Advice on upcoming ECC

[rlweber]

I decided to participate in the upcoming ECC in the sport class to upgrade my XC skills, not to mention having a week of flying and fun. I asked Dan Tomlinson what input he would have for a first timer. This was his reply:

You bet Randy, I'd be glad to give you some suggestions. If you want you can post them to the public server.

First of all go to have fun and fly safe. It's always tempting to try to push yourself a little too hard during these competitions. I had one flight last year where the winds were strong and across the runway rather than down it. I was cautioned to keep my upwind wing low and did so successfully. The glider remained under control and to any observer it looked like a skillful launch in difficult conditions. But I knew I had rolled the dice with that one and made an error in judgement that could have bit me hard. I would never have considered launching in those conditions had it not been for the competition. Keep your head about you and don't rely on someone else to tell you it not safe enough.

Second talk to the experts. There are going to be some world class pilots there and they will be glad to share their experience and expertise with you, but you have to ask. I have one expert pilot in particular that I like to buy breakfast in town for and then throughly pick his brain. It cost me about $7.00 and I get the full attention and experience of one of the top tier pilots in the sport. Don't approach them when they are setting up. Talk to them when the day is over or early when everyone is hanging out.

Listen to Davis Straubs forecast in the morning, particularly the part that talks about the top of the lift. That will give you a good indication of the highest you are likely to get. When you get close to that high and your vario is no longer screaming up, it's time to move on.

Finally, fly in a group when you can. The competition pilots pull the big distances because they spread out and mark the thermals for each other. The sport class pilots would do well to think of themselves as a team rather than competitors and try to help each other along. I know most of them and I think they'd all go for this idea.

Unfortunately it looks like I'm going to be out of the country that week and for the rest of the season so I probably won't be joining you there. Pass this along if you like, have fun, fly safe.

Thanks again for your input Dan. Input from others welcomed.

Randy Weber

[John Simon]

Hi
if you like you can call me. I've flown sport class quite a few times. Typing is not my strength presently...
410-224-0775.

John

[Dan T]

John Simon is a real good pilot. Since he's kind of a captured audience (ha ha i couldn't resist John) you all have a great opportunity to pick his brain. He'd probably like the conversation too.

Dan T

[hefalump]

I think John Simon should be the 2008 sport class coach. Maybe a little informal ground school for the new sport class guys on X-C flying. I think he should also be on the task committee for the sport class tasks as well.

[Lauren Tjaden]

yes, he should
lauren