In simple terms a gliding competition is a series of time trials spread over nine days. Each glider competes to go the fastest (or fly the furthest) round a fixed course for the day that is designed to optimise the soaring conditions.
Competing gliders carry a secure GPS flight recorder that is downloaded after flight that shows when they crossed the start and finish line and also that they successfully flew in to all the control points around the task. Once the pilot lands, data from this logger is then used to generate a score for the pilot. Pilots are scored with a maximum of 1,000 points available on each competition day.
Types of task
A gliding competition can have a range of tasks, with the most common being a racing task, and assigned area tasks.
- Racing Task
Here, pilots will all fly the same route around a range of turning points, typically beginning and finishing at the airfield. Points are gained by the speed at which pilots fly around the course, which are then handicapped (in most competition classes) based on the type of glider flown. - Assigned Area Task
In an assigned area task, pilots are given specific sectors (areas) in which they are able to fly within a given time. The pilot must log a point in each sector, and maximise the distance they have flown within the given time. Points are awarded for distance flown, and also how close to the given time that the pilot returns
Types of competition
There are several types of competition recognised in the UK:
- Local inter-club competitions
These are informal competitions held at most clubs throughout the country. - Regional championships
These competitions are handicapped based on glider type which allows different gliders to fly against each other. - National championships
National competitions are usually not handicapped but gliders are divided into classes. Lower performance gliders can enter in a higher class, but not a more restrictive one.
Landing Out
Occasionally, pilots do not make it back to the airfield they took off from. This is called ‘Landing Out’ and is a routine part of cross-country flying, with pilots regularly training for this. Once the pilot lands, gliders are able to be dismantled – the wings are removed from the fuselage and the aircraft then fits into a trailer, driven back to the airfield behind a car.
You can read more about gliding competitions both nationally and internationally here.