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Old February 14th 07, 03:39 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Dan G
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Posts: 245
Default BGA Comp rules 2007

They've been published.

http://www.gliding.co.uk/forms/competitionrules2007.pdf

From the preface:


"Despite the rule changes with respect to safety of persons outside
the airfield boundary
made in 2006, the CAA have agreed with recent AAIB findings that
gliders in competitions
flying low level approaches that are deemed not in accordance with
"normal aviation
practise", as required by the Rules of the Air Rule 5 (low flying
rule), pose a danger to the
public. Specifically, the CAA concern is about flight prior to the
finish where pilots have
been seen in the past to fly at very low level, often parallel to the
ground, sometimes
adjusting altitude to maintain minimal margin over intervening
obstructions in such a way
as to limit a pilot's view of any people, vehicles or structures close
to or in their path. To
ensure that these concerns are addressed, the definitions and
penalties with regard to
dangerous/hazardous flying on approach to the finish line and prior to
landing have been
refined in the 2007 handbook. Competitors are advised to make
themselves fully
conversant with these changes. They should additionally ensure that
they are fully aware
of and fly within the requirements of Rules of the Air Rule 5 (low
flying rule) and ANO
Article 64 (reckless flying by endangering person or property).

It is now a requirement to have the finish line so positioned to
ensure that the inbound
track from the last turn point or suitable control point is no more
than 30 degrees to the
perpendicular, takes into account conflict with any person, vehicle or
structure on the
approach and maximises the direct landing area beyond.

The finish ring may now only be specified by organisers and must be
approved by the
committee, in special cases where other airfield activity that cannot
be the controlled by the
organisers makes part of the circuit unavailable to the competitors -
e.g. Parachuting. "

From the section regards Finishing:


"22. FINISHING

22.1. Finish Line Options. The Organisation shall specify in the
Local Rules the type of finish
being used together with the flight patterns to be followed after
crossing the line. In addition,
competitors shall be reminded in the local rules that all pilots must
be aware of and fly within the requirements of Rules of the Air Rule 5
(low flying rule) and ANO Article 64 (reckless flying by endangering
person or property).

22.1.1. Finish line. A line of defined length and direction,
orientated from between 0-30
degrees to the perpendicular of the inbound track line and situated
such that gliders can safely
land directly beyond it without turning. Positioning of the finish
line and inbound track to it should take into account any potential
conflict with any person, vehicle or structure on the approach to and
around the finish line and should normally be placed near the runway
threshold to maximise the safe landing area beyond. A Control point
should be utilised as necessary to ensure compliance to the above.

22.1.2. Finish Ring. A ring of specified radius around a finish point
encompassing the airfield
and its landing circuits. The finish ring option may only be
considered for use in cases where
other airfield activity that cannot be controlled by the organisation
makes part of the circuit
unavailable to the competitors and must have specific committee
approval.

22.2. Control. Given by the glider crossing the line under its own
momentum and in the correct
direction. Gliders landing at their goal having failed to correctly
finish will be deemed to have
finished 5 minutes after they come to rest. "