Canopy Piloting Circuit (CPC) Swoop Meet #4 at PK Airpark at Raeford North Carolina

As the competitors gather at the pond for the welcome and safety briefing to begin meet #4. The sky is clear and the winds are light and variable. There are 15 Professional competitors and 17 Amateur competitors that are here to show their canopy piloting prowess. Of the competitors 4 of them are women (2 pros and 2 amateurs).

Canopy Piloting consists of 3 events Speed, Distance, and Accuracy. Speed is a 70 meter course with a 70 degree curve judged by electronic eye scoring like a drag race. Initial entry is through 5 foot gates for expert/pro and 10 foot gates for amateurs. Once you break the beem you must stay under that height throughout the course and keep your canopy over your head the entire way. If the canopy touches the ground or you miss the gates or exit the course before you complete the run it is a non scoring run. Going fast with control and precision. Sergeant First Class Greg Windmiller is the current World Record holder for this event completing his WR run in 2.039 seconds.

Distance is when the competitor enters the gate and travels to the first point a body part touches the water or ground past the entry gates. Distance is all about speed and height attained at the entry gate and climbing and gliding to a point further than everyone else.

Accuracy you must enter the gates drag a foot through the scoring points in the water, exit the water and land in the neutral zone on the land standing up and avoiding landing in the negative point zone or falling and losing points as well. Accuracy is all about control… All entry gates for all runs are over water for the safety of the competitor.

The Aircraft for today is a PAX750. Four members of the team are here to support the event (SFC Angela Nichols/Judge and Senior Medic, SSG John Aughtman, Photographer/EMT, myself Judge, and SFC Greg Windmiller Event Coordinator/Meet Director/Competitor). Chief Judge Kolla is hoping for a great meet! Good Luck to all of the competitors. Blue Skies! SGM Eitniear

Tagged as: Competition