| Welcome to the Junior Christmas Party Walkalong Glider Competition. Below is a description of the competition events and sequence. Gym Layout The Gym will be divided in to two areas: the practice area and the competition area. The practice area will be kept open for the duration of the competition so contestants can improve their skills and latecomers can get in on the action. Competition Events The competitions will involve four events: duration, altitude, distance and speed. For each event there will be two classes: a standard class and a sports class. In the standard class contestants will all fly the same glider: a 14” pink X-Surfer, properly trimmed and balanced. In the sports class contestants will fly a glider of their own construction. The juniors gathered at Bob Fletcher’s house on 11/22/03 to construct gliders. They may use these gliders for the sports class competition. Wing Runners Wing runners will help launching contestants’ gliders both in the practice area and in competitions if contestants opt for help launching. Having the glider launched for them will allow contestants to concentrate on flying. The wing runner holds the glider above and forward of the paddle, held by the contestant. The wing runner walks together with the contestant getting the glider up to its proper airspeed. The wing runner must also release the glider at the proper attitude (normal gliding attitude) so that the glider maintains steady flight in the ridge lift generated by the paddle. Bear in mind that the wing runner guides the contestant up to airspeed and not the other way around. Progression of the Events The schedule will start with contestants practicing in the practice area. When they feel they have enough skill, they will then move to the contest area to be timed by the judges in the duration event. A white board will be used to keep track of contestants and their times. Although contestants may try more than once for any given event, priority will be given to contestants who have not yet participated in the event. The duration competition will be held first as it requires little steering skill. When contestants sustain their gliders for a good amount of time, they should be encouraged to gain altitude, flying the glider as high as possible. This should not only improve their duration times but also prepare them for the altitude event. Gaining altitude is achieved by positioning the paddle as close as possible to the trailing edge of the glider to maximize the ridge lift under the glider. They may then proceed to the altitude competition. After completing the duration and altitude competitions contestants should be encouraged to practice steering the glider around a triangle course in preparation for the distance event. The Duration Event The duration event will involve timing a contestant’s flight from the moment of launch to when the glider contacts the ground. The Altitude Event The altitude event will involve launching from behind a gate 20ft from a level string at altitude (say 6ft). The contestant will attempt to gain altitude to fly the glider above the string. As long as at least one contestant succeeds in flying above the string, each contestant may attempt the higher altitude, even if they failed to achieve a lower height. The Distance Event The distance competition will involve launch prior to a start line and flight which must round markers in a triangular configuration. The distance will be measured by the number of laps plus the fraction of a lap as determined by the judges. The end of a flight will be when the glider contacts the ground or the contestant misses or hits one of the triangular markers. Each flight will be timed as in the duration competition and the duration records may be broken in the distance competition. The Speed Event The speed event will be like the distance event but each lap will be timed. For this event contestants may select a different heavier glider. Only completed laps will qualify for the speed competition. It is hoped everyone will have a great time. Any questions or suggestions should be directed to Phil Rossoni at pgr0_at_webmail.co.za Pictures and event results Copyright Phil Rossoni 12/8/2003 Back to home page |