2022 Green Swamp Klassic Mentored Competition

[lplehmann]

I would like to bring to the Club's attention the forthcoming (April 3-9) Green Swamp Klassic event to be held at Wilotree flight park (ex Quest) in Groveland Florida.

The mentored competition has been conducted for a number of years now, and has been remarkably successful in providing a low-stress education in cross-country flying and modern competition. The format involves three or four less experienced pilots being teamed with a highly experienced competition pilot who will act as their coach both on the ground and in the air. He/she will instruct the rookies in soaring tactics, competition strategy, setting up of flight instruments, advice on weather, and any of the myriad small and large skills that go into making a well-rounded pilot. While these lessons are particularly focused on competition flying, most of what is taught and learned is universally applicable to our daily flying. Participation in the Klassic is therefore something that will be rewarding to any pilot wishing to improve their skills.

In addition to the individual attention received from the mentor, there will be group talks on specific skill-areas of advanced flying. But the core element of the week's activity is the opportunity to fly in a low stress, but fully modern cross-country competition, over almost ideal terrain under the guidance of a host of truly excellent mentors. Among those committed to serving as mentors are many of the top-ranked pilots in the US, including many time US Champion Zac Majors, and multiple pilots with World Championship experience including Robin Hamilton, Davis Straub, John Simon, Larry Bunner, and Greg Dinauer, and Tim Delaney, to name only some of them. They are damn good pilots, but as importantly they are friendly, accessible and eager to share the fruits of their decades of experience.

Some pilots may be turned off by the notion of "competition" flying, but this event is far more about a week of flying a lot, and learning within a rich and friendly environment.

There are still a number of slots available, and if you would like more information about what is involved, please visit the following Airtribune site,

https://airtribune.com/2022-green-swamp ... assic/info

Pete Lehmann

PS On the website, click on one or two of the Green Swamp Memoirs at the top of the Summary page. They will give you a snapshot of what the event is like from the point of view of past participants.

[RichH]

Leaving next week for the Green Swamp Klassic ! looking forward to seeing old friends and making a bunch of new friends and hopefully get some good flying in after a windy winter.. Rich