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  #31  
Old 02-05-2011, 03:01 PM
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Alan Carroll Alan Carroll is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hydroguy2 View Post

Where can I get a few race course layouts. I looked at SARL, but couldn't find much.
They are usually posted in advance of the races; looks like last year's race info is no longer linked and only one 2011 race has the info posted at the moment. More should appear as the time gets closer.
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  #32  
Old 02-05-2011, 03:23 PM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
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Default Courses, Dorks, etc

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Originally Posted by hydroguy2 View Post
I don't really have any visions of winning, just don't want to show up and be a big dork. In my short flying career, I haven't even done much XC planning but I plan on working on it. I've logged more time since Dec, then I had in the preceeding 18months.

Where can I get a few race course layouts. I looked at SARL, but couldn't find much.
There is only one race open for entries now and the courses are not available until the associated race is open for entries. You know they are open for entries when the race name in the "Calendar of Events" at www.sportairrace.org is underlined. The race is called the Big Muddy (for the muddy Mississippi River). If you click on the underlined race name you will be linked to a page that has three click options - something like "I'm In", "Whose In?" and "Race Information." The Race Information link will give you the only currently available course. If you print that information you can plan for that race. It is good to get a sectional and layout the course. I get a paper flight plan (Log) and make up a detail flight plan. I usually go to Google Earth, enter the Lat/Long of each turn and download an image. I use PowerPoint software to place a copy of each turn point in the upper left corner of a page for that turn. Then below it I enter the requirements for the turn. The frequency(s), the altitude, the turn call requirements, the outbound heading, outbound target altitude and enroute obstructions, etc. These power point pages are sized so they can be printed an cut to size for a kneeboard. I provided en example of this preparation in a post here last year. If you plan the flight it will go just fine. Your plane appears to be very fast so you will be competitive. Study the winds and fly the altitude that helps you most on every leg (usually not the same for all legs).

The racers are individually started fastest first and slowest last with a 20 to 30 second separation. Once you takeoff you will probably not see another airplane until you land after the race - so you may look like a dork in your own eyes but no body else but the turn monitors will see you. As you can see from the responses the racers are a helpful bunch that want to see you do good.

Bob Axsom

Last edited by Bob Axsom : 02-05-2011 at 03:31 PM.
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  #33  
Old 02-05-2011, 03:38 PM
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Thanks guys. Looks like I have some work to do before June.

Bob, I recall you posting that info, but couldn't find it in a search. If you have have a sample or two, maybe you could email them to me. bkcarroll@mt.net

I never raced anything...ok dirt bikes against my buddies in the woods...so don't really know the best technique for an aerial closed course. A overhead view of a sectional with the plotted vs actual flown route would be cool to see.

Thanks again....off to the shop to build some fuel drain and vent fairings.
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  #34  
Old 02-05-2011, 06:47 PM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
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Default Will do

I have to do a little computer digging but I should have something from last year that I can send you.

Bob Axsom
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  #35  
Old 02-05-2011, 07:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hydroguy2 View Post
I don't really have any visions of winning, just don't want to show up and be a big dork.
Made me laugh Brian....SARL can't be that bad. When you start in motorcycle roadracing they make you wear a yellow tee shirt over your leathers during your first two race weekends. That's to tell all the other racers you're a new dork and prone to do something dumb at any moment.
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  #36  
Old 02-05-2011, 07:06 PM
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Ron Lee Ron Lee is offline
 
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Sorry Brian, I already fulfilled the dork position when I entered a Memphis race about two years ago.

Good thing is that I was near the back of the pack anyway so a minimal threat.

I ran at far lower than 100% power, let's just say less than 75%...so maybe around 60%...or 50-55% (yea...50-55%).
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  #37  
Old 02-05-2011, 07:21 PM
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hydroguy2 hydroguy2 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanH View Post
Made me laugh Brian....SARL can't be that bad..........they make you wear a yellow tee shirt ......
well guess I'm ready, since my plane is already yellow.

And I guess I could sandbag like Ron and run at LOP cruise power out for a sunday ride.
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  #38  
Old 02-06-2011, 02:04 AM
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rvmills rvmills is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hydroguy2 View Post
I don't really have any visions of winning, just don't want to show up and be a big dork. In my short flying career, I haven't even done much XC planning but I plan on working on it.
Brian,

I thought the same exact thing when I started racing two seasons ago. Very nervous about buffonerizing in my first race.

I'll tell ya now, it (dorkdom) was never even a factor (AFAIK! ). The SARL gang is extremely welcoming, very friendly and helpful, and everyone is out to have a fun and safe race (and wants to help each other do the same). You need a part, someone will probably have it, and will help you put it on.

That first race for me was in Pagosa, and once we started, the juices were flowing, I could see the racer ahead (a speck) and saw a couple planes go through turn 1. After that I saw no one...pretty much concentrated on course, terrain, obstacles and speed. In the zone...the fun zone! Its a pretty typical scenario...you may see one or two ahead of you, and you listen to see if the guy behind you is gaining (via turn calls). But you mostly fly your own race.

People make mistakes in races, missed starts (and ensuing mulligans), missed turns, late turns, failing to climb or descend for winds (guilty in the last race ), drifting off course...etc. Often (as was said earlier) you are the only one to know it. The stopwatch knows of course, but more often than not, we share the goods and "others" of our day, and laugh about it over the BBQ and frosties after the race (and learn from it, of course). I'll let ya know when I run a perfect race (and thus beat Tom Martin...if you know how fast he is, you'll know what I mean!)

If you'd like, let's meet up a day early at Wenatchee, and fly the course together. We did it as a 4-ship in Canada, and a 3-ship in Taylor last year. I'm sure the engineer of that train near Taylor is still talking about those airplanes that did the smoking fly-by! (all legal!) I did a pre-run solo last year at Wenatchee, and there are a few choices to make...river canyon (low), or direct (with climb)...stuff like that. Good to see it ahead of time, and not at full speed, just course familiarization (if you aint cheatin' you aint tryin'!). Fun course too!

I'm game if you are (and I hope more RVs will make it this year to support Tim's race!!) Purty country along the Columbia River!

So no worries at all...just come out and have fun!

Cheers,
Bob
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  #39  
Old 02-06-2011, 09:26 AM
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Game on. Is it wrong to be excited about flogging my brand new airplane.

Bob A sent me some of his race info that helped me see what his process is. Thanks Bob. And you others have convinced me to at least put Wenatchee on the calendar and make preps to go. My work may be problematic (peak of spring runoff), might be a quick trip over and back.

thanks to all for the encouragement and info....Buffoonery be damned
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  #40  
Old 07-20-2011, 11:44 AM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
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Default Well Brian What Do You Think About Your Decision Now?

Well Brian, what do You think about your decision now?

Bob Axsom

Last edited by Bob Axsom : 07-20-2011 at 12:13 PM.
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