AFC2013 aftermath

It's been a week since I came back from Prague. I must say, event was really nice.

On saturday, when the real action was happening, the weather was nice and shiny, sun was really warm and there was few clouds on the sky. No rain, like it had been raining for the previous 3 weeks in Prague, causing flooding and a lot of problems. The flooding was still visible there, but it was under control - or so it seemed.

In the morning we were taken to airfield and soon after we moved ourselves to the public area. We had access to the VIP tent, where there was food and refreshments. And right in front of it, our judging position. Before the contest started, there was an airshow. We had some extra time in our hands, so after a brief walk around the event area, Chief Judge and my colleague judges Gabor, Viktor and Svetlana were taken to Simulator. Our host was Jiri Koberle, a living legend in Czech aerobatics. Very nice gentleman, he was also the jury in the contest.

Anyway, we visited this simulator and flew with it. First time with motion on and even I was only a co-pilot, it felt really cool. After we went back to VIP area, had something to do and watched the airshow. Then it was our showtime. Well, pilots. Not really ours. :)

7 Pilots flew their known program and right after, the freestyle program. We graded them, and since the scoring system was tablet based and online, we got the results right after the last flight. Of course there was some technical problems, but there isn't any event, where nothing happens. Everything was solved quickly and the prize giving ceremony was held.

After the contest we had a bit of time to have a shower in the hotel and change clothes and then back to the airfield. There was an Jägermeister after party, with lots of good food, some drinks and we were all given some gift bags to take home. Left the party rather early and got some sleep, since my flight back home was rather early-ish. And I didn't want to travel very tired.

All the organisations went well and it seemed like a professional event. TV worked fine and broadcasted live to TV Fanda. After the event here should be some clips and broadcasts in Eurosport 2.

Now few weeks and then Power nationals, glider nationals, an air show in Jämi, the world glider aerobatic championships and another airshow in Oripää. Quite a busy time ahead of us....

Viktor Chmal at judging line on friday.

Judging line on friday. Gabor is taking it easy and UK pilot Gerald Cooper is doing something  - maybe trying to convince Svetlana and Viktor :D

Morning briefing before the contest

We found a nice stand at the event area, which sold awesome paintings and drawings...

Something from the airshow

Pilots from the left: Marek Hyka, Artur Kielak, Pierre Varloteaux, Oliver Masurel, Aude Lemordant, Fraincois Le Vot and Gerald Cooper. What a team!

And some aftermath photos... 

Rehearsal

Friday was the rehearsal day. Most of the day was just hanging out and waiting and spending time,
but eventually in the afternoon we got to go to the judging line and watch some flights.
There was some problems with Svetlana and Viktor and their Russian licence and Czech aircraft so they can't fly after all. Too bad, I was really looking forward seeing them in action. Something about the insurance etc...They join us at the judging line, which kind of gives me some stage fright. I am in a good company. Me, a newcomer compared to all others. Just trying to build out the self confidence. Philippe Küchler is working as Chief Judge, and the third judge is Gabor Talabos jr. It has been pleasure to meet some of these people who I only knew by name before. Actually, I have been on the judging line before with Gabors father and sister. Their whole family is involved in this :)

TV crew was also there, so we listened what they wanted and pilots acted according to that.
Please, fly there, not up here, so you fit in the tv. Start that way, do a low pass before the landing, wing wags here, not there... Have fun, fly well, fly safe.

I got a local assistant, one of the crew, Radim Bagar. It worked nicely. I met him the first time in
Dubnica few years ago when he was flying warm-up flights in Europeans. And some funny aerobatics. That what he is doing also in the show here, so I might have another assistant then. We'll see. After 6 pilots we had a small debriefing and I looked the scores. And decided that I have to take a look to the sporting code, since I clearly have some issues in grading figures 2 and 3. It was the same figures every time. But I think this is a life-long learning process. Actually, there were figures that are not even in the catalog, so we needed to kind of invent how to grade them. Like the flat spin. I think tho, that this is not that much about the classic aerobatics but the publicity and media. And we all know, what the public want. Smoke, noise, low flying and rolls. And we got to see some of the best aerobatics in the world. I mean, these pilots are really good.

On the flightline, there are 7 pilots now. We have the Czech pilot Marek Hyka who has a lot to do with the whole event. Then the French guys Francois Le Vot, Pierre Varloteaux, Aude Lemonrdant,  and Oliver Masurel. And from UK Gerald Cooper and Poland,  Artur Kielak. Along with all the other program there is today, this should be a very good event.

It is also nice to see people here, that will be joining our World Championships in Finland this year too. Race Director Vladimir Machula is joining the Czech glider team to Finland.

So, now it is time for todays briefing and time to start the days work.

The museum

More info about the museum under the link

And now to the airfield!

There sure are plenty of MIGs

Yesterday was truly a travelling day. Started home about 3:30 in the morning after refreshing one hour sleep. Why is it, that on a normal evening, you are ready to fall asleep at 11pm but when you need to wake up at unhuman time, you can't sleep. Not one bit. Well, I got my bit, an hour. Then I snoozed few hours in a bus. When I  left home, the weather was not looking too good The clouds were unusually low. Touching the ground, so to say.

I had time for a nice cup of coffee at the airport, Starbucks, naturally. Their ridiculously expensive (and calory-rich) coffee is just too good, and since I don't have the possibility for that too often, I decided to pamper myself. Then off to the plane. I got a flight from SAS, operated by Blue1 with B717. I was lucky when cheking in, I got a seat from exit row - and didn't even anyone sitting next to me. 

 And before the day was over, I was seriously regretting that I left my good camera at home...

I got to really concentrate on reading. The Sporting code, section 6. Power.  of course :D

I also realized, that it is true. Every plane have duct tape somewhere in it. Always. This case, it was behind the panel, which is under the exit sign :D

Shortly we landed to Prague through very thick cloud. I waited a while for my tranportation and after another coffee I was picked up. I don't mind waiting (as long as I have coffee), since I KNOW there are plenty of things to do when arranging a contest.

We drove to the airport with two others they picked up, Svetlana Kapanina and Viktor Chmal. It was nice to meet these talented aerobatic pilots finally. Nice facilities I must say. Several hangars, a lot of planes, behind all there was a long line of MIGs (now someone says that there is Sukhois too, but anyway) standing there and a golf course. Yes. A golf course. Honestly I wasn't that excited about it, just surprised. 

The thing that really got my eye back there, was a long line of glass walls, where were historic photos of airplanes. The idea was really nice. The photos were taped on to the glass and rather big.

 After training they took us to take a look at the local museum, which I must say, was amazing. We had only a short time, but what we had time to see, was very nice. I will update photos from there (yes, bad phone-pictures) later to separate post.

Then a late night dinner at town and back to the hotel. After a good night sleep it was time for a hotel breakfast and now we're waiting transportation here at hotel. Should leave at nine.