Good evening from Granada
Well, its been an interesting day here today. The Q programme was
completed yesterday and that just left checking of score sheets for this
morning before the results could be finalised. The Jury have decided to
remove "out" penalties (the UK team pilots had no outs) from the Q
sequence because the line judging sighting devices were changed for more
reliable devices during the programme. This means that the K for
positioning remains at 10K, but that infringements of the lines will not
be recorded as penalties. Clearly this changes the results somewhat.
However, we are pleased that the line judging will be fully implemented
for the remaining programmes. The final results are now available on the
CIVA website and Tom is now in 6th place - an excellent performance.
The briefing this morning outlined the programme for the
day, namely to start flying the Free Programmes, and the usual
information was given about box winds and judging positions. Its amazing
how much the wind changes
 during
the day at Granada - both in terms of strength and direction, with
periods of still calm interspersed with bouts of strong winds and lots
of dust devils. Wind is generally calm in the morning, strongest mid
afternoon and a little gentler in the evening. The temperature is high -
tonight it was 29° Celsius at 2100. The consequence of the instability
in the wind is that the box orientation is changing at least twice a
day, which makes it very difficult for pilots to prepare for their
flights. But I guess its all part of the game!
We also selected the Unknown Figures for the First
Unknown. The team drew the ninth slot for submission of a figure, so we
had no option to use a flick roll. In the end we modified one of our
prepared figures to remove the snap. Downwards 45° line, 2 of 4, push
round to 45° up, 4 of 8, finish inverted. The Russians followed us and
put in a tail-slide, which have proved to be very unpredictable figures
to fly at this density altitude. There have been quite a few tail-slides
zeroed so far, so it's a high risk strategy. The Unknown sequence has
been selected. Its quite a testing sequence, but the team have been
practicing lots of Unknowns over the last week, so they have a good
chance of getting around the sequence well.
It took a while for the organisers to compile the
paperwork needed for the Free, because the Free programmes have to be
arranged into the finalised order of flight, so that the judges have the
right papers for each flight. The results of the Q are used to set the
flying order for the Free. The pilots are divided into three blocks of
about 17 pilots. The top scoring third of pilots in the Q will fly the
Free programme last and the bottom scoring third fly the Free first,
leaving the second block in the middle of the order. Within each block
the flying order is randomised across the pilots. This meant that none
of our pilots flew in the first block, because they had all flown well
in the Q. I don't have the order of flight with me now, but Kester will
be fourth to fly in the morning (21st) with Richard and Mark flying soon
after. Gerald and Tom will fly later in the order. They will be flying
tomorrow, because we only flew 17 flights today.
When the papers were ready, the wind was out of limits
for the selected box orientation and so the box had to be changed - a
new judging position and a different wind direction for the pilots to
consider. These interruptions, plus airshow practice from 1130 until
1200 and a lunch break from about 1500 to 1700 meant that we completed
17 of the Free flights. This means that we have 34 flights to complete
tomorrow - which will require an early start and an efficient launch
rate. If we can complete the Free tomorrow, then we will be able to
start flying the First Unknown on Friday which would be on schedule.
The team are working well together, but its very
stressful waiting for flying slots. There are long periods with nothing
for them to do, followed by several hours of nervous preparation in
anticipation of their flights. Postponement or delay of flights makes
the process even more wearing. But I guess its the same for all of the
competitors.
More tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Steve |
