Here is something different for sailplane contests that has a lot of flying time and is all about soaring, although a optional landing task can be included.
Several years ago when my Wood Crafters event were just starting, Bob Johnson suggested a ladder task. Somewhere I read about this type of task and when Bob suggested it, it really clicked in for me. This task is now being used by several clubs that sponsor woody contests, the main benefit is the extreme flying time this task allows at the discretion of the pilot. One entry per frequency is necessary to make this task work. I prefer the three minute ladder after running the two minute ladder for a couple of years at Wood Crafters. On a very good thermal day and 30 or more flyers, it takes at least reaching 27 minutes to win the event. That results in 2 hrs and 35 min flight time without counting the missed steps. Any number of attempts are allowed and the flight time requirements are consecutive, not random. The task is easy to promote, it only takes one or two winches with retrievers, and they will be busy. The contestant self times, this is not precision duration, so any flight time over the goal time is not a factor. Self timing and one entry per frequency means everyone on the field, with the exception of the guys running the winches, can be flying. Scoring is not required, the contestants card takes care of that task and in the event of a tie, I recommend a fly off, there fun to be in and fun to watch. The ladder task can make a great monthly club contest task because it promotes more time in the air. Try it, maybe it will bring more pilots to the flying field. Ray Hayes skybench.com Home of Wood Crafters RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
