Distance and time will be key to win
This week you might have noticed see lots of large white birds around Mt Tauhara and the Central Plateau area.
The Taupo¯ Gliding Club is hosting the annual Central Plateau Gliding Championships, and so far they have 20 entries from all over the North Island. Contestants will compete in three classes for the title of Central Plateau Champion by flying around a predetermined course and covering the most distance in the quickest time. That means the first home will not necessarily be the winner — for example if he has just covered the minimum distance and headed for home, there may be someone behind him who has covered much more distance in almost the same time, so would have a higher average speed.
Task setters plan a course each morning after examining the weather details and deciding which areas will provide the best lift.
All the gliders in one class must be airborne before the race can start, so multiple tow planes are used to get them into the air as quickly as possible.
Fifteen minutes after the last glider in the class is airborne the radio operator will announce the “Start Gate is open”, and it is then up to each pilot to cross the start line whenever he or she is ready. All timing, tracking and recording is done electronically by the instruments in the glider.
The launch is generally started about 12.30 to 1.30 in the afternoon, and it’s worth a watch.
Three tow planes and 20 gliders to get airborne within an hour — it’s all go!
All activity is weather dependent of course, but if it’s a nice day and you’re in the vicinity of Centennial Park, stop in and have a look. To fly an aircraft with no motor several hundred kilometres around the Central Plateau some would say they have to be slightly crazy, but they’re a friendly bunch and love talking about their gliders, so stop in and see what you think. You might even be tempted to have a go yourself; all you have to do is ask, or phone the Gliding Club on 378 5627.