Canadian contests & SSA ranking points

[Sean Fidler]

Why don't we (US, the SSA) credit US pilots who fly Canadian contests with SSA ranking points? For example, Canadian Nationals?

I think that it is sensible that Candian pilots are given a ranking on the 2014 SSA ranking list. Why not expand an complete the integration?

http://soaringweb.org/PRL/prl.2014.html

Thoughts?

Sean

[Luke Szczepaniak]

On 03/26/2014 1:11 PM, Sean Fidler wrote:
> Why don't we (US, the SSA) credit US pilots who fly Canadian contests with SSA ranking points? For example, Canadian Nationals?
>
> I think that it is sensible that Candian pilots are given a ranking on the 2014 SSA ranking list. Why not expand an complete the integration?
>
> http://soaringweb.org/PRL/prl.2014.html
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Sean
>
We had a quick chat on the Canadian side of the equation about this.
The Canadian Nats would have to be sanctioned by the SSA (pay the
contest fee and possible other issues). Each contest pilot (at the very
least the ones to get seeding) would need to be SSA members. This is
assuming that the SSA would even consider sanctioning this event by
waiver or something along those lines and that the Soaring Association
of Canada would agree. The additional cost of a SSA fee would have to
be passed on to the pilots, while some of us who care about US seeding
points wouldn't necessarily be bothered by this, the financial impact
could drive down participation from pilots who are not interested in SSA
seeding points. To be honest I think the ball is in our court and not
the US/SSA.

Cheers,
Luke Szczepaniak

[Sean Fidler]

Thanks Luke!

I think more US pilots would come to Canadian Nationals if it included ranking points. I'm not sure if that would fully offset the fall out from fellow Canadians. Buffalo and I are planning on it either way!

Sean

[JS]

Are Aircraft Radio Operator and Aircraft Radio Station licences still required in Canada?
What are the current requirements for FAA "Experimental" aircraft to fly in Canada? Believe it had been a problem in the past.
Thanks,
Jim

[Dave Springford]

The website for the Canadian Nationals has a page dealing with the topic of US experimental gliders. The short version, if you have an experimental aircraft that you want to fly in Canada, you need to request a Validation of Foreign Flight Authority. Similar to what a Canadian experimental aircraft needs to fly in the US.

Details are here:
http://sac.ca/nationals/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11:us-experimental-gliders&catid=3:contestinfo&Itemid=15

As far as radio license, a radio station license is no longer required. It is now included as part of annual aircraft fees for Canadian aircraft. Operators do require a radio operators license. I don't know how this is handled in the US, but I assume something like this is required in the US, so the US equivalent would be valid in Canada while flying a US registered aircraft.

[Sean Fidler]

I was able to bring my glider into Canada with a simple permit form (1 page) and a $100 fee that was good for one full month I believe. This was back in 2011. It was a very easy process and there were no funny limitations like a requirement for a radio license. I did hear that it had been more difficult in the past. It appears they cleaned up some of the unnecessary complications!

If you would like I can furnish you with the contact info, instructions, etc. This was all provided by the Canadian contest organizers and worked like a charm. Several US pilots have attended the Canadian Nationals each in the past few years. It is a great time! Beware of the Lions however. Not kidding.

I plan on using the same registration process again this year. I will take a few moments to document the process (on a google site perhaps) for future US pilots looking to attend a Canadian contest. This would be a good resource for us and for Canadian contest organizers although I think they have a instructions in their contest info as well.

Sean

[Sean Fidler]

Sorry Dave. Didn't see your much better post until after I sent mine. What Dave says!

[JS]

Thanks Dave. The two radio licences in the USA were discontinued about 20 years ago.
Personally not thinking of competition, but perhaps a trip up to Invermere...
Jim

[Dave Springford]

If Canada, if you have a commercial power license, you do not need a radio operators permit, it is considered part of your commercial license training. If you have a glider or private license the radio license is required.

Probably a wise decision since many glider pilots without a power license have no clue how to use a radio. At my club the radio is often treated as a transmit only device.

[Tony[_5_]]

On Wednesday, March 26, 2014 12:11:56 PM UTC-5, Sean Fidler wrote:
> Why don't we (US, the SSA) credit US pilots who fly Canadian contests with SSA ranking points? For example, Canadian Nationals?
>
>
>
> I think that it is sensible that Candian pilots are given a ranking on the 2014 SSA ranking list. Why not expand an complete the integration?
>
>
>
> http://soaringweb.org/PRL/prl.2014.html
>
>
>
> Thoughts?
>
>
>
> Sean

what about non-canadian foreign national championships, and continental championships? should those contests also count towards US pilot ranking? This kinda goes back to the concept of national records following citizenship instead of geography. are we trying to determine the "best" glider pilot who is a US Citizen or that flew a contest in the USA?

[[email protected]]

> We had a quick chat on the Canadian side of the equation about this.
> The Canadian Nats would have to be sanctioned by the SSA (pay the
> contest fee and possible other issues). Each contest pilot (at the very
> least the ones to get seeding) would need to be SSA members. This is
> assuming that the SSA would even consider sanctioning this event by
> waiver or something along those lines and that the Soaring Association
> of Canada would agree. The additional cost of a SSA fee would have to
> be passed on to the pilots, while some of us who care about US seeding
> points wouldn't necessarily be bothered by this, the financial impact
> could drive down participation from pilots who are not interested in SSA
> seeding points. To be honest I think the ball is in our court and not
> the US/SSA.
>
> Cheers,
> Luke Szczepaniak

Luke: These all seem like issues that can be overcome. A unified north american contest scene makes a lot of sense to me. If there is serious interest, the head of Canadian contest committee should talk to the SSA contest chair (Ken Sorenson) and get the ball rolling.

John Cochrane

[Sean Fidler]

Awesome news!

On Thursday, March 27, 2014 9:17:59 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> > We had a quick chat on the Canadian side of the equation about this.
>
> > The Canadian Nats would have to be sanctioned by the SSA (pay the
>
> > contest fee and possible other issues). Each contest pilot (at the very
>
> > least the ones to get seeding) would need to be SSA members. This is
>
> > assuming that the SSA would even consider sanctioning this event by
>
> > waiver or something along those lines and that the Soaring Association
>
> > of Canada would agree. The additional cost of a SSA fee would have to
>
> > be passed on to the pilots, while some of us who care about US seeding
>
> > points wouldn't necessarily be bothered by this, the financial impact
>
> > could drive down participation from pilots who are not interested in SSA
>
> > seeding points. To be honest I think the ball is in our court and not
>
> > the US/SSA.
>
> >
>
> > Cheers,
>
> > Luke Szczepaniak
>
>
>
> Luke: These all seem like issues that can be overcome. A unified north american contest scene makes a lot of sense to me. If there is serious interest, the head of Canadian contest committee should talk to the SSA contest chair (Ken Sorenson) and get the ball rolling.
>
>
>
> John Cochrane

[[email protected]]

I notice that on Industry Canada's site they say that the exemption of the requirement to have a radio station license for aircraft only applies if the aircraft is not operated out of Canadian sovereign airspace unless "the aircraft is in the territory of another country with which Canada has entered into a reciprocal agreement that confers similar privileges on Canadians" Presumably we have that agreement with the US which is why the requirements for US pilots and aircraft in Canada to have the license has also been dropped.

Oh, and JS - yes, definitely go to Invermere if you can! I have memories of some fantastic flights there. Too bad I haven't been able to get away for even a week in the summer for the past several years.

[Jock Proudfoot]

29 March , wrote:
>I notice that on Industry Canada's site they say that the exemption of
therequirement to have a radio station license for aircraft only applies if
the aircraft is not operated out of Canadian sovereign airspace unless "the
aircraft is in the territory of another country with which Canada has
entered into a reciprocal agreement that confers similar privileges on
Canadians
> Presumably we have that agreement with the US which is why the
requirements for US pilots and aircraft in Canada to have the license has
also been dropped.>
------------------------------------------------------

See
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=aircraft_stations


On October 25, 1996, the FCC released a Report and Order in WT Docket No.
96-82 (text) eliminating the individual licensing requirement for all
aircraft, including scheduled air carriers, air taxis and general aviation
aircraft operating domestically. This means that you do not need a license
to operate a two-way VHF radio, radar, or emergency locator transmitter
(ELT) aboard aircraft operating domestically. All other aircraft radio
stations must be licensed by the FCC either individually or by fleet.
Aircraft operating domestically do not land in a foreign country or
communicate via radio with foreign ground stations. Flying in international
or foreign airspace is permitted, so long as the previous conditions are
met. If you travel to a foreign destination, however, (e.g., Canada,
Mexico, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands) a license is required.