Some compelling reasons for paraglider pilots to sign up for the 2013 Chelan Cross-country Classic
CJ Sturtevant
If you're new to Chelan, or new to XC flying, or not sure
you're up for flying "competition," consider these points:
·
The CXCC is a really low-key comp, with most
days being more like a day of flying with your sky buddies than an organized
comp: no launch windows, no task committee, no (pre-determined by a task
committee) goal, no start times, no land-by times.
·
You'll learn how the big dogs pick an optimum
task for each day's conditions.. There's a list of waypoints if you want to try
a triangle or an out-and-return, or you can just head downwind and see how far
you can get. A daily weather briefing provides guidance in choosing a
reasonable task. Landing options are plentiful out on the flats. Experienced
pilots will offer suggestions for choosing tasks that are doable for a pilot's
experience level and the day's weather.
·
If you are new to XC flying, you will have lots
of experienced pilots willing to share their accumulated knowledge about how to
get high and go far at Chelan, and how to use your GPS and flight instruments
to improve your success at cross-country flying.
If you've done some
cross-country but want to push your XC skills up a notch, you probably can't
find a better venue at a better price for advancing your knowledge and skills: a
mere $90 for the six-day event (6/30-7/5) if you sign up by 6/15, $100 after
that.
Whatever your skill level, you'll be part of a Northwest
flying tradition that's been happening for over 30 years. Evening sessions will
include panel discussions on tips and techniques for successful Chelan XC
flying, as well as informative and entertaining stories from pilots who flew in
the early days of the CXCC, or just last year. Some of the original Classic organizers
and competitors will be on hand to tell about the olden days when everybody was
an XC newbie, setting personal bests and site records on a regular basis.
And there's always that bottom line: Your entry helps pay
the various use-fees required by the agencies that own the land we launch from
and land on.
More information is available on the CBCC website, www.cloudbase.org, or contact Lenny Baron,
the 2013 meet organizer, at lennybaron@comcast.net.
Chelan Cross Country Classic – Message from the Meet Director
Lenny Baron
It’s now June and the flying season is upon us and the Chelan dust
devils have started spinning! I’m really looking forward to both running and
flying in this year’s 32nd annual Chelan Cross Country Classic, June
30th to July 5th. The Classic is not a sanctioned,
hard-core meet, nor a frilly spot-landing contest with door prizes…It’s somewhere
in between. The meet purpose is to provide vigorous competition for the top
pilots, yet a great learning experience for novice X/C pilots, and a great
vacation town on the nicest lake in the world for your loved-ones. The meet
format is pilot-called task – you decide what to do and how to get the most out
of each day. Chelan X/C conditions in July are legendary and with good reason. This
is both a hang gliding and a paragliding meet, both wings are welcomed and both
wings will have sub classes based on performance differences. Plenty of
trophies are up for grabs.
The rule updates, along with new waypoints, and special events plans are
almost complete. Here’s what’s coming: 1) One called-task day. This will help
all pilots along as we all become thermal markers. If a pilot finishes early
and wants to keep flying this will be their chance to do a multiple task. 2)
New, closer-in waypoints to allow smaller out-and-returns and triangle flights
(20-30 milers). 3) New mountain waypoints, added primarily for paragliders.
Good for high-pressure weather days 4) An evening panel discussion with Chelan legendary
luminaries, X/C tips and “Back in the day” stories 5) All ages dancing at one
of the downtown clubs 6) Let’s hike the Butte, early morning exercise 7)
And…back by overwhelming demand…the always popular BBQ.
Pilot registration now available on the CBCC website:
Early registration ends June 15th.
E-mail at:
Come fly the Classic and join in on this fun. Get high and go far!
Lenny Baron, 2013 Chelan Cross Country Classic Meet Director