Bassano - Day 4

Lovely day today another 122k task with (I think) no accidents?

Starting to get more comfortable on the new glider. The task was super today and I made lots of right decisions at the beginning and in the middle but not at the end – Doh! My numbers were wrong and I got a 20% penalty for landing short.

Its so nice going to score and having a chat with the scorers, sharing a beer and today spare ribs – there always seems to be something to eat/nibble when we are in the queue and it makes it a sociable occasion. Irene and Christina who are doing the scoring are superb.

Last day tomorrow not sure about the forecast?

The results are here

Other bloggers are:
Corinna
Matjaz
Ovyind

Bassano more random photos

 

 

 

 

Bassano Random Photos

 

 

 

 

Bassano - Italy '09

We arrived Sat 4th – sorry for the late update, we've been really busy (and I couldn't get internet – that's my excuse).

It's been flyable every day since we arrived. First day GR had a top to bottom as he was itching to fly!

Leading up to the comp which started on Thursday we had 2 days with over 8,000ft base and very difficult to get down.

The comp organisation is absolutely superb. Nice landing field and take off is very nice too (but could do with some trees chopping down).

3 Tasks so far all over 110k – lots in goal every day.

Been doing LOTS of tweaking with my new glider and trying to get used to the difference between Moyes and Aeros – am nearly there I think. With lots of help and advice from Gerolf (without his help I would have been stuck) which was especially needed as in order to get the glider in time for this comp it came out of the factory not test flown.

Day 2 there was a mid air between Gunter from Austria and Fabien from France. Both landed safely and didn't have a punch up in the field..... but Gunter's glider was torn on the top wing tip. It was a brand new sail that got ripped thankfully he had his old sail in the car. Aeros 1 – Moyes 0.

Day 3 Fabien from France (a different Fabien) hit a tree on landing and was taken to hospital with concussion. Olav from Norway was also concussed on landing and taken to hospital. Meanwhile another pilot was sucked into cloud and pulled such violent G that something broke on his glider but he carried on flying. When he landed he found the keel was broken! Amongst the free flyers there was a mid air between a HG and PG. The PG flew OK and away but the HG flipped over and landed upside down on the top of the mountain with chute half deployed (both pilots unharmed). Also amongst the free flyers there was an atos that managed to rip his wing before take off and didn't notice.

When considering all these accidents we need to consider the volume of flying that is going on here – the number of HG and PG's in the comp + free flyers. GR reckons 1,000 take offs a day!

Day 4 today.

Anew girl in my life, or is it a bloke;-*

Found this in the garden this afternoon so as no one was about I quickly folded it up and will look after it for a while in my garage:¬) I wonder how different it will be compared to the Aeros's that I have been flying for 10+ years? Mmmmmmm.

Bassano next but the weather don't look too good at the moment. Will put the snowboard in just incase and Gordy will be putting a few models in. We should be setting off tommorrow on the overnight ferry to Rotterdam and then a days full drive to Italy. Oh joy.

Cool video from Forbes 2009 by Bobby Bailey

An excellent video starring Jonny Durand Jnr and Bobby Bailey over Forbes this year. Makes you want to be there. One day!

Got out for a wee fly on Sunday

A few of us got together for a little aero towing on Sunday. First time out since September last year. Its been a long long winter.

 

 

As you can see from the picture the day was not fantastic but it is only March in good old blighty. We did get 300fpm climbs with 8mph drift and a base of 3700' to start, then in total overcast 1 ups then zeros to the ground. Tony did about 10 miles, malc around 20, myself 46 miles and Andy back at the airfield test flying his new WW T2. A good day was had by all including our 2 tugies, Andy and Bob. Cheers guys. Oh, and Doris for the retrieve:-))

 

A sad day today- Mr Pugggly has gone

Mr Puggley has left us today after nearly a quarter of a million of almost trouble free 50+ to the gallon miles. Its strange how you can become attached to things you shouldn't but we have been through a lot together. Even the seat is moulded to my shape! Still,part of its new job is driving to Malta as the new owners have a property there so long may he live!

Controversy over the selection of the Brit Worlds Team – Laragne 2009

I would like to start by saying that this message is not written with any sourness on my part. Based on the results of other pilots up for selection I never expected to be selected as part of the 2009 UK World’s team.

My message is in support of the fact that based on results and past performance both Dave Matthews and Gordon Rigg deserve a place in the team – my view is supported by many UK Pilots.

Back in November '08 the Comps Panel announced the Worlds Team as:

Carl Wallbank - Cpt
Gary Wirdnam
Grant Crossingham
Robin Hamiton

1st reserve & possible 5th pilot - Bruce Kavanagh
2nd reserve Gordon Rigg
3rd reserve David Matthews

With so many excellent pilots eligible for selection this was always going to be a tough decision. But the announced team caused some surprise as it appeared that based on past performance and the Comps Panel’s published rules and also the selection criteria laid down for the Texas World’s team had not been adhered to.

Noticeably absent from the team is Gordon Rigg (8 times UK Champion) and Dave Matthew’s who had had an outstanding results year in comparison to 2 other pilots (see results below).

The panel have stated how very close and difficult this team selection was, but it is most unfortunate that they have selected a team which so severely undermines the importance of the UK Nationals and has caused so much unrest and demotivation among the pilots – me included. “What do you have to do to get selected?”

This begged the question as to how the team had been selected as it appeared not to be in line with the Panels published rules:

How was the team selected?

In August 2008 rule 5.1.1 was deleted which made reference to the selection on the basis of a pilots’ position in the WRPS ranking system and the panel decided to continue with full discretionary selection. I have to say I was in favour of abolishing rule 5.1.1 as the WRPS only recognises (in my opinion) those pilots who are fortunate enough to afford the luxury of competing in many competitions = time off and money!

However, the ‘discretionary’ selection has somehow failed us this year:

1.1.3 To provide a pool of pilots from which teams for International events may be selected.

(50% of the 4 pilot team is not selected from this pool)

5.1.2 The remaining places will be selected by the competitions panel. A simple majority of a quorum (for this purpose being 2/3 rounded up) of the Competitions Panel will be required for these selections.

5.1.3 Competition attendance will affect team selection on the basis that others are unable to compete against absentees.

(1 selected pilot from the 4 pilot team has taken no part in UK nationals for 10 years and based on results his recent performance is inferior to several who are not selected)

The precedent had been set in so much as the past selection of pilots for UK teams who have not regularly attended the UK nationals has been extremely rare. And where a pilot has been selected other pilots have been consulted and the reason deemed for selection has been considered ‘exceptional’.

Attendance at the UK Nationals by the best UK pilots is essential for the transfer of skill to up and coming pilots for the future of UK hang gliding.

The results as widely accessible on the internet - I have only listed the 'relevant' pilots:

Pre Worlds – Laragne 2008
4 – Carl Wallbank
14 – Gary Wirdnam
18 – Dave Matthews
19 – Bruce Kavanagh
21 – Gordon Rigg
28 – Robin Hamilton

UK Nationals – Laragne 2008
1 – Grant Crossingham
2 – Gordon Rigg
3 – Dave Matthews
4 – Gary Wirdnam
4 – Bruch Kavanagh
Robin Hamilton – absent
Carl Wallbank – absent

UK Nationals – St Andre 2007
1 – Gordon Rigg
2 – Grant Crossingham
7 – Dave Matthews
8 – Bruce Kavanagh
Robin Hamilton – absent
Carl Wallbank – absent

UK Nationals – St Andre 2006
1 – Gordon Rigg
2 – Malcolm Brown
5 – Bruce Kavanagh
6 – Dave Matthews
Robin Hamilton – absent
Carl Wallbank – absent

World Championships – Texas 2007
6 – Gary Wirdam
8 – Carl Wallbank
16 – Dave Matthews
17 – Robin Hamilton
42 – Bruce Kavanagh

Based on these results the Comps Panel were asked to explain what was considered ‘exceptional’ reasons to allow someone who has not entered a UK competition for many, many years to take the place of others who had attended and outperformed and most importantly given UK competitions their regular support? This question was not answered but all non selected pilots were promised a personal telephone call to discuss their individual situation. I believe some have had their call – I am still waiting!

On 30th Jan it was made public knowledge that a member of the 4 pilot team had resigned his place due to being “uncomfortable to be in the middle of a polarising debate on the issue among pilots and did not wish to be the cause of any problems between Exec and the Comps panel”. The Panel regretted but accepted the decision. I too was uncomfortable that he had been made to feel this way – It should never have come to this.

More controversy reared its head today as it became apparent that upon accepting the resignation of the pilot from the 4 pilot team that the 'Comps Panel' invited (both verbally and in writing) Gordon Rigg onto the team and as such Gordon had begun to make arrangements with his employer and purchase equipment required etc etc

- oh no not again!

It appears that after Gordon had been invited onto the team that somehow the pilot who had resigned had been persuaded back onto the team and had accepted.

- I shall leave you all to make your own conclusions as to the state of the UK Competitions.

As I said at the start – based on results of other pilots up for selection I never expected to be selected. But put my name forward as we were all encouraged to do so. At the least I would have expected to receive the ‘promised’ telephone call and an explanation of why results don’t appear to matter. I still support the fact that both Dave Matthews and Gordon Rigg deserve a place in the team.

I am sure this debate will linger on and it is a shame that the future of UK Competitions has been tarnished by such an outcome. To my knowledge and to date 3 members of the Comps Panel have resigned over this debacle (one had been a member for over 30yrs and the other was Chairman).

Over and out for now.

A Very English Day

A pleasant Sunday at the Model Ridge

 

The Model Ridge is a very pleasant Northerly site with mown grass on top and all landscaped by John Simpson who owns the land and cafe which is built into the side of the hill.

The cloudbase was only max 1900ft asl and take off is a 900ft asl so it was great fun in and out, between, over - but NOT through the clouds. I'm too much of a wimp for that - or is it sensible? I don't know? But I don't do cloud flying and I never have.

The lift was very weak 200ft a min max under some really, really big clouds. Probably due to all the moisture on the ground as it had rained more or less all the time for the past three weeks ... and some.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the great things about flying at The Model Ridge is the cafe and tea room which John has built into the mooor - its a rare treat to be able to land and pop for a cup of tea and cake in between flights! The Lord Stones Cafe