5.1 Authority

5.1.1 Official Observer appointment

OO are appointed by a National Airsport Control (NAC) on behalf of the FAI and IGC. Directors of contests sanctioned by FAI or a NAC are automatically also OOs for badge or record flights undertaken during a contest.

5.1.2 OO duties

The OO shall, as the FAI and IGC representative, control and certificate the following soaring performances:

a. Record flights and FAI badge flights,

b. Flights in international championships and competitions sanctioned by the FAI,

c. Other soaring performances that NACs may specify and define within their sphere of influence.

5.1.3 Control and certification

a. CONTROL is the observing of takeoff, start, finish and landing and, where applicable, the timing of individual events such as declarations, sealing, installation, removal and unsealing of barographs, flight recorders and cameras, motor glider means of
propulsion and other devices.

b. CERTIFICATION is the checking of evidence and signing of appropriate certificates covering the evidence concerned.

5.1.4 Competence

a. OOs must be knowledgeable in the Code and have the integrity, skill and competence necessary to control and certificate glider and motor glider flights without favour. Before being approved by the NAC, the OO should be given briefing or training appropriate to the duties of an OO.

b. For World Records, the OO must be approved for this role, in writing, by the controlling NAC. Previous satisfactory experience as an OO for FAI badges or National records where flight recorders were used should be required before approval is given. Where more than one OO is involved, an OO with the NAC approval shall oversee and where necessary, certify that the work of other OOs is correctly verified.

(The approved OO may be identified by the title "Senior OO" or similar.)

5.1.5 Geographical area of authority

OOs are entitled to control and certificate flights of gliders and motor gliders in:

a. The country of their own NAC, and

b. In any country and for glider pilots of any nationality, if the country's NAC (the controlling NAC) so permits.

(See Sporting Code General Section 6.4)

c. For World Records, the approved OO must have written authorisation from the NAC controlling the flight. (see 5.1.4 b)

5.1.6 Conflict of interest

(Ref FAI Code of Ethics, http://www.fai.org/documents/otherdocs/code_ethics)

All persons involved in data review and claim approval must ensure the claim is evaluated objectively according to the rules and procedures required by the Sporting Code and conforming to the FAI Code of Ethics.
As such:
a. Official Observers may not act for any record or badge attempt in which they have any financial interest or in which they are pilot or passenger. *

*Ownership of the glider or motor glider shall not be considered "financial interest". The essence is that monetary or other substantial gain shall not depend on the successful certification of the claim by the OO or other individual concerned.

b. No person involved in homologating a world record claim may have any special personal interest in the outcome of that claim.

5.1.7 Violation of duty

In case of violation of duty, the appointment of the OO shall be withdrawn. In addition, negligent certifications or wilful misrepresentations are grounds for disciplinary action by the NAC concerned. (See also 3.0.5)