Sierra Nevada Open
Distance Hang Gliding Championships 2003
8:00 am to 9:00 am Pilot Registration, Washoe County
Park (Park fee required)
9:00
am Pilots Meeting, Washoe County Park
9:00
am Pilots Meeting, Washoe County Park (Park fee required)
9:00
am Pilots Meeting, Washoe County Park (Park fee required)
BBQ
at Washoe County Park
10:00
am Awards Ceremony, Washoe County Park
A route committee
consisting of the meet director and three competitors will determine the route
for the day. The day’s task will be
declared at the end of the mornings pilot meeting. The decision is based on the upper air forecasts and will be
(generally) the most downwind route. If
a consensus is not reached by 10:30 am the meet director will select the
route. New routes may be opened as
dictated by the conditions or alternate launches.
The rules committee will handle disqualifications,
grievances, cheaters, complaints, whiners, and other weighty matters. If consensus cannot be reached by the rules
committee, the issue will be resolved by the meet director.
Pilots
can choose between an OPEN and a RECREATION (75 mile) class. Entry to the Recreation Class is restricted
to those pilots who have NEVER had a flight over 75 miles (prior to
registration). First through third
place trophies will be awarded in each class.
All pilots flying during the Meet must have current USHGA membership for
insurance purposes, including free flyers.
The two primary launches that are expected to be used are Slide Mountain and McClellan. All attempts will be made to have two launch crews available so that a pilot can choose which site he or she wants to launch from and dependant upon weather conditions. If at the 9:00 am pilots meeting it is determined that only one launch crew is available then only one launch will be designated for that particular day.
A pilot, just prior to launch, will notify a launch
crewmember and give him or her the pilots # to qualify for a valid flight. Multiple flights are permitted but only one
flight will be admitted for the results.
The launch window will be open until 6:00 PM unless the meet director
closes the launch window for impeding weather conditions.
Free flyers are welcome but will have to coordinate
with the launch crewmembers. Free
flyers will not be scored and they are expected to not interfere with the
competition.
Slide Mountain launch faces to the east. Generally speaking launches can be made when
the wind is light from the northeast to the southeast. The prevailing winds are from the southwest
and great care must be taken to prevent launching into a rotor. Afternoon conditions are typical mountain
flying with turbulence and sink accompanying strong lift. Bail out landing is 3 miles to the
east. Another area to land is directly
to the west up and over the top of Slide Mountain commonly referred to as the
Meadows (nicknamed as Aluminum Ally).
When landing in the Meadows be aware of altitude density especially on
hot summer days. Top landings at the
uphill ski slope are doable but not recommended. Parking, launching, and the setup area is very restricted. It is preferable to have as many pilots as
possible to load up on one vehicle to go to this launch. One
lane of the road must be clear at all times. No vehicle should be parked on
the west side of the road. No glider or
parts thereof should be to the west of the centerline of the road. When crowded conditions prevail at launch,
pilots who have signed up for the meet earlier than others will have
preference. Also pilots will have 3
minutes to launch starting from the time the launch crew sees favorable launch
conditions. For example,: pilot #45 is
on the east launch, pilots #35 and #23 are lined up behind the launching
pilot. Pilot #8 sees superb conditions
and is permitted to move in front of pilots #35 and #23 provided that the pilot
is hooked in and ready to launch. If the launch crew starts the timer for
pilot #45 this pilot has 3 minutes on which to launch. If
the conditions are not suitable or the pilot is not comfortable launching in
that 3 minute time frame that pilot must move off of launch allowing the next
pilot in line a chance to launch.
McClellan
McClellan launch faces to the west. Generally speaking launches can be made when
the wind is from the west to the southwest.
The prevailing southwest winds pickup in the afternoon and there is
usually a window of opportunity that as the winds are filling into Washoe
Valley they trigger thermals to get up and away from McClellan. If the winds pick up in the 20 to 25 mph the
air becomes laminar and it becomes difficult to go cross county. One route to
consider if this happens is to fly south and go around the mountain. Conditions
are typical mountain flying with turbulence and sink accompanying by strong
lift. Sufficient altitude is needed to
go over McClellan since very few landing zones exist close to launch going over
the back. The bail out landing zone is
the Washoe County Park. If the winds
become too strong it can be difficult to make even the bail out landing zone. Parking and the setup area is huge. Be aware under thermal conditions that dust
devils do tear through the setup area. When crowded conditions prevail at
launch, pilots who have signed up for the meet earlier than others will have
preference. Also pilots will have 3
minutes to launch starting from the
time the launch crew sees favorable launch conditions. For example,: pilot #45 is on launch, pilots
#35 and #23 are lined up behind the launching pilot. Pilot #8 sees superb conditions and is permitted to move in front
of pilots #35 and #23 provided that the pilot is hooked in and ready to launch.
If the launch crew starts the timer for pilot #45 this pilot has 3
minutes on which to launch. If the conditions are not suitable or the
pilot is not comfortable launching in that 3 minute time frame that pilot must
move off of launch allowing the next pilot in line a chance to launch.
PILOT RESPONSIBILITIES
Pilots are responsible for using their best judgement of
their abilities and conditions to fly in a safe manner and in compliance with
FAR part 103. Pilots will follow
generally accepted right of way and thermal etiquette rules. Please
behave in a courteous and sporting manner at all times. All thermalling turns will be to the
right within one mile of launch. Each pilot is required to do a hang check
immediately prior to launch. Pilots are
expected at all times to use their best judgement of their abilities and
conditions to choose a launch cycle and execute a safe launch.
TASK FORMAT
To maximize fun and mileage, the tasks will be open distance cross country along a declared route. The routes have been flown many times and have proven to be effective cross country routes. To maximize the fairness and validity of the meet, and to ease the scoring and retrieval, all pilots will fly the same route each day and must land within the designated corridor within the first 150 miles. Pilots landing outside of the corridor will be penalized the total distance flown unless the pilot lands greater than 150 miles. Pilots flying outside of the corridor will not be penalized only those that land outside of the corridor. The Route Committee will attempt to pick the optimal route based on the days conditions. As always it is the pilots responsibility to fly safely and terminate the flight as dictated by changing and/or dangerous conditions.
SCORING
Scoring will be based on straight line distance from launch to landing along the designated route. Reflights are allowed. Only one flight per day will be scored subject to the following:
For ease of scoring, “map miles will be used to determine scores. Flights must be over 1.0 mile and terminate within the designated corridor. Pilots landing outside the corridor will receive a penalty equal to 5X the distance outside the corridor. Scoring is one point per mile for all flights longer than 5 miles. Pilots are responsible for getting witnessed odometer readings to both the nearest mile marker and intersection or town. Anyone, including your driver, can be your witness. The better your landing confirmation (the best would be by a fellow competitor) the less likely that there would be any way to dispute your claim. The honor system will be used and the witness does not have to view the actual touch down. A pilot’s word is assumed good unless disputed by at least two other witnesses. The rules committee will determine scores for questionable flights.
A more precise distance and scoring can be achieved if a Global Positioning (GPS) device is used. It is preferable to have the GPS programmed using the WGS 1984 Datum. Example N39deg 20.468’ W119deg 46.725’. If a pilot does not have a GPS but is picked up by a driver or other pilots who do have a GPS it is suggested that they take a position reading for that pilot.
Daily Score = Flight Distance (handicapped)
Handicap Chart
Glider
Description L/D Miles flown Multiplier Score
Single Surface 7:1 100 X 1.25 125 miles
Kingposted
Double surface 11:1 100 X 1.00 100 miles
Topless 13:1 100 X 0.89 89 miles
Rigid Wing 16:1 100 X 0.81 81 miles
Pilots may call in their GPS coordinates but they must speak to a real person. Leaving a message does not qualify. No phone coordinates will be accepted after 9:30 PM.
All Pilots MUST still submit a landing form at the next mornings pilot meeting so that a hard copy is referenced. For those pilots who did not call in their position they must submit a landing form and “pin in” one hour before the next mornings pilot meeting. All pilots MUST submit a landing form and “pin in” at least two hours before the awards ceremony.
DECLARING A WINNER
A minimum of one round will be required to declare a winner. As conditions permit, all days will be a competition round. The winner shall be the pilot with the most points at the conclusion of the meet.
RETRIEVAL
To keep entry fees down, no retrieval will be provided by the meet organizers. Pilots should bring their own drivers.
COMMUNICATIONS
Radios are recommended. It is preferred that radios be 2 meter FM. Radio Nazis exist through out the flying area. It is highly recommended that all pilots and drivers be licensed. It is also recommended that pilots and drivers have at least 2 to 3 different frequencies agreed upon prior to launch. It is not uncommon for the Nazis to start jamming frequencies that are used by licensed hang glider pilots. Proper protocol of the use of the ham frequency is also required.
AIR TRAFFIC
Both launches and the routes that are declared are in close proximity to the Reno Tahoe International Airport. Pilots should expect air traffic in any and all directions and at any altitude. Aircraft that can be expected ranges from jetliners, military, helicopters, small planes, and sailplanes. It is best that Hang glider pilots first avoid other aircraft that are in close proximity and then be seen by rolling the glider for greater surface visibility. Pilots who are using the same radio frequency should also declare their visual sitings of other aircraft to the other pilots.
ROUTES
Route 1 North Corridor
Starting from Washoe City on highway 395 north to Alturas CA.
Alternate Spur (pilots choice) Starting from Washoe City on highway 395 north to Doyle, CA. From Doyle, CA northeast across the Smoke Creek Desert to Gerlach. From Gerlach north northeast to Big Mountain (8508 feet). This alternate spur is a test on the driver and pilot. There are few discernable landmarks to convey to each other. Roads can be poor to non-existent. Driving across the playa can have unseen hazards for the inexperienced. Spare tires are necessary and fuel levels need to be monitored.
Route 2 East Corridor
Starting from Virginia City heading due east to highway
50. Highway 50 to
Silver Springs. From Silver Springs
heading north east to Hazen. From Hazen
almost due north to Interstate 80 Nightingale exit (Brady Hot Springs). The remainder of the corridor follows
Interstate 80 to a distance of 150 miles from which ever launch the pilot
chooses to launch from.
Route 3 South Corridor
Starting from the East Lake exit on Highway 395 at the south end of Washoe Lake heading south along 395 to Minden. From Minden south along highway 88 to the California Nevada state line. From the state line southeast back to Highway 395. The remainder of the corridor follows 395 to a distance150 miles from whichever launch the pilot chooses to launch from.