Nobody likes limiting
factors that may inhibit one’s ability to have fun flying including this writer.
But remember, this is a contest first for those interested in competing. And
when folks get together to perform while being judged and when points and
prizes are involved, some simple guidelines are needed to help the event flow
smoothly and with fairness in mind. What most all sports activities have in
common are rules and guidelines used to determine the best performances and in
turn, to come up with a winner and subsequent placings. The guidelines listed
below will help the entrants and judges better relate to one another and make
for a fairer contest.
Next up – Part 3, Figures, Points, Criteria
1.
Qualified gliders are to be of a non-motorized monoplane
design of any construction. No flying wings allowed.
2.
Minimum wingspan is 60” (1.5m). Maximum wingspan is 158”
(4m).
3.
Side Force Generators (SFG’s) are allowed.
4.
No transmitter to receiver mixing restrictions.
5.
No All Up Weight (AUW) restrictions.
6. Two scorecard formats are available.
One is an overall winner’s card. The second a 4 category winner’s
card that includes Best Proximity, Best Difficulty & Risk, Best Execution
and Best Overall. The scorecard choice to be determined before the event
begins. See Part 4, item 6.
7.
You must be the sole pilot of the plane to be awarded
points. Substitute pilots are not allowed.
8. The models close proximity to the
ground (at whatever speed it flies) is the fundamental basis behind the
criteria. A distance of 1 to 1-1/2 wingspans from the fuselage centerline to
the ground is considered a qualified VTPR figure. All figures selected on the
score sheet should be striven to be completed in this parameter unless
otherwise stated. Deductions are at judge’s discretion.
9.
All
VTPR figures will have maximum point values assigned to them prior to the
competition. Deductions are at the judge’s discretion.
10. Figures shall be judged in real time
and scores recorded individually. See figure criteria in Part 3.
11. Figures may be chosen to be flown in
any order between entrants unless the Full Flight option is selected. See item
17.
12. The Artistic freestyle round is judged
as shown in Part 5.
13.
Unsportsmanlike conduct at the local slope shall subject the
entrant(s) to disqualification.
14. The number of total pre-determined figures
required per pilot is 8. An appeal to change up figures must be done by
submitting a revised score sheet no later than 10 minutes before the contest officially
begins. The referee must call out the official starting time 30 minutes in
advance.
15. You cannot repeat figures.
16. The referee will announce each
entrant’s name (or group as the case may be) and/or plane number as his or her turn
comes up. Once the event begins, pilots may choose to launch their glider when
their turn is announced or they may choose to launch earlier for timing
purposes at a safe distance from the fly-box area and wait for their turn.
17. The entrants shall perform their
figures by taking turns flying through the fly-box. Following this, they can
either land their glider or else may remain airborne at a safe distance from
the fly-box area until their next turn is due up.
18. As an option, pilots may check the Full
Flight box on their score sheet if they wish to fly all 8 selected figures in
succession without stopping. Figures must be flown in the exact order in which
they are listed on the score sheet. Flying figures out of sequence will result
in a score of zero for each figure not flown in the correct order. Once this
option is chosen, changes are not allowed for that round. Entrants who choose
the Full Flight option will be given priority
19. Pilots who do not fly their program in
succession are to call out their next figure prior to entering the fly
box. This allowance is so that each pilot is given the option to change his or
her figure at the last moment, based on prevailing conditions. The judges can
also be alerted of any change to the order at this time.
20. A minimum of 2 rounds per pilot (one 8
figure Regular round, one Freestyle round) shall be flown for an official
contest. More regular rounds may be added, depending on conditions and time
factor.
21. There will be a halftime 20 minute
break. An ‘Expression Session or Fun Fly’ may occur during the break.
This is a good time to tune up, hydrate or carry out repairs to your equipment in
readiness for the next round.
22. Every figure and round counts. Judges
are to record the results of each of 8 primary figures per round and 1 Freestyle
round of flying presented on Simple
Score Pad Interface App. Optional written scorecards will be provided. The
App totals each entrant’s progressive score for each round. A progressive total
of entrants total scores from all of the judges shall be maintained and open to
viewing by entrants at anytime during the contest. This makes for a dynamic
contest involvement and gets the adrenalin rushing.
23. All ties are broken by a single figure
fly-off until a clear winner is determined.
24. The entrant with highest total points at
the end of the contest is the winner.
25. Top 3 finishers qualify for the V-Cup
Challenge round in part 6.
Next up – Part 3, Figures, Points, Criteria
