the afternoon!
And very good cake it is too 😁
On Peters behalf here are the full results for todays competition at Knettishall.
(P-25 will follow in a few seconds)
Phil
On Peters behalf here are the full results for todays P-25 competition at Knettishall.
Phil
A very enjoyable comp, well run with good bacon or sausage (plus egg) baps for breakfast and a burger lunch with tea and coffee through the day. Excellent.
Some very good flying at all levels in challenging conditions - quite a decent breeze/wind out from over the left shoulder.
One relatively short stop for rain, lightning and thunder.
Brandon
Thanks for your help in judging today Brandon. Much appreciated.
Thanks Graham znd Phil for driiving the Notaumatics and producing the scores.
As above, a lovely comp, always enjoy Knettishal.
Thanks to all the judges, Brandon, Greg, Peter J and Peter M
Great feedback from Brandon for all the pilots 8)
Mike
p.s. Turbo results, thanks Phil!
Thank you to Peter, all judges, caterers, spotter and Graham/Phil on scores. Thanks also to Bury MFC.
Apart from a couple of shortish breaks for rain we were lucky with the weather also.
Thanks as always to Brandon for the feedback.
Mike
Another interesting day from the judges chair, gives a really good perspective of styles and mistakes, often avoidable that cost valuable points..some good flying in difficult wind conditions for all....good to see the entry level flown and well done to those that were new to it... keep practicing !... remember on the ELS the turnaround ain't marked so keep it simple and don't push random turnarounds that throw you off line for the scored manoeuvre and don't make the score me ones stupidly big at this stage of your journey
I was very pleased to compare my judging 'standard' to that of Brandon and in the main we were very very close in our marking...even on the spins !
Positions and lines were very tough in the conditions with the right hand box end really hurting some... those that scored well held the line visibly better....
I can commend the Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce !
And as a footnote - 22x20 front and 22x22 Rear falcon if anyone has any spares kicking around.. if you know you know !!!... as required by plummet airways !
Many Thanks To Peter and his team of judges and helpers for a great day.
Challenging conditions but at the least the rain didn't prevent a good competition for all.
Looking forward to next year.
Keith
Thank you Peter, Judges and the BMAC for your hospitality. Really enjoyed the day and the company.
That's my last comp for the year but I'm getting ready for '26.
Way to go!
102 sleeps till Xmas ... dives for cover!
Mike
The first batch of photographs from Saturday's competition can be found using the link below, more images to follow.
1 | UKF3A Photo Gallery (https://ukf3a.com/gallery/picture.php?/14098/category/403)
Additional images now added, please use the link in the above thread.
Thanks Graham.