Letter prompts CIVL to actively review Jury and Accident procedures

Following a letter from French team pilot, Vincent Sprungli expressing his concern over the experience of some Jury members and incidents at the 1997 Paragliding World Championships and 1996 Paragliding European Championships, CIVL (Commission Internationale de Vol Libre) have considered and are actively reviewing the issues raised.

Organisers weaknesses and faults

Generally at Continental and World Championships it will be the first time the Meet Director has organised an event of this calibre. The Stewards role is to make sure the event is of Championship standard. However, currently the Steward's role is only advisory. If the Meet Director choses to ignore that advice (s)he is totally within their rights! The Steward can then bring the incident to the attention of the Jury, however the Jury can ONLY take action if a protest is received!

Following events at the 1997 Paragliding World Championships CIVL are:

• formalising the training of Stewards and Jury Members
• sending the Steward to the 'pre' Championship event, so (s)he can identify weaknesses and make recommendations etc
• involving the Steward in the discussion of the Local Regulations
• reviewing the role and power of the Jury and Steward
• will shortly be publishing a handbook of guidelines for organisers of World and Continental Championships.

Inexperienced Jury Members

To address the issue of what Vincent described as 'inexperienced' Jury members, a Jury and Steward Training session, will be run by Dennis Pagen at the forthcoming CIVL Plenary Meeting in Lisbon (March 1998). This training session will be an annual event. CIVL hope that this will address the majority of typical issues that Jury members are expected to make decisions on.

A Jury and Steward handbook was published in 1997 by CIVL (available on request from FAI). In addition to this CIVL are currently compiling a historical list of Protests and subsequent Jury Decisions which will become an addendum to the Handbook. This will enable Jury members, when assessing a protest, to refer to relevant past decisions.

Accident Procedures

With regard to the accident procedures CIVL and the PWCA are working in collaboration to establish formal procedures and obligations of the rescuing pilot(s) (the PWC have already introduced this on a card). In addition CIVL are looking at formalising a ruling on the scoring for pilots who assist at an accident.

CIVL always welcome feedback from pilots, which in the first instance should be addressed to their national delegate (the list is available on the FAI website at http://www.fai.org/directory/delegates.asp?id=16)

Access to the FAI Web Site is governed by the terms and conditions which can be read by clicking here