With almost perfect timing to answer some of the problems raised by
the USA Competition Rules Committee, Tucson Soaring Club is pleased to
make a preliminary announcement of a Cross-Country Soaring Camp. The
idea for this came independently from several pilots and is intended
to provide a venue to encourage cross-country flying in Arizona. It
will be based at TUSC's home base of El Tiro Gliderport, near Tucson
with the dates for the camp set tentatively for May 16 through 21st,
with May 14th and 15th as practice days.

The event is not a contest, but will be competitive.

The camp will be run similarly to a contest in some ways, including:

1) A registration fee (to cover prizes, operating costs and
insurance), but this will be significantly lower than at sanctioned
contests.
2) A daily safety meeting and prize-giving
3) Six days of competitive flying preceded by two practice days

Differences from standard contests will be:

1) No set course - pilots may choose to fly anywhere, except that the
start must be El Tiro Gliderport
2) No scorer. Flights will be submitted by each participant directly
to OLC.
3) No set launch or start time. We are considering a "standard launch
window" where contest-style launches will be conducted at a set time
each day. Launches before or after this launch window will be
permitted.
4) Team flying will be permitted, including air-to-air and air-to-
ground communications between team members
5) Flights must be done in compliance with all applicable FARs, but
note that since this is not a contest, restrictions on flying over
closed airspace may not apply. (We have not yet made a determination
about cloud flying or flying after sunset, but are leaning towards
permitting this if aircraft are suitably equipped and certified)
6) Flarm use is encouraged during the camp, but "stealth" operation
will not be permitted.

Prizes will be given on a daily basis and at the end of the camp for
best flights in each category (still to be decided), including
distance and speed. These will all be based on OLC scores.

I will post more details as we firm up arrangements for the camp.

Mike