1flyingyogi
Well Known Member
I was asked to do a short write-up of my experience so it might inspire others to get into aerobatics with their RVs. So here it is:
I did my first contest 6 months ago and it was a great learning experience. Since then I have been too busy and have not practiced the Primary Sequence much (in fact not at all except at 2 practice days with the new chapter I joined last month). I have been spending a little time with the Sportsman sequence and just playing around with point rolls, vertical rolls, reverse cubans, humpties, etc. Just having fun.
Flying this contest was a last minute decision and I did not show up in time for practice, so I went into my first round without even seeing the box. On top of that, there were issues with my paperwork and I was not cleared to fly literally until the last minute. That left me very flustered and stressed out and my score showed it - 66%.
I did better the next day with 77% and 75% flights, but I was still disappointed because I felt I could fly better, but just couldn't perform when it mattered. However, due to the low turn-out, I still ended up with a first place finish, despite my mediocre overall score.
I also ended up being given the "Grassroots Achievement Award" for having the highest score in any category with a low HP airplane (defined as less than 180hp). I also was one of two pilots in all categories with no outs and no zeros in all three rounds. So overall it was a great weekend, despite me not performing my best. I learned a lot and met some great people and gained valuable experience.
I plan to compete in Sportsman next year and excited to see the 2019 Known sequence. I know I won't have as good a chance at placing well (compared to if I stayed in Primary), but I'm ok with that.
When at a contest, I'll do my absolute best, but in general I'm not as competitive as some guys. I love aerobatics for the pure joy of expression in 3 dimensions. And I enjoy doing higher level maneuvers, even if it's not done to perfection to win a trophy. So having fun and meeting great pilots and always improving is what's more important to me. But of course bringing home the goodies once in a while isn't bad either.
A big thanks to all you guys who were supportive and motivated me to get into this. It's been great!
Oh, and the other cool thing about this contest was to see the look on everyone's faces when at the end of the banquet, well after dark, I told them I'm flying home. No one else could do that b/c their acro mounts were day VFR-only. I once showed up to a practice day with my wife in the back and unloaded a bunch of luggage onto the ramp. We were going on a trip after the practice day! Gotta love the versatility of an RV!
Hope to see more RVs join the fun!
I did my first contest 6 months ago and it was a great learning experience. Since then I have been too busy and have not practiced the Primary Sequence much (in fact not at all except at 2 practice days with the new chapter I joined last month). I have been spending a little time with the Sportsman sequence and just playing around with point rolls, vertical rolls, reverse cubans, humpties, etc. Just having fun.
Flying this contest was a last minute decision and I did not show up in time for practice, so I went into my first round without even seeing the box. On top of that, there were issues with my paperwork and I was not cleared to fly literally until the last minute. That left me very flustered and stressed out and my score showed it - 66%.
I did better the next day with 77% and 75% flights, but I was still disappointed because I felt I could fly better, but just couldn't perform when it mattered. However, due to the low turn-out, I still ended up with a first place finish, despite my mediocre overall score.
I also ended up being given the "Grassroots Achievement Award" for having the highest score in any category with a low HP airplane (defined as less than 180hp). I also was one of two pilots in all categories with no outs and no zeros in all three rounds. So overall it was a great weekend, despite me not performing my best. I learned a lot and met some great people and gained valuable experience.
I plan to compete in Sportsman next year and excited to see the 2019 Known sequence. I know I won't have as good a chance at placing well (compared to if I stayed in Primary), but I'm ok with that.
When at a contest, I'll do my absolute best, but in general I'm not as competitive as some guys. I love aerobatics for the pure joy of expression in 3 dimensions. And I enjoy doing higher level maneuvers, even if it's not done to perfection to win a trophy. So having fun and meeting great pilots and always improving is what's more important to me. But of course bringing home the goodies once in a while isn't bad either.
A big thanks to all you guys who were supportive and motivated me to get into this. It's been great!
Oh, and the other cool thing about this contest was to see the look on everyone's faces when at the end of the banquet, well after dark, I told them I'm flying home. No one else could do that b/c their acro mounts were day VFR-only. I once showed up to a practice day with my wife in the back and unloaded a bunch of luggage onto the ramp. We were going on a trip after the practice day! Gotta love the versatility of an RV!
Hope to see more RVs join the fun!
