Contests

My favorite teacher, Mr. Cummins, once gave me an assignment that, at the time, seemed like just another school task. It was to create a “critical path” - a structured sequence of steps to complete a complex task in the shortest amount of time. A lesson in efficiency, focus, and precision. Naturally, I chose the topic of gliding. What I didn’t realize then was how deeply that one assignment would influence

In the world of soaring, a “gaggle” refers to a group of gliders circling together in the same thermal. These (sometimes) spontaneous gatherings are a common sight during competitions and cross-country flights, where pilots converge on lift to gain altitude. While gaggles can be highly effective for climbing, they also introduce complexity and risk, albeit manageable. Practicing good gaggle etiquette

I'm at the Australian 20m nationals at the moment, and the competition is really heating up. We've adjusted the handicaps & the Duo-Discus & DG1000s are really giving us new flapped machines a run for our money, so to speak! So far the weather has given us all blue conditions to approx 5000'. Like all competitions, I'll have to be smart to end up on the top step!

You've probably heard it over & over

So many fabulous books have been written, many on this topic. George Moffat & his book, winning on the Wind, was, at least in my mind, the first to publicise it. Winning by not losing, I must’ve read it & Reichmans a dozen times in my life. My favourite teacher, Mr Cummins, also played a pivotal role in my obsession to not waste time and how to be more efficient. 

Efficiency is Key

I’ll never forget

Success on any given day often hinges on how well you begin. A solid start can set the tone for the rest of the race, positioning you for optimal performance to use all conditions optimally. Here’s a guide to help you make a good start and build a strong foundation for success.

Understand the Rules and Task assigned

Before the race begins, ensure you’re fully familiar with the task details and competition

Upon driving home from the airfield, after all the post-flight socializing, I was finally able to let my brain rest & digest the day. Often, I write on my gliding page straight away with raw emotions, but often, the drive home is where I really reflect upon the day. I realised two things: I had a great flight up to the 2nd turnpoint (approx 145kph & 6kt averages, no major mistakes*1). What I noticed

The day started with me having mindsets, right from getting out of bed to task planning (I almost tasked myself in the wrong direction) and ultimately…my flying, diversions, and climb selection.

Sadly, I didn’t do anything about these feelings until it was too late, i.e., touchdown at Kingaroy. It was a safe flight all the same, but I forgot my game plan (later found out in my post-comp self-debrief):

After the UK Junior World Gliding Championships in 2005, I focused on my career and the initial goal: to be based in BNE (Brisbane Airport) for a reputable airline. However, the burning desire to compete at a high standard always lingered during that time without gliding. In this article, I describe my preparations, action time at the Club Class Nationals, and one big mistake I made to miss out on

One of the crucial skills in gliding is naturally to be able to thermal in rising columns of lift. This allows us to extend our flights by tapping into the energy of Mother Nature. However, as we know, thermals often attract multiple gliders, creating crowded and complex situations in the sky. To ensure safety and efficiency, it’s essential for us all to establish some sort of thermal etiquette.

For quite a considerable time now, soaring pilots have found it beneficial to fly in the company of others, competing teams have certainly found this to be a highly effective method in order to maximise their climb rate, and for others, a great way to enjoy the company of their soaring buddy too!

Whether we are in a competition or not, many people have a competitive nature, this often comes to fruition