We were very fortunate to be able to use RAF Cranwell as our base for the training which meant we could fly in the overhead with a marked box. The weather Gods were kind to us and we achieved an average of three flights a day. The general routine was to brief first thing in the morning and discuss what we each wanted to do. Snap rolls featured heavily tempered by achieving ever greater precision in some of the less physically stressful figures. A great deal of progress was made and by the Sunday our flying was looking very much sharper.
Devilish unknown sequences were hatched with several challenging snap rolls and lots of negative G!! Our plan was to fly figures that were even more complex than ones that we might have to face in Slovakia.
All flights were videoed which allowed us to analyse our performance in a debrief at the end of the day. We found the video helped a lot in ensuring we were achieving the correct amount of pitch initiation and separation in snap rolls and hesitations in point rolls. We were also able capture comments made from the ground critique.
Huge thanks to the RAF and RAF Cranwell Flying Club for all their help and for allowing us to use their wonderful airfield and facilities. Particular thanks go to fellow aerobatic pilot, Sgt. Phil Burgess who invited us to Cranwell in the first place and helped to make the whole weekend possible, including laying on accommodation, food and drink and even musical entertainment!
We depart the UK on 7th August. Our route takes us from Lydd to Koblenz in Germany for fuel (and lunch!) and then on to the Czech Republic where we will stay for a few days to train again as a team in the week running up to the competition itself.
We will be reporting regularly from the competition. Wish us luck!
David
Team GBR
Go go go !!! Best of luck in Slovakia. Will be eagerly waiting for updates on the adventure. All the best from Paris. Mathieu
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