WAGA X-Country Lectures Flying at Competitions

2 Content Club/State Competitions –Preparation –Planning –Crew –Aircraft –Expectations Nationals –Sponsors –Nullabor –Flying –Experience

3 Preparation:- Step up from Club Flying Take advantage of club coaching/pylon racing days Become comfortable with: –Lookout –Centring thermals –Flying with other aircraft –Navigation –Accurate flying –Final glides –Outlanding

4 Planning Arrange for leave; Sufficient money for the project - fuel, fees, tows, retrieves, repairs; Obtain the competition rules and know them. Competitor’s Licence; Arrange for practice at your club and at the venue; Obtain new maps/GPS Turnpoints; Think about it- are you ready for it?

5 The Crew Must be compatible Living for up to a month in new & stressful conditions Sense of humour Teamwork

6 The Crew Know limitations Differing skills Risk manage breakdowns Manage time pressures

7 The Aircraft Yours or a club’s Form 2 valid Certificate of Registration Instruments Compass GPS Flarm (for Nationals) Trailer OK Spares/ Maintenance Are you current?

8 Expectations Your first competition at a different level is always a learning experience Don’t be disappointed with your performance if it doesn’t meet your expectations Enjoy your successes! Keep it safe!!!

Flying at the Nationals Step up from the State Competitions

10 Sponsors WAGA –Department of Sports & Recreation Club Donations from Friends/Relations Money Raisers (chook raffles)

11 The Nullabor 2,000 kms to Ceduna Straights Desert- take water and food Night time hazards Take spares and tools

12 The Nullabor kms between fuel stops All fuel stops take Visa Cards Fuel can be 30% dearer Southern X, Coolgardie, Norseman (Shell), Balladonia, Caiguna

13 The Nullabor Caguina. Madura, Eucla, Nullabor Roadhouse, Nundroo, Ceduna. Ceduna, Minnipa, Kimba, Port Augusta, Port Wakefield, Gawler.

14 The Flying Different meteorology Different lift sources Different countryside Lookout essential 50+ gliders at start Mass finishes Demanding outlandings

15 The Flying

16 The Flying

17 The Flying

18 The Flying

19 The Flying

20 The Flying Wow! Don’t fly for sheep stations Get good food Get a good night’s sleep Don’t party if you’re flying the next day If you get too tired - don’t fly

21 The Spectacle Enjoy the spectacle - mass takeoffs, starts and finishes Take lots of photos Keep a Journal Make new friends Party hard at the end of the contest Allow some rest before setting off home

Questions Would you like to do it?