WAGA X-Country Lectures

Flying at Competitions

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Content• Club/State Competitions

– Preparation– Planning– Crew– Aircraft– Expectations

• Nationals– Sponsors – Nullabor– Flying– Experience

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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

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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?

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The Crew

• Must be compatible

• Living for up to a month in new & stressful conditions

• Sense of humour• Teamwork

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The Crew

• Know limitations• Differing skills• Risk manage

breakdowns• Manage time

pressures

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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?

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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

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Sponsors

• WAGA– Department of Sports & Recreation

• Club

• Donations from Friends/Relations

• Money Raisers (chook raffles)

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The Nullabor

• 2,000 kms to Ceduna

• Straights• Desert- take

water and food• Night time

hazards• Take spares

and tools

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The Nullabor• 150-300kms

between fuel stops• All fuel stops take

Visa Cards• Fuel can be 30%

dearer• Southern X,

Coolgardie, Norseman (Shell), Balladonia, Caiguna

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The Nullabor

• Caguina. Madura, Eucla, Nullabor Roadhouse, Nundroo, Ceduna.

• Ceduna, Minnipa, Kimba, Port Augusta, Port Wakefield, Gawler.

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The Flying

• Different meteorology• Different lift sources• Different countryside• Lookout essential• 50+ gliders at start• Mass finishes

• Demanding outlandings

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The Flying

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The Flying

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The Flying

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The Flying

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The Flying

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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

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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?