Early entries have now closed. But we would still appreciate you entering as soon as possible to help us plan Tow Planes and such things.....
Entries for the draw for the handheld Radio include
NM-Dave Jensen
TZ-Trev Terry
PD-Eduard Devenoges
VM-Brett Hunter
DX-Nigel McPhee
ZI-Vaughan Ruddick
TL-Luke Tiller
VH-Roland Van der wal
XL-Chris Richards
KM-Maurice Weaver
GB-Marc Morley
ZN-Dane Dickenson
KZ-Stewart Cameron
KT-Steve Wallace
KR-Bernie Massey
ZO-Ian Finlayson
ZA-Bill Walker
XG-George Wills
LA-Mark Robertson
RY-Alan Belworthy
NV-Bob Gray
YD-Ross Gaddes
LK-Peter Himmel
RR-Bill Mace
UY-Bhrent Guy
TT-John Roberts
OI-Adrian Cable
XP-Tim Bromhead
A most interesiing selection which includes 4 South Islanders, some previous competition winners coming back from the wilderness...Ok OK they went and had family time for a few years.
Interesting to see that a bunch of "regulars" have not yet registered....Maybe their computer was broken...
We need another 4 entries to complete the Sports Class and 3 entries for the Club Class (yep I know of at least 3 slack lads...)
Enjoy your new year and a rapid recovery for any who tested their "fun" limits last night :-)
Roy
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Getting Closer
Seasons Salutations
I will publish the luck entrants for the special prize drawer after 1st January when entries close....
Keep it up
Roy
Christmas Dinner is over.......now to gliding matters.
Get online and enter.
No cost!!!!
Some have asked how they pay. Paying is done once you have arrived at Taupo and done some flying.
So if you are not sure whether you will be able to sneak away, just enter-we understand if you have to cancell.
I will publish the luck entrants for the special prize drawer after 1st January when entries close....
Keep it up
Roy
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Seasons Salutations!
Tis only 14 big sleeps until Christmas!
Only TWO months until the big event!!!
For the money conscious
Trev has got the discount thing sorted with Ferry charges.
There are some prizes (not cups or trophies) to be won.
Early entry Handheld radio being a goodie!!!
Remember for those with a fresh Silver C and first Nationals.... big savings!!
And yes Veronica we do have entries from the South Island. Either 2 or 3 depending how one categorises Dane :-) a true Nuu zeelnder in that he seems to live everywhere.
If you havent yet organised your accomodation yet then suggest you pull finger as there is an event happening in Taupo on the weekend of 21st Feb that may take away some of your options.
As I keep saying.
Enter online, enter online, enter online NOW!!!
Stop prograstinating and do it NOW!
Book some accomodation and get on with it!
I understand that Roland gave a wee talk at the South Island Regionals about Taupo.
Appears some wallies were worried about Taupo having all AAT tasks. Seems they were thinking that the fun contests of the past were the indicator of what was going to happen at the NATIONALS....... Twill be like the Nationals of the last 6 years, racing tasks will be set!!
Things are progressing well. Russell Thorne is doing a sterling job in producing the airspace file which will be available early in the new year(just doing some testing and resolving a couple of hiccups in definition from Airways-nothing major).
As Gavin Wills so nicely put it to me some years ago at a Nationals in Omarama. We are here to give you advice. The decisions are yours :-) . The decision of this Contest Director is that pilots WILL ENJOY THEMSELVES!!!
Best wishes to you all for the festive season, fly your hearts out
See you in Taupo next year.
Roy
Only TWO months until the big event!!!
For the money conscious
Trev has got the discount thing sorted with Ferry charges.
There are some prizes (not cups or trophies) to be won.
Early entry Handheld radio being a goodie!!!
Remember for those with a fresh Silver C and first Nationals.... big savings!!
And yes Veronica we do have entries from the South Island. Either 2 or 3 depending how one categorises Dane :-) a true Nuu zeelnder in that he seems to live everywhere.
If you havent yet organised your accomodation yet then suggest you pull finger as there is an event happening in Taupo on the weekend of 21st Feb that may take away some of your options.
As I keep saying.
Enter online, enter online, enter online NOW!!!
Stop prograstinating and do it NOW!
Book some accomodation and get on with it!
I understand that Roland gave a wee talk at the South Island Regionals about Taupo.
Appears some wallies were worried about Taupo having all AAT tasks. Seems they were thinking that the fun contests of the past were the indicator of what was going to happen at the NATIONALS....... Twill be like the Nationals of the last 6 years, racing tasks will be set!!
Things are progressing well. Russell Thorne is doing a sterling job in producing the airspace file which will be available early in the new year(just doing some testing and resolving a couple of hiccups in definition from Airways-nothing major).
As Gavin Wills so nicely put it to me some years ago at a Nationals in Omarama. We are here to give you advice. The decisions are yours :-) . The decision of this Contest Director is that pilots WILL ENJOY THEMSELVES!!!
Best wishes to you all for the festive season, fly your hearts out
See you in Taupo next year.
Roy
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
THE COUNTDOWN STARTS!!!
The Central Plateau Contest is over for another year!
By all accounts a bunch of fun was had by a bunch of pilots.
I was fortunate to spend last Friday visiting Taupo, reviewing the operation and going on a retrieve to pick up a fellow Tauranga pilot. Taupo certainly has the potential for some great competition. Already in November there where some stunning conditions.
Valentine Glide is now only 96 days/ 13 weeks / 3 months away.
So get planning
Get organising
GOOD news for our South Island cuzzies. Trev Terry and the team have negotiated a 20% discount on the lowest fares on the Interisland ferry. Contact Trev to get the good oil.
Entries can now be done online at
http://www.gliding.co.nz/racing/championships/nationals-entry/
There is a MIGHTY EARLYBIRD special for entries BEFORE 1st January
$240 includes an entry in the drawer for a new ICOM Handheld radio.
Just think.... if you are the lucky pilot you will be able to talk on two frequencies at once!!!
For those poor disorganised souls who cant get their act together and enter after Midnite New Years eve. Then the entry fee will be $295 with no chance of a new radio.
Just remember you only pay at the contest but we need to know if you are entering. Dont be scared of enterring online. If you get it wrong try again until ou get it right.
Now am off to organise all my Valentines merchandise!!!!!
Glider pilots are good at Keeping it up!
By all accounts a bunch of fun was had by a bunch of pilots.
I was fortunate to spend last Friday visiting Taupo, reviewing the operation and going on a retrieve to pick up a fellow Tauranga pilot. Taupo certainly has the potential for some great competition. Already in November there where some stunning conditions.
Valentine Glide is now only 96 days/ 13 weeks / 3 months away.
So get planning
Get organising
GOOD news for our South Island cuzzies. Trev Terry and the team have negotiated a 20% discount on the lowest fares on the Interisland ferry. Contact Trev to get the good oil.
Entries can now be done online at
http://www.gliding.co.nz/racing/championships/nationals-entry/
There is a MIGHTY EARLYBIRD special for entries BEFORE 1st January
$240 includes an entry in the drawer for a new ICOM Handheld radio.
Just think.... if you are the lucky pilot you will be able to talk on two frequencies at once!!!
For those poor disorganised souls who cant get their act together and enter after Midnite New Years eve. Then the entry fee will be $295 with no chance of a new radio.
Just remember you only pay at the contest but we need to know if you are entering. Dont be scared of enterring online. If you get it wrong try again until ou get it right.
Now am off to organise all my Valentines merchandise!!!!!
Glider pilots are good at Keeping it up!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Other Contests?
Aha-I had a senior moment and forgot my blogging password! But such moments have passed and normal service has resumed.
In June I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the US Nationals in Montague-Northern California. Like all good soaring sites it is out in the country, away from city life. Lovely and the weather was great for this kiwi winter escapee. Mid 30s most days low humidy...luverly...
It was with some sadness I noted that entry numbers were way down in these challenging times. 10 entrants Open Class, 10 entrants Standard class. I was at briefings for 5 mornings and observed the organisation, to see what I could learn that would help make our competitions better. Readers will be pleased to know that(OK I might be biased) but I think our Nationals are at the top of the game. One lesson that became very clear to me, and yes I suspect we suffer from this, Competitions are not run as PR events!!! During the 5 days nobody wandered over to this "enterested looking" old bloke to strike up a conversation.
Therefore gentle readers, expect me to be chatting to spurious visitors during valentine glide!
From the pre contest bulletins site I have just read the checklist for pilots for the last South African Nationals
A reminder to all pilots that the following documentation as per CAA Regulations are required to be carried on board when you fly (photocopies are probably a safer bet, but have the originals somewhere safely):-
The Certificate of Registration
The Certificate of Airworthiness, however in our case the ATF (Authority to Fly) as approved in our MOP by the Commissioner.
The appropriate licence for the pilot in command
The Aircraft Radio station licence
Noise certificate
The list of visual signals for use by intercepting and intercepted aircraft
Of course for Valentine Glide you will be under NZ rules. You need to sign that you and the Glider are legal for the duration of the competition and have public liability insurance to the value of $500,000. But you dont need a list of visual signals.............
Progress at the Taupo club is steaming ahead(not Geothermal steam but good old fashioned sweat)
The new construction is well advanced on the new Contest/Managers Office with great facilities and a plenty of space for scorer and other bodies who need to "do stuff" to enable the competition to run smoothly.
The Airspace is being "booked" with CAA so we can get high, stay high-final glide!!!
Any day I am expecting the entry fee to be finalised and then the entry forms will be put on the GNZ website for your eager entries!!!!! Remember it is better to enter if you think you might be able to fly and then maybe cancel, rather than put in a late entry...Also early entry will save you dosh with a goodly discount.
Now to write down that blog password before I forget it again!!
Roy
In June I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the US Nationals in Montague-Northern California. Like all good soaring sites it is out in the country, away from city life. Lovely and the weather was great for this kiwi winter escapee. Mid 30s most days low humidy...luverly...
It was with some sadness I noted that entry numbers were way down in these challenging times. 10 entrants Open Class, 10 entrants Standard class. I was at briefings for 5 mornings and observed the organisation, to see what I could learn that would help make our competitions better. Readers will be pleased to know that(OK I might be biased) but I think our Nationals are at the top of the game. One lesson that became very clear to me, and yes I suspect we suffer from this, Competitions are not run as PR events!!! During the 5 days nobody wandered over to this "enterested looking" old bloke to strike up a conversation.
Therefore gentle readers, expect me to be chatting to spurious visitors during valentine glide!
From the pre contest bulletins site I have just read the checklist for pilots for the last South African Nationals
A reminder to all pilots that the following documentation as per CAA Regulations are required to be carried on board when you fly (photocopies are probably a safer bet, but have the originals somewhere safely):-
The Certificate of Registration
The Certificate of Airworthiness, however in our case the ATF (Authority to Fly) as approved in our MOP by the Commissioner.
The appropriate licence for the pilot in command
The Aircraft Radio station licence
Noise certificate
The list of visual signals for use by intercepting and intercepted aircraft
Of course for Valentine Glide you will be under NZ rules. You need to sign that you and the Glider are legal for the duration of the competition and have public liability insurance to the value of $500,000. But you dont need a list of visual signals.............
Progress at the Taupo club is steaming ahead(not Geothermal steam but good old fashioned sweat)
The new construction is well advanced on the new Contest/Managers Office with great facilities and a plenty of space for scorer and other bodies who need to "do stuff" to enable the competition to run smoothly.
The Airspace is being "booked" with CAA so we can get high, stay high-final glide!!!
Any day I am expecting the entry fee to be finalised and then the entry forms will be put on the GNZ website for your eager entries!!!!! Remember it is better to enter if you think you might be able to fly and then maybe cancel, rather than put in a late entry...Also early entry will save you dosh with a goodly discount.
Now to write down that blog password before I forget it again!!
Roy
Friday, September 11, 2009
Spring is in the Air!
Blossums are heralding the begining of spring and the return of good thermal days. Ridge running and wave is Ok????? but a tad boring really. Anyway thats my view.
Many thanks to the SRC committee members who have pointed out that at the AGM Contest pilots meeting 6 intrepid souls carried the day in a motion to re establish the PW5/World Class
For those of you who dont religiously seek out such information on the GNZ website look up (I admit I am a prodigous reader but this one eluded me.)
http://www...gliding.co.nz/racing/pilots-meeting-minutes
I look forward to seeing all the new rules which should be out in a few weeks time.
Trev Terry advises that Airspace changes are going thru the final stages having passed the scrutiny of CAA and Airways policy dudes. We only need the "consultation" with other airspace users to be completed and then we are "sweet as".
Construction/demolition is underway at Taupo with the "old" office having been destroyed and a new bigger and better version being built. Will try and visit next week and get you some photographic feedback of whats happening.
Had some reports from a pilot trying to land an F16 at Taupo (Google earth flight simulator function) after a trip round the local area. He reports buying a joystick as the mouse control was not "natural" to him.
Personally, set up a final glide from Rangatieki back to Centenal park. In a previous competition had "bottled out" of starting this as I figured it was all tiger country. Actually not quite the case but the flight simulator glide was both informative and entertaining. Yep I would have made it in the trusty ASW20 if I had bigger dangly things.
Keep it up!
Roy
Many thanks to the SRC committee members who have pointed out that at the AGM Contest pilots meeting 6 intrepid souls carried the day in a motion to re establish the PW5/World Class
For those of you who dont religiously seek out such information on the GNZ website look up (I admit I am a prodigous reader but this one eluded me.)
http://www...gliding.co.nz/racing/pilots-meeting-minutes
I look forward to seeing all the new rules which should be out in a few weeks time.
Trev Terry advises that Airspace changes are going thru the final stages having passed the scrutiny of CAA and Airways policy dudes. We only need the "consultation" with other airspace users to be completed and then we are "sweet as".
Construction/demolition is underway at Taupo with the "old" office having been destroyed and a new bigger and better version being built. Will try and visit next week and get you some photographic feedback of whats happening.
Had some reports from a pilot trying to land an F16 at Taupo (Google earth flight simulator function) after a trip round the local area. He reports buying a joystick as the mouse control was not "natural" to him.
Personally, set up a final glide from Rangatieki back to Centenal park. In a previous competition had "bottled out" of starting this as I figured it was all tiger country. Actually not quite the case but the flight simulator glide was both informative and entertaining. Yep I would have made it in the trusty ASW20 if I had bigger dangly things.
Keep it up!
Roy
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Fly before you buy!
Had a note from competition pilot last week asking if Sports Class and Club Class will be held at Taupo in 2010.
Yes they will!
The classes to be contested will be.
Open Class
18 Metre Class
Standard/15 metre Class
Club Class
Sports Class(which includes PW5s)
It occurs to me that a number of pilots will not have flown a competition from Taupo. Especially those from the Canoe of Maui (yep ewes Omarama types).
With magic of Google Earth you can now fly around the Taupo area with Google Flight Simulator.
Get Google Earth pointing at Taupo then press Ctrl +ALT +A choose the aircraft (I dont recommend the F16 if you want a glider pilots view) and then click your mouse in the middle of the display. Voila, your mouse is now a "joystick".
I had some great fun in an F16 beating up Omarama then flying VFR up the coast(compulsory beatups of Christchurch and Omaka) before leaping the Straits and doing a Paekok beatup at 1100 knots - 600 feet (eat your heart out Vaughan) before popping in to Taupo.
The scenery is excellent, fly slow and low and you get the full impact of what fun you will have in a glider at Valentine Glide. Fly high and you get the layout of the competition area.
Keep it up!
Roy
Yes they will!
The classes to be contested will be.
Open Class
18 Metre Class
Standard/15 metre Class
Club Class
Sports Class(which includes PW5s)
It occurs to me that a number of pilots will not have flown a competition from Taupo. Especially those from the Canoe of Maui (yep ewes Omarama types).
With magic of Google Earth you can now fly around the Taupo area with Google Flight Simulator.
Get Google Earth pointing at Taupo then press Ctrl +ALT +A choose the aircraft (I dont recommend the F16 if you want a glider pilots view) and then click your mouse in the middle of the display. Voila, your mouse is now a "joystick".
I had some great fun in an F16 beating up Omarama then flying VFR up the coast(compulsory beatups of Christchurch and Omaka) before leaping the Straits and doing a Paekok beatup at 1100 knots - 600 feet (eat your heart out Vaughan) before popping in to Taupo.
The scenery is excellent, fly slow and low and you get the full impact of what fun you will have in a glider at Valentine Glide. Fly high and you get the layout of the competition area.
Keep it up!
Roy
Friday, August 14, 2009
Secret Hide away
Progress is a wonderful thing.
The memorandum of understanding(MOU) between GNZ and Airways for Valentine Glide has been born!
Weighing in at 6 pages with wonderful coloured maps it says that Glider pilots will be able to "flit" about up to 9,500ft in the most interesting areas of the competion.
Now the MOU journey begins as everyone (including yours truly) has a say.
But!!!! its looking good.
For those forward planners amongst you.............yep the ones who want to make a great family adventure out of Valentine Glide. Look at this for Taupo accomodation.
http://www.holidayhouses.co.nz/properties/2583.asp
Other sites to visit include bookabatch and batchcare.
Thanks to those who have responded to the poll of who thinks they will/wont be having fun next February. If you havent ticked a box. NOW would be a good time :-)
Roy
The memorandum of understanding(MOU) between GNZ and Airways for Valentine Glide has been born!
Weighing in at 6 pages with wonderful coloured maps it says that Glider pilots will be able to "flit" about up to 9,500ft in the most interesting areas of the competion.
Now the MOU journey begins as everyone (including yours truly) has a say.
But!!!! its looking good.
For those forward planners amongst you.............yep the ones who want to make a great family adventure out of Valentine Glide. Look at this for Taupo accomodation.
http://www.holidayhouses.co.nz/properties/2583.asp
Other sites to visit include bookabatch and batchcare.
Thanks to those who have responded to the poll of who thinks they will/wont be having fun next February. If you havent ticked a box. NOW would be a good time :-)
Roy
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Another Year Another Competition.
For all of you who followd the 2009 National Gliding Competition (see omarama2009.blogspot.com) then this is the followup!!
Yep New Zealand National Gliding Competition-all classes
Starting Valentines day 14th February 2010 in picturesque Taupo.
So in the spirit of all things romatic I think I shall refere to it as Valentine Glide.
Rumour has it that there will be prize money of $2010 but I will need to confirm that.
Yours truly has been asked to be Contest Director and Sue Wild has accepted the challenge to help man the radios. So those who flew at Omoaram2009 will be dealing with some familiar voices. :-)
I also understand that Trev Terry and his team are organising some extra airspace so pilots can taste the air at 9,500 over the hill country.
As they say....keep tuned to this channel....more news as it comes to hand.
Keep it up
Roy
Yep New Zealand National Gliding Competition-all classes
Starting Valentines day 14th February 2010 in picturesque Taupo.
So in the spirit of all things romatic I think I shall refere to it as Valentine Glide.
Rumour has it that there will be prize money of $2010 but I will need to confirm that.
Yours truly has been asked to be Contest Director and Sue Wild has accepted the challenge to help man the radios. So those who flew at Omoaram2009 will be dealing with some familiar voices. :-)
I also understand that Trev Terry and his team are organising some extra airspace so pilots can taste the air at 9,500 over the hill country.
As they say....keep tuned to this channel....more news as it comes to hand.
Keep it up
Roy
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