1.1 Definition of Flight Terms

1.1.1 SOARING PERFORMANCE The performance during that portion of a glider flight from the START POINT PERFORMANCE to the FINISH POINT. A means of propulsion must not be used during a SOARING PERFORMANCE.

1.1.2 WAY POINT A precisely specified point or point feature on the surface of the earth using a word description and/or a set of coordinates. A WAY POINT may be a START POINT, a TURN POINT, or a FINISH POINT and has an associated
OBSERVATION ZONE.

1.1.3 LEG The straight line between two successive WAY POINTS. The length of a LEG is subject to a correction in the circumstances given in 1.2.11.

1.1.4 COURSE All the LEGS of a SOARING PERFORMANCE.

1.1.5 OBSERVATION ZONE The airspace a lider must enter to verify that a WAY POINT has been reached (see 4.6.2f). A given SOARING PERFORMANCE may use only one type of OBSERVATION ZONE (OZ). The shape of OZ may be either:

a. a SECTOR OZ (1.2.9),or

b. a CYLINDER OZ (1.2.10). This OZ may only be used when a FLIGHT RECORDER (see
1.3.5) is used for verification.

1.1.6 RELEASE POINT The point on the ground vertically below where the glider releases from launch or ceases to use any means of propulsion.

1.1.7 START The beginning of the SOARING PERFORMANCE. It must be either:

a. The release from launch, or stopping the use of any means of propulsion, or

b. Leaving the OBSERVATION ZONE of a START POINT, or

c. Crossing a START LINE.

1.1.8 START POINT The WAY POINT marking the beginning of a SOARING PERFORMANCE. It must be either:

a. The RELEASE POINT, or

b. A WAY POINT declared as a START POINT, or

c. The midpoint of a START LINE.

1.1.9 START LINE A horizontal line one kilometre in length, oriented approximately perpendicular to the first LEG. The midpoint of the line (the START POINT) is at ground
level.

1.1.10 TURN POINT A WAY POINT between two LEGS of a flight.

1.1.11 FINISH The end of the SOARING PERFORMANCE. It occurs on:

a. Landing the glider, or

b. Entering the OBSERVATION ZONE of the FINISH POINT, or

c. Crossing a FINISH LINE, or

d. Starting an MoP.

1.1.12 FINISH POINT The WAY POINT marking the end of a SOARING PERFORMANCE. It is:

a. The point at which the nose of the glider comes to rest without external assistance after landing, or

b. A WAY POINT declared as the FINISH POINT or goal, or

c. The midpoint of a FINISH LINE, or

d. The point at which an MoP is started.

1.1.13 FINISH LINE A horizontal line one kilometre in length, oriented approximately perpendicular to the final LEG. The midpoint of the line (the FINISH POINT) is at ground
level.

1.1.14 GOAL A FINISH POINT specified in a DECLARATION (see 4.3.3).

1.1.15 CLOSED COURSE A flight where the glider is required to return to the START POINT at the finish of the SOARING PERFORMANCE (see 4.3.3).