Contest participation

To all of you who are interested in contests but have not yet flown one: Just Show Up! Every sports class regionals is designed as an entry level affair. Go to the practice day, explain that it's your first contest, and you'll get all the help you need. Yes, it would help to read the rules appendix and guide to competition, and have a vague idea of what the task types, start and finish procedures are. But even so, you'll get a "mentor" who can help explain everything to you. There will be several other first-timers. The camps, clinics and so forth are even better, but they are really not necessary before you go to a sports regionals. Just Show Up!

John Cochrane BB

Based on my experience, BB is right on!

The SSA website has one or more "flying your first contest" documents that have great information. Read those first. Then show up.

I've been to 4 contests in the last 2 years and everyone, to a person, has been exceedingly helpful. Strategy, instruments, flying in tough conditions - you name it - help was there for the asking.

The biggest hurdle for me was being willing to land out. It happens. Be trained and ready - both skills and mentally. Then go fly!

The old adage about contest flying improving your soaring skills is also spot on. In my last contest, I spent 22 minutes at 1200 feet trying to stay up (yes, I had a landable field right underneath me.) I managed to get away on that one. I would never had worked that hard at my home field.

Finally - to every experienced contest pilot who has mentored a "newbie" - thank you very much!

Lou

PS - See you at the Region 7 contest in Albert Lea! It will be a great one this year!

On Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 12:01:30 PM UTC-5, John Cochrane wrote:
To all of you who are interested in contests but have not yet flown one: Just Show Up! Every sports class regionals is designed as an entry level affair. Go to the practice day, explain that it's your first contest, and you'll get all the help you need. Yes, it would help to read the rules appendix and guide to competition, and have a vague idea of what the task types, start and finish procedures are. But even so, you'll get a "mentor" who can help explain everything to you. There will be several other first-timers. The camps, clinics and so forth are even better, but they are really not necessary before you go to a sports regionals. Just Show Up!

John Cochrane BB

I will add, it seem's (to me) whenever the SSA/Soaring magazine has done a pole (about Soaring content), the majority of SSA members complain about the level of reporting of contest's/contest reporting/contest (basically too much) info.

So, for some SSA members (mostly here on RAS) that seem like there is a dearth of contest info (in any form), maybe some of it the SSA is responding to those that make the most noise?
Not saying good or bad, just saying I've been around long enough to have seen multiple SSA/Soaring poles over ~30+ years.

As I've stated before, I started by crewing for much better pilots, then did "Little guys meets" in the NE US, followed by actual contest's.
Yes, I had "on field mentors" along the way as well. Maybe I'm in the 0.1% of the group in the US.


As a XC/contest pilot/CFIG, I've never "blown someone off" that had XC/contest questions.

On Sunday, 31 January 2016 10:01:30 UTC-7, John Cochrane wrote:
To all of you who are interested in contests but have not yet flown one: Just Show Up! Every sports class regionals is designed as an entry level affair. Go to the practice day, explain that it's your first contest, and you'll get all the help you need. Yes, it would help to read the rules appendix and guide to competition, and have a vague idea of what the task types, start and finish procedures are. But even so, you'll get a "mentor" who can help explain everything to you. There will be several other first-timers. The camps, clinics and so forth are even better, but they are really not necessary before you go to a sports regionals. Just Show Up!

John Cochrane BB

Read the Appendixes of the rulebook, great primer. Someone mentioned crewing for an experienced pilot but also volunteer to assist with organizing and running a contest. If we do not continue to foster organizers and volunteers events will not occur.

I've been reading this thread with interest. You see.. I think I'm a prime candidate for this idea. I have my CFIG and commercial. I got it 20 years ago in college. Almost all of my soaring experience is 20 years ago. Almost the entirety of my experience is intro soaring, and acro rides when I was in college (that's was flying that someone else was paying for... good enough in my late teens)

I had some good flying in CSA's 1-36. I think my best ever was a 2.5 flight out of Bob Lee in Deland FL. I got beyond gliding range from the airport for the first time. Nothing serious... just one flight of.. oh... I gotta go here, then there then I can get back.

Now here I am in my early 40s. Time, and disposable income are both on my side for once. I joined a club late in the summer. I checked out to tow and teach. Knocking the rust off my skills was fun. I got some good instruction in ridge soaring, got a taste of wave too.

So, here I am.. What now!?

I decided that I need to learn. So after one false start ( tried Minden, but they decided they'd stay closed in March when I have vacation) I booked 4 days in Williams CA. Told them I want to learn how to thermal better, and get some cross country instruction.

I've been reading some soaring books. Started with 'the soaring engine'

I've got plans to go to Elmira. A college age friend grew up at contests, and he and his kids now are flying contest. I feel I'm so far away from being qualified to even show up!

I'm sure it's like anything.. I just have to DO it.

I bought a quarter share of a 1-35. I'm anxious to get out and learn the skill set. As of now, I'd say I wouldn't be interested in a contest until 2017. Is that realistic.. a whole year of getting ready? The 'on ramp' sure looks steep from where I'm sitting. I'm determined to keep going, and see if I enjoy this type of flying. But for someone who's never done it. It sure seems like a extraordinary amount of time, effort, and money getting into a new hobby. I'm game to try for a while and see how I like it.

Jason

There are some problems you can not solve - you just need to battle constantly against the tide lets just be tenacious and keep trying/be open to new ideas...... he small number of contest pilots compared to SSA membership and the shrinking number of pilots ............. All Orphan Sports share the same problem.

IDEA: we have Nationals (worth 100) - Regional s (worth 92) - lets make a Contest that is 4 days (worth 70).

One operator I spoke to really like the idea of doing a contest that was easier and required less man hours to run. This would help his operation and maybe get a few people to try a contest who can not give up their vacation..

I think in the end we are looking for pilots to get "bitten by the bug". Until Red Bull decided to sponsor our contests....... main stream media may be a stretch (but getting a high end media sponsor is also not a bad idea )


WH1

ps.For me the emphasis in VSC on doing Badge Flights and the Governors Cup comp between the 3 clubs in our area - rally helped drive the XC itch.

Jason wrote - "As of now, I'd say I wouldn't be interested in a contest until 2017. Is that realistic.. a whole year of getting ready?"

If you focus on and accomplish your C, Bronze, and Silver badges in 2016, the plan to fly a contest in 2017 is quite realistic. Especially if you spend some time in the winter of 2016 - 2017 reading up on contest flying.

Go for it!

Lou

Since "on ramp" in regard to contests is becoming a meme, I feel the need to call BS. Where's the "on ramp" to college? Where's the "on ramp" for getting a job? Where's the "on ramp" for taking flying lessons? All of these instances require self-motivation and some initiative; they don't happen unless you do something. The same is true of contest flying.

Now I appreciate that some people are timid, or don't have a great deal of self-confidence, or might need a bit of a push. For them the best advice I can give would be to join a club that has pilots who do XC and fly contests.. Camaraderie and a bit of peer pressure can work wonders!

As others have said on this thread already, there are many venues and opportunities available for people to get exposed to contest flying. But you have to take advantage of them yourself, no one can spoon feed you into becoming a contest pilot.

-John, Q3

On Monday, February 1, 2016 at 9:49:41 AM UTC-5, MNLou wrote:
Jason wrote - "As of now, I'd say I wouldn't be interested in a contest until 2017. Is that realistic.. a whole year of getting ready?"

If you focus on and accomplish your C, Bronze, and Silver badges in 2016, the plan to fly a contest in 2017 is quite realistic. Especially if you spend some time in the winter of 2016 - 2017 reading up on contest flying.

Go for it!

Lou

I would add that setting aside a few days to visit a contest would be very worthwhile. The things that can be learned by going to pilot meetings, meeting pilots and getting some hints, maybe pitching in to help the launch or do a retrieve are invaluable.
Plus you will meet people who can act as mentors while you get going.
Caution- addicting- it makes you want to do it.
UH

I think the bar is quite high to become a REGULAR contest participant. Fans of Cosmos may recall Carl Sagan's explanation of the Drake equation that posits the possibility of life on other planets. I propose a Contest Pilot Drake equation whe

A = Probability that a glider pilot has reasonable cross country proficiency

B = Probability that 'A' pilots have access to their own glider either owned or borrowed

C= Probability that B pilots fly the glider XC more than [pick a number....20?] times a year

D= Probability that C pilots have enough vacation to attend 3 contests a year

E= Probability that D pilots have enough money to attend 3 contests a year

F = Probability that E pilots will have family situations that allow attending 3 contests a year

G = Probability that F pilots will feel they are making enough progress after 3 seasons in a row to continue.

A * B * C * D * E * F * G * Number of active glider pilots = Number of contest pilots

There's a reason that a lot of retired people fly in contests and it's not because younger pilots lack the interest. There's personal sacrifice (even if you're single), and it's going to take you several years to get comfortable and start placing in the top half -if you're good enough to begin with.. It's entirely possible that while you will improve considerably, you may not be very good at the competition level.

I'm not implying that it isn't worth the time and effort to improve. Winning isn't the only thing, and it's entirely possible that you may enjoy yourself immensely but never place particularly high on the list of finishers. Is that worth it to you? Only you can decide, just remember that the best way to keep from getting your butt kicked in a contest is to fly in more contests.

Time is expensive. You have to not only devote time to going to contests, you have to fly an awful lot on your own time. Everyone reading this, including me, will think that's not much of a sacrifice but ask your wife what she thinks on a day when she wants you to take a kayak ride while Dr. Jack tells you it's a great day to try for your 500k. ("This sport is worse than golf -you're gone all day!") I've been accused of only wanting to spend rainy days at home during flying season. I can't imagine what would happen if I announced I was going to three contests this year. Plus, flying to get ready for them.

That's just me. Your mileage may vary, as they say. I fully expect others to disagree with my reasoning and again, don't come away thinking I'm not saying that contests aren't great. Like automotive racing, they teach even non-contest flyers a lot of valuable lessons, push things forward for everyone and add depth and texture to the sport.

But they're not for everyone. In fact, they're not for most everyone. I refer you back to the equation above. Even just dipping your toes into contest flying takes a tremendous amount of effort, time, and money. That's probably why many people try them once in a while, but never fly them regularly. And, incidentally, probably why the OLC is so popular -you can time shift your competitive days to when it is convenient for you to fly.