World Distance Award

The WDA was started in Jan, 1992. It got off to a slow start and then
became rather dormant for a number of reasons. In an effort to revitalize
this worthwhile cross-country soaring program an article was prepared for
SOARING magazine (see Sept, 2004 issue) and the SSA has finally listed the
program on the SSA web site along with the other SSA soaring awards. The
objective of the program is to encourage a large number of cross-country
soaring flights over a period of time, not just 1 or 2 flights as for a FAI
badge.

The article in the Sept, 2004 issue of SOARING magazine presented revised
rules. Some major changes we elimination of the Observer requirement
(this program is on the honor system), a change in the minimum reportable
distance, and a requirement that reported flights be no older than 12
months. Since the article was published so late in the soaring season it
was decided to not enforce the new rules until Jan 1, 2005.

The old rules did not have a time limit on reported flights. Therefore, any
currently registered participants who desires to "catch-up" before Dec 31,
2004 and any new participants who register and submit data before Dec 31,
2004 will be permitted to use the old rule for minimum reportable distance.
They also will be allowed to use flights from Jan, 1992 to Dec 31, 2004.
After Jan 1, 2005 the new rules (for min distance & time limit) will be in
effect.
If you get your Distance Summary in before Dec 31, you can use the old
minimum reportable distance rule. The old rule is:

WDA minimum flight distances must each be at least according
to the following table of the particular manufacturer's
performance max L/D:
50 km L/D 25
100 km 25 L/D 35
150 km 35 L/D 50
200 km 50 L/D

Note that there was no altitude adjustment in the old rules, just a minimum
distance. Also, the Observer requirement will NOT be required as in the
new rules. Due to inflation during the past 12 years it is requested that
new registrants pay the new registration fee of $20.

All that is required is to submit a yearly distance total on a Distance
Summary form. No traces of any kind are required or wanted. This program
is on the honor system. If you put a flight in your log, use it. If you
wish to include a list of flights that is fine, but not required. You most
likely all ready total your cross-country distance. So why not sign up,
send in your data, and go for the award.

Info and downloadable forms can be obtained from John Leibacher's Soaring
Server at:
* http://soaring.aerobatics.ws/Awards/WDA/
* The SSA web site under the "Badge & Records" section.
* The Sept, 2004 issue of SOARING magazine

Duane Eisenbeiss, WDA Administrator
eisenbeiss at compuserve.com