Hi Paul,
I fuel my plane when the previous flyer does his Hourglass. Then I have whoever is launching me to grab the handle, and I walk out the lines with a paper towel and alcohol just to make suer they are not twisted. Then I am ready to pick up the plane when the engine quits on the flight that is up. When the other pilot and his helper start off the circle, I am coming on to it.
I have two nicad glow starters in my pocket (one in the back pocket) a chicken stick if necessary, and also a tach if needed. The paper towel should still be in my back pocket, so that I can walk out the lines when the engine starts. That way I know the clips are not tangled and the lines are not snagged on anything.
Just have the starting sequence for your engine down so that no surprises happen. The extra glow starter is for the engine if it doesn't fire in three or so flips. I really work to get the one flip start, and something has gone wrong if it doesn't start in at least three. So I have time for a new nicad,before I have to take an attempt.
I guess the preparation starts with the flight kit. I have about all th esmall tools you could imagine in there. Small screwdriver set, allen T wrenches, needle nose vise grips as well as regular needle nose pliers, dikes, combination wrenches in the sizes that fit the prop nuts, hemostats, X-Acto knives (with covers) and any other small tool that I might ever consider needing. That all stays in the pits. The big box has all the flying lines in big zip lock bags with handles attached, extra fuel tubing and such plus an extra fuel syringe.
I find that I just go to my plane when I'm about third in line and set there and watch and think about the flight I have to do. Go over the manuevers and such, look at the streamer and see if it's changing much, and relax.
You will get your own routine after a few contests, and the fun will come a lot easier!
Bill <><