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New Sporting Code rules go into effect on 1 October, and most changes have
been posted online at SSA.org since May. As of 25 September, however, a
finding by FAI’s International Gliding Committee (“IGC”) ALSO means that
as of 1 October 2009 -

• A pre-flight declaration is required for ALL badge and record flights
using an IGC approved Flight Recorder (“FR”). This declaration must
include the glider’s registration or serial number, NOT AN SSA-ASSIGNED
CONTEST NUMBER!!

Solutions for FR users depend on the FR and who’s using it...

• For ANY FR and any flight other than a World Record attempt, SSA
recommends the following for new FR users, an FR used in multiple aircraft
and in any case when pilot, aircraft or task data entered in an FR cannot
be verified for accuracy and changed if necessary before take off:

- The pilot prepares a written declaration ready for an OO’s signature
- On the intended flight date, the OO performs a pre-flight FR
installation check and the FR is turned on; a task may be entered if
desired
- The OO waits a few minutes, then adds his/her signature, date & time to
the written declaration
- No further tinkering with FR task entry, and make sure the FR remains ON
until after landing

• When an electronic declaration is used, the pilot is responsible for
making sure the correct pilot name, flight crew name (if any), aircraft
information and task are entered in the FR before flight. Please note -

- Almost all IGC Approved FRs accept the 6 characters permitted for US
registration numbers; use FR “set up” software to enter the glider’s
registration (“N”) number in the “Glider ID” data field.

- Cambridge model 10, 20 and 25 FRs have a 3-character limit on “Glider
ID” data entry; use FR “set up” software and in the “Glider ID” data
field, enter the last 3 digits of the glider’s serial number, as shown in
US registration records online at
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/

- For multiplace records, use FR “set up” software to enter at least first
initial & last name for both pilot and flight crew in the same data field;
use complete names on record forms. FRs approved in the future will
include separate data fields for pilot & flight crew names.

- Using a PDA or after-market software? These may over-write data in FR
memory and/or limit the number of characters transferred to any FR data
field. Test to make sure all required data is correctly transferred to the
FR and contact software vendor(s) for guidance if needed.

Questions? Please contact me at

Judy