Multiprocessing The demanding Art of Cross Country Racing US Team/Region 1 XC/Racing Camp Doug Jacobs

There’s lots going on in a soaring flight . . . . Trying to Thermal optimally Staying Safe if in a Gaggle Deciding how high to take the thermal? Deciding where to go next? Deciding what path to get there Choosing the best thermal for the next stop Cross country soaring is as much about decision making as flying the glider

There’s even more going on when you’re racing When to Start Starting strategies Fooling with the flight computer Deciding on the next turnpoint in a MAT? Deciding where to turn in an Assigned Area Task? Figuring out your Final Glide Racing is primarily a mental performance sport, about optimal decision making with imperfect information

To excel, the cross country or racing pilot must deal with a complex mental workload And when the canopy comes down, IQ is cut in half (at least!) How to deal with the complexity? By recognizing it’s elements By minimizing non-critical distractions By practicing required actions so they become second nature By continually analyzing flight performance in a systematic way

Most important is basic ship handling Thermal corrections, bank angle changes, speed changes and the like are automatic How? Just like how you get to Carnegie Hall – practice, practice, practice Don’t sand on weak days, go fly! Know your electronics cold Radio frequency changing Flight computer programming Must avoid any unnecessary distractions The radio Physical comfort Excessive emotion

Prepare everything possible for the flight before you launch Flight computer programmed B and C tasks as well Task fully memorized Ground crew/retrieve arrangements made Car keys stay in the crew car Checklist completed Lunch/water/relief ready to go and at hand Subtract anything that will take your mind off the flight

Physiological factors are important Physical fitness leads to mental fitness Well rested Something to eat Plenty to drink Positive mental attitude, self confident Calm emotional outlook Ability to put mistakes behind you

Develop a mental scan 3/30/3/30 process What am I going to do in 3 seconds? Not get hit by that glider above/below/ahead Open/close my turn to move my circle What am I going to do in 30 seconds? Speed up/slow down (in the run) Turn in this lift or keep going? Stay with this thermal or leave Follow that glider or go my own way

Develop a mental scan 3/30/3/30 process What am I going to do in three minutes? How do I exit this thermal? Do I see markers down course? Go for the clouds on the left or right? What am I going to do in 30 minutes? Are the clouds better/worse down course? How are the streets/energy lines developing? What’s my next pilot designated turnpoint? When will I have enough for final glide?

Mentally roll through the 3/30/3/30 mantra constantly Recognize distraction, deal with it, back to the mantra Keep this going the whole flight