SF's recommendations for contest beginners

1. Enter and show up. Don't over think this. If you think you want to fly a contest just do it. Everybody there remembers their fist contest and they will try to help you.

2. Establish some reasonable goals and expectations.
Goal # One: Have fun. Goal # Two: fly safe
Don't expect to win. Don't let what other people are doing lead you into what you personally consider risky behavior. If the wind is too high for you, pull your plane out of the start grid. If you don't feel good today, don't fly. Don't like the weather, don't fly. Get out on couse and don't like the way things are going, turn around and land.

3. Do things to De-stress the experience for you. Get everything working and downloaded before leaving home. Don't save money and camp on the field if you don't like camping. If you can bring a crew, bring them. Just knowing that someone is standing by to go get you when you land out really helps.

4. you are probably going to land out, know that going in and don't sweat it. Make a decision as to what altitude number you are going to use to decide when to quit competing and start landing. Don't let others stories of low saves lead you to try one.

5. When you get back and others didn't, go on retrieves. They usually always result in a good story.

SF