return to: Hang Gliding Federation of Australia Competitions Committee
PG Launch order rules proposed for 2001
Written by Ian Ladyman for inclusion into the new competition manual.
my comments:
These rules are my proposal for the new manual. They have been written without considering if HG'ers might try to use them.
They are supposed to be the same as we have been using, but written purely for paragliding with some words altered to clear up how we do it.
I have also made a note that "Open window" is not permitted unless open window conditions are met. This prevents the open window prior to the ordered launch as occured at Corryong last season. If the task committee wish to have an open period prior to the ordered launch, then they should open the window before the top pilots wish to launch, and use these ordered launch rules from when the window opens. If on the other hand the window opens when it is the best time to launch, then the launch order sets the priority, NOT the race to be in line.
The fonts are rough (thanks to Microsoft and my lazyness) and will be sorted out to match the manual, during its publication.
The old rules were supposed to be: Paraglider launch rules 1997
Paraglider ordered launch rules
These paraglider launch order rules will be used, and no open window period will be combined with them, unless the required conditions for open window launch rules are met.
Launch Queue Order
First round
The order of priority for "Competition Entry" Pilot acceptance.
(first placed pilot from last seasons national ladder is first in line, down to 50th placed ladder pilot, then follow the other priorities).
Date of entry for the competition or any other random method shall not be used.
Subsequent rounds
Ascending order of overall current placing in that competition.
Where pilots are tied
use the order of priority for "Competition Entry" Pilot acceptance.
Launch queue
- All pilots wanting to be considered for launching must queue in order of launch priority, behind a specified point.
- Pilots may join the queue in their launch order priority at any time.
- These pilots must be ready to launch.
Launch rules
- The launch marshal should invite the next willing pilot in the queue to enter the launch area before the next launch space is available.
- If a pilot accepts entry and is then waiting for space, the clock starts on the pilot who was first into the launch area.
- Once the pilot has entered the launch area they have priority over those in the queue.
- The first pilot to enter the launch area shall be given a safe period of time to launch (as specified on the task board or if not specified, one minute) or return to their place in the queue.
- If no pilot wishes to enter the launch area, the pilots on launch may wait.
- If several pilots are ready to launch but no pilots are wishing to enter the launch area, the pilots on launch may launch in any order. (No one can push, but anyone can launch, with launch marshal's approval)
- A launch area large enough to launch a number of gliders simultaneously shall have only one entry gate.
Failed launches
A failed launch is defined as a launch attempt resulting in the glider being required to be laid out again. Requiring an assistant to untangle a twisted line, or remove an entanglement present during inflation is not classified as a failed launch unless the entanglement was caused by the glider striking an object after the pilot started their takeoff run.
Following an unsuccessful takeoff attempt a pilot may be allowed to continue the same launch attempt from further down the launch area provided that the glider is not required to be laid out again and that the launch is completed within the allotted time.
- A launch deliberately aborted due to safety reasons, which, in the opinion of the launch director are outside the control of the pilot, shall not be classed as a failed launch.
- If the pilot fails their 2nd attempted launch then that pilot returns to their place in the launch queue.
- If a pilot enters the launch area for a second time and again fails to launch after 2 attempts then they must go to the back of the launch queue order.
Reflies
Pilots wishing to refly remain at the rear of the launch queue order. They take a lower launch queue order than any pilots who have not yet flown.
On returning for a refly the pilot should advise the launch official that they would like to refly. The official should place their name at the bottom of the current launch order priority.
return to: Hang Gliding Federation of Australia Competitions Committee
TERMS & CONDITIONS GOVERNING ACCESS TO THIS HGFA COMPETITION COMMITTEE WEB SITE
Last modified 4th August 2000
Created by Ian Ladyman, e-mail comments to: ian.ladyman@hunterlink.net.au