Bill Gawthrop is competing in his Jonkers JS1-CJ (21M-jet powered) glider in 34th FAI World Gliding Championships Benalla Australia.

His plane has already arrived in Melbourne and cleared customs. 35 Days from Long Beach, Ca., including 1 week to load and stage for shipping and another week to clear formalities in Australia.

Bill Gawthrop, F8, has been flying sailplanes since 2001, after too many bumps and bruises flying hang gliders.

He has won 7 regional competitions, and in 2014 the Open Class Nationals in Montague, California. He won the Barron Hilton Cup western region in 2007 and has enjoyed competing in the OLC for several years.

His wife, Diane Taylor, is crewing for him in Benalla.

Bill leaves for Melbourne Nov 2 to pick up his glider and get his tow vehicle.

He’ll fly in Benalla for a couple of weeks before going to Tocumwal to fly with Ingo Renner for a week. His plans are to return to Benalla at the beginning of December to meet up with Diane and fly for a couple more weeks before going to Horsham for the Sailplane Grand Prix.

After the Grand Prix, he and Diane will return to Benalla to practice until the worlds begin in January.