MercerComps Q1/2021
When: April 17th/18th, 2021, Briefing 9am both days
Where: Mercer Airport
Due to issues with the website, invites were sent to all previous North Island AkroFest competitors and helpers, for the first of our MercerComps series. The intent is to run a MercerComp every quarter, incorporating the North Island AkroFest in the last quarter of the year, so that the North Islanders can up the ante and take it to the Mainlanders!
Competitors:
Primary
- Pierre Puchon Robin 2160 TZF
Recreational
- David Wilkinson DR107 EZG
- Pierre Puchon Robin 2160 TZF
Sports
- John Ashman Giles G202 NUT
- David Cranna Vans RV7 RVQ
- David Wilkinson DR107 EZG
Intermediate
- David Cranna Extra 330LX XLS
- Steve Geard Yak 55 YKV
- Mike Slack Zlin Z50 ZSO
Advanced
- Mo Tull Giles G202 NUT
- Grant Benns Giles G202 NUT
- Brent Griffin Giles g202 NUT
Weather
Saturday…average in the morning but improving as the day progresses
Sunday…looks great!
Please feel free to come along and watch, even if you haven’t watched.
Contact me for more info – 0210629929
Grant Benns – Contest Director
2021 Nationals Update #5
It’s official! We have, sadly, officially cancelled the 2021 Nationals, due to the obvious circumstances around the Level 3/2 Covid-19 situation.
Thanks for your entries, enthusiasm and support at this difficult time.
We will work through a process this week of refunding your entry fees.
We will also look at what regional weekend events can be planned before winter descends on us, using your well-practiced sequences of the 2021 Nationals.
Thanks to those who have put their hands up as volunteer helpers/judges/etc., and particularly to Mike, Mo, and Andy.
Also, a big thanks to Terry for his fantastic 2021 event tee-shirts and trophies – we will see what we can do to get the tee-shirts out to you, perhaps modified in some way (‘Covid-19 Victim’?!).
Take care up there – Grant
2021 Nationals Update #4
Entry Deadline: Friday 29th January 2021…CLOSED! (But we will let you in, if you are really really quick)
The next deadline is the submission of your Free/Free Knowns:
Friday 5th February 2020
And here is the most up-to-date competitor list:
Return of Trophies
For this year…
- At the event, we will have a minivan for transport around the airfield, and to and from your accommodation.
- There will be an LLDA refresher for those who need one.
- We will have the Awards Dinner on Saturday night.
- You must be wearing a hi-viz vest or jacket when on an operational area (buy or acquire one now).
- We will be asking everybody to sign-in, or to use their Covid-19 Tracer App, each day so that we comply with MoH guidelines.
The Thrill of Competition Aerobatics – Race-craft
For all competitors, have a read of the following article, published in Kiwi Flyer and available on our website under Articles, which talks about your prep and ‘race-craft’, which in the motorsport world can be defined as:
‘The total of a racer’s skill (craft) along dimensions including: practicing, qualifying, starts, beginning, mid-race and end-race pace, passing, wear equipment usage, and pit strategy.’
KiwiFlyer-Issue-49-Thrill-of-Competition-Aerobatics.pdf
The most common mistake many pilots make is not starting their sequence with enough energy (height and/or speed), so think about what you speed and height need at your first maneuver and STICK TO IT!
Also, if you take a break at any stage (highly recommended in the lower categories), use this break to best effect – CLIMB CLIMB CLIMB and get back to a good great start point for the recommencing of your sequence.
QUESTIONS?
Call or email me for more info if needed – Grant Benns
(Contest Director/Organiser) 0210629929 grantbenns2014@gmail.com
2021 Nationals Update #3
Entry Reminder
Just 9 days to go till the entry cutoff for our 2021 Nationals.
Have you completed your entry?
Entry Deadline: Friday 29th January 2021
Free/Free Known Sequence submission close: Friday 5th February 2020
Late entries might be accepted, but only at the whim of the Contest Director – bribes may be accepted in gold bullion, effective Covid-19 vaccines (not Sputnic 5), or pineapple lumps.
Remember, it is far preferable for you to enter and withdraw (with a full refund of entry fee) at a later date than to leave your entry to the last minute… the printing of sequences and scoring sheets is no small task for our volunteers.
Please help us make this a great event.
2021 Nationals – Update #2
In this update:
- A call for volunteers
- Info on how to compose and check your Free Knowns (Intermediate, Advanced and Unlimited).
- Free composition for Rec and Sports
- Entry Close-off dates
Volunteers
Our events run on volunteers to carry out ground duties.
No ground ‘staff’ = no pilots flying.
As part of the entry process, competitors are asked if they are available to volunteer for ground duties. For those of you wishing to attend but not compete, we would love (and NEED) your help, as a:
Judge / Judge’s Assistant / Scribe / Starter / Spotter / General Dog’s Body.
For ALL attendees – competitors and non-competitors – please let me know ASAP, by email or text, if you are willing and able to help in one of these roles.
Free Known composition
For those of you flying Int/Adv/Unlimited, this is to clarify how to produce and check your 2021 Free Known (Int/Adv/Unknown) using OpenAero.
Select Library>2020>CIVA>(your category). You will then be asked if you want to open the Free(Un)known designer – I would suggest you do as it makes roughing out your sequence easier. You can always fine-tune the sequence after pushing ‘Finalize Sequence’.
Before you ‘Check sequence’, ensure you have the correct Rules and Program selected in the yellow Sequence Info area. This must be set to Rules>NZAC and Program>Free Known.
Clear as mud? If not, contact me.
Free Composition
If you are new to our comps, and/or want to have a crack at designing you own (optional) Free sequence, you will need to acquaint yourself with OpenAero, ideally using the Chrome browser.
You will find on our website a Kiwi Flyer article on OpenAero basics – look in Articles>Aero Sequencing.
Using a blank sequence, in the yellow Sequence Info box, ensure you have set Class>Power, Rules>NZAC, Category>Recreational (or Sports) and Program>Free. By doing this, you have now restricted OpenAero to only allow those figures and total difficulty (K) factor you are entitled to use.
The red Alerts box will tell what you are missing, lacking or exceeding . The aim of the game is to have the maximum allowable total K-factor (currently 140K) spread as evenly as you can across the maximum of 12 figures. Pick figures you know, have practiced and can fly consistently well.
When you have finished, selecting Sequence>Check Sequence will confirm you have done everything right.
Here is an example I whipped up, for your inspiration (use?):
Entry Deadline: Friday 29th January 2021
Free/Free Known Sequence submission close: Friday 5th February 2020
Late entries might be accepted, but only at the whim of the Contest Director – bribes may be accepted in gold bullion, effective Covid-19 vaccines (not Sputnic 5), or pineapple lumps.
Remember, it is far preferable for you to enter and withdraw (with a full refund of entry fee) at a later date than to leave your entry to the last minute… the printing of sequences and scoring sheets is no small task for our volunteers.
QUESTIONS?
Call or email me for more info if needed – Grant Benns (Contest Director/Organiser) 0210629929 grantbenns2014@gmail.com
2021 Nationals – Update #1
The NZ Aerobatic Club Nationals will take place from 3rd-6th March 2021 at Masterton Airport.
Nationals Entries are open NOW via electronic entry form here.
Entry Fees are unchanged from 2020:
Primary $120
Rec and Sports $180
Intermediate, Advanced and Unlimited $240
Note that you must also be a paid up member of the NZAC ($35p.a.) to enter.
Entry Deadline: Friday 29th January 2021
Free/Free Known Sequence submission close: Friday 5th February 2020
Late entries might be accepted, but only at the whim of the Contest Director – bribes may be accepted in gold bullion, effective Covid-19 vaccines (not Sputnic 5), or pineapple lumps.
Remember, it is far preferable for you to enter and withdraw (with a full refund of entry fee) at a later date than to leave your entry to the last minute… the printing of sequences and scoring sheets is no small task for our volunteers.
SEQUENCES
Known sequences to be flown for our 2021 event are available on our website/Sequence and in OpenAero under Library>2021>NZAC.
Free Known figures/information for Int/Adv/Unlimited can be found on our website/Sequences and OpenAero Library>2020>CIVA. Ensure you use the 2020 (not 2021) Free Known figures for our 2020/21 summer season.
Free sequences for Rec and Sports, if you choose to design your own, must be designed on OpenAero by selecting Power / Rules>NZAC / Program>Free.
Before submitting your sequence as part of your entry process please Check Sequence in OpenAero. You can enter but then send your Fee/Free Known latter if you wish, but no latter than January 29th.
For those competing in Int/Adv/Unlimited, put some thought into your Free Unknown figures BEFORE YOU ARRIVE!
DOCUMENTATION
Scan or photograph your required documents as part of the on-line entry process. No docs, no fly.
EVENT TIMETABLE (subject to wx)
Mon 1st – Tue 2nd Mar: Arrivals/ Unofficial Practice.
Wed 3rd Mar: 0800 Briefing / 0900 Official Practice / Lunch / 1300 Competition Start – Known sequences / 1800 Box closed and bar opens / Welcome BBQ at the Wairarapa Aero Club.
Thurs 4th Mar: 0800 Briefing / 0900 Knowns and Free Knowns / Lunch – AGM / 1300 Free Knowns / 1800 Box closed and bar opens / 1900 Free Unknown design session (with pizza).
Fri 5th Mar: 0800 Briefing / 0900 Unknowns and Free Unknowns / Lunch – LLDA course / 1400 Unknowns and Free Unknowns / 1800 Box closed and bar opens.
Sat 6th Mar: 0900 Briefing / 1000 mop-up of un-flown sequences, 4 Minute Freestyle and Air-race / when finished, Box closed/pack-up / 1900 Dinner and prize giving – location TBA.
Sun 7th Mar : 0900-1300 possible last competition flights if required. Tidy up club, equipment and depart for home.
QUESTIONS?
Call or email me for more info if needed – Grant Benns (Contest Director/Organiser) 0210629929 grantbenns2014@gmail.com
North Island Akro Fest 2020
October 10th and 11th
Less than one month to go – is this in your calendar? We are a ‘Go’, all going well with weather and (of-course) a pesky wee virus.
Some of you have entered already, and paid too (thanks), and some of you may still be thinking about it.
Go to our Events page to enter, and get on the event mailing list.
Contact Grant for more info: 0210629929
2020 NI Akro Fest – October 10/11
New Zealand Aerobatic Club
incorporating
The Langley Marshall Trophy
| Where | Mercer Airport, South Auckland |
| When | October 10th and 11th, 2020 (weather delay will be following weekend – October 17/18) |
| Time | 10 am Briefing both days |
| Cost | $120 (includes lunch) |
Goodbye summer winter and Covid 19, Hello to the first annual North Island Akro Fest, hosted by the NZ Aerobatic Club. This is also the new installment of The Langley Marshall Trophy competition, in memory of Brian Langley and Paul Marshall, passionate Northshore Aero Club aerobatic instructors and stalwarts.
There will be individual category winners and also the awarding of The Langley Marshall Trophy, presented to the pilot scoring the highest overall percentage across all categories in the judged competition flights. Past winners have typically (but not always) been from the lower categories, so everybody has a chance to win The Big Trophy, like this guy below did…
This two-day competition will allow (weather permitting) at least three competition sequence flights per competitor, in your selected category.
| Categories: | Primary / Recreational / Sports / Intermediate / Advanced / Unlimited |
| Sequences/flight order: | 1. Known (A judged practice flight) 2. Known (Competition flight 1) 3. Judges Unknown (Competition flight 2) |
· Maximum of two categories can be flown per competitor, at the Contest Director’s discretion.
· See ‘Sequences’ on the NZAC website www.aerobatics.nz or https://openaero.net/ and look under; Library/2021/NZAC
Mercer Hotel Backpackers (http://www.mercerhotel.co.nz), located on the airfield, is able to offer accommodation as follows:
- Bunk Beds – $ 35.00 per person per night
- Queen Beds – $ 70.00 per room per night
Facilities on site include a full kitchen, BBQ, TV lounge, and laundry facilities. All bed linen supplied but you will need to bring your own towel.
Contact Christine to book – Email: Info@mercerhotel.co.nz.
Phone: 09 232 6767
Helpers are required both days to assist with ground duties (no helpers, no flying!) so please make yourself available if required. No experience is required for some of the roles, so get involved and get close to learn more about our sport.
Enter online at www.aerobatics.nz/events ASAP – Closing date September 10th (late entry fee $50 after that date)
Some have already entered and paid – thank you. Your continued entry intentions will be confirmed individually.
Contact Grant Benns for more details; Grantbenns2014@gmail.com 021 0629929
2020 NI Akro Fest Postponement v2
Attempt two of getting the NI Akro Fest underway has failed, again due to poor weather forecast for Saturday, and a cold, unstable sou’westerly likely on Sunday too. Not fun.
Therefore, this is the official postponement notice for June 27th/28th – watch this space for the new dates, most likely to be in August.
If there is a silver lining to this delay, hopefully this will enable an extra competitor or three to get themselves and/or their mount ready.
Entries are still open (final date TBC).
It would be great to see some more RVs, Robins and Yaks etc having a crack at Recreational, so tell your friends to check out the sequences on our website.
Those who have either entered or volunteered to help are part of a WhatsApp group chat – contact me if you wish to be included for event-specific information.
Enjoy winter!
Grant 021 0629929