LEETON is attracting global attention thanks to the Formula 1.0 Gliding Grand Prix that is currently gracing the skies overhead.
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The competition was first held at Leeton’s Brobenah Aerodrome last year and, thanks to a combination of willing pilots, interest and a state government grant, the event was able to come back again.
Pilots traveled from across Australia and even the parts of the globe to take part.
The competition is similar to how the Formula One in motorsport is set up.
Gliders take to the sky each day and the race is on with a different course overhead set each day.
Organiser Nick Gilbert said the weather played a factor each day, with competition cancelled for two days, but the hot weather has been helpful. The competition will finish on Sunday where a grand champion will be crowned.
“It’s stinking hot, but that’s not such a bad thing for us,” he said.
“There are 35 competing pilots that are here, but there’s a few who are here just to go up and not compete, so about 40 all up.
“One of our biggest aims is to make it a social event. We want the pilots to bring their friends, their families and for everyone to be involved.
“We’re trying really hard to make it social for everyone by sending the pilots gliding in the best, usable part of the day and have them back here late afternoon so everyone can get together and discuss the day and catch up.”
The competition can be tracked online, with people from all over the world tuning in.
Residents are also invited to head out to the aerodrome to watch the gliders take off and land each day.
Around 4pm is usually when the gliders come back in for the end of that day’s competition.
On New Year’s Day there was only five seconds separating first and second, making for exciting viewing.
Joy flights can also be arranged for a fee.
From Kansas to Leeton
ONE of the competing pilots this year is Tony Condon from Kansas in the United States.
He is among several international competitors this year after having heard about the inaugural event in 2018.
Mr Condon started flying gliders while at college in 2004, but his love of all things aircraft has also led him to work as a pilot professionally.
He and his wife Leah both arrived in Leeton on Boxing Day, with Mr Condon taking to the skies above town the next day to get in some practice for the event.
“I followed this event last year online through Facebook, the website and the live tracking … it’s really well done,” Mr Condon said.
“So last year I was staying up late watching the tracking. I thought ‘this sounds like a good way to escape the winter (in America) and I’ve got some people out here I know so I decided to come out.
“The format of the whole competition is fantastic. It’s been great fun and I would love to come back another time.
“This is a world-class venue for it.”
Huge economic boost in typically quiet period
WITH the pilots bringing many of their family members to Leeton for the competition, which runs for more than a week – the economic impact for the shire is a big bonus for the community.
Organisers estimate about $80,000 will be injected into the town by the end of the competition through accommodation, groceries, eating out, fuel, shopping and more.
“We love coming to Leeton and we’d love to keep coming back,” organiser Nick Gilbert said.
“This is such a great event and we’re continually having good feedback.
“Leeton is the perfect place for it.”
The aerodrome and the clear air space above means Leeton is the ideal location for the event, but if it is to return some issues will need to be ironed out.
Dust caused an issue last year, but due to the last 12 months being dry and the drought, the problem has become worse this time around.
It creates havoc when the gliders are being guided off the ground by the tug plane.
There are several options that could help alleviate the issue, but if the problem can’t be solved, the organisers will be forced to look elsewhere if they want to keep the competition running.
“That’s not something we want to do at all … we’d love to have it here permanently, so hopefully we can sort that out,” Mr Gilbert said.
Mr Gilbert is a pilot himself and used to travel to Leeton many times when he was younger with his family to go gliding.
He said the competition had helped revitalise the aerodrome.
Giving the men a run for their money
CLAIRE Scutter is the sole female competitor at this year’s event and she hopes to see more women taking part in the future.
Growing up in South Australia, Ms Scutter started gliding when she was 18 after her brother and father were also involved with the sport.
“It seemed like a good way to entertain myself, so I started going flying with them and then went solo,” she said.
“It can be really good fun - especially when you're up high and going really fast.
“Especially here it’s really good because of the race aspect to it, you can see everyone and you’re all in it together.
“People are very supportive and encouraging of me. It would be nice to have more females in the sport for sure.”
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