1. Flying Competitions
Being Ready

2. Competition Flying Reality
Why Preparation is Important
Rules and Regulations
Technical Preparations
Being Ready
Real Life X

3. Why Prepare: Time and Mind
Well Prepared Competition Day
Relaxing breakfast thinking of the weather
Rig, Water and Grid before briefing
Mark maps and program the navigation kit
Get into the zone, think through the task, check kit
Launch, concentrate on the flying, go fast, no fields
Climb 5 places over-all
Relaxing evening with your mates in the bar

4. Why Prepare: Time and Mind
Alternative reality Competition Day
Fight hangover through breakfast
Gliders blocking the trailer and cant rig in time
Rush through briefing and then tow out
Forgot the sandwich and one of the loggers is down
Distracted all flight then find you turned KET not KES!
Drop down 5 places over-all
Evening fixing the loggers; ratty for next day

5. Getting the distractions out the way
Glider and Trailer
Rules and Regulations
Technical Equipment
Daily Routine
Ready for the Flight
Ready for the Retrieve
Know how to not spoil your day
Loggers, Airspace, Turn Points, Maps
How to get ready
How to keep cool!

6. Glider and Trailer Statistically you will need the trailer!
Go round the tyres, brakes, lights, fittings
Take it for a test drive and use the brakes!
Fix what is not working right
There is ALWAYS someone in the club to help!
Definitely you WILL need the glider
Airworthiness, insurance, instrumentation
Check the trim with your flying weight and water
Ensure all is well sealed and nice and tight
Practice flying the glider!
Be familiar with and confident with the equipment
Get your crew familiar and confident!
Avoid blown up wings, trailer rash, broken tow-out gear

7. Read the Rules Competition Rules: Deadly Dull! Key Things to Know
Some Rules are more important than Others
Know what can ruin your day!
Don’t Forget Local Rules: sometimes more important than Comp rules
Key Things to Know
Launching, relights, radio frequencies
Engine Run Procedure: when and where you can run
Start Procedure: size of sector, start options, penalties
Turn Point Zones: shape and size,
Finish Procedure: safe and penalty free approaches
Penalties: x-check to avoid getting them!
Understanding Scoring (a bit!)
What Makes a Contest Day
Getting a good score from AAT days

8. Technology and Instruments
Good Instruments that you are familiar with
You really don’t need a £5000 panel
2 Wold Championships with B50 and PDA
Get the Data up front
Airspace files for your equipment, including local airspace
Turn points don’t change much, but they do change!
Then Practice, at home, on club days
Set tasks properly on all navigation aids
Practice updating the task and clearing loggers
Play what-if you have a failure (battery, logger, instruments)

9. Competition Daily Routine
On the Grid
Get a routine worked out with your crew
Attend carefully to rigging- lots of distractions
Briefing
Have all your kit ready, pens, rulers, compass, cloth, map
Draw maps and tasks first
Always stop and listen to the Met
Ready for Launch
Get the computers programmed
Food, drink, maps, hat, glasses
Pre-flight check list, mental, written, laminated; have one!
Switch On, Tune In