Lead and Follow Flying Perry XC/Racing Camp 2007 Developed by Kai Gersten

Objective SAFE and effective cross-country training by flying in close company with an experienced XC pilot Understanding and comparing decision making Close observation of climbing and running techniques Comparison of cloud and route selections Building confidence in cross country capabilities

Safety First!!! Parachutes mandatory Parachutes mandatory Audio Variometers mandatory Audio Variometers mandatory Eyes wide open! Eyes wide open! Communications: Communications: –123.3 for Launch/Finish/Pattern –On group frequency for flight – 123.3, 123.5, , , and –Transmissions brief and to the point!

Key Elements Four Groups of 4-5 gliders led by an experienced mentor in a Duo or private ship Four Groups of 4-5 gliders led by an experienced mentor in a Duo or private ship –Groups posted after briefing Duo’s will have camp pilots aboard Duo’s will have camp pilots aboard Each mentor will brief the group on the flight Each mentor will brief the group on the flight We will grid and launch by group We will grid and launch by group Mentor launches first, releases as early as possible Mentor launches first, releases as early as possible Tow pilots briefed to drop entire group in same thermal at 2000’ Tow pilots briefed to drop entire group in same thermal at 2000’ Last pilot to launch tows to 3000’ Last pilot to launch tows to 3000’

Each group assembles at an assigned rally point Each group assembles at an assigned rally point Come up on group frequency – 123.3, others TBA Come up on group frequency – 123.3, others TBA Perry International Rally points will be the Contest Start Points

Starting the Task Wait until the group is within at 500’ band at the top of the lift Wait until the group is within at 500’ band at the top of the lift Mentor on the bottom Mentor on the bottom Mentor leads out Mentor leads out

On Course Stay together! – we’re not racing each other Stay together! – we’re not racing each other When stopping to thermal, mentor opens brakes, spirals down to altitude of lowest pilot When stopping to thermal, mentor opens brakes, spirals down to altitude of lowest pilot Don’t stop for thermals if mentor doesn’t Don’t stop for thermals if mentor doesn’t Mentor leads out of all thermals Mentor leads out of all thermals Keep mentor in sight and reasonably close – within a half to a mile - when running to experience the same air – but be very cautious! Keep mentor in sight and reasonably close – within a half to a mile - when running to experience the same air – but be very cautious! Minimum horizontal separation 500’ Minimum horizontal separation 500’ A pilot “doing his own thing” by repeatedly leaving the group will be left to do it A pilot “doing his own thing” by repeatedly leaving the group will be left to do it

In case of difficulty Outlanding decision is the responsibility of each pilot! Outlanding decision is the responsibility of each pilot! Mentor attempt rescue, but not below 2000’ Mentor attempt rescue, but not below 2000’ Other pilots not in difficulty climb in place Other pilots not in difficulty climb in place Outlandings are learning experiences too – radio, turn the radio off, relax, make a good one, and we’ll come get you with a cold beer Outlandings are learning experiences too – radio, turn the radio off, relax, make a good one, and we’ll come get you with a cold beer Feel free to abandon the task if anything makes you uncomfortable Feel free to abandon the task if anything makes you uncomfortable

After Flying Mentors will meet with pilots to review flight, work on problems with group flying that may arise Mentors will meet with pilots to review flight, work on problems with group flying that may arise