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Double the fun!

Posted on June 07, 2012 in Phil Jennings   

Last week was the French Open held this year near Moulins in central France. I arrived midday on the Saturday to find fellow team pilot Deano had saved me a good pitch as near to the airfield as possible so hopefully less walking for us and the other 5 British pilots that had made the trip out.

With the weather in the mid twenties everyday and a week long competition we had plenty of time to do lots of great tasks.

Task 1 was an Eco-distance where you have to go as far as you dare along 3 legs but on limited fuel. These are then multiplied so ideally you want 3 legs all similar lengths. This task is all about knowing your consumption and making good decisions in the air.

Task 2 was a slalom with timed start gate, sticks and pylons… Great fun!

Task 3 was a Navigation with a constant speed leg and spot landing

Task 4 was pure economy. You were weighed before and after flight and fuel usage was worked out against time spent in the air.

Once we had done the first four tasks the ‘cut’ was made. This means the top 15 French pilots and any non French among them go through to the Elite and as I’d had a few good results I was in 7th out of 46. The four tasks are then normalised to one task and the competition carries on.

Task 5 was another slalom which I had a great run round and ended up 4th.

Task 6 was a speed turn point hunt. We were given a map with various turn points and the furthest ones being worth more points and an hour and a half to score as much as possible.

Task 7 A simple spot landing….that I slipped on and scored low. This task cost me 4 places.

Task 8, A photo navigation task with slow fast at altitude. This really tested you as you were given a track to follow on the map along with 4 photos to try and spot, these had to be marked precisely on the track to score. Also there was a section to be flown as slow as possible but in a corridor of 50m width and 100m height and another section as fast as possible, all this whilst still looking for photos!

Task 9 Slalom 3 again another fast run coming in 4th. This had to be done straight before task 10 without landing so more difficult as you have a giant map board on your lap.

Task 10 a nine photo hunt with curved navigation and hidden turn points. Fly a set track looking for photos, when you find a certain picture you then draw a line to another track and continue, also not all pictures are used.

So after 10 challenging tasks I ended up a respectable joint 9th place and took home the 2nd place in the Open.

Then things got even better, as on my return to the UK I heard that my Zenith chassis was ready so I called into the factory.

WOW.. although I had flown several prototypes and been to the factory many times this was amazing. The engineering and finish was stunning, and I couldn’t wait to get it home, build it up and go flying. The following day I had the chance and I’m overjoyed with it.

It is so light with my Top 80 engine that you don’t need to take it off and find yourself wandering around setting the wing with it still on your back. In the air the aerodynamic frame really shows with reduced drag and lower cruising rpm, plus the weightshifting is even nicer.

Its the British Open this weekend and I can’t wait to show off this machine, i’m sure its going to get lots of attention!

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