Two Lessons from Arizona Racing Association
When I first started out racing, I graduated High School and hit the road with one of Sky Sailing’s gliders and our not so trusty Astro Van and headed to Turf Arizona. We rolled in with the windows down, enjoying the Pheonix heat with the air-conditioning that wasn’t keeping up. But we toughed it out and camped in tents behind the wing of the glider. After the first night, we realized towels were not necessary as you would be dry by the time you walked back from the showers. Well-rested was not the best description of that first contest.
Making it Home
Happily, I was in 7th place by the end of the contest. I was 7th after the first day, and since there were only 7 of us flying, I stayed there the remainder of the contest. I did manage to make it home every day, though. That was the last time I made it home every day for many years. The next time I was able to make it home every day at a contest was Region 9 years later, and I won.
Racing every Flight
You can always fly with the Arizona Racing Association, but you have to race. The only real racing is assigned speed tasks.
Wax
The other thing I learned was a cap full of Zipwax car wash & wax in your water bucket when cleaning your glider. Many times we use water and a slightly abrasive pad to get the bugs off. Over time the wax slowly gets washed and scraped off. The Zipwax doesn’t replace a good buffing and wax (like WX Block). However, it does seem to keep a beautiful shine during the soaring season. Also, it takes no effort to apply because you had to wash the glider anyway.
Another great option is using the WX SpeedCoat to mist the leading edge after your flight. Then use your rag to wipe the bugs off and polish at the same time. Keeping a nice coat of wax also helps reduce the bugs sticking on impact. I found this to be essential when using bug wipers at my first Junior World Gliding Championships. The wipers cut much better after we started waxing the wing after the first few days.
Banner Photo Credit Robert Atkins
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Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.
