2005 Truckee Airport Gliding Air Races

T A G A R s !

History was made on the 4th of July, this year in Truckee : the first TAGARs! ( Truckee Airport Gliding Air Races!) took place.

This event was conceived to bring spectators to the world of gliding. It is a contest where the public can actually see all the gliders start at the same time, and then watch as they pass repeatedly overhead.

The first part of the event is the Starting Procedure. It is not simple to have eight or ten or more gliders in line, all at the same altitude, and to have them start all at the same time. So the Starting was conceived as a three-leg Procedure, where the gliders enter one at the time, spaced every 20 seconds, make the first turn spaced every 15 seconds, and the second turn spaced every 8 seconds. This takes them in the final leg all in a line (following the first glider) and with 220 yards separation. The equal altitude for all gliders is attained by the first glider broadcasting its altitude every 100’ in the final leg.

Everybody on the ground was looking up at the line of glider slowly proceeding parallel to the airport runway. At a radio command from the ground, all gliders turned left, and crossed the runway. Then the command to begin the races was given!

Please see the graphic of the circuit. It starts from Truckee Airport , then goes to Martis Peak , Verdi Peak , the White House, and back to Truckee Airport . The circuit has to be completed three times, 42.7 miles each, for a total of 128.1 miles. It can be done in a little more than two hours. The pilots communicate to the ground when they go around each turnpoint. On a table, a board displays a big map of the circuit. Markers representing each glider were moved every time the news came that a glider had made a turnpoint. So the squadron of glider was moved around the circuit according to their respective positions. On average, a new report came every couple of minutes.

Scoring is based on points, not on elapsed time. The gliders collect points at the end of each circuit. 25 points to the first glider, 20 to the second, then 16, 13, 10, 8, etc. For the third circuit, the points are doubled, for a maximum possible at the end of the race, of 100 points. This induces the pilots to increase speed when close to the gate, consequently getting lower and more visible for the spectators! However, for safety there is a minimum height of 2,000’ AGL.

There were more people on the ground administering the race than pilots in the air. A couple of people were handling the radio, and another person was writing down the times of the gliders reaching the turnpoints. Other people were assisting by moving the markers on the board of the circuit, keeping the gate, and spotting the arriving gliders with binoculars. A photographer and a video camera operator also participated. Others were filling the gaps and helping when one position was temporarily vacant.

The most interesting aspect of the race was an absolutely close battle between the first two gliders, 5H, a Duo Discus piloted by Mike Mayo, and L6, an ASH 26 piloted by John Fitch. 5H and L6 were far ahead of the rest of the group, with 5H leading L6 by about 5 minutes. Gradually the time difference was reduced to 1 minute, and at the last turnpoint before the gate the pilots were reportedly together. 5H turned to the left. L6 turned to the right, found 7 knots, made four turns and the race was over.

However, according to the scoring system, the points accumulated by 5H during the first two circuits were enough to make up for the higher score of L6 for the last circuit, and the two pilots both got 90 points, for a tie! 1PS had to land after the first lap due to the glider being needed by another party. A pity really, because he was third at the end of the first circuit.

Please look at the scoreboard and the final results. Note that the two winners had the same points because of the scoring concept: It is not enough to arrive first on the last circuit, the public wants to see action at every gate crossing.

After the very favorable comments of pilots and spectators, it has been decided to organize another TAGARs event without waiting for next year. The date chosen is Monday September 5, Labor Day. It is the third day of an extended week end, when pilots have already burned their desire for a long cross country flight and are inclined not to stray too far from the airfield, so that they may leave for home early.

This event is made for the spectators. Everybody is invited to fly on the race, or follow the race from the ground. Come now while it is still free! Next year grandstands will be assembled, and tickets sold at exorbitant prices (not really no, this is a joke). According to the sentiments running in the FAI (Federation Aeronatique International) events like this are the future of the sport. The general public may not be interested in watching our traditional contests, because they cannot see the gliders most of the time.

Think about this: On the last leg of the starting procedure the gliders are all in one single file, spaced 220 yards apart. At a command from the ground, all gliders make a turn to the left and shortly thereafter receive the “Good Start” and begin racing. Pilots that were at the beginning of the line on the procedure reported how amazing it was to see all other gliders well aligned at the same height while making the turn!

Merit goes to the helpers. Nancy Mayo was the fast and efficient keeper of the turnpoints report, Nataly Loewenstein handled the camera, Stuart Mayo handled the video camera, Miriano Ravazzolo piloted the markers around the graphic of the circuit, eagle-eyes Diana Ravazzolo was the Gate Keeper, John Volkober loaned his powerful radio, Nancy and Tony Goetcher helped by filling the organizational gaps and taking pictures, and the dynamic staff of Soar Truckee provided the incredible smoothness of operations that distinguishes this gliding site.

Merit goes to the pilots, who were disciplined and dedicated to the serious task of entertaining themselves and the public. There is a definite feeling that the second TAGARs will be even better than the first one. Join the fun! Anybody can participate or watch on Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2005 .

Please look at the scoreboard and the final results. Also, see Circuit Times.

Circuit Graphic

Starting Procedure Map

John Fitch, winner ex aequo.

Mike Mayo, the other ex aequo winner, with co-pilot Paul Lowenstein.
So practically there are three winners.

Bob Korves, good third.

Crew before the start.

Crew in full action.

Intrepid Gate Keeper Diana Ravazzolo, scanning infinity.

The Map of the Circuit. Essential but effective markers well represented the squadron of pilot around the course.

The Map of the Circuit, a few minutes later.

Back To Top