PFE POSTPONED

The new confirmed date is 3rd and 4th March 2012.

Welcome to the Thailand Precision Flying Event BLOG

This BLOG has been created in order that we may answer any questions you may have regarding the PFE.  Like most BLOGS, the postings are in chronological order and therefore you need to read this BLOG from the bottom up.

We are very lucky to have PCS as our sponsors for this event.

Property Care Services (Thailand) Ltd., also known as PCS is proud to be part of the OCS Group, based in the UK since 1900. The Group now provides services across 5 continents employing more than 63,000 people Worldwide. PCS has over 44 years of experience in Thailand, providing quality services to all types of property. Within Thailand, we currently have over 5,000 clients that are supported by our Network of 14 Branches and 23,000 employees.

Our service capabilities include:

• Total Facilities Management – On site management of all key services required to support and protect the value of your property.
• Soft Services – Cannon Washroom Hygiene, Cannon Pest Management, Catering, Gardening, Janitorial, Security (Personnel & Electronic Systems).
• Hard Services – Planned Preventative Maintenance and Corrective Maintenance for; power & electrical systems, air-conditioning & refrigeration, water & fluids and communications.

Should you have any questions (regarding the event) that are not covered below, please email mikegillam@hotmail.co.uk

What are the prizes?

Firstly, the winning team will be awarded this magnificent trophy:

Secondly, the team who are placed first and second will have their fuel refunded for their round trip from their home airfield, and for the actual event.


Thirdly, the winning team will each (pilot and navigator) receive these rather splendid and highly fashionable "Rootsystem" tie-down kits (http://www.air-camp.co.uk/shop.html) and, a set of the 16" stakes, worth over £85.  You'll certainly be the envy of fellow aviators with a set of these!

The mechanics of (and "tips" for) the Navigation phase

This is the phase where most of the points can be gained so please study this section thoroughly.

During the navigation phase (a course of 100 statute miles), the navigating itself won't be very difficult in terms of finding the Waypoints.  We've purposely allowed the use of GPS for two important reasons: firstly it's the way everyone navigates in this day and age and, we saw no value in making crews navigate the old-fashioned-way for no good reason.  Secondly and perhaps more importantly, we were unable to secure maps that were sufficiently accurate and detailed for the task.

At the crews' Saturday briefing, each crew will be required to complete an entry form.  On this form you will be required to nominate your ground-speed for the entire Navigation phase, in increments of 5 m.p.h. (i.e. 95, or 100, or 105, etc.).  This means you nominate one number and this will be the GS to which you will try to adhere between each Waypoint.  The skill in navigation and piloting will be to maintain this ground-speed regardless of wind direction and strength throughout the course.  Points will then be deducted at each Waypoint for every second you are early/late, as measured by the ground observers at each WP.  For example, assume you're flying from Waypoint 7 to Waypoint 8 and that you've nominated a GS of 90 mph (i.e. 1.5 miles per minute).  If the distance between the two Waypoints is 12 miles, then this leg should take you 8 minutes, exactly.  If you were to arrive after 8 mins and 20 secs, you would incur 20 penalty points.  If you were to arrive early after 7 minutes and 35 seconds, you'd incur 25 penalty points.


Prior to departure from EFC, each crew will be given the lat/longs and photographs of all the Waypoints for the course and your timing will begin at your allotted take-off time - don't be late!  At each Waypoint you'll be required to make a note of the ground symbol, note your time overhead (as a check against the grounds observers' timing) and, you'll need to calculate your new heading and airspeed (allowing for wind strength and drift) ....... sound easy?  It isn't.


Throughout the course we will not throw you any curved balls but, we will keep you pretty busy in the cockpit.   Remember, the point of this exercise is to sharpen our flying/navigation skills and, to have fun.


Please remember to keep a very good lookout at all times around the course for ground objects (there are plenty of masts) and, other aircraft - you know that there are two other aircraft within +/- ten minutes of you.


Tip 1:  Nominate a GS that is roughly halfway between your aircraft's stall speed and the maximum level flight speed.
Tip 2:  In flight the pilot will (obviously) need to vary the airspeed - practice flying trimmed at these different speeds.
Tip 3:  Practice some mental dead-reckoning for wind-drift calculations.
Tip 4:  You will need to enter Lat/Longs into your GPS in a short time so, make sure you know how to do it, quickly. 
Tip 5:  Tie everything down in the cockpit - in practice we were always dropping pens, stopwatches, pieces of paper, etc.

Tip 6:  Trikes and open-cockpit aircraft especially - use knee-boards.  You will need to read and write during the flight.
Tip 7:  Set your GPS so that Ground Speed can be read.
Tip 8:  On approaching a Waypoint, steer to one side when a short distance away - otherwise the symbol will pass under your nose and you won't see it! 
Tip 9:  Practice

Each crew will need: a GPS, one knee-board each (especially for open-cockpit aircraft), a method for writing notes, a map of the area (legal requirement) and, a clear head.


We will not.....

......Inundate you with in-flight paperwork - you will only need to carry one piece of paper that will be available in A4 and A5.  We know what it's like to try and fly a trike or a Quicksilver with bits of paper floating around.

......Take you into controlled airspace other than crossing U-Tapao's center-line or, into any Danger/Prohibited Areas. 


......Give you a route that requires you to take a reciprocal headings so, if you find yourselves backtracking, you know you've made an error.

Rules for the Precision Flying Event

The event will be divided into two phases:

1.  The Navigation phase - 75% of points
2.  The Spot-landing phase - 25% of points

The crew with the maximum number of points (or to be accurate, the minimum number of "penalty points") will be deemed the winners.  Please read the section "Mechanics and Tips for Navigation phase" in conjunction with these rules.

Below are the rules for the event:
1.  Participants will be crews of two persons.
2.  Participating pilots and aircraft must fly with all valid paperwork inside the aircraft (valid medical certificate, C of A, C of R, 5 year permit, radio licenses, PPL or Ultralight Pilot's License, third party insurance.
3.  Participating aircraft must be fitted with a transponder and a radio.
4.  All competing aircraft will complete the Spot-landing phase immediately after crossing the Final Waypoint in the Navigation phase (this will be EFC's overhead).  No landings will be permitted at any point on the course without incurring disqualification.
5.  Upon crossing the Final Waypoint in the Navigation phase, aircraft will contact EFC Air Traffic and will request "HS-XYZ request joining instruction for spot landing".
6.  For the spot landing, all aircraft will follow instructions from EFC Air Traffic and will carry out their spot landing as follows:
    a)  After requesting joining instructions for the spot landing, aircraft will be instructed to join downwind for either runway 19 or 01.  At EFC we fly left-hand for 19 and right-hand for 01, this is to avoid masts and other obstructions (see "EFC Airfield and Pilot information" below).
    b)  All aircraft will fly their own circuit (in terms of height, distance from runway, etc.) and will make a normal powered approach to the white line (painted across the runway).
    c)  The "spot" will be measured from where the main wheels touch - if the aircraft bounces, the "spot" will be measured at the second (or final) touchdown point.
    d)  Penalty points will be deducted for every foot that the "spot" overshoots the line and, more points will be deducted for undershoots.  There will be a maximum for the number of penalty points given in the spot landing phase.

    e)  After landing, aircraft will be marshaled to the parking area without delay to avoid other incoming aircraft.
   f)  Precise details of the Spot-landing mechanics will be given in the briefing on the day.
7.  The Precision Flying Event is only open to fixed-wing (including flex-wing) aircraft.  No helicopters, hot air balloons (!) or autogyros may participate.
8.  During the Navigation phase, aircraft will be launched in the order of fastest first, slowest last.  "Fastest" will be determined by the "nominated" ground-speeds for this phase (see section above regarding "Mechanics and tips for the Navigation phase").  This is intended to reduce the risk of air-traffic congestion over the navigation course.
9.  Aircraft will be required to depart EFC at allotted time-slots which will be between 5 and 10 minutes apart.  It is imperative that all aircraft adhere to their slot.  In the event an aircraft misses its slot (due to valid reasons such as mechanical problems), it may be permitted to depart in a later slot at the discretion of the umpires.  A ground-marshal will remind you to start your engine and line-up on the runway.
10.  Upon departing EFC, all aircraft will proceed to the "Waypoint 1".  Your time starts at your allotted take off time so, don't be late or, early!
11.  The highest ground on the Navigation phase is below 650 feet AMSL.
12.  No aircraft may initiate a "search" for a Waypoint that involves orbiting or backtracking - remember: the next aircraft will be a few minutes behind you.  You are to fly to the Waypoint and read/note the ground symbol - if you miss it you must proceed directly to the next Waypoint.
13.  Aircraft will need to directly overfly each Waypoint or risk penalty points, for 2 reasons:  firstly they will need to read and note the ground signal at each Waypoint.  Secondly, points will be deducted for aircraft that are trying to make-up-time by turning towards their next Waypoint early or, late!
14.  Crews may use GPS, VOR/DME, TACAN, ADF, air/ground maps and any other navigation aids they may find useful.  Crews may not use "autopilots" if they have them fitted.
15.  No member of any crew may participate in either the Navigation phase or the Spot-landing phase more than once.
16.  If time permits, a fresh crew will be permitted to participate in an aircraft that has already participated.
17.  No aircraft may knowingly pass any other competing aircraft.

Timetable of events

Friday 2nd March 2012
Aircraft may arrive early for an evening meal and refreshments.  Camping space will be available for those who wish to rough-it, we can recommend a nearby hotel to the softer visitors.
18:26              Sunset 

Saturday 3rd March 2012
06:31              Sunrise

08:30 - 10:30  Air Traffic will be present for visiting aircraft

09:00 - 11:00  Breakfast and refreshments will be available in the clubhouse
11:30 - 12:30  Pilot briefing and completion of entry forms
12:30 - 14:00  Lunch
13:30              First aircraft take-off and thereafter at 10 min intervals
14:15              First aircraft returns for Spot-landing (assuming ground speed of 100 kts)
16:00              Last aircraft take-off (assuming 15 participating aircraft)
17:45              Last aircraft returns for Spot-landing (assuming ground speed of 45 kts) 
18:26              Sunset
19:30              Last observers hand-in time-sheets
19:45              Results are ready
19:00              Commence BBQ (free for participants/marshals, otherwise THB 350 pp)
20:00              Announce results and prize giving

Sunday 4th March 2012
06:31               Sunrise
07:00 - 07:30   Tea and coffee served
07:45               Depart for breakfast "fly-out" to Dok Krai (20 minute flight from EFC)
08:15               Breakfast at Dok Krai resort
10:30               Aircraft depart for home

 Dok Krai airfield looking up runway 02

Eastern Flying Club "EFC" - Airfield and Pilot Information

EFC is a beautiful grass strip located some 4 n.m East of Jomtiem Beach at 12 54 08 N, 100 55 59 E.  The runways have no nasty bumps or "surprises" and the surface is very well drained.

EFC looking down 01

The runways are 01/19 and are now approximately 350 meters long after having recently lost the Northern end of the strip to a local farmer.  CHECK THAT YOU AND YOUR AIRCRAFT ARE ABLE TO TAKE-OFF AND LAND WITHIN THIS DISTANCE.

EFC from the East

Frequency: 122.3

Slope: none

Pattern: left-hand for 19, right-hand for 01

Altitude: Approx 140 feet AMSL

Obstructions:  Tall mast to the SE of the field, bungee-jumping tower to the SW (very close when on finals for 01), mast to the NE and radio-model field to the North.  Water tower on Eastern edge of runway.

Note:  Nongprue airfield is only 2 miles East of EFC and uses 123.45 as a frequency!

Aircraft parking on the day of the event will be in the field alongside the runway.  Each aircraft will be given a take-off time and there will be a 5 -10 minute separation between each aircraft.  After landing, each aircraft will return to the field for parking.

Fuel will be available (at no mark-up) to anyone who has ordered in advance.  We will have 100LL, 95 and 91 benzine (Caltex).

Tie-down points will be available to those who wish to stay overnight and who order in advance - so you don't need to bring your own pegs, just your tie-down straps.

Air Traffic will be operating at the field for the actual event (Jim).  We will file a flight plan for all participating aircraft for the duration of the event and will arrange permits for visiting "U" registered aircraft.

Sunrise & Sunset times are 06:31 and 18:26 for both days.

NOTAMS  It is the responsibility of all pilots to check NOTAMS prior to this event but active NOTAMS will be covered in the briefing session.  We will also issue a NOTAM for this event so other non-participating aircraft know to avoid the area.

Children's Day:  There will be no Children's Day.

What? Why? When? Who? Where?

What?

This will be the first Precision Flying Event (PFE) to have been held in Thailand or, in S.E. Asia.  PFEs have been held in Europe and other regions for many years and have enjoyed great success, they are famous for putting skilled pilots to-the-test.

Basically the event will consist of two phases.  The main phase will be the Navigation phase where crews will have to navigate a course with as much time accuracy as possible.  At the end of this phase there will be a Spot-landing phase.  More details can be seen above.

Why?

Primarily, this event has been designed so that everyone has a great time and hopefully, all contestants will emerge as better and more precise pilots.

When?

This first Precision Flying Event will be held on the weekend of 3rd/4th March 2012.  The main event will take place on the Saturday with a BBQ in the evening (free for all participants and observers/marshals) and a breakfast fly-out on the Sunday morning. See time-table above.

Who?

We are most privileged to have Boz Robinson as our chief architect for this event.  Boz is a retired Air Vice-Marshal from the Royal Air Force and was a member of the British Precision Flying Team, having competed in many events over Europe.

 Boz and his Bucker 131 Jungmann

Boz will be assisted by Mike Gillam (also ex-R.A.F. but of a far more humble rank), member of Eastern Flying Club (EFC).  Boz and Mike will also have the help of a large number of ground observers who will man the checkpoints.  Our host for the day will be Jim Matonti who runs EFC and will be serving food, drinks and the evening hog-roast BBQ.

We are also extremely fortunate to have pcs (property care services (Thailand) ltd.), as our sole sponsors for this event.  pcs is a large Bangkok-based company who provide a wide range of management solutions to commerce and industry in the field of property management (see top of BLOG for more details).

Where?

The event will be held at Eastern Flying Club, near Pattaya (12 54 08 N, 100 55 59 E).  By road, head South down the Sukhamvit Road and take a left turn into Soi 87.  After about 5 kms turn left into Soi 15 and the airfield is on the left after about 1 km.