Pooleys has announced that entries are now open for the 2026 International Dawn to Dusk Competition, one of aviation’s most enduring and creative flying challenges. First established in 1964 by the late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, the competition encourages pilots to undertake an original aviation project flown between sunrise and sunset, documenting their planning, execution, and airmanship in a detailed post‑flight submission. The rules remain intentionally simple. Pilots choose a theme of their own design, fly a minimum of four hours in a single day, and present a written log supported by photographs or optional video. Judges assess each entry on originality, safety, airmanship, and the quality of its narrative. This long‑standing format keeps the focus on creativity rather than aircraft performance.
The competition is open to any qualified pilot, flying any aircraft, from anywhere in the world, and entry is completely free. Submissions for the 2026 cycle are being accepted until the end of September 2026. Prizes include £1,000 for the overall winner and the award of the Duke of Edinburgh Trophy, with all entrants receiving a certificate and shield. The Dawn to Dusk Competition continues to grow in international participation, drawing pilots from clubs, syndicates, flying schools, families and mixed crews, instructors, students and first‑time competitors. Its accessible format and emphasis on creativity make it one of the most inclusive aviation challenges available worldwide. For Irish pilots in particular, the event offers a compelling opportunity to design a flight that connects personal interest, aviation history, or geographical exploration – all within a single day’s flying.
2023 Winners: A Remarkable Irish Circumnavigation
Among the competition’s standout accomplishments in recent years was the 2023 winning entry by pilots Derek Pake and Kate Turner. Launching from Prestwick, Scotland, they completed a full clockwise circumnavigation of Ireland in a single day, covering more than 1,000 miles in their RV‑8. Their chosen theme explored Ireland’s WWII “EIRE” markers—large whitewashed ground signs that once signalled to overflying aircraft that they were entering neutral Irish airspace. The pair documented surviving markers, historic airfields in Northern Ireland, dramatic coastal cliffs, lighthouse headlands, and landings on all three Aran Islands airfields. Their combination of research, flying skill, photographic documentation and narrative clarity earned them the Duke of Edinburgh Trophy.
Official Pooleys Dealer in Ireland
Pilots preparing equipment, navigation tools or Pooleys flight gear ahead of their entry can source them from Pilot.ie, the only official online Pooleys dealer in Ireland.
How to Enter
Full competition details, entry requirements and guidance for preparing a submission are available at: https://www.pooleys.com/dawn-to-dusk/
