For Ryan Driscoll, the opportunity to participate in a national gliding competition in his hometown was a dream come true.
Ryan has been competing in the multi-state nationals in Benalla, which run until Australia Day.
“My dad’s been flying here since the late 80s,” Ryan said.
“He took me up for my first flight when I was five years old, and I’ve been hooked since.
“He’s even let me borrow his glider for the competition, which I’m very grateful for.”
With hometown advantage, Ryan is hoping for a good result.
“That’s the idea,” he said.
“Hopefully I do well. We’ve got two weeks, so it’s quite a long competition.
“If we get very demanding weather, hopefully, that local knowledge will help me.”
Ryan started his gliding as a junior pilot in Benalla and has only recently graduated to become a senior glider pilot.
“There’s quite an active juniors club nationwide,” he said.
“And that was a good experience. But now, moving on from that, I’m looking to do a lot more of the senior nationals.
“And hopefully, I can try to get on the team for Texas this year.”
Ryan is referring to the 38th FAI World Gliding Championships, which will be held in the US in August in Uvalde, Texas.
You can keep up with results from the multi-class nationals or find out more about gliding via www.facebook.com/GlidingClubVictoria/