Flying Competitions

FLYING COMPETITIONS By Vaughan Ruddick for the Sailplane Racing Committee

So what are competitions about?

Whatever competition you fly, like anything in gliding it is all about learning. Lots of people seem to be scared to fly comps because they are scared of seeing their names at the bottom of the score sheet for their first few attempts. Just remember that you have to start somewhere and even Ben Flewitt and John Coutts started at the bottom before rising to where they are now.

One thing you will find is that most of the top pilots are remarkably open about the techniques and experiences. There is nothing better than flying a contest with good pilots – it may feel intimidating at first, but you will learn so much.

New competitors are normally amazed by what can be achieved in a contest, often startled by the tasks that are set. As a new competitor you have no excuse for not giving it a go. You have a task set, weather briefing, volunteers running the ground operation, your crew to help if you land out, the same glider to fly for a week or more, lots of tow planes to tow when required, usually a bar and barbeque laid on for socializing. What more could you ask for?

After pilots fly their first contest they are usually hooked and fly them for many years. Why? Because it improves their overall flying so much and gives them a something to measure their flying against.

A normal competition day starts around 9 am with the prepping of your glider, briefing at 10 am with weather briefing and tasks for the day. You’ll be on the grid around 11-11.30 am with launch at 12-1 pm. Then you will be on task from 1-6 pm, or later if you land out.

So, what are the options for flying a contest in New Zealand? First you have the un-sanctioned Gliding New Zealand comps. That is the Central Plateau, Helen Vint, Matamata Soaring Centre, and Omarama Cup contests. These are all great entry level comps. The GNZ sanctioned contests are the North Island Regionals, Central Districts, South Island Regionals (also great entry level comps) and then we have the Nationals, the premier New Zealand Contest.

Tasks are usually of two types: ‘racing tasks’, where the winner is the fastest around a pre-declared task and the ‘assigned area task’, which provides freedom to go wherever you want within set areas with the aim of going as fast and as far as you can go in a given time.

All classes are catered for, sports class through to the open class. The only difference between tasks for the classes is the task lengths. Sports class tasks are usually around 100-200 km while the open class can be set around 400-600 km. Also all classes except the open class are handicapped for glider performance, which makes for fairer racing with all the different glider types.

So come on give it a crack. Either talk to one of your experienced club competition pilots for more info or guidance or contact one of the Sailplane Racing committee members. We are always pleased to help.

Contact Vaughan by email vaughanandpaula@paradise.net.nz