Walt, a question, I thought that was the idea behind a "Club Class"! To
bolster participation in the outdated 15 and standard class sailplanes
without competing against the latest and greatest? Seems that by expanding
the top end of the handicap list you've just washed the club class gliders
back into a sports class but with a low/high handicap split.

I guess that is OK with the lower handicap gliders (ie .90 and lower) but
sure puts the hurts on the libelle's, LS1's and the like that can't
load up or fly fast. And will that count for points for getting on the
"Club Class" national team? That would be a shame if we pick a Club
class national champ to go to the worlds who has not won it in a club
class glider.

Although all that being said, if it improves participation in contest and
or soaring I would reconsider but I sure would like to see the US follow
the rest of the world as far as the handicapping and the rules go. And
what is the formula for the US handicaps? Why is it such a secret?

CH Ventus b (not a club class glider in the rest of the world)



At 03:51 25 June 2011, WaltWX wrote:
Western U.S Racing pilots.... Let's fly together in the FAI
Handicapped Class at Inyokern!

Practice: 8/27/2011 Saturday (w/evening pilots meeting)
Contest: 8/28/2011 =96 9/2/2011 Sunday to Friday
Classes: FAIhandicapped and Sports

In order to encourage more participation and to competitively include
all STD, 15M, 18M and OPEN Class ships, we will consolidate them all
into the new emerging FAI Handicap Class. Water ballast is allowed.
Your handicap will be based on the reference weight. Tasking will rely
on TATs and MATs so as to match the differing performance. There is
also an option to use the AST. As your CD, I will create exciting and
challenging tasks for the traditional competition pilots.

Sports Class will remain as it has always been. Tasking will be less
aggressive than the FAI Handicapped Class and take in consideration
for lower performance gliders. If you're just getting started in
racing or just want to have a fun week of flying, this is the class
for you!

Please join us for a top notch contest coming up at the end of the
summer. Sign up at the SSA website under "Sailplane Racing".

See you at Inyokern, the "onramp" to the Sierra Nevada-White Mtn
Freeways!

Walt Rogers, Contest Director