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News
28/07/08
The closing Ceremony for the Rally World Championships took place on the morning of the 26 July. The result for the individual Gold medal was a close run thing but was finally clinched by the Poles, following a brilliant, and seldom seen, clear round (no penalties!!). The Silver medal went to the French thus breaking the Eastern European monopoly, with the Czechs taking the Bronze. In the team results (best 2 crews scores to count) it was Poland, Czech Republic and France for Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively. The Great Britain team finished 7th, just behind the Hungarians, out of the 14 nations taking part.
Following the closing ceremony, an airshow completed the day. It seemed that most of upper Austria came to see the show, which included some excellent aerobatic displays from the Red Bull race team. There was also some RC model aircraft displays, including a 1/4 scale Yak 50 that defied the laws of physics, and a model Wliga that towed model gliders to 1000ft allowing them to execute some interesting aerobatic manoeuvres.
On the morning of the 27th July it was time to bid farewell to Ried and make the journey back to the UK. Both Precision and Rally teams have learnt a lot from the Championships and how we can better prepare to compete on the World stage. Next year Poland are hosting the Precision Flying World Championships and the Rally Flying European Championships - so if you want to be part of the British team, now is the time to enter one of our UK events to try your hand at the sport!!
26/07/08
The 25 July was originally set aside as a reserve competition day. Had the results of the 24 July have been completed then this day would of been Nav route 3. Now it is important just to get a complete route, as to be a 'legal' World Championships, 2 nav routes must be completed. The 3 GB crews were due to fly in the afternoon group. The organisers kept putting delays due to weather on the morning group as they couldn't afford for them to scrub. Eventually the morning group launched after Lunch on a shortened nav route. This resulted in the GB crews launching in the early evening, so on westerly legs looking into the setting sun through haze proved problematical with regard to spotting photos and navigating. Therefore the scores were respectable and are listed as follows:-
| | Timing | Observation | Landing | Other | Total |
| Chris Barnes / Mike Pepper | 244 | 160 | 10 | 0 | 414 |
| Rodney Blois / Martin Reynolds | 240 | 290 | 10 | 0 | 540 |
| Paul Smiddy / Guy Penderleith | 670 | 400 | 30 | 0 | 1100 |
25/07/08
On the 24 July we woke up to find the rain had stopped, with a highish overcast cloudbase with the occasional piece of lower Cu. All 3 GB crews flew in the morning group and had some really good results and were pleased that it should lift them higher up the scoreboard. Chris Barnes and Mike Pepper, in particular, had really put in an excellent flight. Unfortunately during the middle of the afternoon group, bad weather caused the jury to cancel flying on the course. Therefore all scores for the day were void. This was bad news for the British team as the following results were obtained:-
| | Timing | Observation | Landing | Other | Total |
| Chris Barnes / Mike Pepper | 36 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 96 |
| Rodney Blois / Martin Reynolds | 118 | 480 | 0 | 0 | 598 |
| Paul Smiddy / Guy Penderleith | 822 | 790 | 0 | 0 | 1518 |
24/07/08
The 3 GB rally teams are well into the Rally part of the World Championships. The first route was flown on 22 July. The weather was reasonable, but the route planner had decided to incorporate an arc to be flown within what most competitors are referring as 'the bad lands' of the competition area. This area is fairly featureless and hard to navigate in. The British team didn't do as well as hoped for, but at least they managed to remember to switch on both loggers before getting airborne, unlike some unfortunate Hungarian crew.
The final results for the 22 July are as follows:-
| | Timing | Observation | Landing | Other | Total |
| Chris Barnes / Mike Pepper | 54 | 200 | 70 | 200 | 524 |
| Paul Smiddy / Guy Penderleith | 598 | 530 | 50 | 200 | 1378 |
| Rodney Blois / Martin Reynolds | 688 | 390 | 40 | 400 | 1518 |
On the 23 July, all 3 British crews were scheduled for the afternoon group. After several delays due to bad weather, the morning group and therefore the whole day was cancelled. Those who got their names on the list quick enough were able to take the one 50-seater coach to Saltzburg (there are 104 competitors plus managers and supporters in the competiton!!) to visit the Red Bull Hangar 7 and 8 complex for the afternoon. By the time the GB arrived at the airfield the coach was fully booked.
19/07/08
Disaster!! On arriving at the airfeld today we discovered 2 of our aircraft have been vandalised. There was a rock concert on the non-airside of the airfield last night as part of the 2 weeks of events associated with the competition. It would appear that some of the local audience took a short cut home across the airfield (and probably intoxicated), took it upon themselves that out of over 70 parked aircraft would vandalise 2 G-registered aircraft. Malcolm Evan's Glastar had it's door forced open, the GPS removed, VSI and AH smashed and the throttle and mixture levers bent down through 70 degrees. Personal belongings, including prescription glasses were stolen. Later in the day, Malcolm's smashed up Skyforce III was found discarded in some bushes on the airfield boundary. It would appear that the GPS was used to smash the instruments. The vandals also tried to gain entry into John Fisher's RV, having used (and damaged) the right flap as a step. On being unable to gain entry they ripped off his comm aerial off the top of the fuselage.
The organisers were very apologetic and felt very upset that some of the local population could do such an act. Unfortunately, this meant that with both aircraft being unflyable, neither pilot concerned could complete today's landing test, resulting in a maximum of 200 penalties being awarded for non-completion of flight. Whether this incident spurned Chris and Rodney to show defiance, but with a '0' and a '+1m' respectively, the British team soldiered on.
Total landing scores for all 4 elements of the landing competition are as follows:-
Chris Barnes 58
John Marsh 187
Rodney Blois 193
Barry Pearce 230
Malcolm Evans 375*
John Fisher 400*
(* only 3 of 4 landings completed - see reason above with 200 penalties for non-completed flight)
The evening saw the Closing Ceremony for the Precision championship and the Opening Ceremony for the Rally Championships, which concluded with an excellent firework-to-music display. As expected the Czechs and Poles dominated the top 10 pilots, although it was nice to see Robert Verbancic of Slovenia (and only entry from his country) take the Bronze medal. Final placings for Nav and Landings with the British team for a field of over 60 competitors were:
Chris Barnes 17th
Rodney Blois 44th
John Marsh 56th
Malcolm Evans 58th
Barry Pearce 59th
John Fisher 60th
With the best 3 pilot's scores used to make up the team score, Great Britain finished 7th out of the 12 participating nations. The Czech Republic took team Gold, Poland the silver and France the Bronze.
18/0708
Today was the second and final navigation competition. The route was flown in good VFR conditions with the odd shower about, resulting in much better results achieved by the team members. Unfortunately both John Marsh and Malcolm Evans suffered in the flight planning section with John Marsh's lack of concentration resulting in a costly 350 (maximum) penalties. The scores for Nav 2 are as follows:-
| NAME | Flight Planning | Navigation | Observation | Total |
| Rodney Blois | 5 | 87 | 80 | 173 |
| Chris Barnes | 0 | 123 | 60 | 183 |
| John Marsh | 350 | 390 | 140 | 880 |
| Malcolm Evans | 247 | 297 | 340 | 884 |
| Barry Pearce | 0 | 1344 | 220 | 1564 |
| John Fisher | 58 | 1512 | 320 | 1890 |
Tomorrrow is the final landing competition, the 'glide with flaps', which will then complete the final test within the landing competition. The weather forecast is good, so condtions should be ideal.
16/07/08
The practice navigation competition has been sucessfully completed, with the team of International Judges and local helpers working together like a well rehearsed team. The route provided a good test for the pilots and allowed them to iron out any last minute problems. The first real competition nav route was flown today in bright sunny conditions. Unfortunately, the forecast competition wind proved to be diferent from reality both in direction and strength, with pilots having to weave and fly a slow as possible on any easterly legs, whilst then having to fly with 'throttle to the firewall' on any legs with a westerly component. Most pilots did well with the ground targets, but once again photo spotting proved difficult. The scores for Nav 1 are as follows:-
| NAME | Flight Planning | Navigation | Observation | Total |
| Chris Barnes | 8 | 186 | 100 | 294 |
| Rodney Blois | 4 | 619 | 140 | 763 |
| John Marsh | 88 | 896 | 230 | 1214 |
| Barry Pearce | 84 | 1231 | 360 | 1675 |
| Malcolm Evans | 68 | 1338 | 460 | 1866 |
| John Fisher | 28 | 1552 | 410 | 1990 |
The results were not as good as our previous practices and the Great Britain team are now sitting in 6th place behind the Germans, with the Swiss and Russians close on our heels. As expected the Czechs and Poles are leading the field. The forecast for tomorrow is for an overcast day with rain showers, although the organisers are hoping to get some of the landing competition completed.
14/07/08
All the Precision Pilots for the team have arrived safely in Ried and over the last few days have been conducting practice routes and landings. The weather has been variable, ranging from a hot and sunny 33 deg C, to cold overcast with heavy rain showers. Luckily the heavy thunderstorms we have witnessed have occured late in the day. However, the showery conditions meant the planned Opening Ceremony on Sunday evening became an indoor event, using a local Sports Hall. Although not on the scale of the Olympic games or recent European Football Championships, the marching band and dancing display were well performed. Afterwards the competitors were treated to a Civic reception with local foods and wine on offer. Today was the Official Practice Landing day, allowing the judges and the electronic scoring system to be tested prior to the actual landing competition later in the week. Team performance was variable, although Barry Pearce achieved an excellent 0,-2m,-1m,-2m. Hopefully he can replicate this standard in the actual Landing competition. Tomorrow is Official Practice for Navigation and although designed to allow the judges and volunteer helpers to test out their organisation, will allow one last practice before competition starts in earnest.
22/05/08
We have received an acknowledgement that our official entry forms have all been received. The Ried website is getting more updates and alot more of it is in English if you select the 'Union Jack' flag in the top right hand side of the home page. Preparations to attend the Austrian National Rally Championships (12th - 15th June) are well underway, which will allow crews to become familiar with the local area and the 1:200,000 scale maps being used for the World Championships. It will also hopefully provide some insight into the way the Rally turnpoint clues will be presented.
06/05/08
All the official entry forms have been sent off to the Austrian Aero club by recorded delivery airmail.
24/04/08
The competition organisers have released Bulletin 2 with updated information on the competition. Click here to view the bulletin. If any members can get there hands on any suitable 'gizzits' to be used for the 'goody' bags for exchanging with the other national teams at the end of the World Championships please contact Celeste or Martin.
18/03/08
All monies have been received and transferred to the Austrians- well done everyone on the prompt response. Most people have sent their official entry forms/personal questionnaire/photos to the Chairman. There are a few out standing (you know who you are!!), so please get them to the Chairman soonest, as they will need to be posted off to Austria in the next couple of weeks. The team composition is as follows:-
Precision:-
Rhona Hodson - International Judge
Martin Reynolds - Team Manager
Rodney Blois - Pilot
Chris Barnes - Pilot
John Marsh - Pilot
John Fisher - Pilot
Malcolm Evans - Pilot
Barry Pearce - Pilot
Celeste Blois - Support member
Rally:-
Rhona Hodson - International Judge
Celeste Blois - Team Manager
Rodney Blois - Pilot
Martin Reynolds - Navigator
Chris Barnes - Pilot
Mike Pepper - Navigator
Paul Smiddy - Pilot
Guy Plenderleith - Navigator
Tina Forssgren - Support member
6/03/08
TheTreasurer has received all entry fees from everyone who are going to Austria - many thanks to everyone for their prompt payments. It looks as though we will be entering 8 Precision Pilots and 3 Rally Crews. The Ried website has an English version (click on the Union Jack flag in the top right hand of the page) which works with some of the pages but is still being worked on.
28/02/08
All competition fees need to be with Peter Grist by 6th March to qualify for the 10% discount, as this will enable the Treasurer to allow cheques to clear and then arrange for the transfer of Euros to the Austrian organisers, so they receieve it before the cut off date of 14th March. Any fees not received by the 6th March will be forwarded to the Austrians at a later date and the full amount will be required.
18/02/08
Those members intending to go to Austria, be it as competitor, team manager, judge or supporter, please complete an entry form (available from Rodney Blois if you have difficulty downloading off the Ried website) and return to Rodney ASAP. It will be worth confirming with him what you calaculate your total bill to be. Peter Grist is due back off his holiday at the end of February, and the plan is for monies to be sent to him and he will transfer the funds to the competition organisers. It is intended that entry forms and fees will be sent to the organisers before the 14th March, thus qualifying for the 10% discount.
14/01/08
Supplement Bulletin One to the local rules has been released. This basically has more specific details added to the first release of the local rules and is of importance to all prospective team members and supporters. Please click here to view or save the Adobe file to your PC. The Bulletin also has the entry forms which will need to sent to Austria by 14 March. Entry fees sent to Austria before the 14th March will also qualify for a 10% discount. Please get in contact with Rodney Blois, who will be co-ordinating the UK team entry with regard to entry fees and forms, preferrably by the end of February.
21/12/07
The local rules for Reid have been released. Please click here to view or save the Adobe file to your PC.
20/11/07
At the recent meeting of the FAI GAC meeting in South Africa (in November 2007) it was confirmed that Austria will be hosting the 18th Precision Flying World Championships and the 16th Rally Flying World Championships, from 13th - 26th July 2008. The competition website (
www.ried2008.at) should be on line in the near future. The Great Britain Flying Team are hoping to enter 7 pilots and 4 rally crews for the Championships.