Ollie Gregory <<olliettt1955>>
writes:

Don’t be afraid! It is all for the better! The Tennessee Tree
Toppers have hosted the most effective teaching competition in the US for many
years and wouldn’t do anything to risk the success of this wonderful meet!
However, for 2011, we’re throwing in a twist to make it even more appealing for
advancing cross country pilots! Team Challenge is for the "C" pilots who
confidently thermal soar their local sites, but yearn to leave the LZ bubble and
go somewhere, "B" pilots who have solid soaring experience and want to hone
emerging cross country skills, and experienced "A" pilots willing to mentor
budding cross country pilots.

Of course we’ll continue the effective team teaching formats with A pilots
mentoring and leading a small team of their less experienced comrades on cross
country tasks. We’ll continue the nightly seminars lead by some of the best
teachers in hang gliding like Dennis Pagen and Mike Barber, including instrument
clinics, video launch and landing clinics and thermal soaring clinics. Teams
will fly fun tasks that encourage budding cross country pilots to discover how
much fun it is to make cross country goals, while the A level pilots will fly
extended tasks that are sure to challenge even the big time cross country
hounds! All pilots are encouraged to participate in every aspect of this fun
cross country meet from the daily weather workup and setting of the day’s tasks,
to the nightly group debriefing and discussion after the days flights are done.
Team Challenge is the best hang gliding learning experience available and a
blast to experience! Take a look at Dean Funk's video from day one Team
Challenge 2010!

http://vimeo.com/19864650

The Tree Toppers hold this meet in the fall during the driest time of the year
for the maximum number of flyable days and outstanding, yet friendly thermal
soaring conditions. Last year pilots got to over 8,000 feet MSL and flew some
impressive tasks. The fall camping is fun and free for Tennessee Tree Toppers
members (full annual membership is included in the Team Challenge entrance fee)
with the campground located at the Henson Gap Radial Ramp. The campground has
everything you’ll need for a fun week. Affordable on site breakfasts and dinners
will allow you to relax, hang out and maximize the time spent learning about
cross country flying! For those wanting a hotel, several are available in Dunlap
just 10 minutes away from launch.

OK! Those in the know understand that Tennessee Tree Toppers has been doing all
this for years. That’s how Team Challenge became the incredible experience
everyone in hang gliding has heard about. So what’s new? About half way through
the meet, when pilots are getting into the swing of flying the local cross
country tasks, we’re gonna turn ‘em loose on the best days to chase the longest
flights possible. That’s right C and B pilots, your A team leaders will be given
assignments to help you fly as far as you can! For many these tasks will be
their first chance to do some hefty cross country miles! Yep, pilots will leave
Team Challenge 2011 with lots of fond memories, new friends, new flying skills
and, for many, their longest flights ever!

Open distance in the Sequatchie valley is so much fun! Many pilots at Team
Challenge 2011 will bag the longest flight of their career and never leave the
valley, but some will run out the ends of the Sequatchie and get 50 mile or
longer flights. Team Challenge is an excellent to learn as much as possible
about safe and fun cross country flying. Now you’ll also get a shot at a really
big flight in an cross country friendly locale. Tennessee Tree Toppers will
provide loads of logistical support to help this dream come true. If you don't
have a driver or a team, don't worry, we will place you on a team and we always
have plenty of helpful drivers to go around.

Team Challenge 2011 will start Sunday September 25th and run through Saturday
October 1st when we’ll have our Oktoberfest party and the awards ceremonies! It
is always a blast. The Tree Toppers invite everyone to come to the party to help
us celebrate the gift of flight and cheer our Team Challenge pilots who will be
giddy after a fantastic week of flying cross country! Registration is open for
Team Challenge 2011 at our website so, register now!

http://tennesseetreetoppers.org and go to the Team Challenge links.