GPS Triangle was originated to establish an exciting and challenging contest to pilots using scale gliders of various types. The main task when participating a GPS Triangle contest is to fly around a virtual triangle (perimeter ~2.4 km) as often as possible in a period of 30 minutes. In order to obtain comparable results, the maximum starting altitude (usually 500 m) and the maximum starting speed (usually 120 km/h) when crossing the starting line are equal for all pilots. In addition to the aforementioned task, GPS Triangle also provides a special and more exciting task. In the so called Speed Heat, pilots have to fly around the virtual triangle only one time as fast as possible. The basic ideas of a GPS Triangle contest are:

• Many activities in the sky (e.g., various gliders flying at the same time, towplanes)
• A lot of flight time for each pilot during the competition
• Attractive flying for pilots as well as for spectators (e.g., fast fly-bys)
• Various tactical maneuvers and decisions (e.g., using thermals or flying to next turning point)
• Good teamwork (pilot, navigator)
• Development of flying skills in combination with a high performance glider
• Clear and simple rules of competition
• Easy organization with only very few helpers