Aeros Winter Race 2023

LOCAL REGULATIONS Rev 1.00 (11.11.2019)

1. ENTRY

1.1 The Championship

The Championship is open to all Member and Associated Member countries of FAI who may enter any number of pilots in Class 1, regarding the max number of pilots stated in section "Basics".

1.2 The title of champion

The title of champion will be awarded only if the sum of the daily winners scores is equal to, or more than 700 points, as determined by the GAP scoring formulas.

1.3 Cut of the competition

There will be no cut during the Championship.

1.4 Documentary proof of insurance

Documentary proof of insurance in English language for insurance against third Party liability for minimum limit of 20.000 euro shall be made available to the Organisers before starting to fly from the competition sites.

1.5 Waiver  (See Section 7, page 56)

Every competitor will be requested to sign the above mentioned waiver (agreement on release of liability) before starting to fly from the competition sites.

1.6 Qualifications

Qualification criteria for all pilots wishing to compete in competition are:

a) If the competitor's country issues pilot licences for hang gliding the pilot must hold a valid licence appropriate to the glider to be flown.
b) Each competitor shall hold a valid FAI sporting licence issued by his own NAC. Competitors from prospective FAI member countries may use a licence issued by the FAI Secretary General.

1.7 Minimum number

The minimum number of 15 competitors is required to validate competition as Second Category Event.

2. EQUIPMENT

2.1 Hang gliders and associated equipment

Hang gliders and associated equipment (see Section 7) Safety standards requirements - see annex 22.

2.2 Radio transcaivers

Radio transceivers, which are allowed in the Slovenian national law, are permitted. Radio frequencies used will be in 2m FM band, safety and other frequencies will be announcet at the first pilot briefing.

2.3 Flight verification

Flight verification: GPS only (see rules at scoring) back up GPS are allowed.

3. GENERAL COMPETITION RULES

3.1 Evidence of GPS

Every competitor must report to the Organisers (at registration) serial number and type of his GPS, also back up GPS and any change during the competition. It is advisable that pilots mark their instruments with pilot number and name. Only flight instruments which are supported by latest GPSdump software are allowed.

3.2 TASKS

3.2.1 Race to goal

The aim is to be first in goal. Simultaneous start in the air is used. Start time is identical for all pilots. Pilot must cross the start cylinder after start cylinder opening time. Several start gate interval might be used.

3.2.2 Speed run to goal

The aim is to fly the distance in the shortest time. Individual start in the air is used. Start time is different for every pilot.

3.3 TASK PERIOD

3.3.1 Times of window open

Times of window open for take-off and times for the closing of the window, turn points and last landing will be displayed in writing.

3.3.2 The minimum launch window open time

The minimum launch window open time for valid task must be one minute per pilot devised by the number of launch points that can be used at the same time.

3.3.3 Suspension, cancellation or stopping

Suspension, cancellation or stopping of a task (see Section 7).

3.4 TAKE-OFF METHODS

Foot launch from hill sites.

Open window.

Free take-off without any set order. The take-off "push" system (See Sec. 7) will be used.

There may be ordered launch procedure in use, if organizer decide to do so for safety or other reason. Order will be set based on achived score on previus days of the competition or by WPRS ranking system if there was no task flown yet.

The time period used in "push" system is 30 seconds. Only pilots in the launch lanes are allowed to push and are pushed.

Take off sites are:

1: Kovk (SSW – SSE) 860 m ASL
2: Lijak (W – E) 581 m ASL
3: Kobala (W – E) 1.080 m ASL

3.5 RETAKE-OFF

A competitor will be allowed one take-off to attempt the task within the stated take-off period.

A failed take-off attempt or safety problem arising immediately after take-off which results in a landing will not count as one of the permitted number of take-off.

Pilots must report to the Start Marshall before second take-off attempt.

3. 6 TASK EVIDENCE

3.6.1 Source

Data will only be collected from a GPS, one can hand over IGC file by email, USB key, etc. as well. IGC file must contain all pilot data and valid G record. File name must be written in long format (pilot's name is in file name). IGC file must be created with latest version of GPSdump application, which is available here.

Other software may be used if scorer agrees in advance. The track-logs are not confidential. Only valid GPS data will be considered as true evidence.

3.6.2 Valid GPS data

To be considered as valid, the track-log must satisfy the following criteria:

The track log must be continuos throughout the flight. Short time gaps, not longer than 15 minutes in track log may be tolerated if there is absolutely no doubt about track validity.

The track-log must also show at least 2 minutes of data and at least 5 continuos track-log points prior to and after the track-log points used to verify a turn point.

The track-log must show at least 2 minutes of data and at least 5 continuos track-log points prior to and after a lounch.

3.6.3 GPS Software

The appropriate software will be used. GPS data are checked using software that respect FAI Section 7 specifications.

The software is able to check positions in relation with times. All calculations concerning departure time are calculated doing an extrapolation from the previous and the next stored points.

The software is also able to check:
Departure time during start,
Cylinders sectors crossing at air starts and turn points,
Landing place and time,
The best position declared or reached by the pilot during the flight,
Positions at a fixed time (stopping of the task in the air).

3.6.4 GPS instrument error

There is no tolerance of pilot position GPS checking software.

3.6.5 Best pilot position

Pilots will score their best position reached in the task. It can be landing place or a better position flown in the air.

3.6.6 GPS at landing

It is advisible that pilot leaves GPS turned on few minutes after landing

3.6.7 GPS models

Because of tehnical limits, only some particular GPS models suits the Organisers verification protocol. GPS model must be supported by GPSDump downloading software

3.7 RULES FOR FLIGHT VERIFICATION WITH GPS

A GPS start line is a virtual cylinder that the pilot must cross.

Physical features on ground near turn point are to be taken as a guide only.

Two types of starts can be used:

◦  Individual start in the air:  Pilot´s departure time is calculated from the last time the pilot crossed the cylinder limit. When the task is speedrun to goal, time interval (normally 15 minutes) can be set for start of time measurement instead of using individual start time of each pilot. If pilot crosses the cylinder limit after closing time of start cylinder, then closing time will be his start time.

◦ Simultaneous start in the air at a fixed time:  Pilots need to cross the cylinder limit after or at least at the opening time. Radius of start cylinder is normally 5000m.

• Turn points

Radius of turn point cylinder is normaly 400 m. Virtual turn points are possible. New turn points may be added in the course of the competition.

• Goal

There will be no physical finish line located at goal. In the case when pilot cross the finish cylinder after last landing deadline he will score only distance he made at deadline time. Arrival times will be measured by GPS, normaly 700m cylinder around physical finish point located at goal.

3.7.1 Incorrect GPS track-log penalties

1. Start point incorrect/missing - minimum distance score for the task

2. Air start to early - double time of to early start is added to flight time (if start was 10 minutes to early 20 minutes is added to flight time)

3. Turn point incorrect/missing - distance points to best correctly documented point only granted

4. Track-log missing - zero score for the task

5. Track-log missing but Organisers have evidence of pilot´s launch - minimum distance score for the task

3.8 SCORING

Scoring will be done according to newest GAP formula system with latest FS scoring application. Flight verification: GPS only, back up is allowed if GPS is registrated.

There will bo no team scoring.

3.9 REST DAYS

There will be no rest days.

3.10 COMPLAINTS AND PROTESTS

Organisers shall publish provisional task results in the evening of the day the task was flown. When this will not be possible (late retrieval), they will be published at 0930. hours the next day. Competitors are advised to request correction of mistakes as soon as possible.

A complaint in writing may be made to the Organisers, preferably by the team leader to request a correction. Time limit for complaints is 0900 hours on a day following the day when the task in question was flown.

If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome, the team leader may make a protest in writing to the Competition Director (See General Section Chapter 5). Time limit for protests is from 0900 till 1200 hours on a day following the day when the task in question was flown.  The protest fee is 50 Eur. It will be returned if the protest is upheld.

In a case when Organiser did not resolve a complaint, then time limit is two hours after decision on a complaint.

There is one exception from above mentioned procedure and this is for the last contest task when time limit for complaints is one hour after publishing of provisional task results and time limit for protest is one next hour.

4. National regulations

All pilots are obliged to slovenian laws about air space usage

Pilots are obliged to collision avoidance rules (see Section 7)

Cloud flying is not allowed (see Section 7)