28 October 2013

F5J 2013 Summary



We have just completed the 5th and final round of the F5J competition meetings.

I know that most pilots enjoyed the events and will probably be back for more in 2014. As the competitions were very informal I'm not going to concentrate on who won or lost, rather I would like to focus on the fun side of the events. To take the last event on Saturday 26 October as an example, we started the event at 09:00 and we all done by 12:00. To be fair, the windy conditions made it difficult to achieve full 10 min working time flights all the time. Add an hour for good flying conditions. We were still in time to have a braai and watch the rugby at home. Clearing the field took no longer than 10 minutes. No clumsy lines, winches, turnaround stakes or car batteries to lug around.

Some of the other disciplines I have attended, like F3B or F3K, places a lot of stress on an average pilot like myself. I am constantly amazed at the level of skill and expertise of the South Africans. For such a small model flying community we fare extremely well at most of the gliding world championships.

The point I'm getting at is that F5J, because of its provisional status, is very attractive to new and less skilled glider pilots. This may change as soon as it gains proper FAI status. At the moment it does not attract the crème de la crème of the local glider pilots as the other disciplines do.

F5J in Europe has a huge following, and I think for much the same reason. The Model Club of Trnava (MCT), in Slovakia has taken the initiative and have organized the F5J Inter Tour competition. It describes the procedures for allowing countries to stage and or enter the competition. More on the subject at their web site: http://www.trnavaf3j.sk/.

To make a long story short, I believe F5J to be the future of competitive model thermal duration flying. We are right here at the beginning of it all. Next year (2014) we should have more informal "practice" days and tighten up on the competition days.

If this recipe works well in Gauteng, I see no reason for other regions not to jump on the bandwagon. It would be wonderful to see a multitude of new faces at the 2014 Nationals.