FEBRUARY NAVIGATION COMPETITION

The flying competition on February 7 will be a navigation event but it will quite different to previous navigation competitions so pilots intending to participate may appreciate some advance information.

Key points to note are

• Pilot briefing will be at 08:30 with the first aircraft departing at 09:00 and following aircraft at 5 minute intervals.
• Pilots should complete daily and pre-flight inspections and refuelling prior to the briefing so aircraft are ready for departure immediately after the briefing.
• The competition will involve flying a route with several waypoints, all of which will be unknown until each aircraft commences taxiing for departure.  Pilots will receive the first waypoint immediately prior to taxi for departure.  Identifying each way point correctly will enable the crew to determine the subsequent waypoints.
• The total distance flown will be approximately 225 n.m.
• A crew of pilot and navigator is recommended but the competition can be completed solo.
• Each pilot will have to nominate their planned TAS and fuel burn rate prior to departure and record fuel on board prior to departure and upon return.
• Use of GPS is permitted.
• Points will be awarded for:

o   On time departure.

o   Correctly identifying all way points.

o   Actual flight time (commencing to taxi to engine shut down) compared to expected flight time based on declared TAS.

o   Actual fuel used compared to planned fuel use based on declared fuel burn rate.

o   Correct answers to questions en route.

o   Accuracy and quality of radio calls made on the Aldinga CTAF.

We would like to have a good roll up of members participating in this competition and it would help with organisation if pilots intending to participate would advise me (captain@aldingaaeroclub.org.au or 0414 538 542) at least a week before the event i.e. by 31 January.