2018 Green Swamp Sport Klassic
1.0 GENERAL COMPETITION RULES
The following are required:
USHPA card. Pilots must meet the requirements of minimum hang 3
rating; as well as aerotow (AT), turbulence (TURB) and cross country
(XC) sign offs. Aerotow rating or evidence of extensive aerotowing
experience is a strict requirement.
USHPA membership.
A GPS of each competitor for registration with make, model, and
serial number available including backup GPS, if any.
Radio frequency used. The frequency list will be maintained by the
meet director, be publicly displayed and pilots will be allowed to
change their frequencies on the list.
Pilot and driver cell phone number. The phone list will be
maintained by the meet director and be publicly displayed.
FAR 103 and Cloud flying
FAR 103 (U.S. Airspace Law/ Federal Aviation Administration Air
Traffic Rule violations). All competitors are required to comply
with FAR 103 at all times. A copy of FAR 103 can be provided to all
competitors. Any verified infraction will result in a penalty (see
below) for the associated day or possible ejection from the contest.
Pilots are expected to familiarize themselves with all controlled
airspaces in the vicinity of course lines (maps will be provided).
It is illegal and un-sportsmanlike for competitors to fly into
clouds. Competitors who fly into clouds will incur a penalty for the
day. A competitor is deemed to have flown into a cloud if he/she is
observed by a meet official or videotaped going into and
disappearing into a cloud, or videotaped appearing out of a cloud,
or: If two witnesses near the accused
witness the accused going up into the cloud and completely
disappearing from their view, and attest to this fact in writing and
if barograph or 3D GPS traces from the accused and a witness show
the accused above the witness at the time of the incident.
If the accused cannot produce a barograph trace for that day or a 3D
GPS track log from their 3D GPS, only two witness statements are
required. It is highly recommended for all competitors to fly with a
recording barograph and they must fly with a 3D GPS at all times.
A pilot sucked into cloud who did not have the intention of gaining
an advantage should perform a figure 8 maneuver once out of the
cloud so that other pilots could see it had not been intended. It is
recommended that a pilot sucked into cloud who did not have the
intention of gaining an advantage should perform a figure 8
maneuver once out of the cloud so that other pilots could see it
had not been intended.
Witnesses should press Mark/Enter when they witness a pilot going
into a cloud. Any pilot found to be deliberately supplying false
information about another pilot with respect to cloud flying will be
removed from the competition.
The penalty - the offending pilot shall receive a 10% reduction in
their score for the first infraction, 30% reduction for a second,
and then a zero daily score for any further infractions.
Meet officials may fly with the pilots to check for cloud flying and
to be in contact with the safety director (who will not be flying at
any time) to report safety conditions on course. If the meet
director is flying and checking on pilots and the weather the deputy
meet director shall take over his duties.
Following instructions from meet officials
Pilots are required to follow instructions given to them by meet
officials expeditiously or risk penalty. Pilots will be instructed
where to set up their gliders in the staging lines, where to enter
the launch lines, and how to be prepared to launch safely. Pilots
need to follow these instructions carefully.
2.0 EQUIPMENT
Radios and Phones
Radio transceivers are permitted and a radio receiver compatible
with the organizer's frequency is mandatory during competition
flights. Radios are for communication between competitors, team
leaders, drivers and the organizers. All pilots and crews are
requested to submit their team frequencies and mobile telephone
numbers to the competition director. This information will be used
by the safety director for safety purposes.
Appropriate aerotow bridles
Competitors must use appropriate aerotow bridles as determined by
the Meet Director and Safety Director and their designated
officials. Bridles must include secondary releases (as determined by
the Safety Director). Bridles must be able to be connected to the
tow line within two seconds. Some Appropriate pro-tow bridles can be
found here:
http://OzReport.com/9.039#0 and
http://ozreport.com/9.041#2.
Pilots with inappropriate bridles
may purchase appropriate bridles from the meet organizer.
Weaklinks
Pilots must use weaklinks provided by the meet organizers and in a
manner approved by the meet organizers. All weaklinks will be
checked and use of inappropriate weaklinks will require the pilot to
go to the end of the launch line to change the weaklink.
Weaklinks should be
placed at one end of a shoulder bridle. The tow forces on the
weaklink will be roughly divided in half by this placement. Pilots
will be shown how to tie the weaklink so that it more likely breaks
at its rating breaking strength.
3.0 TAKE OFF METHODS
Staging
The take off area is Sheets Field, Groveland, Florida.
- Number of tugs: approximately one tug per ten pilots.
- Tow rope length: approximately 150 feet (45.72 meters)
- Aero tow release height: release at 2000' (609.6 m) or below
In the event of dangerous overcrowding in the air around launch the
Meet Director may close the launch temporarily until
congestion has eased.
The daily launch/staging area will be determined by the Meet
Director or her assistant and
will be set-up by launch crew as soon as the optimum direction can
be determined.
For the purpose of expediency, pilots must stay away from the launch
crew and are not allowed talk to this launch crew while they are
setting up the launch/staging lines. Any pilot who in any way
interferes with the launch crew setting up the launch/staging
area will be subject to the penalty of having his/her launch delayed
or moved to the end of the line.
Only after the launch/staging lines have been fully set-up is it
permissible for pilots to stage their gliders. For safety all
gliders must be in the staging area before towing commences
otherwise penalties may be applied.
Pilots will stage together with their team mates and mentor
according to the list provided each day. Teams will be rotated each
day.
Launch
The launch is an ordered launch with a open launch window before the
ordered launch with pilots in the open window chosen and ordered at
the pilot briefing.
The launch marshal shall announce
when window opens or if there has been a change in task so that all
pilots are aware. A whiteboard near the front of the staging line
will indicate changes in times or task so that all pilots are aware.
It is each pilot's responsibility to be alert for any changes.
As the launch is ordered (even in the open window) there is no need
to move into the launch line earlier than ten minutes before the
launch opens.
The pilots in the launch box at the head of the launch line must be
ready to launch five minutes before the launch window opens. Ready is defined as:
Pilot is completely suited up with helmet on, hooked in with vario,
GPS and other instruments turned “on.” Once in the launch line the
pilot must advance forward to the end of the launch line (towards
the ready-to-launch box).
To give adequate space for the tow planes to land, as pilots advance
forward to the ready-to-launch box, they must stay as close to the
staging line as possible.
Hang glider pilots must release from their tow at or below 2,000'
AGL. They must also
release when waved off by the tug pilot. Pilots will be released
upwind unless they make it known to the tug pilot to take another
course.
Pilots who experience a weak link break at less than approximately
100' AGL will be slotted in for a reflight when
they have returned to the line. Pilots who need a reflight must land
away from the area where the tugs are approaching and landing. Pilots who come off tow at less than 1000' AGL (whether by
weaklink or other reason) but above 100' AGL will be slotted to the
back of the launch line (not the end of the staging line).
Push Rule
There is always an implied push as soon as the launch window opens.
Pilots unwilling to launch must go to the back of the launch line.
Wind Speed
The average wind speed cannot exceed 15 mph (24 kmh) nor the
gust factor 5 mph (8.05 kmh) (total of 20 mph) (32 kmh) as
measured at 7 feet (2.1336 meters) at the front of the launch line
by a Flytec ALTI Windwatch for a five minute period or the launch
will be suspended until the average maximum wind speed decreases.
4.0 WAYPOINTS AND GOALS
Cylinder starts will be used and these may be either
entry or exit. The type of start and the dimensions may vary from
task to task and will be specified at each task briefing.
Turn Points will be cylinders of 400 meters radius
unless otherwise specified at the task briefing.
Virtual goals will be virtual cylinders of 400 meters radius size
and at the specified co-ordinates unless different radius value is
specified at the task briefing.
5.0 RETAKE-OFF
A competitor will be allowed unlimited Take-off(s) to attempt the task within the stated take-off period. Relaunches may only occur if you land on the "airport property." Pilots have to walk their glider back from their landing area to the launch line.
6.0 TASK PERIOD
Times of window open for take-off and time for the closing of the window, turn points and last landing will be displayed in writing. Any window extension policy will also be displayed in writing. The minimum period of time that the launch window will remain open for the launch to be considered valid is 60 seconds of launchable air per pilot or if 90% of the pilots registered and present in the staging line have launched at least once.
7.0 SCORING AND FLIGHT VERIFICATION
Scoring will be done according to the GAP 2016 (GAP
2002) scoring system. GAP Parameters: Percentage at goal: 25%, Minimum
distance: 5 kilometers, Nominal distance: 30 kilometers, Nominal time:
1.5 hour. Elapsed time scoring.
Live tracking log and GPS track log evidence are the only ways to verify and provide data
for flights. The track logs of two or more GPS units together may be
used to provide a required track log.
Scoring a stopped task. A task which has been stopped but not
cancelled shall be scored if one hour have elapsed since the opening
of the first start gate.
A pilot who lands (or limits his flight) to assist another pilot in
distress shall be scored for the day. This score shall be the
average day-weighted of what he scored in the previous rounds, or
the average pilot score if this happens on the first task. However,
as the meet progresses that score will change to take into account
his average day-weighted scores of the whole meet so the score will
be adjusted after each task. The competition director may also award
extra points.
8.0 YOUR TRACKLOG
Your Live Tracking track log is your primary track log. If for
some reason the track log is not adequate you can submit a tracklog from your
GPS. There is a 1% bonus on your score if the scorekeeper was able to use your
Live Tracking track log for scoring purposes.
You can follow the instructions here:
http://ozreport.com/pilotdownload.php to download your tracklog. It is best
to use your own computer and cable or SD card reader (or phone). If you can't
download your tracklog with your own equipment and email it to the scorekeeper,
then you can use the computers and cables provided by the meet organizer.
Tracklogs must be emailed and received by the scorekeeper by midnight (unless a
different time is given at the pilot briefing).
If you did not fly you must email the scorekeeper directly
by the times stated.
9.0 CHECKING IN
You must send a text (SMS) message to your mentor within half an hour of the designated time.
10.0 COMPLAINTS AND PROTESTS
The organizer shall publish provisional task results
in the evening of the day the task was flown. When this is not
possible (late retrievals), they will be published officially at 10
AM the next day.
Competitors are recommended to request correction of mistakes as
soon as possible.
11.0 HANDICAPS
Wills Wing U2 and equivalents - no handicap
Topless - -30%
Wills Wing Sport 2 and equivalents - +6%
Wills Wing Falcon and equivalents - +45%