No ballast contest

[Martin[_5_]]

Here's a new guy question. The Region 4 South contest at New Castle
says it's a no ballast contest. Why is that? Is this common?

Thanks in advance

[Darryl Ramm]

On Aug 21, 6:02*pm, Martin > wrote:
> Here's a new guy question. *The Region 4 South contest at New Castle
> says it's a no ballast contest. Why is that? *Is this common?
>
> Thanks in advance

No wing water ballast allowed, tail water trim ballast is OK. You can
read the contest rules on the SSA web site.

Ballasting gliders is a logistical hassle at some sites, especially
hot & high locations require more powerful tow planes for safe towing,
it tends to complicate ground handling etc.

Darryl

[T8]

On Aug 21, 9:02*pm, Martin > wrote:
> Here's a new guy question. *The Region 4 South contest at New Castle
> says it's a no ballast contest. Why is that? *Is this common?
>
> Thanks in advance

It's reasonably common yes. Some reasons are a) limited runway (keep
in mind you have a 40+ sailplane grid consuming several hundred feet),
b) departure path lacking large, close, easy places to land in event
of low rope break, c) lack of infrastructure (e.g. small well can't
easily cough up 40 gallons per entry), d) not all tow planes are
created equal, e) people just don't want the added work. At New
Castle, it's some combination of the above, most particularly in my
opinion "b". Launching off the back of the grid full of water behind
Leonard's Ag Wagon would be no issue, wind or no wind. Launching from
the front of the grid on a hot, calm day behind a 150 hp Cub is going
to go *much* better dry.

I can go either way. But unless the weather is really cooking, I'd
just as soon fly dry.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

[Martin[_5_]]

Thanks for the replies. That clears it up.