6.2 Specialists

The specialist reports were made available on the FAI web-site before the meeting. The Specialists did not go through their reports, but were available for questions.

• Baron Hilton Soaring Cup Report
  
  Mr Hannes Linke added to the written report that no flights were received from Japan and New Zealand. The 2005 event will be during the centenary week, and he confirmed that the Baron Hilton flights will be registered as Centenary flights.

• CASI Report (Air Sports Commissions)
  
  Mr Henderson had nothing to add to the written report.

• Environmental Commission Report
  
  Mr Bernald Smith tabled the report during the meeting and noted that Europe is way ahead of the rest of the world on environmental protection. It was noted that the FAI Environmental Commission had requested financial support from the FAI.

• On-Line Contest Report
  
  Mr Axel Reich apologised for the absence of Mr. Reiner Rose, who was sick and therefore unable to attend the meeting, and give the presentation on the German OLC as scheduled. The presentation would be given by Mr. Oliver Rennert, who also works with the OLC. Mr. Reich mentioned that it would be useful to share web addresses between the many national on-line competitions.

• Simulated Gliding Report
  
  Mr Roland Stuck mentioned Silent Wings, a new programme that was one of the best simulations he had seen so far.
  
  
  Mr Mogens Hansen, Danish delegate, asked if we have any evidence that simulated gliding brings new members. Mr Stuck answered that no statistical information existed, but there are clubs in e.g. France that attract very young people with simulators, for instance at exhibitions. Prof. Ryder mentioned, supported by several delegates, that they had positive experiences that glider simulators can create interest for the real sport.
  
  
  It was proposed by Mr Henderson to install simulators in an old fuselage to create an even more realistic environment.
  
  
  BGA has one simulator used for exhibitions and will build a second one.
  
  
  Mr Bruno Ramseier reported that Ireland had succeeded in bringing simulator pilots into real gliders.
  
  
  Mr Hansen proposed an action to formalise this. How do we get sim pilots in the air? This was agreed as an action for the specialist.

• IGC Ranking List Report
  
  Mr Brian Spreckley reported that more and more competitions were part of the ranking system, and that visits to the ranking list web site were 12 % higher in 2004 than the previous year.
  
  
  A couple of important competitions are still missing. We would like to have them on the Ranking List. Mr. John Coutts, presently no 1 on the IGC Ranking List, was present at the meeting, and Mr Henderson told the delegates that Mr Coutts receives support from the New Zealand government due to his 1st place ranking.
  
  
  Junior competitions can be entered for free, so they should all be there, Mr Spreckley said.
  
  
  Mr Reich explained that many German gliding clubs have difficulties seeing any added value from the list, and therefore do not enter their competitions.
  
  
  Mr. Vladimir Foltin said that in Slovakia they strongly urge clubs to enter competitions on the IGC Ranking List.
  
  
  Mr Spreckley asked the NACs to more actively support the Ranking list.