The classes shall be launched in separate groups. The complete grid order shall be drawn by lot before the first flying day.
a. The grid order shall advance progressively by 2/7 of the number of sailplanes in each class; or by entire rows provided that there are approximately 2/7 of the sailplanes in each class allocated to each row, after each Championship Day.
b. The grid order shall be published in the early morning. Sailplanes must be on the grid at the time specified by the Organisers.
c. Only sailplanes on the grid at the time of the start of the launch shall affect the opening and/ or closing times of the start.
d. The Organisers shall state in the Local Procedures whether water ballast may be discharged on the grid, and any required control of the discharge.
a. The Contest Site Boundary defines the geographical area, or areas, near the departure airfield and the start points, within which a competitor may land and be entitled to another launch.
b. The Release Area is defined as a geographical area within which the glider must be released from the tow plane or the MoP must be shut down for a motor glider.
7.2.2 Contest Site Boundaries Contest site boundaries shall be designated by the Organisers and displayed on a map.
a. The Organisers shall designate a re-landing area which shall be shown at briefing.
b. A competitor landing outside the contest site boundaries after a regular launch shall not have any further competition launch on that day.
7.2.3 Launching Period The launching period shall be announced at briefing and given on the task sheet. The end of the launching period shall be before finishers are expected. If the Organisers delay the start of launching, other relevant times shall be delayed accordingly or the day cancelled.
The launch should be organised so that the time to launch the class is as short as possible. Competitors should not be refused a launch if they are ready to launch prior to the end of the launch period.
a. Once launching has started, the Organisers may suspend towing if it is dangerous to continue. If the suspension is sufficiently long to give an unfair advantage to those already airborne, the Championship Director shall cancel the task.
b. The Organisers may delay or cancel the opening of the start gate if they consider that the conditions are not suitable for the task to be flown safely. A task shall not be cancelled unless 7.2.4a. applies, or the weather deteriorates so that the task may not reasonably be attempted.
7.3.1 Number of Launches Each sailplane is permitted a maximum of three launches per day.
a. If a sailplane or pilot is not ready to be launched due to a fault by the Organisers, the launch in that group shall not be started.
b. If a pilot postpones his first launch on his own initiative, or he is not ready when his turn comes up, he shall lose that launch.
c. A competitor requiring a second or third launch shall be launched after the completion of the group launch in progress at the time the competitor is ready for such a launch.
d. A failed take-off or a failure of the towplane resulting in jettisoning or premature release of a sailplane shall count as an official launch if the pilot elects to stay airborne. It shall not count as an official launch if the pilot lands immediately, even if outside the contest site boundaries, and reports to the launch point without delay.
7.3.2 Motor Gliders Motor gliders may self launch or launch by aero tow. The Organisers shall describe the launch procedures in the Local Procedures.
a. If they self launch their MoP must be shut down in the designated release area below the maximum release altitude. Refer to 5.4d.
b. If they require a second launch for a start, they must land prior to taking the new launch, otherwise they will be scored to the position at which they started their MoP.
7.3.3 Release Areas Towing patterns, release areas, and release height or altitude shall be given at Briefing.
a. The release areas shall be separated by at least 5 Km and a release area shall only be used by one group at a time. A release area may be used by a subsequent group once the start gate for the initial group in that same area has opened.
b. Pilots shall not release until after the tow pilot has rocked the wings of the towplane. Pull-ups before releasing are prohibited.
The Organisers may establish areas around the contest site within which continuous circling is prohibited or is permitted in one direction only. These areas must be stated in the Local Procedures.
c. The Organisers shall ensure that the release areas and the release altitudes for launching are selected to enable competitors to land safely for a relaunch prior to the start, after allowing adequate time and altitude to search for lift after release, within the confines of the designated contest site boundaries.
a. Start Point - is the center of the start ring, start line, assigned start point, or selected start point used by the competitor, as appropriate.
The first leg distance is assessed from the Start Point to first Turn Point or Assigned Area, except that, if option (a) - Start Ring is used, the first leg distance is from the center of the start ring to the first Turn Point or Assigned Area minus the radius of the start ring.
b. Start Time - is the time the competitor leaves the start ring or start point, or crosses the start line, except that if Start Times are assigned, the Start Time shall be the assigned time.
7.4.2 Start Options The Organisers shall select one start procedure for every task, but not more than two during the competition, from the following options. The Start Options selected for the Championship shall be stated in the Local Procedures. The options are:
a. Start Ring An area, formed by a circle around a start point, the defined radius being sufficient to encompassing the departure airfield and all release areas.
b. Start Line
(i) A straight line, of defined length, perpendicular to the track to the first Turn Point, or the center of first Assigned Area, or
(ii) An arc, of defined length, at a constant distance from the first Turn Point or the center of first Assigned Area.
c. Assigned Start Point Multiple start areas, defined by circles of 0.5 km radius around each start point. Each pilot shall be allocated a specific start point each day.
d. Optional Start Point Multiple groups of start areas, defined by circles of 0.5 Km radius around each start point. Each pilot shall be allocated one start group each day and shall select one of the start areas in this group.
Organisers may use Start Options a, c and d for all Tasks and Start Option b for Racing Tasks and Speed and Distance Tasks using Assigned Areas.
Organisers may only use Start Option b for Pilot Selected Speed and Distance Tasks if a mandatory first Turn Point is set.
7.4.3 Starting Procedures The start shall normally be opened 20 minutes after the take-off of the last sailplane in the class, which was in its specified grid position on time.
a. Opening of the start shall be announced by radio. The radio procedures for announcing the start shall be detailed in the Local Procedures.
b. A maximum altitude, expressed in QNH, shall be imposed prior to the opening of the start gate and shall be announced by the Organisers. The Organisers must describe the altitude procedures before starts in the Local Procedures. The altitude(s) shall be specified at the briefing and at the time of opening the start gate the Organisers may:
(i) Keep the altitude limit unchanged; or,
(ii) Raise the altitude limit to an altitude at least 300 m below the main cloud base; or,
(iii) Delete the altitude limit.
a. A Start is valid if the GNSS FR shows a valid fix or a straight line between two subsequent valid fixes crossing the Start Line.
b. If start option (c) is used, a valid start at an incorrect start point may be penalised.
c. If there is no proof that the competitor had a valid start after the opening of the start in his class, the start may nevertheless be validated if the competitor was within 500 m of the start line or the boundary of the start zone after the opening of the start. The start position and the start time will be derived from the closest GNSS fix, but a penalty shall be applied. If no such event is detected the competitor shall be deemed to not have a valid start.
7.4.5 Event Marker The Organisers shall state in the Local Procedures if they require the event marker to be used for marking the starts. If the event marker is to be used:
a. A minimum interval of at least 15 minutes is imposed between two consecutive starts for each competitor. The Organisers may set a longer time interval or allow only a single start.
b. A start is valid only if an event mark is recorded by the GNSS at any time after the opening of the start gate and before the start.
c. A subsequent start is invalid if:
(i) Only a single start is allowed,
(ii) The interval between the preceding start and the subsequent start is less than the minimum interval stated by the Organisers, or
(iii) No event mark is has been recorded since the last valid start.
d. If no start has been marked the competitor’s last completed start shall be validated as a start but a time penalty of 15 minutes shall be added to the competitor’s Marking Time.
7.4.6 New Starts A new valid start invalidates all previous performances of the day. Crossing a start line after passing through the observation zone of a turn point or an assigned area is not deemed to be a start unless the crossing time correlates with the pilot nominated start time (see 7.4.7).
A new takeoff does not invalidate the previous Start, if a valid start had been recorded.
7.4.7 Communication of Start Times Pilots shall communicate their start times to the Organisers within 30 minutes of their last valid start to an accuracy of two minutes and the Organisers shall publish starting times as quickly as possible. These times shall be used for display of performance and for preliminary results. Penalties may be given for non-compliance or incorrect notification.
An inaccurate start time should not be penalised if the cause of the error is due to an incomplete start, provided a previous start was correctly recorded and notified.
7.5.1 The Observation Zone for a GNSS Turn Point shall be a cylinder of radius 0.5 km, centered on the turn point.
7.5.2 An Assigned Area shall be formed by:
a. A circle of a given radius, centred on the central GNSS position, or
b. Two radials originating at the competition site, or any other designated point, intersecting with arcs located between a minimum and/ or maximum distance from the site or from the designated point, with the central GNSS position lying on the bisector of the radials halfway between the minimum and maximum defined distances.
The edge or boundary of the Assigned Area should lie within the defined Contest Area Boundary.
7.5.3 Organisers must avoid setting Turn Points or Assigned Areas close to Start Points. Assigned Areas that follow one another must not overlap.
Note that the last Assigned Area in a task may enclose the finish, if the finish ring is used.
7.5.4 A Turn Point or Area rounding is valid if the GNSS FR shows a valid fix or a straight line between two subsequent valid fixes within the Observation Zone.
7.5.5 If there is no proof that the competitor passed through the Observation Zone the rounding of the Turn Point or Assigned Area may be validated if the competitor was within 500 m of the boundary of the Observation Zone, but a penalty shall be applied.
7.6.1 Contest Area Boundary The Contest Area Boundary is defined by a line joining the geographical bounds of the contest area and includes all designated Turn Points and Assigned Areas. For distance tasks, and in the case of an outlanding, the Organisers shall score the pilot to the real or virtual outlanding position, inside the contest area boundary, that yields the longest Marking Distance. The Organisers shall define the Contest Area Boundary in the Local Procedures.
The line may be defined by joining geographic points or GNSS coordinates. The Marking Distance includes any penalty applied under 6.3.4.d(v) or 6.3.5.f(ii).
7.6.2 Real Outlandings The position and time of a real outlanding shall be determined from the last valid fix on the GNSS flight record when the aircraft comes to rest, before the starting of the MoP, or before the recorder failure, whichever occurs first.
a. When landing out the competitors shall comply with the instructions given in the Local Procedures. The Organisers shall be informed of an outlanding without delay. Non-compliance shall be penalised.
b. The Organisers shall assist competitors and crews in every possible way to locate outlanded sailplanes.
c. The starting of a motor glider’s MoP, except as allowed by 5.4d, or a complete failure of the GNSS flight record (see 5.4e) is regarded as a real outlanding.
7.6.3 Virtual Outlandings The position and time of a virtual outlanding may be any valid fix on the GNSS flight record preceding a Time-out position (see 6.3.4.c or 6.3.5.e), a real outlanding, or a valid finish.
7.6.4 Aero Tow Retrieves The Local Procedures shall state if aero tow retrieves are permitted, and in what way they will be handled.
7.7.1 Finish Options The Organisers shall select one finish procedure for every task from the following options. The Finish procedures selected for the Championship shall be stated in the Local Procedures. The options are:
a. Finish Line A straight line, of defined length, at the elevation of the airfield clearly identifiable on the ground. The finish line shall be so placed that sailplanes can safely land beyond it. A maximum altitude (QNH) and a minimum height (AGL) should be imposed for crossing the line.
(i) A finish is valid if the sailplane crosses the finish line, unassisted, in the direction specified at briefing.
(ii) Competitors crossing the finish line below the minimum height, except for straight-in landings, or above the maximum altitude, shall be penalised.
(iii) The Organisers may establish a number of final Turn Points (control points) to align the sailplanes with the desired direction of finish.
b. Finish Ring A ring of specified radius around the finish point encompassing the airfield and the landing circuits. Maximum and minimum altitudes (QNH) shall be imposed for crossing the ring. Competitors crossing the finish line below the minimum height, or above the maximum altitude, shall be penalised.
Organisers may use a Finish Line for Racing Tasks and Speed Tasks using Assigned Areas and a Finish Ring for all Tasks.
Organisers may only use a Finish Line for Pilot Selected Speed and Distance Tasks if a mandatory last Turn Point is set.
The Finish Ring is provided to allow the separation of sailplanes arriving from different directions, or in mountainous terrain, or when large gaggles are expected at the finish. It allows each pilot to slow down and concentrate on their circuit procedures and other sailplanes prior to landing.
a. The Goal is the center of the finish line or the finish ring.
The last leg distance is assessed from the defined position of the last Turn Point or Assigned Area, to the Goal, less the radius of the finish ring in option (b).
b. The Finish Time is defined as the time the sailplane first crosses the finish line or finish ring after completing the task.
For competitors on a Assigned Area or Pilot Selected task:
c. A sailplane landing back at the airfield without crossing the finish line shall be deemed to have finished and shall be given as finish time the time at which the glider stopped moving plus five minutes.
a. Competitors shall announce their arrival on the finish line frequency by giving their contest number and the distance to go. The acceptance reply will be the contest number. The Local Procedures shall state the procedure in detail.
All crossings of the finish line should be manually timed to provide finish times for preliminary scoring.
b. The finish officials shall repeatedly announce strength and direction of the wind, together with other significant meteorological data at the contest site.
c. The finish line or finish ring shall be closed at sunset, or when all competitors are accounted for, or at a set time announced at briefing. Competitors still on task after closure of the finish line or finish ring shall be considered as outlanded at the last valid GNSS fix immediately preceding the closure time.
7.8.1 The Local Procedures shall define the landing procedures, and give the radio frequency for landing, which preferably should be the same as the finish line frequency.
7.8.2 Hazardous manoeuvres when approaching and after crossing of the finish line shall be penalised. Having crossed the finish line or finish ring the competitors shall land without delay.
7.8.3 Landing later than the end of legal daylight is not permitted. Non-compliance shall be penalised.
All flight documentation, including GNSS records, list of overflown Turn Points, and outlanding certificates shall be handed in after landing within a period which shall be stated in the Local Procedures. The Organisers may also require back-up documentation within a period stated in the Local Procedures. Non-compliance may be penalised.