NWSS Contest Directors Guidelines
(Originally written by Jim Pugh, May 1993)
Revised 2/24/2008
(Background:
Back in the early 1990’s the NWSS Board of Directors thought that it
would be a good idea to publish information/data on the care and feeding of RC
Soaring Contests. I volunteered to
undertake the task and put together the CD Guidelines with the help of a number
of active CD’s in the NWSS. Since the
write-up was put together using a Mac and since my PC won’t read the old
floppy, here is the new version of the CD Guide as copied from a hard copy of
the original, now in Word for the PC’s of the world. I believe that most of the original write-up is still applicable
to the running of a RC Soaring Contest and it is copied here with a few
updates. Inputs for revisions are
welcome. Jim Pugh January 10, 2003.)
Revised 2/24/2008 to include RES in some places and
the Hunski Landing Option.
The following is a set of
general guidelines that cover a CD’s responsibilities and his/her tasks before,
during and after a contest. The source
of this information comes from the AMA Contest Director Guide, AMA Competition
Regulations, NWSS Contest Rules and Procedures and inputs from the NWSS Board
of Directors, and CD’s throughout the NWSS.
BEFORE THE CONTEST
a.
Establish the type of
contest it will be and the tasks to be run.
If you are including tasks that are not in the AMA/MAAC Rules of
Competition, describe the specifics of these tasks and how they will be scored
in the contest flyer ad. Also list what
the “Normal” tasks are. If the tasks to
be run are at the CD’s discretion, then a “shopping list” of tasks to be
expected should be included. The
contest flyer should be sent to the NWSS Newsletter Editor for publication at
least two months before the contest.
Also the flyer should be sent to the NWSS Scorekeeper and NWSS Contest
Schedule Coordinator at the same time.
b. Establish the number of rounds to be flown. For NWSS contests three rounds/day must be
flown to qualify for season point championship. Generally five or more rounds are flown to eliminate the “Luck
Factor”. (The number of rounds flown
beyond three is at the CD’s discretion.)
Also a round of flying must be completed on the same day; no carry
over.
c.
Establish the type of landing
to be used. In NWSS contests there are three types
of landings that are more or less the standard. Spot landings, Hunski and landing line.
d. List the contest entry fee and the number of awards to
be presented for each category (Expert, Competitor, RES, Two Meter, etc.).
e.
List the type of
equipment toe be used. For example, 12
volt winches, retrievers and landing line or circle. Also request that additional batteries, winches and any other equipment
be brought.
f.
List the flying site and
the availability of nearby hotels and motels.
Provide a map in the flyer showing location of the flying field. Obtaining a flying site early in the season
is a top priority job. The flying site
should be as unobstructed as possible with plenty of space to insure that there
is adequate spacing between the landing area, spectators and the winch
area. It should have enough space so
that the winches can be laid out with the regulation length of winch line. Maximum line length is 984 feet per AMA
rules. Shorter lengths due to field or
equipment limitations should be listed in the contest flyer.
g. List any frequencies that are unsafe at the contest
site in the contest flyer.
h. List the classes that the contest will cover. For example, expert, competitor and novice.
i.
If the contest is
AMA/MAAC sanctioned refer to the Contest Directors Guide to determine specific
requirements. The CD should apply for
an AMA sanction five months or more before the contest.
j.
For insurance purposes
it’s a good idea to specify that AMA/MAAC membership is required to participate
in the contest.
k.
List the model size
and classes. Usually 2 meter (2 metre
for the Canadians), standard class, RES and unlimited class will be
specified. AMA and MACC rules of
competition define the above classes.
BEFORE THE CONTEST (Continued)
2.
As early as possible the
CD should be making plans for winches, retrievers, batteries, scoring, trophies
and
any other ground support equipment that may be needed.
3.
If you plan on flying
flight groups or windows at the contest, this should be covered in the contest
flyer.
4.
Have a score board or
computer printout available to post the scores as the contest rounds progress.
5.
A PA system is nice to
have when possible.
6.
Have a frequency control
system and frequency pins.
7.
Have 50 foot landing
lines and 100 inch measuring sticks, graduated in inches of zero to 100 if
landing lines are being used, or have 25 foot landing tapes graduated in inches
of zero to 100 if landing circles are being used with every 3 inches counting
as one point. Have
the equipment to setup the Hunski Landing Zone. (See the NWSS rules of competition for details on the Hunski setup.)
8.
Have your contest help
lined up before the contest.
PRE-CONTEST
1.
Arrive early so that you
can supervise winch, retriever, landing line/landing circle setup registration.
2.
Setup a flight order or
flight groups for the ensuing rounds.
3.
Have a prepared list of
items that you want to cover at the pilot’s meeting.
4.
Designate a spectator’s
area so that they will be away from the flight line.
PILOTS MEETING
Cover the
following items.
1.
Define the flight line
and where no flying is allowed.
2.
Explain the right of way
rule from the AMA Competition Rules.
3.
Cover timers and
timing. Consult the AMA Competition
Rules and NWSS Rules for specifics. Specify
that timers put their names on the score card and that their names are legible.
4.
Define the spectator
area location, the pit area and where the potty is located.
5.
Generally define what
constitutes an unflyable glider (after sustaining damage during the contest). However, the CD has the final say on
flyablity after inspecting the glider.
In addition to the above, the CD should cover whether
he will allow the substitution of gliders during the contest. For example, will the contestant be allowed
to fly one glider on the first day of the contest and then fly another on the
second even though the glider is not damaged?
(Presently, AMA and MACC rules are different covering
the substitution of gliders)
1.
Cover the tasks to be
flown and the type of landing. In
covering the landings, point out what constitutes in the loss of all landing
points. E.g. loss of parts, landing
upside down, etc.
2.
Define what constitutes
an out-of-bounds landing. E.g. no
flight or landing points given if the landing is off the field. Define the field boundaries.
3.
Define the number of
pop-offs allowed.
4.
Indicated where the
score cards are to be turned in.
5.
Cover what will be done
with the winches if the wind shifts.
Note: If the wind has shifted to
the point where it appears that it will be blowing consistently from the new
direction, you can terminate the round that is in progress and turn the winches
around. However, if there is any
problem with SAFTY, don’t hesitate.
NWSS rules allow the pilot that has already flown in the round in which
the winches were turned around to keep his/her score or he/she may take a
re-flight.
6.
Cover what constitutes a
re-flight. E.g., a mid air collision, a
Zoom Kaboom launch, caught on the retriever line, stop watch malfunction,
launch equipment malfunction, etc.
7.
Specify to all
participants that the consumption of
alcoholic beverages is not allowed at sanctioned contests. Also alcoholic beverages should not be
consumed when flying any model aircraft!
8.
Appoint or establish a
winch boss and teams to operate the winches and retrievers.
9.
Clearly define what
constitutes and in or out landing.
DURING
THE CONTEST
1.
Keep things going: in
short, keep the winches full of people waiting launch. Appoint reliable people to help expedite the
contest and someone to act as CD while you fly.
2.
Announce the start of a
new round and what the task will be.
3.
Indicate what or when
the last round of the day will be.
END OF
THE CONTEST
1.
Review the scores with
the scorekeeper and present awards.
2.
Extend thanks to the
various helpers and assistant CD.
3.
Make announcements for
forthcoming contests at your site or ones coming up in the near future on the
NWSS contest schedule.
4.
Ask yourself if you were
really sane to do this and would do it again.
AFTER THE
CONTEST
1.
Clean up the flying site
and put away all of the equipment.
2.
Fill out the contest
forms and sent to AMA.
3.
Fill out the contest
forms and send to the NWSS Scorekeeper.
4.
Send in your contest
fees to the NWSS Treasurer.
5.
Prepare a write-up of the contest results and send to the NWSS
Newsletter Editor.