Flying Your First Competition Hints and Tips by. Andy Davis

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1 Flying Your First Competition Hints and Tips by Andy Davis

3 Introduction Assumptions BGA Rated Competition Preparation Practice Crew Expectations and Objectives Execution

4 Preparation Equipment: Glider, Trailer and Personal Rules and Task Objectives Airspace Practice How to train effectively Andy Davis Soaring Course

5 Equipment Glider: L/E, sealing, Wheel brake, Pee System Instruments: Audio T/E vario, ASI, altimeter, navigation aids, FLARM. The KISS Principle Databases: TP and airspace Flight Recorder(s): Fix interval <6s, download. Batteries and chargers. Extension lead Tools and spares (tyres, inner tube, skid) Trailer tyres, brakes, lights, spare tyre, security Water ballast filling, Trestles, Tie Down, Washing Kit

6 Personal Equipment Drinking Water Hat Sunglasses, Specs Current Map Pens, ruler, protractor Food Bags Comfort lumbar / cushions Peeing System Personal Baggage delegate and offload

7 Rules and Task Objectives The 2015 Rules for BGA Rated Competitions Modified by Local Rules Gridding and Launching Start Opening Start Sector Valid Start Max Start Height Airmanship, cloud flying Radio

8 The Finish Finish Line: Defined Length ~ perpendicular to inbound track. Often used with a control point. Finish ring </= 3km radius with minimum height. Miss finish but land within airfield boundary, finish time = landing time + 5 mins Safety and Airmanship

9 22.2. Safety and airmanship at finish. Competitors shall be reminded in the local rules that all pilots must be aware of and fly within the requirements of CAP393 ANO Rules of the Air Section 2 Article 5 (low flying rule) and Section 1 Article 74 (reckless or negligent endangerment of any person or property). To meet this requirement, regardless of the position of the finish line, all approaches towards the airfield should prescribe a descending profile(other than to go-around where necessary), the landing area should be in the pilot s sight, and the airfield boundary must be crossed at a height which cannot endanger persons(seen or unseen), vessels or property.

10 Task Types Fixed Course Enhanced Option Fixed Course Distance Handicapped (Variable Barrel) Assigned Area (AAT)

11 AAT Principles There is an Assigned Minimum Task Time Sectors are either CIRCLES of a defined radius, or, Radials with a maximum and optional minimum distance. Any Control Point is also an AAT sector It is a Race Not a Distance Task It is scored as a Race with the same speed gearing. A non finisher will not beat a finisher

12 AAT SECTORS and Scoring Distance

13 AAT Golden Rules 1. You Must Finish 2. You should not finish under time (unless Rule 1 is in jeopardy) 3. Go far enough in the first (and subsequent) sector to ensure you won t finish under time unless doing so jeopardises rule Do not wander around in the sectors. 5. Don t stop racing until you cross the finish. 6. Plan thoroughly - then be flexible in execution

14 Airspace and Altimetry Penalties are harsh Know the rules - where you can and can t fly. If possible use the Scorer s airspace file. Understand how altimeter setting affects you. Gliders are excluded from the following Airspace during competition: Class A Airways, except where they pass through a TMA or CTR of a lower status. Class C Above FL 195. Class D Mostly CTRs (Control Zones) and CTAs (Control Areas) Above FL100 unless exempted by provision of Glider sector that may be utilised without the need for a transponder or clearance from appropriate ATC. Prohibited Areas. Restricted Areas, except Note 2 and 2a areas that only apply to helicopters. Danger Areas prefixed with an * (subject to local bylaws) on the ICAO ½ million chart. Any other specific areas, i.e. deemed active parachute sites, Temporary Restricted or Prohibited Areas specified by the Organisation in text on the daily task sheets. Flights within certain Class D Airspace may be permitted by a briefed block exemption obtained from the controlling authority by the contest organisation. Entry to certain airspace may be permitted by Local Rules according to briefed procedures. NB ATZs are not penalty zones unless briefed but a complaint may result in a penalty

15 Practice Effectively every flight should have a specific training objective Fly x/c whenever possible Set achievable tasks with Start, TPs and Finish Practice both fixed course tasks and AATs Estimate speed and start at the optimum time Make a real effort to finish unless clearly impossible Compare your flight with others, analysis tools Work on Lookout Fly with other gliders Waterballast

16 If You Can t Fly X/C Fly at every opportunity Practice finding lift low down and centring Improve your climb rate experiment (bank etc) Circle both ways Airbrake down and repeat Work on Lookout Fly with other gliders Practice for field landing Select fields and visit them later Final Glides

17 Arrive Early If possible, arrive at the comp site early. Bag a good camping and trailer spot Local Briefing Airspace Traps. Walk the airfield boundaries and landing areas Fly in the local area landmarks for airspace boundaries

18 Crew An integral part of the team Discuss expectations in advance Show crew how everything works before the comp Define roles and responsibilities checklist? Establish a routine and stick to it Contact arrangements Show appreciation!

19 Expectations and Objectives Assess your own abilities / experience honest appraisal against benchmark Keep your expectations realistic Focus on the doing and not on the result Keep a sense of perspective it is a GAME Don t erode your safety margins Don t operate outside your comfort zone Try to relax and have FUN

20 AT THE COMP Routine, rig and grid before briefing Drinking water and snacks Arrive briefing early, task sheet get ahead. When briefing starts, LISTEN. Ask questions. Task length Don t rush, avoid distractions, plan carefully. If in doubt ask Competition Officials Gross error check all data entries Take everything out to the glider

21 On The Grid Arrive Early, don t rush (pull to back if rushed) Safety Checks DI Load Task Logger(s) On Relax and review task, developing conditions, start time Snack as close to lunchtime as possible Be prepared for rebriefing / new task??

22 Airborne Airmanship lookout, gaggles, visibility, circling direction, cloud flying Use time constructively best lift, start line, outbound track Don t land out before start Resist temptation to start as soon as start opens Relax Monitor weather development and review start time As start time approaches get in a good position

23 On Task Take what you think is the best route and best climbs Fly at a comfortable speed to reach the next clouds at a reasonable height Don t be tempted to fly fast or low just because the others are Use others to your advantage but don t just blindly follow them Look / plan well ahead and be flexible

24 On Task, cont.. Don t forget you are racing. Be ruthless. Has the climb rate dropped? Can you reach a better climb? Look ahead, gear change as required and be prepared to push on or slow down Approaching TP is it soarable? Conditions on next leg? Wind? High or low? At TP Priority is LOOKOUT and FIX in SECTOR Clip the TP and get on with the next leg

25 If You Are Getting Low Consider a bigger deviation to stay airborne before all options close. 90 deg or even 180? Be flexible, e.g. holding / ridge Don t continue at low level just because the others are Always keep a landing option open stepping stones Make your decision to land in good time to fly a proper circuit and stick to it Contact farmer, phone crew / control

26 Final Glide Human Factors tired, elated, stressed, irrational Simply an extension of the soaring flight Monitor progress and ACT in good time Funnelling effect. LOOKOUT and SA Finish Line Frequency + Radio Calls Avoid low / dangerous flying Straight-In Landing or Circuit Announce Intentions Monitor Energy and Fly Safely LOOKOUT + AIRSPEED

27 Approach and Landing There may be many other gliders landing Lookout and Communicate Be aware somebody might be landing the wrong way Land Long Keep Straight Push or Tow to the side when safe

28 After Landing Download IGC file for personal review FR / SD card to the Scorer Park glider safely or derig Compare your flight with others What did you do different, well, badly? Learn from mistakes, don t dwell on them Have fun

29 QUESTIONS

2017 Queensland State Gliding Competition

2017 Queensland State Gliding Competition Warwick Aerodrome 30th September 7 th October 2017 Pilot Briefing Sheet General information about the competition that you should know before you arrive Location