[notorious_benny]

5 flights twice a week should see you progress pretty quickly through the lower classes.

That was my average before this year (studying this year has slowed me down) and I progressed from Sportsman to Unlimited over a period of about three years.

The level of practise required to stay competitive in your class also increases with the class, I would say to stay competitive in unlimited for me would require minimum of two seesions a week, with 3 or 4 seesions a week in the month leading up to a big competition.

One good session (5 flights)a week should keep you comptetive in basic, sportsman and intermediate.

Another point is not just how many times you get out a week but how well you practise. A disciplined training routine will see your flying improve, learn to recognise when a manouver needs special attention, practise that manouvre if required for a whole flight (or day) until you can nail it. Then learn to string your sequences together, dont fly 3D when your practising, and try and stick to a specific routine.

I always fly a proceedure turn on takeoff every flight, a downwind trim pass, a half cuban for a turn-around and then get into the sequence, I do this every IMAC flight or practise flight. Having a routine in practise will help you in competition.

Finally, make sure you are having fun! Competition is not for everyone, some dont find it fun. I personally enjoy practising, I find it challanging but rewarding which is something that tearing holes in the sky has never given me.

Cheers

Benny.