Competitor entries for 2010 are now open.

The dates have been set for Worthing International Birdman 2010 - Applications for entry are available for download, above. (click PDF icon to launch, or 'right click' to 'save as' to your desktop). Or to register your interest, email '2010@worthingbirdman.co.uk' and we will contact you very soon.

Worthing Birdman Competitor Information

Serious flyers in the Leonardo Da Vinci and Condor Classes try to achieve the 100 metre Jackpot distance for a massive £30,000 prize fund; whereas the Fun Flyers, or Kingfishers, find the Worthing Birdman a must do challenge for adrenaline junkies.  The Kingfisher entries are judged on costumes, entertainment value and distance and the public can also vote for their favourite.

Flyers have the opportunity to raise money for charity and the chance to perform in front of thousands of spectators; you may even get in the newspapers or on TV !!

The organisers are committed to providing the safest conditions for aviators; divers, paramedics and safety boats are all on site to ensure a pleasant flight and pre flight safety briefings are mandatory before take off!

How is are flights measured?

With the launch window during high tide lasting only two hours and a certain safety margin of water depth necessary, it is vital that the distances flown are measured quickly - and with big prize money and prestige at stake - extremely accurately.

The Worthing International Birdman continues to measure competitors in the same way as Bognor Birdman using the most advanced technology available provided by Leaderboard Ltd. Bespoke software is used enabling real-time display of wind speed and direction, time in the air and, of course, distance flown.

Distances flown will be measured using three electronic theodolites, or similar measuring devices, that are set up level with the launch platform and on the 100 metre line; the units use triangulation to accurately pinpoint the competitors' landing position.  All competitors will be measured using the same measurement constants that are calculated and input into the computer before the start of the competition.  On splashdown the angles are recorded electronically by the three measuring stations and are entered into the Birdman computer which calculates the horizontal distance flown in any direction using trigonometry; it also calculates any small margin or error which can occur through fluctuating tide swell.

There are two measurements taken on each flight:-

• Actual distance flown is measured as the shortest distance between the centre of the take-off edge of the platform to the point of splash down at which the Aviator ceases to fly.

•  Forward distance flown is measured as the shortest distance from the take-off edge of the launch platform to an imaginary line that is parallel to the take-off edge of the launch platform and passes through the point at which the Aviator ceases to fly.  It is the forward distance flown that is used to determine if the Jackpot challenge distance has been achieved.

In a perfect measurement the three sighting lines from the measuring stations would all cross at the same exact point.  In practice, however, a small triangle is formed by these intersecting lines and the measuring program will calculate the distance flown to a point in the centre of the triangle; this is the average distance and the one used to determine the prizes.

A successful jackpot prize winner must achieve the challenge as forward distance flown; and must also cross a marker buoy set 100 metres from the end of the launch ramp. Touching the water before splashdown does not count against the competitor but the Aviator will be deemed to “cease to fly” when they stop moving forward, have any significant part of their legs or body immersed in the water, or when additional force is gained from a swimming stroke, push or other external force.

For those flights not being considered for the Jackpot the actual distance flown will be used to determine all prizes and placings.

A cash prize is also available for the flyer who stays in the air the longest, regardless of distance flown. In 1999 for the first time this was not awarded to the furthest flyer as might normally be expected, and this has heralded the appearance of aircraft designed to trade forward momentum for lift, giving the ability to 'hang' in the air longer.