Mr Roden, a former Leeton resident, travels back to town every year from his home on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to take part in the Formula 1.0 Gliding Grand Prix at the Brobenah Airfield.

Growing up his always wanted to be a pilot, while that didn't eventuate for engine-powered planes, the dream did come true when it came to flying through the skies behind the steering stick of a glider.

"I wanted to be a pilot from about age four," Mr Roden said.

"When I was living here in Leeton mum knew someone who was in the (gliding) club here and I found myself out here learning to fly gliders.

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"I was 14 when I first started and 15 is when you can fly on your own, so really been doing it ever since."

It's a long trek back down to Leeton every year for the event, especially towing the glider, but it's an event Mr Roden said he wouldn't miss.

Not only is it a chance for him to test his skills against some of the best, but it also gives him time to be back in Leeton spending time with his family and friends.

He's even been able to take some of his own family members up for a joy flight over the years, including most recently his grandson Ashton Roden.

"He was pretty excited by it all and I know he's already talking about wanting to learn now as well," Mr Roden said.

The challenge of gliding is what has kept Mr Roden's interest in the sport piqued over the years.

"Anyone can fly, but the challenge of gliding is the exciting part," he said.

"You've got to be able to stay up, you have to manage the energy of the glider, go where you want to go to and always have somewhere safe to land.

"You have to be able to read the clouds. There's a lot involved."

The Formula 1.0 Grand Prix Gliding Competition has been held at the Brobenah Airfield for the past three years and it has quite the reputation, with international glider pilots also taking part.

Mr Roden said it was a unique competition in that it was styled in a similar point-scoring format to Formula 1 car racing.

"Leeton is an excellent spot for this event," he said.

"The hot weather generally helps and the large flat paddock out in the dry area farming are great if you need to land.

"Because I have family here it gives the motivation to drive the 16 hours down here to take part, but the event itself is very much a friendly competition.

"There's a lot of kids running around here and they give us short races, so we're only flying for about three hours each day."

The competition will continue through until Saturday when the final race will be held and a grand champion crowned.

Residents are invited to head out to watch the gliders either take off or land each day. The pilots and their families are always up for a chat and love to talk about gliding and what is involved.

The racing each day can also be tracked live here.

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