2007 Albert Lea Soaring Contest Welcome to Albert Lea Paul Remde: Contest Manager

2005 Albert Lea Soaring Contest Pilots Meeting Paul Remde: Contest Manager Charlie Miner: Competition Director Phil Schmalz/Leo Benetti Longhini: Operations Directors

Welcome to Albert Lea Safe Contest Safe Contest Fun Contest Fun Contest Learning Experience Learning Experience

Key Personnel Operations Directors: Phil Schmalz & Leo Benetti Longhini Operations Directors: Phil Schmalz & Leo Benetti Longhini Scorer – Rick Green Scorer – Rick Green Weighing Director - Tom Chrisfield Weighing Director - Tom Chrisfield Awards – Paul Remde Awards – Paul Remde Weather – Tom Kelley Weather – Tom Kelley Network Administrator – Eric Strandjord Network Administrator – Eric Strandjord Office Volunteers Office Volunteers Social Events Coordinators: Paul Remde & ??? Social Events Coordinators: Paul Remde & ???

Critical Assembly Check Teach someone the critical assembly items for your glider. Teach someone the critical assembly items for your glider. Have them check those items each time you assemble and initial your wing tape on the left side of the glider/wing junction Have them check those items each time you assemble and initial your wing tape on the left side of the glider/wing junction

Children and Pets They are welcome but… They are welcome but… –Airports are dangerous places with whirling propellers, high-speed landing airplanes, etc. –Educate children and watch them closely. –Keep pets on a leash

No Smoking No smoking at contest meetings or in the contest headquarters hangar No smoking at contest meetings or in the contest headquarters hangar

Airport Overview Car procedures Car procedures –Where to park –When to go back Outhouses Outhouses Tow procedures Tow procedures Runways and patterns Runways and patterns Relights Relights

Airport Overview

Gridding

Gridding

Gridding

Units Distance: Statute Miles Distance: Statute Miles Speed: Statute miles per hour Speed: Statute miles per hour Altitude: Feet AGL Altitude: Feet AGL

Rules Read the rules. Im very serious about that. Read the rules. Im very serious about that. The rules of the contest are an agreement between the contest officials, the pilots and the SSA and are the only way to insure fair and consistent competition. The rules of the contest are an agreement between the contest officials, the pilots and the SSA and are the only way to insure fair and consistent competition.

Task Advisory Committee Assist the CD in the selection of tasks Assist the CD in the selection of tasks –Open Class Nationals: –18 m Nationals: –Region 7 Sports Class:

Contest Competition Committee CD and up to 3 other members appointed by the CD. CD and up to 3 other members appointed by the CD. –Experienced competition pilots –Not competitors Paul Remde Paul Remde ? ?

Valid Contest Open and 18 m Nationals Open and 18 m Nationals –5 Entrants per class whose final score is greater than zero –Minimum of 4 valid competition days Region 7 Region 7 –5 Entrants per class whose final score is greater than zero –Minimum of 2 valid competition days

Buddy System At least 5 pilots that are new to contests At least 5 pilots that are new to contests Match new pilots with experienced pilots Match new pilots with experienced pilots

Daily Safety Talks Monday: Monday: Tuesday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Thursday: Friday: Friday: Saturday: Saturday: Sunday: Sunday: Monday: Monday: Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Thursday:

Weighing Procedures Tom Chrisfield Tom Chrisfield

Official Configuration A sailplanes official configuration is the one used on the first competition day at takeoff. A sailplanes official configuration is the one used on the first competition day at takeoff.

Motorgliders Please launch using your motor if possible to help us get everyone launched as quickly as possible. Please launch using your motor if possible to help us get everyone launched as quickly as possible. You may elect to take an aerotow You may elect to take an aerotow

Daily Pilots Meeting 9:30 in contest headquarters hangar 9:30 in contest headquarters hangar

Grid Time Grid time will be 11 AM unless otherwise announced. Grid time will be 11 AM unless otherwise announced. It is very important that you make grid time. If you are not there on time the gliders will pull out onto the grid and you will not be able to get to your spot. It is very important that you make grid time. If you are not there on time the gliders will pull out onto the grid and you will not be able to get to your spot. As you pull down to the launch grid please find your assigned number and pull off the runway near it so others can go by you on the way to theirs. As you pull down to the launch grid please find your assigned number and pull off the runway near it so others can go by you on the way to theirs.

Grid Time Pull off with the tail of the glider in the grass and the nose pointing to the center of the runway. Pull off with the tail of the glider in the grass and the nose pointing to the center of the runway. At grid time I will announce over Ladies and gentlemen please grid up. Please pull your gliders out and be ready to fly. At grid time I will announce over Ladies and gentlemen please grid up. Please pull your gliders out and be ready to fly. I will also announce the time of the grid meeting. At this meeting we will discuss the latest weather info. and the task sheets will be passed out. I will also announce the time of the grid meeting. At this meeting we will discuss the latest weather info. and the task sheets will be passed out.

Grid Time We will be on Task A unless you hear directly from me on the grid or through a roll call in the air. We will be on Task A unless you hear directly from me on the grid or through a roll call in the air. If you need to pull back for any reason please see me or the Operations Director Scott Elhardt. If you need to pull back for any reason please see me or the Operations Director Scott Elhardt. Remember, Pulling back is to deal with unforeseen problems and not as a routine part of contest strategy. Remember, Pulling back is to deal with unforeseen problems and not as a routine part of contest strategy. Sunset is at: 8:45 Sunset is at: 8:45 On most days the sniffer will be launched at grid time so there can be no gliders towing out to the grid on the runway. On most days the sniffer will be launched at grid time so there can be no gliders towing out to the grid on the runway.

Cars Cars may be parked near gliders before grid time. After the pilots meeting near the front of the grid all cars must be moved behind the wing of the last glider so there can be no possibility for accidents involving cars and launching gliders. Cars may be parked near gliders before grid time. After the pilots meeting near the front of the grid all cars must be moved behind the wing of the last glider so there can be no possibility for accidents involving cars and launching gliders. No cars will leave the launch area after the launch starts. No cars will leave the launch area after the launch starts. An announcement will be made on the radio on when it is clear for all crews to move the cars back to the tiedown area. Even then it is possible that the movement may be stopped to accommodate a relight – so keep your radios on until you are back at the tiedown area. An announcement will be made on the radio on when it is clear for all crews to move the cars back to the tiedown area. Even then it is possible that the movement may be stopped to accommodate a relight – so keep your radios on until you are back at the tiedown area.

Sniffer and Towing I will launch the sniffer when the weather looks favorable. I will launch the sniffer when the weather looks favorable. As soon as it goes through 2,500 feet AGL I will announce a launch time. As soon as it goes through 2,500 feet AGL I will announce a launch time. Tows will be to 2,000 feet AGL. Tows will be to 2,000 feet AGL. All tows will be to the designated drop zone for that contest day. All tows will be to the designated drop zone for that contest day. Towplanes will be on Towplanes will be on If the weather is iffy and the advisors have not reached the minimum of 3,300 feet AGL then I will announce that the last in the class has been launched with the task opening to be announced. If the weather is iffy and the advisors have not reached the minimum of 3,300 feet AGL then I will announce that the last in the class has been launched with the task opening to be announced.

Relights If you need a relight call on ground control (123.3). If you need a relight call on ground control (123.3). If the launch is still underway the preferred landing location is the cross runway. If the launch is still underway the preferred landing location is the cross runway. A relight list will be kept and takeoff will be according to the sequence in the relight process after all assigned launches have been completed. A relight list will be kept and takeoff will be according to the sequence in the relight process after all assigned launches have been completed.

Start Cylinders There are 4 start cylinders: There are 4 start cylinders: –Start N, Start S, Start W and Start E We will be using turnpoint #1, Albert Lea for the center of finish cylinder. We will be using turnpoint #1, Albert Lea for the center of finish cylinder. The radius of the start cylinder will be 5 statute miles. The radius of the start cylinder will be 5 statute miles. The maximum altitude will be 8,000 feet AGL or about 9,260 feet MSL unless specified otherwise on the task sheet. The maximum altitude will be 8,000 feet AGL or about 9,260 feet MSL unless specified otherwise on the task sheet. A start occurs each time a sailplane exits the start cylinder (either though the side or top). A start occurs each time a sailplane exits the start cylinder (either though the side or top). No flying faster than 115 mph in the start cylinder. No flying faster than 115 mph in the start cylinder. Call back your start time on within 15 minutes after the start is made. The reported time must be accurate to within 2 minutes. Call back your start time on within 15 minutes after the start is made. The reported time must be accurate to within 2 minutes.

Airfield Landing Bonus A pilot with an incomplete task who lands at a designated airfield can receive a score bonus for such a landing. A pilot with an incomplete task who lands at a designated airfield can receive a score bonus for such a landing. All airports on a current US Sectional Aeronautical Chart will be accepted. All airports on a current US Sectional Aeronautical Chart will be accepted.

Tasking I will make every attempt to insure you are on a doable task each day that follows the rules of creating a safe and challenging task. I will make every attempt to insure you are on a doable task each day that follows the rules of creating a safe and challenging task. Assigned Task Assigned Task –Open and 18 m classes only

Tasking Modified Assigned Task (MAT) Modified Assigned Task (MAT) –Minimum flight time will be assigned –CD may designate from 0 to 11 turnpoints. They must be flown in the designated sequence, but a pilot may elect to finish after any turnpoint in the sequence. –After completing the designated turnpoints the pilot may fly to additional turnpoints. –No turnpoint may be repeated unless 2 intervening turnpoints are claimed. The start and finish are not turnpoints. The start and finish are not turnpoints.

Tasking Turn Area Task (TAT) Turn Area Task (TAT) –Speed over a course through one or more turn areas. –Turn areas are turnpoints with a designated radius defining a cylinder –Minimum flight time specified –The pilot decides where to turn in each cylinder in an attempt to finish in a little more than the minimum flight time.

Finishing Finish Cylinder Finish Cylinder –Radius: 1 statute mile –Floor of the finish cylinder is 1,000 feet AGL (2,260 MSL) –Finish time is when the glider enters the finish cylinder –When 4 miles from the center of the finish cylinder call [Contest ID] four miles on –Switch immediately to –Silent finish –Upon entering the downwind leg of the landing pattern, the pilot should transmit [Contest ID] downwind for runway [runway ID] on

Retrieves Please call the retrieve office upon landing away from Albert Lea Please call the retrieve office upon landing away from Albert Lea The retrieve office phone number is on the bottom of the task sheet. It will be The retrieve office phone number is on the bottom of the task sheet. It will be You may also call your crew directly, but be sure to have them check-out with the retrieve office before they leave the airport so we will know you are being taken care of. You may also call your crew directly, but be sure to have them check-out with the retrieve office before they leave the airport so we will know you are being taken care of. The retrieve office will close at 6:30 PM The retrieve office will close at 6:30 PM

Landing Cards and Submitting Flight Logs Landing cards will not be required except in certain circumstances: Landing cards will not be required except in certain circumstances: –A Safety Finish is claimed –Motorized sailplane used the motor after starting –Flight documentation includes and incomplete flight log. Flight recorders (or flight log files) must be turned in to the scorer within 1 hour of landing (preferably ASAP). Flight recorders (or flight log files) must be turned in to the scorer within 1 hour of landing (preferably ASAP). Please leave the scoring area after you turn in your documentation. Hanging around the office slows the process of scoring and causes the scorer to miss dinner. Please leave the scoring area after you turn in your documentation. Hanging around the office slows the process of scoring and causes the scorer to miss dinner.

Radio Procedures Contest Frequency: (almost everything) Contest Frequency: (almost everything) Takeoff & landing (Airport Freq): Takeoff & landing (Airport Freq): Pilot to Crew: Pilot to Crew: Before Launch: Before Launch: Aerotow: Aerotow: Immediately after release Immediately after release Announce start times [Contest #] started at 13:15: Announce start times [Contest #] started at 13:15: Talk to gliders while on course: Talk to gliders while on course: Talk to Crew with position and heading updates: Talk to Crew with position and heading updates: When approaching the finish [Contest #] 4 miles out. Approaching from the SSW. When approaching the finish [Contest #] 4 miles out. Approaching from the SSW. Switch immediately to airport frequency: Switch immediately to airport frequency: Announce landing pattern: Announce landing pattern: 123.0

Safety Finish Cylinder centered on the finish point with a radius of 5 miles. Cylinder centered on the finish point with a radius of 5 miles. If weather conditions warrant, the CD may activate the Safety finish by a radio announcement on the contest frequency. If weather conditions warrant, the CD may activate the Safety finish by a radio announcement on the contest frequency.

Missing Pilots If there is a contest day in which a pilot does not return or call within an hour of sunset I will launch Albert Lea Air. This aircraft will go up over the airport with enough altitude to cover the task area and broadcast the missing call sign on and If there is a contest day in which a pilot does not return or call within an hour of sunset I will launch Albert Lea Air. This aircraft will go up over the airport with enough altitude to cover the task area and broadcast the missing call sign on and I and all involved in the contest will do all in our power to find the pilot. We will search until dark and resume at daylight. I and all involved in the contest will do all in our power to find the pilot. We will search until dark and resume at daylight. An ELT is a very good idea. An ELT is a very good idea.

Crewless If you are crewless make arrangements to have your vehicle moved back to the tiedowns after the launch. If you are crewless make arrangements to have your vehicle moved back to the tiedowns after the launch. Have your trailer ready to go Have your trailer ready to go Make sure you have an agreement with someone to be your retrieve crew. Make sure you have an agreement with someone to be your retrieve crew. You cannot expect the contest organization to find you a crew after you have landed out. You cannot expect the contest organization to find you a crew after you have landed out. If we are flying a TAT or MAT please make arrangements to have a crew following your progress via the radio on Tell them the turns and headings you are attempting. Searching for you without any information is impossible. If we are flying a TAT or MAT please make arrangements to have a crew following your progress via the radio on Tell them the turns and headings you are attempting. Searching for you without any information is impossible.

Crews Please put your contest ID on your crew vehicle – use wing tape. It will make it a lot easier for contest organizers to find you in case of a phone call or retrieve. Please put your contest ID on your crew vehicle – use wing tape. It will make it a lot easier for contest organizers to find you in case of a phone call or retrieve. Please read the rules concerning crews and radio transmissions. This is one area in which you can get your pilot a penalty. Please read the rules concerning crews and radio transmissions. This is one area in which you can get your pilot a penalty. Have a plan for the recovery of your glider and pilot. Have the tail dolly with you and be ready to pull the pilot off the runway quickly so others can land. Have a plan for the recovery of your glider and pilot. Have the tail dolly with you and be ready to pull the pilot off the runway quickly so others can land.

Rule Changes ?

Thank You I am open to suggestions as to how to improve safety or increase fun! I am open to suggestions as to how to improve safety or increase fun!