Mr I'Anson went for his first flight in a glider at the ripe old age of just four with his father. 

It was his father who got him into gliding from then on and he started to learn when he was 11. 

Mr I'Anson is now an agricultural pilot, who enjoys the sport of gliding. 

So much so he organised the inaugural Formula 1.0 Grand Prix gliding competition, which has been running at Leeton’s Brobenah Aerodrome throughout this week. 

Mr I'Anson is familiar with the Leeton area having gone to school at Yanco Agricultural High School. 

“We could not have gone past Leeton when we decided to hold this event,” he said. 

“It’s a fantastic facility and the conditions are second-to-none. 

“We’ve had some really good days of competition. The weather has been mostly on our side, so it’s great.”

The gliders climb huge heights and travel at big speeds during the competition. 

The Formula 1.0 Grand Prix involves daily races around a set course of up to 500 kilometres to points throughout the Riverina. 

Gliders start together over the airfield, with the first glider to cross the finish line each day the winner. 

With 28 glider pilots taking part, Mr I'Anson couldn’t have been more happy with how the event turned out for its first go. 

“We had originally been hoping for a few more, but some had to pull out,” he said.

“We’re certainly looking at holding the event here again next year. 

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“The whole idea of the event was to have the competition, but to also just have fun and enjoy the social side of things. 

“We wanted everyone’s families, wives, partners and children to come to get more involved in the sport. 

“It’s worked out really well.”

With the influx of the glider pilots and their families, there’s no doubting impact the event has had on the town’s economy. 

Mr I'Anson hoped to continue that next year.

“We’ll look at having it again in the new year,” he said. 

“It’s been very well received. Hopefully next year we’ll get the word out a bit more and we’ll have more spectators come along.”