1.2 Definition of Soaring Measurement Terms

Depending upon the type of flight, the following parameters may be determined to assess a SOARING PERFORMANCE. The requirements for gathering soaring measurements and the precision of measurement are given in Chapter 4.

1.2.1 START TIME The time that the SOARING PERFORMANCE starts.

1.2.2 START ALTITUDE The altitude of the glider above sea level at the START.

1.2.3 FINISH TIME The time that the SOARING PERFORMANCE finishes.

1.2.4 FINISH ALTITUDE The altitude of the glider above sea level at the FINISH.

1.2.5 DURATION The time elapsed between the START TIME and the FINISH TIME.

1.2.6 SPEED The OFFICIAL DISTANCE divided by the DURATION.

1.2.7 LOSS OF HEIGHT The START ALTITUDE minus the FINISH ALTITUDE (see also 1.4.7).

1.2.8 GAIN OF HEIGHT The difference between the maximum altitude and a previous minimum altitude during the SOARING PERFORMANCE.

1.2.9 SECTOR OZ This OBSERVATION ZONE is the airspace above a 90 degree sector with its apex at the WAY POINT. This sector is:

a. For a TURN POINT, symmetrical to and remote from the bisector of the inbound and outbound LEGS of the TURN POINT,

b. For a START POINT, symmetrical to and remote from the outbound LEG,

c. For a FINISH POINT, symmetrical to and remote from the inbound LEG.

1.2.10 CYLINDER OZ This OBSERVATION ZONE is the airspace in a vertical cylinder of 0.5 kilometres radius centred on the WAY POINT.

1.2.11 OZ CORRECTION Each time a LEG rosses a CYLINDER OZ boundary, 0.5 kilometres shall be subtracted from the length of that LEG. This correction does not apply where
FLIGHT RECORDER fixes are used as WAY POINTS in free distance record performances.

1.2.12 HEIGHT PENALTY A distance equal to 100 times the excess over 1000 metres LOSS OF HEIGHT. (See 4.4.2 for how the penalty is applied.)

1.2.13 OFFICIAL DISTANCE The sum of the LEGS, with OZ CORRECTION deducted where applicable, less any applicable HEIGHT PENALTY.