The rules and regulations for the Coupe consist of:
These competition rules
Rules laid down in the April 1980 meeting of the CIA
FAI Sporting Code
1.1 TITLE
This event shall be known as <* name of event *>
1.2 OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Coupe are:
The winner shall be the team covering the greatest distance.
1.4 ORGANISERS
The Coupe is organised by <* name of organiser *>.
1.5 CORRESPONDENCE
All entries and official correspondence should be addressed to:
The Coupe will be held in <* name of location *>
The Coupe will be held on <* dates *>
1.8 TIME
All times before launch in Local Time. Launch Time and all times after that in UTC
1.9 LANGUAGE
The official language of the Coupe shall be English
1.10 DOCUMENTS
The following documents will be inspected when pilots register on arrival at the Coupe:
2.1 PARTICIPATION
The Coupe is open to all NACs which have met their obligations to the FAI. Each NAC may nominate up to three balloon teams, each consisting of not less than two pilots who must have the nationality of the NAC having entered them. The NAC must nominate the pilot in command for each aerostat entered, and this person will be responsible during the whole flight. He or she will be mentioned first in the official reports.
2.2 PILOT LICENSES AND EXPERIENCE
Both pilots must hold a valid license for balloon pilots, established by the country entering them, and an FAI Sporting License with a current FAI stamp, issued by their NAC. Pilots must either hold a passport or an identity card from the country entering them. The pilot in command must have been authorised to be pilot in command of a gas balloon for at least twelve months prior to the start of the Coupe and must have had at least 50 hours experience as pilot in command and must be authorised to fly at night.
At least one of the two pilots must be a holder of a valid radio operator's license and be able to communicate with Air Traffic Control in English and have sufficient experience in operating the navigation aids.
2.3 ENTRY FEE
The entry fee for all participants is <* amount *>. The
fee and the completed entry form must reach the organiser by the
closing entry date (2.4).
The entry fee includes <* list items included *>.
2.4 CLOSING ENTRY DATE
The closing entry date for the Coupe is <* date *>.
2.5 ACCEPTANCE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
Pilots and their crews are required to know, understand, accept and abide by the Sporting Code and the rules and regulations for the Coupe.
2.6 WAIVER
By entering the Coupe the pilots waive any right of action against the organiser, the owner of any site and their respective members, employees or personnel for any loss or damage sustained by him in consequence of any act or omission on their part or on the part of other pilots.
The organisers reserve all rights concerning media reports and the selling of balloon mail and all other products.
2.7 INSURANCE
Pilots must provide proof that their balloons are insured for
at least <* amount *> for third party liability during the
Coupe.
Insurance can <* not *> be bought from the organiser.
3.1 DEFINITION OF A BALLOON
For the Coupe a gas balloon is defined as an aircraft lighter than air, supported statically in the air, with no means of propulsion by any power source and which obtains the buoyancy solely as a result of the difference in weight of the lifting gas and the surrounding air.
In modification of the 1980 Rules, Article 6, only gas balloons with a maximum capacity of 1000 cubic metres may participate in the Coupe. A tolerance of 5% is allowed.
3.2 AIRWORTHINESS
Aerostats flown in the Coupe must have current certificates of registration and airworthiness, or in place of the latter, 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.
3.3 HIRED BALLOON
Pilots may enter balloons hired in another country.
3.4 FLAGS
Each balloon must bear the national flag of the pilot's country, measuring not less than 1 x 1 meter in size.
3.5 BALLAST
Only water or fine sand may be used as ballast. Jettison of solid matters, instruments, batteries and the envelope at landing is prohibited and leads to disqualification.
3.6 TRANSPORT
Transport of the balloon to the starting field in <* name of place *> and after landing to the home city of the balloon is at the expense and responsibility of the pilots. Balloons should be at the starting field by <* date *>.
4.1 FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS
Each balloon must carry at least;
There is no restriction in the use of navigation aids and flight control instruments. Every balloon must be equipped with sufficient oxygen and appropriate distribution system to be used at altitudes greater then 12,000 feet MSL. Barographs shall have a rotation time of not less than 8 hours and altitude registration sufficient to record every altitude the balloon may reach or shall be of similar type and approved by the Competition Director. Barographs must have means to be sealed. Faulty barographs may lead to disqualification.
4.2 OTHER EQUIPMENT
Every balloon must be equipped with a filling hose 20 meters long and with a diameter of at least <* size *> and with the necessary amount of sand bags for inflation and flight. At launch each balloon must carry at least 5 gallons of water for ballast over airports, highways or other sensitive areas.
4.3 MAPS
The official competition map will be the <* name of map *>. Maps will be available from the organiser.
4.4 BALLOON MEISTER
The competitors are responsible for making their own arrangements for balloon meisters.
5.1 TYPE AND PURPOSE OF RACE
The race is a First Category Event of the FAI and consists of a distance flight. The final classification will be based on the greatest distance covered. The distance will be measured by determination of the arc of the great circle in accordance with the General Section of the FAI Sporting Code.
5.2 HOLDER OF COUPE
The nationality of the team who wins the race determines the NAC which will hold the Coupe the following year.
5.3 PUBLICATION OF RESULTS AND PRIZEGIVING
The results will be published two days after landing of the last balloon. The prizes will be given at the awards ceremony.
6.1 FLIGHT CONDITIONS
All flights will be carried out under Visual Flight Rules.
6.2 LAUNCH
Weather permitting the balloons will launch on <* date *> after <* time *>. The order of departure will be decided by two separate draws according to Article 8 of the General Rules (1980), a delay to <* date *> or later will be used if necessary to assure a safe and successful race. All balloons will launch within a time window fixed by the Competition Director. The Launchmaster will give each crew permission to launch with the words ' you are clear to take-off'.
Permission to launch does not relieve the pilots of complete responsibility for his take-off, including adequate lift to clear all obstacles and other balloons and to continue safely in flight.
If a pilot is not ready for take-off at the appointed time, he shall move to the end of the launch order.
6.3 FLIGHT INTERRUPTIONS AND GROUND CONTACT
Intermediate landings and contact with the ground or water surface or anything resting on or attached to the ground are not allowed. Nothing may be added or taken away from the balloon. No person may leave or enter the basket. Trailing of the trail rope immediately before the landing will not be considered as ground contact.
6.4 AIRSPACE
Pilots must be familiar with and abide by <* appropriate authority *> regulations.
6.5 PENALTIES
A crew who deliberately attempts to deceive or mislead the observers or other officials or who interferes with another crew or their property or who gain an advantage by infringing a rule for which a penalty is not specified will be penalised. The penalty may be disqualification from the Coupe or a reduction in distance.
The Competition Director may attend meetings of the International Jury and give evidence.
7.1 LANDING
The point of landing will be the spot where the basket or the gondola comes to rest on the ground or anything attached to the ground. landing on lakes or seas will lead to disqualification unless the pilot can prove that the balloon was unable to reach solid ground without external assistance.
7.2 CALCULATION OF LANDING POSITION
The point of landing will be defined by the geographic co-ordinates in degrees and minutes longitude and latitude.
8.1 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 the flight. He also has the duty to report 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.
8.2 APPOINTMENT
At the General Briefing an observer will be appointed to each team.
8.3 ASSISTANCE
An observer may not assist the competitor with advice at any time. He should not attempt, and is not qualified, to amplify, explain or interpret the rules to a competitor. If he wishes, and is invited by the competitor, he may assist in the ground handling and inflation.
8.4 OBSERVER ON RETRIEVE
The observer will occupy a seat with a window in the retrieve vehicle. He may not drive the vehicle. He may assist with map reading during the retrieve if asked to do so by the crew, and at their responsibility.
It is the duty of the pilot and crew to convey the observer back to the competition centre after measurement of the landing point and recovery of the balloon.
In the event that the team does not return to <* location of event *> immediately after landing, they may convey the observer back to the competition centre by public transportation. The sealed barograph (or trace which has been removed from the barograph in the presence of the observer) and the landing report should be returned with the observer. The cost of food and lodging and any transportation for the observer is the responsibility of the pilot.
9.1 COMPLAINT
Complaints concerning any matter should be made to the Director at the Competition Centre. Complaints should be in writing in English and will receive a written reply.
9.2 PROTEST
If dissatisfied with the Director's reply to a complaint, a competitor has the right to make a protest to the International Jury. Protests should be handed in at the Competition Centre to an official who will record the time of receipt. Protests shall be accompanied by a deposit of <* amount *>.
A competitor presenting a protest may make a verbal presentation of his case in addition to his written statement. The verbal presentation may not exceed fifteen minutes, except by leave of the Jury. A competitor not fluent in English may be assisted by an interpreter.
The deposit will be returned only when the protest is upheld.
9.3 TIME LIMIT
The time limit for complaints and protests is 10.00 hours on <* date *> or four hours after publication of results, whichever is later. Protests must be handed in within two hours of reply to a complaint.
10.1 The balloon and other property of a competitor shall be at the risk of the competitor at all times. By entering the Coupe a competitor agrees to waive all claim for injury to himself or loss or damage to his property.
10.2 By entering the Coupe a competitor assumes all liability for injury, loss or damage to third parties or their property and agrees to indemnify the organisers in respect thereof.
10.3 A competitor remains 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 experience are suitable for the conditions in his own judgement.
10.4 All meteorological reports and forecasts and other safety or navigational information is provided in good faith for the guidance of competitors. Officials will be appointed to regulate the inflation and launching of balloons.
I. ORIGIN AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES
ARTICLE 1:
With a view to maintaining the tradition of the free balloon race entrusted in 1905 by Mr. James Gordon Bennett to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, it is agreed that the challenge will continue to be run under the name of "Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett".
ARTICLE 2:
This challenge, which will be a distance race, shall conform with the FAI Sporting Code and the provisions of the present rules.
ARTICLE 3:
Only the General Conference of the FAI, on recommendation from the International Aeronautical Sporting Committee, may amend the present rules.
ARTICLE 4:
It is the responsibility of the NAC holding the challenge to organise the competition in its country. However, if for any reason this NAC renounces its prerogative, the FAI may entrust the organisation of the event to another NAC. A preference will be given to the previous holder.
If the holder renounces the organisation of the race, it should inform the FAI Secretariat within two months following the competition in which it was the winner.
The organising NAC shall inform the FAI Secretariat of the new competition six months in advance of the date of the new competition. The NAC organising the race shall be responsible for all costs of the event.
ARTICLE 5:
Only NAC members of the FAI shall be able to participate in the race for the Challenge Cup. They may not enter more than three balloons each.
II. GENERAL RULES
ARTICLE 6: BALLOON CATEGORIES
Only gas balloons with a maximum capacity of 1200 cubic meters may participate in the Challenge Cup. A tolerance of 5% is allowed. All balloons, whatever their capacity shall be filled with gas having the same specific weight and the same chemical composition. Pressurisation of the balloon to maintain a constant density altitude shall not be permitted.
ARTICLE 7: THE CREW
During the entire duration of the race, the crew for each balloon shall be composed of no less than two persons. The pilots shall be of the nationality of the NAC having entered them.
ARTICLE 8: DEPARTURE
The order of departure will be decided by two separate draws. The first will fix the order of departure of the NACs. The second will fix the order of departure of the different balloons of each NAC. The balloons will depart in the following order:
ARTICLE 9: CLASSIFICATION
The final classification will be based on the greater distance covered. The distance shall be measured by the determination of the arc of the great circle, in accordance with the General Section of the FAI Sporting Code.
III. SPECIAL RULES
ARTICLE 10:
The organising NAC shall publish the special rules at least six months before the date of the race.
ARTICLE 11:
The special rules shall indicate:
ARTICLE 12:
The organising NAC shall decide on the awarding of the Challenge Cup. The results shall in principle be circulated within 15 days after departure. The prize shall be given to the winner in the month following the publication of the results.
ARTICLE 13:
The NAC whose team wins the race will be the holder of the Challenge Cup for one year. An NAC shall become the final holder of the cup after winning three consecutive races.
ARTICLE 14:
For the race to be considered as valid a minimum of three countries shall be entered.
ARTICLE 15:
If an NAC holder of the Cup disappears or ceases to be a member of the FAI, the Challenge Cup shall be handed over to the FAI Headquarters.
V. THE OFFER OF A NEW CHALLENGE CUP
ARTICLE 16:
The NAC which becomes the final holder of the challenge cup has the right to offer a new Cup. If within one month this NAC has not informed the FAI of its intention to use this right, the FAI may accept a new Cup from another NAC or another source.
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