Competition

RALLY

FLYING

Flight, Focus & Strategy

The sport of Air Rally Flying is a two crew operation, with a pilot and navigator. The emphasis here is on accurate plotting and observation. The penalties are weighted accordingly. The navigator is given a sealed envelope 15 to 30 minutes prior to take of. The envelope contains clues for each turning point on the route. The navigator has to pin-point the turning points on the map based on these clues and in order to compute the track for the pilot to fly. This is often completed in the air and is a real challenge for the crew.

The pilot also has photographs to find and record the position of these on a special sheet. Photographs for the turning points are also supplied. These photographs may or may not be accurate, so giving you a true/false situation to contend with at each turning point. A GPS logger is placed into the aircraft for the flight. This enables the organisers to get a detailed printout of the actual track of the participant, as well as split second timings at turning points.

Teamwork

Each crew consists of a pilot and a navigator, working in perfect coordination.

Navigation

Navigators decode clues and maps just minutes before takeoff to define the flight path.

Timing

Pilots identify ground photos and stick to precise timing at each turning point.

Scoring & Skills

GPS tracks and landings are evaluated for accuracy, rewarding precision and control.

Precision in the Sky

Then just as you thought that this was getting a bit hectic there may be an away landing to contend with as well as a return landing that will count for points. Timing is a critical aspect of the flight with most turning points being timed and again accuracy to the second is required. Well that sums up Rally Flying, if you can do all this it can only help improve your flying skills.

There are normally 5 – 6 rally events during the year, each event will cater for three classes of competitors, Sportsmans class – for new entrants wanting to try their hand and practice in advancing their skill, Advanced Class with a Protea Team member teaming up with a new entrant as a coach and Open Class who are Protea Team Members. There is a National Level competition held once a year to select an International Protea Team for either Rally or Precision. Once selected, the teams prepare for their International participation held at a different venue each year, mostly in Europe. And now, in 2025 we are proudly hosting the 24th World Rally Flying Championships, here in Ferrara, Italy.