SA Precision Landing Championships 2024, Northern Leg, Brits.
26.10.2024
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For as long as I remember Brits have hosted the SA Landing Championships. Two years ago, because of the cost of competitors from the south of our lovely country having to fly the approximate 1479.9km (800 miles) it was decided to split it into two legs. The northern leg was still to held in Brits in the North West while the southern leg was to be hosted by one of the country's most scenic airfields in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape.
This was successful though it led to lower numbers of entrants at both venues. In the past twenty plus entries at Brits was not unusual. This year only six entered for Brits with ten at Stellenbosch. The current high price of avgas and the current economic situation also had an effect on the low number of participants.
None the less the competition at Brits was fierce. The conditions were good except that the temperatures were in the low thirties. The good people of Brits as per usual pulled out all the stops to make it as pleasant as is possible for those that attended.
The race director was Ron Stirk while Jacques Jacobs as usual was the race director of the incident free event.
Spot or precision landings competitions like all competitive aviation events are take place under rules laid out by the FAI. The FAI defines precision as a test is to assess the pilot's skill in landings of different types.
Four types of landings are defined and form part of the competition: Normal Landing; A landing where the use of power, spoilers, flaps or sideslip is at the discretion of the pilot. Idle Power Landing; Abeam the zero line, the engine is throttled back to idle power. Power shall not be used thereafter. Flaps, spoilers and sideslip may be used at the discretion of the pilot. Idle Power Landing Without Flaps; Abeam the zero line, flying with flaps fully retracted, the engine is throttled back to idle power. Power, spoilers and flaps shall not be used thereafter. Sideslip may be used at the discretion of the pilot. Obstacle Landing; The competitor will make a landing after passing a marked obstacle 2 meters high, placed 50 meters before the touchdown line. Use of power, spoilers, flaps or sideslip is at the discretion of the pilot. Approaches for the obstacle landing, where the wheels are lower than the obstacle before passing over it, are not permitted.
Competitors lose more point for a short landing short than for landing deep.
The Marshall and others without whose help the competition would not have been possible was at the field early to set up the grid and the electronic gismo that monitors as close as is possible exactly where a competitor has touched down.
I arrived just as the safety briefing started and then made my way to the grid where I positioned myself to get pics and videos of the action. Two rounds were flown with most of the contestants sharing an aircraft.
Afterwards we made our way back to the welcome shade of the clubhouse where the results were announced by Jacques.
Young Keaton Perkins who competed in his first Precision landing competition finished 6th. Jaco van Zyl, not present was placed 5th with Fanie Scholtz in 4th.
Hans Schwebel in 3rdh and Dale de Klerk, right in the pic, in 2nd.
Ron Stirk was the leg as well as the overall winner
The overall combined results
Brits judges, marshals and competitors
Pilot's Post wish congratulate all the winners and thank all the entrants for having supported the championships as well as the Brits Flying Club for their hospitality.
SAPFA SA Landing Championships North Regions Brits Airfield 2024
