Want to learn XC in a friendly, fun, and encouraging environment? Come join us at the Cross Country Co-op! It is an XC Co-op because the goal is for participants to help each other fly XC in a noncompetitive atmosphere. The Co-op is for experienced and non-experienced pilots a like. Experienced pilots are encouraged to come and share their knowledge and flying skills to help new pilots along. The Co-op will be held in conjunction with BAPA fly-ins, so pilots can just come for the fly-in or join in the XC Co-op.
Task Roles Pilots will share in all the roles. These include: - weather forecasting
- route setting
- pilot check-in and check-out
- safety and launch coordination
- instrumentation (GPS, Vario)
- retrieve coordination
- waypoints
- mentoring
Pilots will be asked to pre-register and fill out a registration and emergency form prior to coming to the event and also sign up for a role. We will try to have experienced pilots for each so they can help less experienced pilots learn each responsibility. Saturday nights there will be discussion of the day’s events, questions, mentoring and feedback. A reminder will be sent out to BAPA members two to three weeks before the event and also to the Cross County Co-op Yahoo Group, so that people will have time to sign up for a role and download the registration forms. No Registration Fees There are no registration fees, but this is a BAPA event. You must be a BAPA club member, and must have a valid USHPA membership. Although there are no registration fees, at some of the events we may ask for a $10 donation if it is decided to have a dedicated retrieve driver. Calendar of Events April 11-12, Potato
May 30-31, Dunlap
August 22-23, Dunlap Pilot Levels and Required Experience Two of the events are at Dunlap, which specifies P3 pilots and above, or experienced P2 pilots with an instructor or observer. Both Potato Hill and Dunlap can be demanding sites, so very experienced P2s who have taken a Thermal Clinic or P3s and up are best qualified. You should have a minimum of 20 hours of airtime, 50 flights and 30 flying days of experience, and have good correct-hand launching skills. Pilot Equipment You must have a 2-meter radio and a vario. A GPS is very strongly recommended, but not required. If you plan to fly XC on a regular basis, you should consider purchasing a GPS. Waypoints For those using a GPS, waypoints will be posted prior to the event. Tom Bair has posted very helpful info on his website about how to set up your Garmin 76S and also general information about dowloading waypoints: http://gekkovideo.com/gps/ Here are the waypoints specifically used for the Co-op: - XOPot09.mps - XOPDunlap09.mps If you are also participating in the Northern California Cross Country League with Jug, you can use the same waypoint file: http://santacruzparagliding.com/downloads.html Note that the Potato waypoints are exactly the same as the XC League Potato waypoints but are shortened to include only 22 waypoints.
The Dunlap waypoints are 22 waypoints which includes one waypoint, NOTSONTAG which is different than the XC League points. Directions to sites Excellent directions to Dunlap can be found here on the BAPA page under the Site Guide. Directions to Potato Hill came be found on Kim Galvin’s site, www.flyzephyr.com Registration and Emergency Forms Links to the downloadable forms are here: Registration, Release Form Please bring forms to event with you. Emergency contact information is required. (Special thanks to the XC League for use of the registration form).
For More Information Email: Susan Kent at
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. Also, you are invited to join the Yahoo group, Cross Country Co-op. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xop/ Come join us for XC fun! |
