Competitions & clubs

A 4-week competition prep plan

SkyYouth · 8 min read

The month before a competition is not the time to add new skills. It's the time to make what your child can already do repeatable.

Start with the rulebook, not the practice

Most families add practice hours and then discover the class, course size or time limit differs from what they trained on. Spend the first hour reading the organiser's rules: permitted aircraft and specs, format and rounds, scoring and penalties, and the on-site procedure including equipment checks. The organiser's official notice is the only version that counts.

The four weeks

Week 1: baseline and rules

• Fly one full run under competition rules and record the result.
• Sort every mistake into three buckets: control, judgement, equipment.
• Pick the single mistake that costs the most time.

Week 2: drill one skill

• Break that skill into its smallest steps and practise only that.
• 20–30 minutes a day, logging a number each time.
• One full run at the weekend to see whether it moved.

Week 3: time pressure and stability

• Add the clock — accuracy and speed together.
• Rehearse the waiting: queue, prepare against a timer, launch against a timer.
• Practise continuing after a mistake; in competition you still have to finish.

Week 4: simulate, then taper

• At least one full simulation, from check-in to finish.
• Taper in the last three days: short warm-ups only, no new skills.
• Pack spares the day before. Sleep early.

Three drills that do the most work

• Section timing — split the course into three and time each part. Train the slowest one.
• Mistake log — three columns: what happened, why, what to do next time. Writing beats remembering.
• Full simulation — many bad runs are unfamiliarity with the procedure, not a lack of skill.

Spares checklist

• Primary aircraft and a backup, if the rules allow one
• Spare props and prop guards
• Charged batteries for the expected number of rounds, plus charger and cables
• Tools, screws, zip ties, tape
• Number labels on your own batteries and gear
• A printed copy of the rules and contact details

Three things people forget on the day

1. Write the procedure down. Arrive, check in, equipment check, warm up, fly. Let the child follow the list.
2. Eat and drink on schedule. Long days produce mistakes caused by hunger and fatigue.
3. Parents do logistics, not coaching. Sideline advice disrupts rhythm. Say the encouraging things before the run.

Three rules for parents

• Don't promise a placing. Aim for "your best run on the day".
• Compare with last month's self, not with other children.
• Leave the debrief until the next day.

The aim of the last month isn't to get better. It's to make what they can already do repeatable.

Entry details, age groups and rules come from the organiser — check the official notice before relying on anything.

General information only - not enrolment, buying or admissions advice. Check current rules with your local aviation authority and official sources.