http://flytecraceandrally.wordpress.com

Registration opens noon eastern standard time on Sunday.

Jamie writes:

We’re baaaaaack...

Most pilots will remember the Flytec Championship held at Quest Air in Florida
for many years during the 90's and early 2000's. We all loved those days and the
great fun we had at that competition year after year. So, we’ve decided to
revive it! We still cannot get permission to hold a competition at Quest Air,
but after three years of Rallying, we’ve found another location that we think is
every bit as great. Don’t worry, the Flytec Race and Rally isn’t gone forever.
We’ve just decided to take a year or so off and settle in a bit this year at a
location that has provided the best weather conditions and most welcoming
airport and local town.

Americus, Georgia is right in the center of the state amidst green rolling
hills, wide open landing fields and super friendly southern locals. Just over
two hours drive from Atlanta international airport, the location is easy for
everyone to reach. Atlanta is a huge hub airport, so flights in are a breeze. We
would also encourage whoever might be interested, to fly into Orlando and have a
few days flying at Quest Air, and/or go for some long distances and fly north
from Quest to Americus. It can’t likely be done in one flight, but you never
know…..Jonny?….Dustin? . We’re working on arranging one tug to follow any pilots
up that want to make a go of flying to Americus rather than driving. So, if you
don’t make it all the way, there could be a tug available to tow you up and give
it another shot the next day. So, keep that option in mind.

Otherwise, plan on a fantastic week of flying at Americus. Each year we’ve
passed through Americus on the Rally, we’ve had some of the best weather
conditions of the entire competition. Because it sits in the center of the state
in a beautiful small town surrounded by open fields, we can call tasks in
absolutely any direction. We’re familiar with many of the surrounding airfields
and can have great long out tasks (remember the fun we had with Yumion the Onion
in Vidalia in 2011?) Or nice big circuits bringing us back to Americus.

Many probably aren’t aware that Cordele, Georgia (just 30 km to the east of
Americus) is home to various major sailplane competitions. We have worked
closely with these competition organizers to determine the best dates for the
Flytec Championship. By all accounts, the last two weeks of May are
statistically the best weeks for soaring in central Georgia and we expect
beautiful conditions.

The first thing you might notice about the dates of the Flytec Championship is
that we’re not doing the usual Sunday to Saturday meet. There’s a very good
reason for that and we’ll be posting more details on it soon (remember the
Flytec Race of Champions held at Quest Air several years ago??). So, the first
day of the Flytec Championship will be Friday, May 17th. We’ll hopefully fly
seven tasks with the last on Thursday May 23rd. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are
then reserved for the Flytec Race of Champions. The Race of Champions will be an
invitation/qualifying only meet (again, more details on that shortly). But,
because it is on the weekend, we would encourage everyone, regardless of whether
you’ll fly in this event, to stick around and enjoy the fun. We’ll have BBQs and
free flying and you’ll be able to watch the hotshots speed into goal back at
Souther Field on each of the three days of the event. We may even set up some
small contests/$$ (separate tasks or spot landing, for instance) for those not
taking part in the Race of Champions.

We also hope to have tugs up at Americus a few days before the competition
starts. Feel free to come up and do some free flying to get a feel for the area
before the competition starts. Since there is no Rob Kells Memorial competition
this year, we’ll fill in that extra week with free flying before the Flytec
Championships as well as all the events of the Race of Champions.

We’re really excited about this new event and hope you’ll all come out and join
for a few weeks of great fun, flying and friends in central Georgia!