SAFA Skysailor Magazine

13 September | October 2020 SKY SAILOR The thrilling and much anticipated Moyes Team Challenge welcomes hang glider pilots of all skill levels and encourages pilots that are new to the cross-country scene to attend as they’ll get the opportunity to be coached by some of Australia’s best cross-country pilot and develop aerotowing and cross-country flying skills. It’s a team event where a team of three novice pilots will be placed with an experienced pilot who will coach them along the course. We make a friendly competition out of it and score each of the teams. The aerotow cross-country event will be held at Forbes, NSW, from 30 October to 2 November 2020. The event organiser, Vicki Moyes, said: “The three-day event will conven- iently take place at ‘Bills Paddock’ north of the Forbes Airport; home to the Forbes Flatlands competition held each January. Spring is a great time to fly at Forbes with temperate spring conditions and smooth thermals.” The open, wide-reaching locale of the event makes it ideal for safe and consistent flying; while the air-conditioned Forbes Aero Club is a comfortable environment for spec- tators to observe the pilot launches from across the field. Vicki points out that it’s a social event with appropriate tasks for the conditions so that everyone can get home to enjoy a dinner together. Unlike big comps, the Moyes Team Challenge isn’t about long days and long tasks, it is about helping pilots to learn new skills, whether it be playing with instruments, getting the hang of setting up and launching in an ordered launch line, setting new milestones, achieving PBs; all the while fostering camaraderie! Josh Woods attended the event as a novice pilot: “The 'Moyes Team Challenge' was my first competition experience and an awesome introduction to XC flying. I was helped with everything, from instrument use, gear and glider set up, to topping out thermals above the gaggle! I flew new PBs every flying day – 3km, 5km, 10km and a big 15km goal on the final day! The opportunity to fly while watching, learning and compet- ing with the leaders provided a huge jump forward in my flying. At the Flatlands comp in January, I was smashing out PBs like there was no tomorrow – 110km, 180km, and a 10 bomb-out point 256km! Another good vario lesson learnt: Don't leave the start gate early.” Event Details: When: 30 October to 2 November 2020 Where: Forbes, NSW (near Forbes airport) If you are interested in being part of this exciting event, reserve your place via email to Vicki at fly@forbesflatlands.com Moyes Team Challenge Launch paddock – Photo: Anita Redfern Inset: Sasha on tow – Photo: Peak Pictures