Contests the end-all?

[Morgans[_2_]]

As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
this group. I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
the subjects here.

I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. Is it so
necessary to fly in contests to have fun?

How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?

Role-Call?

Fly mostly in contests -

Fly occasionally in contests -

Never fly in contests -

Where do you all stand? Curious, I guess.
--
Jim in NC

[Westbender]

On May 19, 4:40*pm, "Morgans" > wrote:
> As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> this group. *I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> the subjects here.
>
> I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. *Is it so
> necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>
> Role-Call?
>
> Fly mostly in contests -
>
> Fly occasionally in contests -
>
> Never fly in contests -
>
> Where do you all stand? *Curious, I guess.
> --
> Jim in NC

I've never flown in a contest and I absolutely love to fly my
sailplane. I can't get enough of soaring. That's not to say I wouldn't
enter a contest someday. The point is, you definitely don't need to
compete to have a tremendous amount of fun. X-Country soaring presents
a lot of challenges and rewards all by itself. Whether it just be
personal goals, badges or OLC, there's plenty of soaring to do outside
of organized competitions.

[mattm[_2_]]

On May 19, 5:40*pm, "Morgans" > wrote:
> As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> this group. *I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> the subjects here.
>
> I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. *Is it so
> necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>
> Role-Call?
>
> Fly mostly in contests -
>
> Fly occasionally in contests -
>
> Never fly in contests -
>
> Where do you all stand? *Curious, I guess.
> --
> Jim in NC

I fly occasionally, about once a year (all the budget or wife will
stand for now).
At both my current and previous club there was a fair contingent of
contest
pilots, some of whom did have or do have fair success at them (one old
buddy
won several days at the last Worlds). At both clubs I'd say about
20-25% of
the pilots do or did fly in contests. Most of the pilots who fly
cross country
wind up at contests sooner or later.

However, at a nearby club most (if not all) of the pilots fly cross
country, but
none that I know of fly in contests (other than OLC).

When I started out (at a commercial operation), only the guy in charge
had
contest experience (he won some contests in the days when a 1-23 was a
hot ship). Mostly I heard grumbling that the cost of a competitive
ship was
out of reach -- that contest flying had become a money spending
contest.
Most pilots in the bunch aspired to cross country flying, but none
did.

After a few years off I came back at a large club. There were a
number of
accomplished contest pilots there, plus club ships were available for
cross country flying. Also, Sports Class got started by then, which
made contest flying much more affordable. The final nail in the
coffin came
when our club hosted a regional contest. Watching 50 gliders get
launched
in 40 minutes hooked my interest for good.

Not long after that I got transferred elsewhere, and the new club
didn't have
any cross country ships in its inventory. After about 8-10 years we
had
an L33 available, and I started flying cross country in it. Then, we
had a 304
available as well. I've taken both ships to contests. The
experience is
well worth the effort.

-- Matt

[Tim Taylor]

On May 19, 3:40*pm, "Morgans" > wrote:
> As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> this group. *I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> the subjects here.
>
> I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. *Is it so
> necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>
> Role-Call?
>
> Fly mostly in contests -
>
> Fly occasionally in contests -
>
> Never fly in contests -
>
> Where do you all stand? *Curious, I guess.
> --
> Jim in NC

Famous Last Words

“Contests are great fun. Bigger contest are greater fun. Doing well
is still greater fun. The key to success is really surprisingly
simple. A good ship, adequate instruments, consistency and
concentration are all you need to start playing the game effectively.
Experience, and the resulting growth of judgment, make each contest
more enjoyable and usually more successful. One caution: it’s easy to
get hooked!” George Moffat – Winning on the Wind

[bildan]

On May 19, 3:40*pm, "Morgans" > wrote:
> As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> this group. *I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> the subjects here.
>
> I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. *Is it so
> necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>
> Role-Call?
>
> Fly mostly in contests -
>
> Fly occasionally in contests -
>
> Never fly in contests -
>
> Where do you all stand? *Curious, I guess.
> --
> Jim in NC

I don't fly contests but I give my full support to those who do. It's
just another aspect of a sport that has many facets. I enjoy reading
about it. The folks who write here about contest flying are just
hooked on their favorite activity - they're not putting anyone down.
Those who say, "try it and you'll get hooked" are right - I've seen it
happen. Contest flying is also potentially a great source of
publicity for the sport - the international Gran Prix circuit is an
example of that.

The neat thing about glider racing is that the cost of entry, while
not cheap, is low compared to other air sports like the unlimited air
racing at Reno or aerobatic competitions.

As you are a student pilot, contests are probably a few years away but
you can take it that there's plenty to this sport and no matter how
long you participate, there'll still be challenges - contests are just
one of them.

[Tony[_5_]]

I haven't flown in any contests but in the last year have gotten a lot
more interested in them. I think being around other contest pilots
has helped, and I've had a couple other soaring friends start to get
the bug too. I've been flying cross country for a few years now and
am slowly creeping towards the point where my glider can be ready at
any time to go on the road. The cost of entry does not have to be
high thanks to the Sports Class. The ultimate, I think, is to try to
find a 1-26 and fly the 1-26 contest. Low cost of entry and you are
on an even playing field with the other gliders. Not to mention, they
have a lot of fun!

So next summer I'm planning to fly the Cherokee in the Vintage Contest
in Lawrenceville, IL in June. And I'm working on getting something
with a little more performance to take out to Logan for Region 9
North. But I think I'm going to try to become a regular at one of the
local Regional Sports Class contests. I'll probably mainly fly the
Cherokee because its fun. Or maybe I'll start to save my pennies so
after a bunch of years I can buy something that has a chance at the
Regionals. Or maybe just for the hell of it someday I'll enter the
Sports Class Nationals in the Cherokee since I'm pretty sure a
Cherokee has never flown in a Nationals.

The great thing about Soaring is that there is always a way to
challenge yourself and stay interested. First I just wanted to solo,
then was pretty satisfied with giving rides and local soaring. Then
it was cross country. Silver Badge, then Gold Fever. Now Diamonds,
1000K Diplome, Barringer Trophy, etc. etc. And of course I can always
work on respectable performances at contests, and sending students for
checkrides, and vintage restorations in the winter, and getting my
students out cross country, and who knows what else. Like I said, the
opportunities are endless.

[noel.wade]

I am entering my fourth season of Soaring. I was a student for most
of my first season. I learned a ton about cross-country flying (and
actually started doing it) in my second season (buying a DG-300 part-
way through the season). In my third season I flew at 1 Regional,
helped out at a National Championship, and flew in a small 3-day
contest for newbies. This year I'll be flying at 2 Regionals _and_ a
3-day contest!

I have one BIG problem with contests: Their name. People hear the
word "Contest" and they start thinking that its this high-stakes cut-
throat NASCAR-like atmosphere (and the legends surrounding great
contest pilots do nothing to reduce this impression). I've had many
glider-guiders tell me that they like cross-country flying but don't
want to risk their aircraft and don't want to engage in stiff
competition against their fellow pilots.

That impression of Contests is totally wrong - at least on a Regional
level! Contests are much more akin to a weeklong cross-country camp
where you live and breathe soaring. The big difference is that you're
given very specific goals every day, you can't just go fly to whatever
corner of the sky looks nicest. You learn a TON when you fly in a
contest, you meet really interesting people, and I've never had
trouble getting good advice and support from my fellow pilots.

I think if people considered basic contest-flying as a challenging
"Cross Country Workshop", it would be far less intimidating and far
more appealing.

--Noel

[Jack Hamilton]

On Wed, 19 May 2010 17:40:02 -0400, "Morgans" >
wrote:

>As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
>this group. I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
>the subjects here.
>
>I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
>you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. Is it so
>necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
>How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?

I'm also a student (a very slow student), at a gliderport which has
frequent races (Williams). I think having the racers around is a plus:

- There are people around to encourage me and tell me tales of their
learning process.

- I get to see many different kinds of gliders.

- They (both the gliderport operators and the glider pilots) put
together various kinds of education - web pages, seminars, talks - about
various aspects of gliding/soaring that I will someday need to know, if
I ever learn how to use a rudder.

- They bring income to the gliderport, so it can stay in business and
pay its employees. I don't want my instructor to be worrying about how
he is going to pay for his next meal when he should be worrying about
how I am going to mess up next time.


I can't say that contesting appeals to me, but who knows, maybe it will
someday.

There's a similar situation in amateur radio, which has a lot of
contests. Sometimes it seems like too much print space is devoted to
contests, but I can just skip over it, and I have to admit that
contesters are responsible for many technological advances - better
antennas, better encoding mechanisms, propagation studies, etc.

[noel.wade]

On May 19, 6:45*pm, "noel.wade" > wrote:
> I think if people considered basic contest-flying as a challenging
> "Cross Country Workshop", it would be far less intimidating and far
> more appealing.
>
> --Noel

P.S. There's also nothing wrong with just flying Cross-Country for
fun... Had to clarify that.

[Grider Pirate]

On May 19, 2:40*pm, "Morgans" > wrote:
> As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> this group. *I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> the subjects here.
>
> I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. *Is it so
> necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>
> Role-Call?
>
> Fly mostly in contests -
>
> Fly occasionally in contests -
>
> Never fly in contests -
>
> Where do you all stand? *Curious, I guess.
> --
> Jim in NC

I haven't flown in a contest.....yet. I likely will some day. For
now, I fly XC for fun.
I upload my flights to the OLC, but that's not like a 'live' contest.

[Tony[_5_]]

On May 19, 8:52*pm, Grider Pirate > wrote:
> On May 19, 2:40*pm, "Morgans" > wrote:
>
>
>
> > As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> > this group. *I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> > the subjects here.
>
> > I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> > you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. *Is it so
> > necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> > How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>
> > Role-Call?
>
> > Fly mostly in contests -
>
> > Fly occasionally in contests -
>
> > Never fly in contests -
>
> > Where do you all stand? *Curious, I guess.
> > --
> > Jim in NC
>
> I haven't flown in a contest.....yet. *I likely will some day. *For
> now, I fly XC for fun.
> I upload my flights to the OLC, but that's not like a 'live' contest.

but its still a contest. If I would've gone straight on on my gold
distance flight instead of dumping into an airport with 1500 feet left
i may have won the day not only in the US but in the World as well!
The mystery of not knowing who you are competing against or what kind
of weather they have encourages you to fly as far as possible!

[Tuno]

I got into soaring before knowing anything about the contests, and
while I'm now a poster boy contest junkie, I love it any time I can
(1) get in the air, and (2) do some cross country.

So the answer is (E) all of the above.

El Tuno

[mike]

On May 19, 8:03*pm, Tony > wrote:
> On May 19, 8:52*pm, Grider Pirate > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On May 19, 2:40*pm, "Morgans" > wrote:
>
> > > As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> > > this group. *I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> > > the subjects here.
>
> > > I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> > > you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. *Is it so
> > > necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> > > How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>
> > > Role-Call?
>
> > > Fly mostly in contests -
>
> > > Fly occasionally in contests -
>
> > > Never fly in contests -
>
> > > Where do you all stand? *Curious, I guess.
> > > --
> > > Jim in NC
>
> > I haven't flown in a contest.....yet. *I likely will some day. *For
> > now, I fly XC for fun.
> > I upload my flights to the OLC, but that's not like a 'live' contest.
>
> but its still a contest. *If I would've gone straight on on my gold
> distance flight instead of dumping into an airport with 1500 feet left
> i may have won the day not only in the US but in the World as well!
> The mystery of not knowing who you are competing against or what kind
> of weather they have encourages you to fly as far as possible!

But...it is not a contest in light of a level playing field. I fly
from Moriarty, where we arguably have some of the best soaring
conditions in the world. If I fly 500k from New Mexico on one of our
great days and someone else does 350k from Harris Hill, who won? I may
be more towards the top of the list, but the pilot from Harris Hill
may be much better, so OLC as a contest must be taken with a grain of
salt. The OLC is great though, and has probably done more for XC
soaring than anything else in the past 20 years. It is great fun!

[Mike Schumann]

On 5/19/2010 4:40 PM, Morgans wrote:
> As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> this group. I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> the subjects here.
>
> I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. Is it so
> necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>
> Role-Call?
>
> Fly mostly in contests -
>
> Fly occasionally in contests -
>
> Never fly in contests -
>
> Where do you all stand? Curious, I guess.

There are a lot of pilots who enter their flights into the On-line
Contest (see
http://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/daily.html?st=olc&rt=olc&df=&sp=2010&c=US&sc=).

You can compete with everyone in the world, every day you fly. Clubs
can compete against each other for total points, etc.......

You don't have to go anywhere or do anything special. All you need is a
flight recorder and an internet connection.

--
Mike Schumann

[Andreas Maurer]

On Wed, 19 May 2010 23:46:39 -0500, Mike Schumann
> wrote:


>You can compete with everyone in the world, every day you fly. Clubs
>can compete against each other for total points, etc.......
>
>You don't have to go anywhere or do anything special. All you need is a
>flight recorder and an internet connection.

.... and a home airfield in one of the better weather regions.
It also helps significantly to have an 18m-class motorglider.

OLC is nice - but a competition it is not.


Cheers
Andreas

[Mike[_28_]]

I've never flown in a contest other than as a passenger. I have to
tell you that if I had the time and money, I'd give it a shot. That
said, the overwhelming majority of glider pilots do not fly contests.
The high volume of contest related posts (and I really don't think
they dominate the group) are due to the enthusiasm of these pilots.
They love the sport and enjoy pushing their personal limits in a
competitive environment. There are pleny of pilots that enjoy floating
around the home airport simply enjoying the view. Or flying OLC. Or
taking people for rides. That's the great thing about soaring. You
find what you like and do it. Don't be intimidated by hot-shot racing
pilots looking down their noses at you. In my experience, there just
aren't that many of that type around.

[Tony[_5_]]

On May 20, 5:48*am, Andreas Maurer > wrote:
> On Wed, 19 May 2010 23:46:39 -0500, Mike Schumann
>
> > wrote:
> >You can compete with everyone in the world, every day you fly. *Clubs
> >can compete against each other for total points, etc.......
>
> >You don't have to go anywhere or do anything special. *All you need is a
> >flight recorder and an internet connection.
>
> ... and a home airfield in one of the better weather regions.
> It also helps significantly to have an 18m-class motorglider.
>
> OLC is nice - but a competition it is not.
>
> Cheers
> Andreas

some days you have good weather and some days you dont. usually i
mainly compare my flights with other guys in my club and region. but
sometimes the wind isnt blowing on the ridges and in the mountains or
there is a national holiday or lousy weather something in europe and i
manage to actually do fairly respectably. ok that has only happened
once.

i treat it as a contest against myself. challenging myself to fly as
far as I can in the given weather and performance of my ship.

[mattm[_2_]]

On May 20, 10:11*am, Tony > wrote:
> On May 20, 5:48*am, Andreas Maurer > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Wed, 19 May 2010 23:46:39 -0500, Mike Schumann
>
> > > wrote:
> > >You can compete with everyone in the world, every day you fly. *Clubs
> > >can compete against each other for total points, etc.......
>
> > >You don't have to go anywhere or do anything special. *All you need is a
> > >flight recorder and an internet connection.
>
> > ... and a home airfield in one of the better weather regions.
> > It also helps significantly to have an 18m-class motorglider.
>
> > OLC is nice - but a competition it is not.
>
> > Cheers
> > Andreas
>
> some days you have good weather and some days you dont. *usually i
> mainly compare my flights with other guys in my club and region. *but
> sometimes the wind isnt blowing on the ridges and in the mountains or
> there is a national holiday or lousy weather something in europe and i
> manage to actually do fairly respectably. ok that has only happened
> once.
>
> i treat it as a contest against myself. challenging myself to fly as
> far as I can in the given weather and performance of my ship.

And of course don't forget our friend Pez...
http://www.soaravenal.com/pez.htm

[kirk.stant]

Jim,

My opinion: Soaring is a skill sport. As such, the more you do it,
the better you get at it, and as in most sports, competition becomes
attractive as a way to push yourself and learn more.

I've been flying gliders for a long time, and I'm at the stage where I
prefer contest flying - with serious XC with friends a close second.
I rarely take up a club glider to just fly around the airport unless
it's for a specific reason - currency, passenger ride, aerobatics,
ets; just banging around the local thermals doesn't interest me much
anymore, I'd rather tow (love those Pawnees and Supercubs!).

That being said, I know lots of experienced pilots who are perfectly
happy to just relax in the air - and more power to them!

What bugs me is the pilots who dismiss XC and contests out of hand -
without ever trying it.

Final word on my contest philosophy - I go to races in order to fly, I
don't fly gliders in order to race. The structure and challenge of
the contest environment enhances the pleasure of the flying by giving
it purpose - and if I do good, that's fun too.

Cheers,

Kirk
66

[Tony[_5_]]

> What bugs me is the pilots who dismiss XC and contests out of hand -
> without ever trying it.

ive met many pilots who have found their "happy place" in aviation and
just can't understand why anyone would do anything else. I do my best
to accept that not everyone likes the same things that I do, thank god.

[Mike the Strike]

If you want to fly cross-country, you are already entering a race
against the sun and the weather. To fly far and fast, you have to do
it efficiently. You can only discover how efficient you are by flying
with other folks and a contest offers a great opportunity to test and
hone your skills.

If you just want to twirlybird and don't care about developing
thermalling or cross-country skills, don't go to contests.

Mike (Captain Slow) WA

[Morgans[_2_]]

"noel.wade" > wrote

> I think if people considered basic contest-flying as a challenging
> "Cross Country Workshop", it would be far less intimidating and far
> more appealing.

I appreciate that point of view. I had suspected as much.

Good point about having to go off in a certain direction, or task. I can
see how that would teach you to deal with different circumstances.

It is hard to understand why there is not more soaring activity in the area
where I live. We are right at the base of the Appalachian Mountains, which
range from 3,500 feet to over 6,000 feet in this area. I often see signs of
standing waves in the clouds when we get a good blow, that go for miles. I
would think there are ample opportunities for ridge soaring. I would
suspect that landing out could be a bit tricky, because of a rarity of
really good flat unwooded places.

Nevertheless, I think I am going to break out and do something different,
and take up soaring. It should be right up my alley. I also want to build.
I will not be complete until I fly a plane that I built with my own hands.
Not a fiberglass plane, either. Wood. I love building with wood. I also
spend much time on the water with my family. There is a river-lake chain
that provides ample opportunity for seaplanes. Perhaps I should build an
amphibious seaplane-motorglider! I understand there are a few designs out
there, already. I was surprised to learn of that! Actually, I am seriously
considering just that plan. Considering the scarcity of towplanes to pull
me up, and the land out situations, and the lack of support systems for
gliders, a self launching ship makes a lot of sense. I can also see the
plane getting a lot more use if I could use it around the water.

So, this is your next assignment, group. Point me at amphibious -
seaplane - motorglider designs that can be built at home, or if you are not
able to meet every one of those qualifications, point me at designs that
come close in most ways - or in some ways. I always learn something from
looking at designs, it seems. Perhaps what you offer will help me narrow
the choices, or find ways to modify something out there, or, or...... well,
you get the picture.

Anyway, onwards. Keep the answers coming, everyone! I am enjoying hearing
your opinions and viewpoints, and am learning from your postings.
--
Jim in NC

[Brian[_1_]]

On May 20, 11:33*am, "kirk.stant" > wrote:
> Jim,
>
<snip>
>
> Final word on my contest philosophy - I go to races in order to fly, I
> don't fly gliders in order to race. *The structure and challenge of
> the contest environment enhances the pleasure of the flying by giving
> it purpose - and if I do good, that's fun too.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Kirk
> 66

Exactly, I go to a contest because I can take a week off of work and
go someplace that has excellent flying conditions and fly 5 or 6 days
in a row. Plus I usually have a crew arranged to come get me so I can
be a bit less conservative in how I fly knowing that I have a specific
goal in mind and the retrieve is already arranged it it doesn't work
out.

Brian
HP16T

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Mike the Strike" > wrote

> If you want to fly cross-country, you are already entering a race
> against the sun and the weather. To fly far and fast, you have to do
> it efficiently. You can only discover how efficient you are by flying
> with other folks and a contest offers a great opportunity to test and
> hone your skills.
>
> If you just want to twirlybird and don't care about developing
> thermalling or cross-country skills, don't go to contests.

At the risk of being mean, you sound very much like one who puts down those
that don't join in on contests.

If you think not, re-read your post.
--
Jim in NC

[SF]

Our club's chief flight instructor recently gave a safety talk where
he reminded us that learning to fly was an educational process that
should not stop at a Private pilot rating. The more you learn, the
harder you work at it, the better (and safer) you are going to be...so
go for your commercial rating... go for the instructors rating...work
on your cross country skills. If you follow this progression, flying
contests is the next logical step after learning to fly cross
country. A regional contest is like summer camp for adults with
gliders. It's fun. It's also challenging. If you didn't like
challenging yourself you wouldn't be flying around in an airplane
without an engine. You will see pilots fly tasks on days when you
wouldn't even come to the airport at home, and they make it around the
course. You will see pilots make things work for them in a glider
that you wouldn't think possible unless you saw it happen. There are
a few contest pilots out there to win, but most of us are there to
have fun, learn, and get better. So work on your cross country
skills, and go fly a regional contest. Then you can decide if you
want to do it again.

[Bruce Hoult]

On May 20, 9:40*am, "Morgans" > wrote:
> As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> this group. *I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> the subjects here.
>
> I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. *Is it so
> necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?

I have entered contests, in a (much despited in this group) PW5,
flying against other PW5s and old gliders such as the Ka6. Mostly I
fly locally or short cross-countries in the PW5, or take friends
flying in a higher performance two seater such as a Janus or DG1000. I
also like to take students who are getting close to solo standard, or
post solo but not allowed to cross country yet, on longer soaring
flights that they don't usually get with an instructor (I'm not an
instructor).

The nice thing about contests is that they are a time and place where
people are expected to stretch themselves a little, try to go places
that you might not think are possible on the day and wouldn't normally
try. There are plenty of people around ready and willing to come and
get you from a paddock if you don't succeed and you won't be
criticized for landing out.

[Berry[_2_]]

In article >,
"Morgans" > wrote:

> As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
> this group. I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
> the subjects here.
>
> I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
> you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. Is it so
> necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>
> How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>
> Role-Call?
>
> Fly mostly in contests -
>
> Fly occasionally in contests -
>
> Never fly in contests -
>
> Where do you all stand? Curious, I guess.

I try to fly at least one regional a year and as many of our local (GTA)
races as I can get to. Racin' is my favorite flying.

I can fly alone anytime, and I frequently do. There are times when
nothing beats a long solo x-country. Sometimes, I just shag ropes all
day, enjoy living and breathing and being out in the world, and then
take a club ship for the sunset sled ride.

Here's how I see contests:

A chance to have a whole week dedicated to flying my glider with a bunch
of my best (and new best) friends. Guaranteed tows available, plenty of
folks around to crew if (when) I land out. I get to bore a bunch of
people with my stories and I get to hear some neat stories and learn a
bunch from everyone else (Hearing Jake Alspaugh tell his "head stuck in
the Libelle canopy" story is worth the price of admission).

[Andy[_10_]]

I have gotten to the point that contest and cross-country flying are
my main reasons for going out to the gliderport. If I fly locally it
is mostly to practice specific techniques.

The reasons I prefer contests (and X-C with friends):

The camaraderie
Learning new skills and honing existing ones
The sense of accomplishment that comes from going from A to B to C and
back - as fast as I can - on nothing but my own ingenuity
Occasionally winning against pilots whose skills and experience I
really respect - makes me feel like I accomplished something
The sheer beauty of the journey - how can flying to the Grand Canyon
and back not take your breath away?
All the hanger flying stories afterwards

9B

[Bob Whelan[_3_]]

> > wrote:
>
>> As a student pilot, thinking more about gliders lately, I started reading
>> this group. I can't help but notice that talk of contests seems to dominate
>> the subjects here.
>>
>> I think I would enjoy gliders just for the fun of flying, and seeing what
>> you could do individually, and for the beauty of silent flight. Is it so
>> necessary to fly in contests to have fun?
>>
>> How many people here just fly gliders without flying contests?
>>
>> Role-Call?
>>
>> Fly mostly in contests -
>>
>> Fly occasionally in contests -
>>
>> Never fly in contests -
>>
>> Where do you all stand? Curious, I guess.

Writing as a(n apparently genetically) predisposed flying freak utterly
enamored of just about all forms of airborne flight, but lacking
sufficient time and means to indulge in all, I luckily bumbled into
soaring post-school,~'73, and have never gotten bored with it for the
myriad challenges (and rewards) mentally-enabled, solar-powered flight
contains.

As you and others have noted, contests are (but) a part. My 'contest
phase' lasted less than 5 years (during which time I participated in a
few 'fun' (i.e. unsanctioned by the SSA) contests. Enjoyed 'em, too, but
found it more enjoyable to compete against myself simply doing XC every
opportunity...weekends, weeklong camps, etc. I got in more soaring that
way...worked for me.

In my view sport flying afflicts such a tiny fraction of the population
(further culled by economics, family, and life in general), that we
should celebrate and encourage ALL of it. Internecine squabbling may
offer a future to some activities, but furtherance of sport flying - and
soaring sure qualifies! - sure isn't one. Some of the best writing to be
found in "Soaring" magazine in years past has been write-ups of national
and international contests...while some of the blandest has included
pro-forma contest synopses primarily of interest to participants and
family/friends/followers of same. (But it's all good, compared to
nothing at all.) Celebrate and savor the best; ignore the rest...and
contribute your own best, since - except for staff-generated content -
the magazine is 100% member-/volunteer-generated.

Writing aside, anyone ahead of you on soaring's grand learning curve is
a potential source of increased personal enjoyment, though not all will
have similar personal druthers. You'll even encounter a (very) *few*
buttheads along the way (though at a far lower percentage than in the
populution in general, IMHO); I've always found 'em easy to ignore.

So contests and contest participation are no more 'required' than is any
other form of participation or enjoyment in the sport...but I suspect
that lasting interest tends to spring from interests with lasting
challenges/variability, etc.

Bob W.

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Bob Whelan" > wrote

> In my view sport flying afflicts such a tiny fraction of the population
> (further culled by economics, family, and life in general), that we should
> celebrate and encourage ALL of it. Internecine squabbling may offer a
> future to some activities, but furtherance of sport flying - and soaring
> sure qualifies! - sure isn't one. Some of the best writing to be found in
> "Soaring" magazine in years past has been write-ups of national and
> international contests...while some of the blandest has included pro-forma
> contest synopses primarily of interest to participants and
> family/friends/followers of same. (But it's all good, compared to nothing
> at all.) Celebrate and savor the best; ignore the rest...and contribute
> your own best, since - except for staff-generated content - the magazine
> is 100% member-/volunteer-generated.
>
> Writing aside, anyone ahead of you on soaring's grand learning curve is a
> potential source of increased personal enjoyment, though not all will have
> similar personal druthers. You'll even encounter a (very) *few* buttheads
> along the way (though at a far lower percentage than in the populution in
> general, IMHO); I've always found 'em easy to ignore.
>
> So contests and contest participation are no more 'required' than is any
> other form of participation or enjoyment in the sport...but I suspect that
> lasting interest tends to spring from interests with lasting
> challenges/variability, etc.

You bring up good points. Promoting sport flying and even more, _enjoying_
sport flying is where it is at. I have taken to heart the fact that
participation in contests is important for the gain of enjoying the
fraternity aspect, and as a bonus for some, trying to win. (poorly
organized thought, but I suppose you know what I am trying to say)

Anyway, if I do get involved in the sport, I suppose I will be the cross
country flyer who sometimes goes up to enjoy going up for the beauty, and
then will try to throw in some type of contest occasionally. But then, who
knows how fate will twist and turn. I'll try to keep an open mind, and be
kind to all I meet. <g>
--
Jim in NC