These are the model rules for free rozier ballooning competitions, as approved by the delegates of the FAI Ballooning Commission.
This Web page updated: April 12, 1996
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
SPECIAL NOTE: The use of the word he or his in this text does not imply gender but is used in place of he/she or his/her
1.1 TITLE
The event shall be known as: <* NAME *> ROZIER BALLOON CHAMPIONSHIP
1.2 OBJECTIVES (S1: 5.2)
The objectives of the <* name of event *> are to:
1.3 DEFINITION OF A CHAMPION (S1: 5.8)
The pilot with the highest aggregate score at the end of the championship shall be the world champion.
To be recognised as a championship and for a champion to be declared, at least three championship tasks must have been completed on not less than two separate flights.
1.4 SANCTION
The event is organised by <* ORGANISING AEROCLUB *> on behalf of the Commission Internationale d'Aerostation (CIA) of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI).
1.5 ORGANISATION
The event is organised by <* name of organiser *>
1.6 CORRESPONDENCE
All entries and official correspondence shall b e addressed to:
<* name and address *>
<* telephone and fax numbers *>
1.7 PERSONNEL
Event Director <* .... *>
Safety Officer <* .... *>
Scoring Officer <* .... *>
1.8 LOCATION
The Championship will be held in <* .... *>
1.9 DATES
The Championship will be run from <* date *> to <* date *>. The final competition flight is <* .... *>
1.10 DEPOSIT FEE
The deposit fee to accompany a protest shall be <* .... *>
1.11 LANGUAGES (GS: 3.9.4)
The official language of the Championship will be English. In all interpretations the English language version shall prevail.
1.12 DOCUMENTATION
The following documents may be inspected when each competitor registers on arrival at the Championship:
a. Pilot License or Certificate
b. Pilot Log Book
c. Balloon Log Book
d. Balloon Registration Document
e. Balloon Airworthiness Document
f. Certificate of Insurance
g. FAI Sporting License
h. Passport or Identity Document
CHAPTER 2 ENTRY CONDITIONS
2.1 ELIGIBILITY (GS: 3.6.1)
The championship is open to all National Aero Clubs who have met their obligations to FAI.
2.2 COMPETITORS
2.2.1 Each National Aero Club entering the championship may nominate its own competitors provided they qualify in accordance with the Sporting Code (S1: 5.5.6)
2.2.2 After the first task briefing of the Championship, no change of competitor is permitted.
(S1: 5.5.9)
2.3 QUALIFICATION (S1: 5.5.7)
Pilots-in-command shall have been authorised to act as pilot-in-command of that subclass of aerostat for which the championship is held, at least twelve months prior to the start of the championship. Each pilot-in-command shall have accumulated at least 50 hours as pilot-in-command of aerostats in that sub-class by the closing entry date.
2.4 REPRESENTATION RIGHTS (GS: 3.7.2)
Competitors must be qualified to represent the country nominating them in accordance with the Sporting Code. Passengers may be of any nationality, but may not have participated at any time in national or international Rozier, gas or hot air balloon championships
2.5 SPORTING LICENSE (GS: 8.1)
Each competitor must hold a valid FAI Sporting Licence.
2.6 ENTRY
The completed entry form, together with <* amount *> (AM3 or smaller) or <* amount *> (larger than AM3) entry fee, for each competitor must reach the organisers by the closing entry date.
2.7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A competitor who has not received an acknowledgement of his entry within thirty days after mailing it should make enquiries to the <* .... *> (see 1.6).
2.8 CLOSING ENTRY DATE
The closing entry date for the championship is <* date *>.
2.9 ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS (GS: 3.11.1)
Competitors are required to know, understand, accept and abide by the FAI Sporting Code and the rules and regulations issued for the event, and by entering are deemed to accept them without reservation.
2.10 WAIVER
A pilot, by entering, thereby waives any right of action against the <* .... *>, the <* .... *> and their respective members, employees and personnel for any loss or damages sustained by him in consequence of any act or omission on the part of the said bodies, their officials, members, employees or personnel or on the part of other competitors.
2.11 RISK
The balloon shall at all times be the responsibility of the competitor in every respect. The pilot shall be deemed by entry to agree to hold the <* .... *>, their respective members, employees and personnel, harmless for all claims for injury to himself or his balloon.
2.12 CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE
A blanket insurance policy will be in effect during this event covering the organisers and affiliates only.
2.13 SAFETY
All meteorological reports, forecasts, and other safety information, will be provided in good faith for the guidance of competitors. Officials may be appointed to regulate the inflation and launching of balloons. However, nothing shall diminish the responsibility of competitors under this chapter.
2.14 RESPONSIBILITY
Each pilot shall be completely responsible for the safe operation of his balloon at all stages of inflation, launch, flight and landing. He must ensure that his equipment, his crew and his own level of skill and expertise are suitable for the conditions in his own judgement.
2.15 CONDUCT
Competitors and their crew are required to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner, and to comply with the directions of the championship officials. Profanity or unsportsmanlike conduct directed at the Director or any other official will be grounds for expulsion.
2.16 OFFICIAL' ERRORS
Errors by officials that have no effect on the final results shall not be grounds for protest.
CHAPTER 3 BALLOON QUALIFICATIONS
3.1 DEFINITION OF BALLOON
3.1.1 A lighter-than-air aircraft, supported statically in the air, with no means of propulsion by any power source. S1: 2.2.1.1)
A Rozier balloon (AM) is defined as a free balloon which uses both a lighter-than-air gas and an airborne heater, without pressurisation of any envelope. (S1: 2.1.1.3)
3.1.2 At least 50% of the total volume must be helium. At least 10 US gallons of propane must be carried on board.
3.1.3 Balloons up to a maximum volume of one thousand cubic meters of helium (with a tolerance of 5%) will be admitted to the Championship. The volume capacity of any attached filler tube or overflow ducts will be considered as part of the total volume.
3.2 DESIGNATION OF BALLOON
Each competitor shall designate the balloon he is to fly during the Championship. No change of balloon may be made after the start of the first task briefing except as provided by these rules. The nationality of pilot and registration of the balloon need not be the same.
3.3 AIRWORTHINESS (S1: 5.5.8)
Aerostats flown in the championship must have current certificates of registration and airworthiness, or in place of the later, an equivalent document from the recognised authority of the nation concerned. The organisers are empowered to reject any aerostat which in their opinion is not of a reasonable standard of airworthiness.
3.4 DAMAGE TO AN AEROSTAT
3.4.1 If a balloon is damaged during the Championship, it may be repaired. Damaged components may be replaced or repaired, except that a complete envelope may only be replaced at the discretion of the Championship Director.
3.4.2 Any damage to a balloon affecting its airworthiness must be reported to the Safety Officer before it is entered for a further task, and the balloon may be flown only after approval of any repairs. Penalty: up to disqualification from the task.
3.5 INSTRUMENTS
Each balloon must be equipped with appropriate communication, navigation, lighting materials and instruments to fly according to Federal Aviation Regulations and the rules of competition. Minimum equipment must consist of:
Additionally, each balloon will carry a barograph which has been sealed (mechanically or electronically), certified and activated by the competition officials. Barographs shall have a rotation time of not less than six hours and shall have proof of physical calibration within 12 months prior to the event, together with the calibration curve or table.
3.6 AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROLS (S1: 5.8.2)
Any device designated to act as an automatic flight control is prohibited, regardless of the specific nature of the device. Metering valves on the burners are not considered automatic flight controls under this rule.
3.7 COMPETITION NUMBERS
Championship registration number basket banners must be attached and visible at all times during flight. All crew vehicles including trailers shall be clearly identified with competition numbers.
CHAPTER 4 ORGANISATION OFFICIALS
4.1 EVENT DIRECTOR (GS: 4.3.5)
The event director is in overall operational charge of the event. He is responsible for the good management and the smooth and safe running of the event. He may penalise or disqualify a competitor for misconduct or infringement of the rules. He shall make such operational decisions as he sees fit in accordance with the rules.
4.2 STEWARDS (GS: 4.3.6)
Stewards are appointed by the organising NAC; they are advisers to the Event Director and shall:
A Steward has no executive powers. He may attend a meeting of the International Jury as an observer or witness
4.3 INTERNATIONAL JURY
A nominated jury composed of a president and two further members are appointed by the CIA. The president may not be of the same nationality as the organising NAC and no two members may be of the same nationality (GS: 4.3.2, S1: 5.10)
4.4 DUTIES
The president of the Jury and Jury members are responsible for giving advice or arbitration, rule interpretation, and objective and subjective evaluation of performance. (GS: 4.3.1.1)
In addition to being Chairman at Jury meetings, the President has the right to require the organisers to abide by the FAI Sporting Code and the published rules and regulations for the event. (GS: 4.3.2.4)
During the event, the Jury deals with protests made by competitors. Jury members shall have a thorough knowledge of the Sporting Code and the rules and regulations governing the event. (GS: 4.3.2.5)
4.5 ABSENCE OF A JURY MEMBER
Attendance at Jury meetings is compulsory for Jury members, except for special cases, such as illness or emergencies. In such cases an eligible replacement nominated by the Jury member concerned, or by the President of the CIA or his representative may be accepted by the Jury President. The Event Director has the right to be present at Jury Meetings. (GS: 4.3.2.6)
A quorum for a nominated Jury is three, including its President. (GS: 4.3.2.6.3)
CHAPTER 5 COMPLAINTS AND PROTESTS
5.1 ASSISTANCE
A competitor who is dissatisfied on any matter should first ask the Director or his delegated official to assist him.
5.2 COMPLAINT (GS: 5.5.1)
5.2.1 A complaint is a request by a competitor to the Director or his delegated official to investigate any operational matter in which the competitor is dissatisfied. If after the investigation the complainant is still dissatisfied he may make a protest.
5.2.2 Complaints concerning scoring must be made to the Director within three hours after the publication of the official scores of a task, but within one hour of the publication of the official scores of a task published on the last competition day of the Championship.
5.2.3 If points are credited or deducted from a competitor's score, the Director shall publish the original and the revised scores.
5.3 COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
Written complaints, in English, must be handed in at the Competition Centre to an official, who will record the time of receipt and inform the Director. The hours between 2100 and 0800 (local time) shall be disregarded for the purposes of time limits for handing in a complaint.
5.4 PUBLICATION
The Director will publish the text of any formal complaint together with his reply.
5.5 PROTEST
5.5.1 If dissatisfied with the Director's reply to a Complaint, a competitor has the right to make a Protest to the International Jury. The competitor shall, within one hour of the reply to his complaint, declare his intention to protest. His declaration shall be accompanied by the cash deposit amount given in Rule 1.10.
5.5.2 Within 8 hours of the reply to his complaint he shall submit his written protest in English, or may withdraw with refund of deposit.
5.6 PROTEST PROCEDURE
Declarations of intention to protest with deposits, and protests shall be handed in at the Competition Centre to an official, who will record the time of receipt. The hours between 2100 and 0800 local time will be disregarded for the purpose of the time limits.
5.7 RIGHT OF HEARING
A competitor who has protested must make himself available to make a verbal presentation of his case to the International Jury in addition to his written statement. He may be assisted by an interpreter or advisor of his choice during this meeting.
5.8 MEETING OF JURY (GS: 5.5)
5.8.1 The Event Director must present any protest to the Jury President without delay. the President shall call a meeting of the International Jury within 24 hours of receiving a protest.
5.8.2 The Jury shall hear both sides on the matter of any formal protest, applying correctly the relevant FAI regulations and the rules for the event, and decide secret ballot.
Decisions shall be reached by a simple majority, however, protests against the decision by the Director shall require a 2/3 majority to succeed.
5.9 PUBLICATION (GS: 5.5.4)
The President of the Jury shall report the proceedings in writing to the Event Director without delay, who shall display the report.
5.10 RETURN OF DEPOSIT (GS: 5.4.3)
Normally, the deposited fee is returnable only if the protest is upheld, or is withdrawn prior to the hearing by the Jury.
5.11 JURY APPROVAL (GS: 3.16.1)
The results of the event shall be final only after all protests have been dealt with by the Jury and the Jury has ceased its functions. The final results must be published before the prizegiving is held.
6.1 OBSERVERS
An Observer is a Competition Official, responsible to the Chief Observer. His duties are primarily the impartial recording of particulars of positions, times, distances, etc. achieved during tasks. He also has the duty of reporting the facts of any apparent infringement of these rules or of air law, and any case of inconsiderate behaviour towards landowners or the public by any competitor or crew member.
6.2 APPOINTMENT
An observer will be appointed to each balloon for a given task. No observer will be appointed to the same balloon more than once, and none will be of the same nationality as the pilot.
6.3 ASSISTANCE
An observer may not assist the pilot with advice at any time. He should not attempt to amplify, explain or interpret the rules to a competitor.
6.4 REQUEST TO WITNESS
If an observer is asked by a competitor to record or witness any particular piece of information during a task he shall do so.
6.5 OBSERVER ON RETRIEVE
It is the duty of the pilot and crew to convey the observer to the Launch Area and to return him promptly to the Competition Centre after measurement of results and recovery of the balloon.
6.6 OBSERVER REPORT
The competitor must read and sign the observer's report sheet after completion of the task.
7.1 OFFICIAL MAPS
The official competition map will be the <* name *>
7.2 CONTEST AREA
An area defined by reference to the Competition Map(s), and published at the start of the championship. Tasks will not be set, and results will not be measured outside of this area.
7.3 OUT OF BOUNDS
The Director may define areas as out of bounds and a mark or contest landing in such areas will not be measured.
7.4 PROHIBITED ZONES (PZs)
7.4.1 The Director may define airspace or landing areas as prohibited.
7.4.2 There are two classifications of PZ's - Red and Yellow.
7.4.3 A Red PZ is restricted airspace and may include an altitude restriction.
7.4.4 A Yellow PZ is a restricted area where no landings are permitted.
7.4.5 A map reference, the boundaries, and upper limit in feet above ground level will be published for each PZ. Penalty for a balloon entering a PZ is from 500 to 1000 competition points.
7.5 ACCURACY OF MEASUREMENT
Competitors who have achieved a result and whose scoring distances or times are separated by less than the accuracy of measurement method employed, as assessed by the officials, may at their discretion be judged to have tied and will share an equal position in the ranking for that task. A physically measured distance takes precedence over calculated distances.
7.6 MEASUREMENT UP TO 100 KM
Distance up to 100 km will be measured on an appropriate Air Sectional Chart.
7.7 GREAT CIRCLE
7.7.1 Distances over 100 km shall be measured by determining the arc of a Great Circle, at sea level which joins the vertical lines of two given points.
7.7.2 For purposes of this calculation, the earth is considered to be a sphere with a radius (as adopted by the FAI) of 6,378.245 km.
7.8 STRAIGHT LINE MEASUREMENT
Measurement of distances may be changed by the Director to a straight line measurement if necessitated by the task.
CHAPTER 8 COMPETITION; BRIEFINGS
8.1 DEFINITION OF THE COMPETITION
The <* name *> Rozier Balloon Championship will consist of up to three flights. The task(s) of each flight will be selected by the Director depending on meteorological conditions.
8.2 TASK SELECTION
The Director shall select tasks from those described in Chapter 15. Particular tasks may be set more than once or not at all. Any combination of tasks, except as defined in 15.11, may be set by the Director for multiple task flights. At the task briefing preceding the flight the Director will announce which task(s) are to be flown.
8.3 MODIFICATION OF RULES
Competition rules shall not conflict with the sporting code. They shall be approved in advance by the CIA and must not be changed thereafter.
(GS: 3.9.1)
The task rules of Chapter 15 are defined as variable rules and minor changes to those may be made without authorisation.
8.4 PUBLICATION IN WRITING
Variations to task rules shall be notified individually to each competitor in writing.
8.5 MULTIPLE TASKS
The Director may set multiple tasks to be carried out consecutively during the same flight. Each task shall be scored separately, the maximum score for each is 1000 points.
8.6 BRIEFINGS
A mandatory briefing on the major aspects of the Championship will be held before the Championship begins. Mandatory briefings for the tasks will be held as published. Any variations in times will be announced and posted. At the briefing the following information will be given verbally, by written handout, or by posted notices:
a. Meteorological information
b. Air traffic and safety information
c. Details of PZs
d. Task data (variations in task rules in writing)
e. Any variations of supplement to published task rules
f. Launch area and launch period
g. Arrangements for Observer
h. Provisional place and time of next briefing
i. Time check
8.7 SUPPLEMENTARY BRIEFING
If it should be necessary to publish additional or revised information to competitors at the launch field, officials will advise each competitor in person or an appropriate signal will be given at the signals point. The information will be given verbally and a written copy may be displayed. All competitors will be deemed to have proper notice of the information.
8.8 ENTRY FOR TASKS
A competitor will enter the task by answering his name at the roll call (or by some other means deemed satisfactory by the organiser) at the task briefing.
8.9 LATE ENTRY
A pilot who does not enter the task at the briefing may make a late entry with a penalty of 50 points up to five minutes before the actual start of the Launch Period, or 100 points thereafter. He should report to an official at the competition centre. Officials will not be available to give a personal briefing except in regard to safety matters and PZs.
9.1 LAUNCH AREA
A defined area in which a balloon may take-off for a task.
9.2 LAUNCH POINT
A common point published by the Director in or near the launch area, from which all distances are measured irrespective of the take-off points of individual balloons.
9.3 PREPARATION OF BAROGRAPHS
Each competitor shall have his barograph trace marked and the barograph sealed by an official prior to the launch period. Barographs will be activated, and task sheet notations made, under the direction of the launch official.
9.4 LAUNCH PERIOD
No launch may be made outside of the Launch Period. A competitor launching outside of the launch period (and any extension thereof) will be disqualified from the task.
9.5 CURTAILMENT OF LAUNCH PERIOD
Where deterioration of weather causes curtailment of the launch period on safety grounds, the task will be invalid.
9.6 LAUNCHING ORDER
Balloons shall be allotted an order of priority for launching which will be rotated from one task to the next. If a balloon is not ready to launch at its designated time, it will be placed at the end of the launch order or launched at the discretion of the launch official. Its position for future tasks will not be affected by such a delay.
9.7 TAKE-OFF PROCEDURE
The Launch Director will give each competitor permission to take-off. The pilot may then take-off. The pilot has responsibility for his take-off, including adequate lift to clear all obstacles and other balloons and to continue safely in flight.
9.8 SIGNALS POINT
The Signals Point will be announced at the first Mandatory Pilot Briefing.
10.1 RATE OF CLIMB
A competitor shall not initiate or maintain a fast climb unless he is certain that no higher balloon is in his ascent path.
10.2 RIGHT OF WAY
A competitor is responsible for avoiding collision between non-fabric parts of his balloon and the envelope of any balloon . When two balloons are converging, the pilot of the higher balloon shall give way and climb as necessary to avoid collision. In case of collision, both pilots may be penalised, not necessarily by the same amount. Penalty for infringement of this rule is up to 1000 competition points.
10.3 DROPPING OBJECTS
No object may be dropped from the balloon, other than official markers, sand or water for ballasting, or small pieces of paper or similar lightweight materials for navigational purposes. Penalty for infringement of this rule is 200 competition points.
10.4 FLYING BEHAVIOUR
Balloons shall not damage crops except where given permission by the landowner. Inconsiderate behaviour by competitors or crew members, or reckless flying will be penalised. Penalty for infringement of this rule is up to 1000 competition points.
10.5 LANDOWNER
For competition purposes the term 'Landowner' means the person who is responsible for any crop or livestock on the land, not necessarily the legal owner of the land itself.
10.6 FLIGHT CREW
The required crew is one pilot and co-pilot. Only the pilot in command, co-pilot and observer (if required in the task), or passengers who qualify under rule 2.4 may be on board during the task. Penalty for infringement of this rule is disqualification from the task.
10.7 GROUND CREW
Each competitor shall ensure that he has sufficient crew to operate his balloon and retrieve vehicle. He shall ensure that all those involved with his balloon are adequately briefed to ensure safe operation..
10.8 GROUND CONTACT
Ground contact is only allowed if required in a task. Nothing may be added or taken away from the balloon and no person may leave or enter the basket until the task has been completed. Trailing of the trail rope immediately before landing will not be considered ground contact. Penalty for infringement of this rule is up to 500 task points.
10.9 ASSISTANCE
In competitive tasks any physical assistance from persons on the ground prior to completing the task is not permitted, except during take-off. Penalty is up to 500 task points.
CHAPTER 11 LANDINGS
11.1.1 All tasks are completed when the pilot lands after dropping his final marker or when the balloon has come to rest after a contest landing. A competition landing shall be determined by a straight, smooth horizontal trace on the barograph covering a time lapse of at least five minutes.
11.1.2 The pilot may fly on after the Observer has recorded the landing point and the task is complete. In the absence of the observer the pilot may obtain landing statements from two impartial witnesses. Permission must be obtained from the landowner prior to driving on to private property to retrieve the balloon. Pilots who do not secure permission will be penalised 100 task points.
11.1.3 No landings are permitted within 200 meters of goal, targets or marks unless authorised by the Event Director.
11.2 GROUND
Ground includes any water surface and anything attached to or resting on the earth.
11.3 LANDING REPORT
11.3.1 Competitors are required to telephone or FAX the designated official at a designated place, or report in person, within four hours of the landing time. The search period for lost markers shall be determined by the Event Director at the task briefing. The 4 hour time limit for reporting still applies. Information to be given will include landing location, landing time, and any other information pertinent to preliminary scoring.
11.3.2 A penalty of 10 points per hour shall accrue to any pilot failing to report within the four hour limit. Extenuating circumstances will be considered by the Director.
11.4 CONTEST LANDING
Unless otherwise specified by the Event Director, a competitor may elect not to drop his marker and to make a contest landing. The marker must be retained in the basket and handed over to an observer at the earliest opportunity. Task rules which require a minimum distance from marker to landing do not apply but all other rules, including distance limits, must be complied with. The scoring position is the final resting place of the basket.
11.5 FLIGHT DOSSIERS AND BAROGRAPH
The competitor's completed flight dossier and the sealed barograph (if required by the task rules) must be returned to the Competition Centre within 24 hours of landing unless permission for an extension by the Event Director on another authorised official is granted.
11.6 MALFUNCTIONING BAROGRAPH
11.6.1 If a 'malfunction' is due to pilot error, a distance penalty commensurate with the time discrepancy based on the average per hour distances flown for the entire flight will be assessed.
11.6.2 Whenever independent evidence is used to determine the information normally received from the barograph trace or to supplement information lacking due to other procedural omissions in documentation of the flight and landing, the least advantageous interpretation of evidence available to the officials will be taken. The unsupported evidence of a pilot and crew will be disregarded.
11.6.3 If a competitive advantage ensues, a penalty of up to 900 task points may be assessed.
CHAPTER 12 GOAL; TARGET; MARKER
12.1 GOAL
12.1.1 A distinct feature shown on a competition map, set by the officials or chosen by the pilot.
12.1.2 A valid goal must appear from the map to be easily accessible to vehicles on the ground and precisely identifiable for measurement. Unless otherwise allowed in the Task Briefing, it will be the intersection of two public roads or a railroad track and public road (or the centre of an uncontrolled airport - see Appendix A).
12.1.3 No goal selected by a competitor may be within a congested area, or within 500 meters of a PZ, or a freeway or divided highway and/or geographical point designated by the Director.
12.2 IDENTIFICATION
When declaring a goal, a competitor shall identify his goal by geographic co-ordinates in degrees and minutes, longitude and latitude. He may add descriptive details to distinguish between possible goals located close together near his co-ordinates. In the case of any ambiguity, the least advantageous interpretation will be placed on the competitor's declaration.
12.3 TARGET
An X made from bright material with each leg at least one meter wide and eight meters long displayed in the vicinity of the goal. Where a target is used, measurements are made from the centre of the target, not from the goal, unless otherwise specified during the task briefing.
12.4 MARKER
12.4.1 A weighted streamer supplied by the organiser for a given task. The competitor is responsible for collecting the necessary marker(s) before each task. The marker's streamer must be unfurled before release. No mechanism may be used to propel the marker. Penalty for infringement of this rule is up to 300 task points.
12.4.2 Pilots who throw unauthorised, or modified, markers will be penalised up to 250 task points.
12.5 MARK
The point on the ground vertically below where an official marker comes to rest after dropping from the balloon. In tasks where no markers are issued the point where the basket comes to rest after landing..
12.6 OBSERVED MARK
A mark which has been measured and certified as correct by observer. Measurements shall be from the closest point of the weighted section of the marker. The competitor must provide assistance for the observer to locate the marker and measure its position. No person other than an authorised official or an appointed observer may touch or interfere with the marker on the ground.
12.7 LOST MARKER
12.7.1 The results of pilots whose markers are lost will be assessed in accordance with whatever independent evidence is available to the officials. Such assessment shall be based on the least advantageous interpretation of evidence available and 100 meters will be added to the pilot's result. The unsupported evidence of the pilot and crew will be disregarded for this purpose.
12.7.2 In the absence of better evidence, a pilot's assessed mark shall be his final landing position.
12.7.3 A 50 point penalty is assessed if the marker is not recovered. Where independent evidence can show that the marker was actually stolen, rather than lost, or the marker is observed but not retrievable the penalty is waived.
12.8 SEARCH PERIOD
When markers are used in a task, a search period shall be determined by the Director at the task briefing.
13.1 PENALTY POINTS
There are two kinds of penalties; distance and point. Distance penalties are added to a pilot's result. Points penalties, both task and competition, are subtracted from a pilots score. Task point penalties are subtracted from a pilot's task score, which cannot thereby be reduced below zero. Competition point penalties are also subtracted from a pilot's task score, however, excess competition point penalties are subtracted from his total competition points.
13.2 DISHONESTY
A pilot who deliberately attempts to interfere with another competitor, to deceive or mislead observers or other officials, will be disqualified from the task or from the Championship.
13.3 FINAL LANDING DISTANCE LIMITS
Where a final landing violates a prescribed distance limit, the competitor's final result will be increased by twice the amount of the infringement. The scoring distance penalty will be waived if the pilot, due to light wind, flies longer than ten minutes after dropping his marker and travels less than 200 meters from his mark.
13.4 GOAL SELECTION VIOLATIONS
Where a goal selected by a pilot violates a prescribed distance limit, the pilot's mark shall be moved twice the amount of the infringement in the least favourable direction.
13.5 AIR LAW
It is the responsibility of competitors to follow the requirements of the
<* AVIATION AUTHORITY *> and any waiver for the Rozier Balloon Championship. In all cases involving air safety, the Event director or his delegated official will act in consultation with the <* AVIATION AUTHORITY *>
13.6 UNSPECIFIED PENALTIES
A competitor infringing any rule for which a penalty is not specified in the rules may be penalised by a penalty distance applied to his result, by deduction of points or by disqualification from the task.
13.7 PILOT'S SCORE
A pilot's score in the Championship is the total of all the points he has scored in the separate tasks, less any penalty points.
14.1 PUBLICATION OF SCORES
The result of each task shall be published with the minimum of delay at a place notified to the contestants at the briefing on the opening day of the Championship (S1: 5.8.4)
14.2 RANKING ORDER
14.2.1 Competitors will be ranked in order of performance according to the rules for each task after adjustment for any penalties. Competitors will be ranked in the following groups in each task:
Group A: Competitors whose result have been measured, or assessed under the rules on lost markers.
Group B Competitors flying the task but not achieving a result, sharing equally the remaining points available.
Group C Competitor not making a valid launch or disqualified in the task, all scoring zero points.
14.2.2 Each competitor will be awarded a number of points according to his performance.
14.2.3 The better three fourths results of the pilots will receive a score between 1000 and approximately 250 points, in proportion to their performance.
14.2.4 The inferior one fourth results of the pilots will receive a score between 0 and approximately 250 points according to their relative position in the ranking order.
14.2.5 The best result will always receive 1000 points.
14.2.6 FORMULA ONE: (superior 3/4 of the performance)
Points = (1000 - (1000 - SD) x (R - W)) / (RD-W)
14.2.7 FORMULA TWO: (inferior one fourth of performance)
Points = (1000 x (P + 1 - L)) / P
SD = points score of Division ranking competitor
RD = result of the Division ranking competitor
W = result of first place pilot
R = competitor's result
P = number of competitors entered in the championship
L = competitor's rank
14.2.8 In the event that fewer than 3/4 of the competitors achieve a result in the task, the following changes of definition will apply:
RD = lowest ranking result in Group A
SD = points score of lowest ranking competitor in Group A calculated under Formula 2
14.2.9 Points scores will be calculated to the nearest whole number, 0.5 being rounded up.
14.3 SCORING PERIOD
A period of time defined for a particular task outside which results cannot be achieved.
14.4 TIED RESULTS
Competitors whose results are separated by less than the accuracy of the measurement method employed may at the Director's discretion be judged to have tied and will share an equal position in the ranking for the task. The will share equally between them the points which they would have received had they not been so tied.
15.1 A selection will be made from among the following tasks:
a. Distance
b. Distance within a Boundary
c. Distance with Time Limit
d. Duration
e. Distance and Duration
f. Hare and Hounds
g. Pilot Declared Goal (single or multiple)
h. Judge Declared Goal (single or multiple)
i. Fly On
15.2 DISTANCE
The distance event will be measured by the Great Circle, calculated in nautical miles from the launch point to the point of landing. The word distance will not be interpreted as total miles travelled but as the straight line distance between launch and landing. The pilot with the greatest distance from the launch point receives the highest score.
15.3 DISTANCE WITHIN A BOUNDARY
15.3.1 Pilots will attempt to fly the longest distance within a given boundary. Markers may be used if observers are assigned. The launch point will be within the boundary. The longest distance will be best.
15.3.2 Briefing Data: a. Boundary
15.3.3 If the mark is outside the boundary, the scoring position will be moved in the least favourable direction twice the distance outside the boundary. The distance outside the boundary shall be the distance from the mark to the boundary in a straight line towards the launch point.
15.3.4 Final landing at pilot discretion, not less than 500 meters from the mark.
15.4 DISTANCE WITH TIME LIMIT
15.4.1 Pilots will attempt to fly the longest distance within a fixed time period. The longest distance will be best.
15.4.2 Duration of flight will be measured by barograph or by officially timed marker drop.
15.4.3 Where the landing or marker drop is outside the time limit, the score will be reduced by 30 points per overlapping minute or part thereof.
15.5 DURATION
Pilots will attempt to fly for the greatest time period. The duration event shall be scored by the length of time aloft. The time will be calculated in Greenwich Mean Time. Duration of flight will be measured by barograph.
15.6 DISTANCE AND DURATION
Distance and duration is a two part task which will be handled under the same scoring method as previously described, added together and divided by two.
15.7 HARE AND HOUNDS
15.7.1 A Hare balloon will fly from the launch site, and after landing will display a target upwind of the basket. Competitors will fly from the launch site and attempt to drop a marker or land near the target. A Hare balloon may be a hot air balloon.
15.7.2 Briefing Data:
a. Description of Hare balloon
b. Intended launch time of Hare balloon
c. Intended flight duration of Hare balloon (minimum 2 hours unless a shorter period
specified by the Director at task briefing or flight of Hare is curtailed for reasons of
safety)
d. Time limit for display of target
15.7.3 The hare balloon will not deflate until 30 minutes after landing if meteorological situation allows.
15.7.4 No competitor shall display any banner or streamer hanging below the basket during this task.
15.7.5 Variations from the intended launch time and flight duration of the Hare shall not be grounds for complaint.
15.7.6 No landing is permitted within 200 meters of the target or the mark.
15.7.7 The Hare balloon shall make hourly reports of its position through the use of aircraft radios, flares, spotlight or any other appropriate means.
15.8 PILOT DECLARED GOAL
15.8.1 Each competitor will fly from the Launch Site and attempt to drop a marker near a Goal(s) selected and declared by him before the task.
15.8.2 Briefing Data:
a. Declaration Time
b. Number of goals permitted
c. Minimum and maximum distance of goal(s) from launch point
15.8.3 For scoring purposes, a competitor's measurement, being the distance from the mark or landing position to the selected goal, is divided by the distance between the launch point and the selected goal. The ratio of the two measurements is the competitor's result. The lowest ratio is best
15.8.4 Each competitor will define his goal(s) by geographic co-ordinates in degrees and minutes of longitude and latitude in writing and hand it in at the Signals Point before the Declaration Time, clearly identified with his name and competition number. A competitor who wishes to revise his declaration may deposit a further declaration within the time provided, clearly annotated to distinguish it from any previous declaration.
15.8.5 Where a pilot makes a late goal declaration his penalty shall be 100 points for every minute or part thereof after the declaration time published for the task. The timekeeper will close the declaration box precisely at the declaration time, and will accept late goal declaration, writing the time in minutes and seconds on each. Any delay caused by this procedure will not be grounds for protest.
15.8.6 If a pilot is permitted to declare more than one goal he will be scored to the goal nearest his mark.
15.9 JUDGE DECLARED GOAL
15.9.1 Each competitor will fly from the Launch Site and attempt to drop a marker or land close to a Goal set by the officials.
15.9.2 Briefing Data:
a. Goal(s)
b. Period of target display, if applicable
15.9.3 If multiple goals are chosen, the pilot will be scored to the nearest goal.
15.9.4 No landing is permitted within 100 meters of a goal or target, unless making a contest landing.
15.10 FLY ON
15.10.1 A supplementary task where a competitor declares a second goal to which he flies after dropping his marker in another task.
15.10.2 For scoring purposes, a competitor's measurement, being the distance from the marker or landing position to the selected goal, is divided by the distance between the previous mark and the selected goal. The ratio of the two measurements is the competitor's result. The lowest ratio is best.
15.10.3 Briefing Data:
a. Minimum distance between first mark and second goal
b. Maximum distance between first mark and second goal
15.10.4 The competitor shall write clearly on the first marker his declared goal for the fly on. If there is no legible goal on the recovered marker, the competitor will not achieve a result in the fly on.
15.10.5 As a precaution, in case the previous marker should be lost, the competitor may write a provisional goal on the observer's score sheet. He will be scored to this goal if the previous marker is lost, but if it is found then the provisional declaration is of no effect. The competitor may make or revise his declaration at any time up to the release of the first marker. A verbal declaration is of no effect and will not be recorded.
15.10.6 No landing is permitted within 500 meters of the second mark.
15.11 COMBINATION OF TASKS
Tasks may be combined for an event if they are not mutually incompatible, except for Distance (15.2) and Duration (15.5). Each task will be scored separately. Markers and observers must be used for the first task.
APPENDIX A
Rule 12.1.2
1. If a Pilot Declared Goal or Fly On task is flown in a remote area, the Director may allow pilots to declare a goal as a point on a minor road, a certain number of kilometres from an intersection that is marked on a Sectional Chart.
2. The centre of an airport used for a goal shall be as follows:
a. If there is only one runway, the centre point of that runway
b. If there are two intersecting runways, the intersection point of the runways.
c. If there are three runways forming a triangle, the centre point of the triangle.
d. If there is any other configuration of runways, the centre point shall be the centre of
the smallest circle which will encompass all of the runways
e. All runways actually in existence shall be included in determining the centre point.
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)