The Icarus X is a short-format Icarus Trophy. It's a great way to get in some real practice for the Icarus Trophy proper which runs from 22nd July - 3rd August 2018.
If you can successfully complete the Icarus X, it proves you've got the skills and balls or ladyballs needed to take on the main Trophy.
We run a whole series of Icarus X weekends round the world. The first of these in 2018 will be in Florida, launching from Lake Wales Municipal Airport and taking in an A-B-C-A route via Palm Bay and Lake Okeechobee, a route of some 232nm.
Icarus X-Series Race and Wings over Winter Fly-In 5th - 7th January 2018. Hosted by Aviator PPG.
The Fly-in will consist of a weekend-long event hosted for PPG pilots and PPG hopefuls alike. New pilots, and prospective pilots are encouraged to attend the event for paramotoring lessons and tandem flights. Better yet, we're working together with the marvellous guys on the ground at Lake Wales Airport and the amazing Wings over Winter is not only happening at the same time, but anyone signed up for the Icarus X gets to enjoy all the fun of WoW goings on. You won't want to miss this.
Icarus-X Schedule
Thursday 4th Jan - Campsite opens
Friday 5th Jan, noon - Pilot briefing
Friday 5th Jan, 14:00 - Launch. Lake Wales Municipal Airport
Saturday 6th Jan, sunset- End of racing. Results and prizegiving. Lake Wales Municipal Airport
Sunday 7th Jan - Casual fly-in/racing contingency day
In the event that pilots have not completed the course on Saturday evening we may extend the race to cover Sunday as well, so consider Sunday 7th as a contingency day for Icarus X contestants, as well as a casual fly-in for spectators and supporters (and faster pilots).
The Race
Pilots can elect to fly in Race or Adventure Division.
Race Class pilots must fly the entire course and can only progress forwards by means of flight. They cannot accept any pre-arranged assistance (e.g. someone from the fly-in cannot bring you fuel or drive you to a hotel). If hitching a lift from your landing spot to the gas station or a hotel for the night will make your adventure better - that's fine, but you must not have arranged that prior. The first pilot home to the start line, penalty-free, is the Trophy winner. As well as the magnificent Trophy they will win a place on the man Icarus Trophy, the 1000-mile big brother of the Icarus X, from Johannasberg, SA to Victoria Falls, Zambia later in the year.
In Adventure Division, pilots can accept any assistance they fancy - dedicated ground support (for example, someone to meet them to refuel), or aerial support, and even make road moves should they wish. Pilots are free to make it as tough or luxurious on the ground as they choose, as long as they have a cracking adventure off the ground. The aim is simply to get round and have a blast, so if your mum comes to give you a ride from your landing spot to the petrol station or a hotel for the night, that's just fine in Adventure Division. The Trophy will go to the pilot who has had the best adventure. There is no competitive element to the Adventure Division.
All pilots are tracked both for safety and - for the Race Class - for fairness, ensuring pilots have flown the entire course. We'll know where you are and when you are flying, even if you have no idea. Pilots will receive any pertinent race updates, weather reports and safety information via their tracker and have a direct line of communication with the race committee in case of emergency.
The Race Course
Here's the proposed route: 232nm of aerial glory over some of Florida's most iconic locations. Here is a more in depth look.
SkyVector map of the proposed route. More details will be available to signed up pilots pre-race and there will be a full route briefing on Friday 5th Jan at noon.
The Fly-in and Wings over Winter
For those not ready to tackle the ITX, there is a full weekend of paramotoring activities designed to whet your appetite and welcome you to an incredible sport and lifestyle. You can try a tandem, chat to existing pilots and coaches, get a feel for ground handling. You could also just drink the bar dry and watch the clouds if you so wish. Paramotoring is an extremely sociable pastime, and we intend to take full advantage of that.
Engines + beers + food + flying = a fuck load of ugly faces and a shit load of fun. Apparently. Nah, we're kidding. They're gorgeous.
The Party
Once all the pilots are safely back on the ground we will have a prizegiving and party at the airport. Backs will be slapped and tales of adventure exchanged and recorded for posterity.
This should be Saturday night, 6th January
Costs and sign up details
Entry to the Icarus X Series, for race and adventure division, is $199.99. Sign up is open now on the Adventurists website, or below. Latest entry 29th December.
For that, you get:
- Satellite tracking device
- A shot at the Race or Adventure Trophies
- A free spot on the Icarus Trophy if you win the Race Class race
- Comprehensive route and comms briefing pre-event
- Live tracking on the Icarus Trophy website
- Saturday night dinner as part of main WoW party
- A T-shirt
Entry to the Wings over Winter fly-in is $60.
Non- pilots are welcome to come and camp for the weekend, for just $10 for the whole weekend.
Folks wishing to try a tandem flight will be able to pay in cash on the day.
Heard enough?
