RAFGSA Competition Training

RAFGSA Competition Training Week is held at the RAFGSA Chilterns Centre, over a Mon to Fri, usually during early-mid Jun. It is open to Service and civilian members of the RAFGSA. Attendance is usually necessary before flying an RAFGSA glider in a rated competition. The week is run by experienced competition pilots, with the aim of developing cross-country skills and readiness for the competition environment. If you wish to attend then you will need your CFI's approval.

Here's links to the key documents used for the Comp Training groundschool:

Mike Throssell's Comp Article (450kb pdf) A comprehensive text developed over many years, covering all aspects of competition soaring in 40+ pages with many diagrams.

My article on competitive gliding (135kb doc). Covers competition preparation, pre-flight considerations, tasks, starting, turning points, flying techniques, thermalling, in-flight decisions, tactics, weather watching, final gliding & finishing, and use of water ballast.

Soaring Symposia Articles (300kb doc). Several outstanding articles written by top US pilots in the ‘70s. Much is still valid today. (copied from the Soaring Symposia website)

If you have any questions then please contact me.

Dave Chappell (davecchappell@hotmail.com)