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GPS Challenge Message Our local flying community has a few events that most of us participate in and really enjoy on an annual basis. I’ve learned quite a bit from these and other events throughout the nation and I wish there were more. In the last year I’ve been kicking around the idea of organizing another local event much like the ones we currently have but with a twist. The events we currently have are based on an honor system and I’d like to have a format based solely on GPS track logs. Since Bo wanted to have to have the event based on the honor system and I wanted track logs, we came up with a compromise. Half the categories, categories 3, 4 and 5, will be based on verified track logs that you’ll send to me for scoring. Why, you ask?
As most of you know already, competitions require you to be skilled in several areas. If you’re not, it’ll most likely be too stressful for you to fully enjoy the event. One of these areas, one that I believe is the most important, is knowing how to use your GPS efficiently. You can be the best pilot in the world and still do poorly in a comp due to GPS errors. There are many pilots in our community that are very familiar with their GPS and it’s become an invaluable tool for flying. There are many more pilots that don’t and this will give them an opportunity to hone their skills. So get off the couch, put down the ice cream, dust off your GPS and get in the game.
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Having an honor system is great, but I’d like to have an event that will prepare you for the strict format that the regional and national competitions require. Before going to my first competition Bo told me that it’s a good idea to learn only one new thing at a time, he was absolutely right. I’d never flown in gaggles, didn’t have a race strategy, and I had just purchased my GPS and was getting familiar with it on the drive up to the competition. These three new disciplines caused me a lot of stress. 
