getting ready for competition. topics preparation –glider –pilot expectations practice what...

23
Getting Ready For Competition

Upload: emma-dawson

Post on 28-Jan-2016

214 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Getting Ready ForCompetition

Page 2: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

TopicsTopics

PreparationPreparation– GliderGlider– PilotPilot

ExpectationsExpectations PracticePractice What to ExpectWhat to Expect

Page 3: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Glider PreparationGlider Preparation

Be Sure Everything WorksBe Sure Everything Works– Annual/Condition InspectionAnnual/Condition Inspection– Wheel BrakeWheel Brake– Fix dings, waxFix dings, wax– Instruments (keep it simple)Instruments (keep it simple)

Know how they workKnow how they work Know that they workKnow that they work Program PDAProgram PDA

– Relief (pee) System/Drinking WaterRelief (pee) System/Drinking Water– Cockpit ComfortableCockpit Comfortable– Trailer (lights, hitch, tires, interior)Trailer (lights, hitch, tires, interior)

Page 4: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Pilot PreparationPilot Preparation

Task AreaTask Area– TurnpointsTurnpoints– Map, Restricted Areas, SUA’sMap, Restricted Areas, SUA’s– Google Earth (where terrain a factor)Google Earth (where terrain a factor)

Competition Rules-know themCompetition Rules-know them Read SRA, Moffat, Davis (see end)Read SRA, Moffat, Davis (see end) Local Field ProtocolLocal Field Protocol Crew ArrangementCrew Arrangement Physical Conditioning, RestPhysical Conditioning, Rest

Page 5: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

MapMap

Why a map? I have GPS and a moving Why a map? I have GPS and a moving map on my PDA.map on my PDA.

Big pictureBig picture PlanningPlanning Familiarization with the areaFamiliarization with the area Reliability of glider electrical systemsReliability of glider electrical systems

Page 6: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Pilot PreparationPilot Preparation

Checklists!Checklists!– Before leaving homeBefore leaving home– GliderGlider

Before Take OffBefore Take Off After LandingAfter Landing

Page 7: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Sailplane Racing ChecklistSailplane Racing Checklist W3W3 PREFLIGHT:PREFLIGHT:

– Critical Assembly CheckCritical Assembly Check– Batteries (charged)Batteries (charged)– IPAQ (turnpoints loaded and charged)IPAQ (turnpoints loaded and charged)– Cellphone (charged)Cellphone (charged)– Pee Thing & connectorPee Thing & connector– SunglassesSunglasses– MapMap– Road MapRoad Map– Landing CardsLanding Cards– Retrieve NumbersRetrieve Numbers– Grid SheetGrid Sheet– Task SheetTask Sheet– Sun Screen/ChapStickSun Screen/ChapStick– LunchLunch– Drinking WaterDrinking Water– Oxygen OnOxygen On– Ridge Head PadRidge Head Pad– Landout KitLandout Kit– ELT armedELT armed

W3W3– POSTFLIGHT:POSTFLIGHT:– Download flight logDownload flight log– Turn Off:Turn Off:

GPS-NavGPS-Nav Instruments/MasterInstruments/Master OxygenOxygen ELT (for trailering)ELT (for trailering)

– Remove from cockpit:Remove from cockpit: IPAQIPAQ Landing CardLanding Card CellphoneCellphone Batteries (to be charged)Batteries (to be charged) CamelbacksCamelbacks LunchLunch

– Return to CockpitReturn to Cockpit SunglassesSunglasses Dump valve toolDump valve tool Pee ConnectorPee Connector

– Clean off bugsClean off bugs– Secure glider in trailerSecure glider in trailer

Page 8: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

ExpectationsExpectations

Competition often turns perfectly good pilots Competition often turns perfectly good pilots into idiots!into idiots!

Set realistic goals. You are probably not Set realistic goals. You are probably not going to win your first contest.going to win your first contest.

If you finish every day, you will surprise If you finish every day, you will surprise yourself with how well you do!yourself with how well you do!

Page 9: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Racing StrategyRacing Strategy

Not rocket scienceNot rocket science Set MacCready conservativelySet MacCready conservatively

– Pick a reasonable speed for the day and use Pick a reasonable speed for the day and use that in cruise. that in cruise.

– Flying a little slower increases range for finding Flying a little slower increases range for finding the next thermal.the next thermal.

If you get low, survival, not speed is priorityIf you get low, survival, not speed is priority Minimize circling; Fly lift linesMinimize circling; Fly lift lines

Page 10: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Racing StrategyRacing Strategy

Focus on reaching goal(s)Focus on reaching goal(s)– Next cloud, turnpoint, finishNext cloud, turnpoint, finish

BUT, always keep several options in mindBUT, always keep several options in mind Think flexibly, don’t become fixatedThink flexibly, don’t become fixated Use other gliders. (Be sure they are really Use other gliders. (Be sure they are really

climbing!)climbing!) If flight is not going well, evaluate other If flight is not going well, evaluate other

alternatives. Perhaps try something else.alternatives. Perhaps try something else.

Page 11: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Practicing for RacingPracticing for Racing

Racing (and XC flying) is a complex taskRacing (and XC flying) is a complex task– Good startGood start– Finding & centering thermalsFinding & centering thermals– To circle or not to circleTo circle or not to circle– Gaggle flyingGaggle flying– Identifying best lift lines to next turnpointIdentifying best lift lines to next turnpoint– Proper speed controlProper speed control– Outlanding optionsOutlanding options– Drink, eat and peeDrink, eat and pee– Final glideFinal glide– Finish and LANDING!Finish and LANDING!

Page 12: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Practicing for RacingPracticing for Racing

Fly cross country every chance you getFly cross country every chance you get Whenever possible, set a task and try to Whenever possible, set a task and try to

complete it, preferably racing with several complete it, preferably racing with several other pilotsother pilots

Vary task setting: AST, TAT, MATVary task setting: AST, TAT, MAT Analyze each flight, using SeeYou, etc. Analyze each flight, using SeeYou, etc.

Identify areas for improvementIdentify areas for improvement Develop feel for starts and final glidesDevelop feel for starts and final glides

Page 13: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Practicing for RacingPracticing for Racing

On weak (non XC) days practice finding and On weak (non XC) days practice finding and centering thermals at low altitude.centering thermals at low altitude.

Practice picking landing fields, and visit laterPractice picking landing fields, and visit later If your next contest allows water ballast, use If your next contest allows water ballast, use

it in practice on good days.it in practice on good days.

Page 14: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Stay ahead of the curveStay ahead of the curveEat a good breakfastEat a good breakfastAssemble and CAC glider earlyAssemble and CAC glider earlyGrid earlyGrid earlyUse your checklistUse your checklistComfortable in cockpitComfortable in cockpitBe ready to go with 4-5 gliders ahead of Be ready to go with 4-5 gliders ahead of you for towyou for tow

Your First Contest

Page 15: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Your First Contest

Page 16: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Stay relaxed, but alertStay relaxed, but alertDon’t worry about the weather. It is what it is.Don’t worry about the weather. It is what it is.Create several general strategies depending on Create several general strategies depending on task and weather.task and weather.Use your mentor. Ask questions. Discuss your Use your mentor. Ask questions. Discuss your proposed strategies. proposed strategies. Avoid DistractionsAvoid Distractions

Your First Contest

Page 17: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Your First ContestYour First Contest

Review the Task AreaReview the Task Area– MapMap– Terrain features, issues, aidsTerrain features, issues, aids– Outlanding optionsOutlanding options

Page 18: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Your First ContestYour First Contest

Flying the taskFlying the task– Don’t start first, or lastDon’t start first, or last– Use the skills you have learned and practiced at Use the skills you have learned and practiced at

home.home.– Avoid the onset of “Contest Idiocy” You don’t Avoid the onset of “Contest Idiocy” You don’t

have to follow those other guys streaking at a have to follow those other guys streaking at a high rate of speed towards the ground!high rate of speed towards the ground!

– Watch weather trends, keep flexible, be ready Watch weather trends, keep flexible, be ready to change strategy if conditions warrant. to change strategy if conditions warrant.

Page 19: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Your First ContestYour First Contest

Flying the TaskFlying the Task– Use other gliders, but don’t blindly follow themUse other gliders, but don’t blindly follow them– Flying to your next thermal (cloud), have a plan Flying to your next thermal (cloud), have a plan

for the possibility it is no longer working.for the possibility it is no longer working.

Page 20: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Your First ContestYour First Contest

FinishingFinishing– Plan to finish high (1000 ft agl) until you have a Plan to finish high (1000 ft agl) until you have a

better feel for final glides.better feel for final glides.– Don’t miss the bottom of the Finish CylinderDon’t miss the bottom of the Finish Cylinder– If the finish looks marginal, keep landable fields If the finish looks marginal, keep landable fields

within reach.within reach.– After the Finish, focus on fitting in with the After the Finish, focus on fitting in with the

traffic, landing the glider and clearing the traffic, landing the glider and clearing the runway.runway.

Page 21: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Your First ContestYour First Contest

Post FlightPost Flight– Glider clear of the runwayGlider clear of the runway– Flight log to scorerFlight log to scorer– Put the glider away for the night (Check List!)Put the glider away for the night (Check List!)– Have a beer and discuss your flight with the Have a beer and discuss your flight with the

other pilotsother pilots

Page 22: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Other ReadingOther Reading

SRA Guide to Soaring CompetitionSRA Guide to Soaring Competition– http://sailplane-racing.orghttp://sailplane-racing.org

““How to enjoy your first gliding competition”, How to enjoy your first gliding competition”, Sailplane & Gliding,June-July 2004Sailplane & Gliding,June-July 2004

Cross Country Soaring by Helmut Cross Country Soaring by Helmut ReichmannReichmann

Winning II by George MoffatWinning II by George Moffat

Page 23: Getting Ready For Competition. Topics  Preparation –Glider –Pilot  Expectations  Practice  What to Expect

Good Luck! Fly Safe!