Should SSA Regional contests allow water in FAI class...15, 18, 20,Open class?

On Dec 15, 10:41Â*am, Andy wrote:
On Dec 15, 9:57Â*am, Tony wrote:









Andy I think you are thinking about 6.8.3 and Hank is talking about
6.8.4.

6.8.3 â€* No-ballast rules
No-ballast rules shall apply on a day when the CD has announced this
prior to the first launch.
6.8.3.1 Disposable ballast is prohibited with the exception of
disposable tail ballast.
6.8.3.2 Fixed ballast is permitted, but not more than an amount that
brings the sailplane to its maximum handicap weight, as
defined in the SSA Sailplane Handicap List.

6.8.4 ‡ Limited-ballast rules
The CD may announce a limited ballast day no later than one hour
before grid time:
6.8.4.1 ‡ A maximum takeoff weight shall be announced.
6.8.4.2 ‡ Sailplanes may carry disposable ballast that yields a
takeoff weight not greater than the announced maximum.
6.8.4.3 ‡ Sailplanes may exceed the maximum takeoff weight only if
they follow Rule 6.8.3 and if they do not carry removable fixed
ballast (bags of shot, sheets of lead, or any other baggage whose only
purpose is to increase weight).

Yes you are probably right - although the limited ballast rule was
introduced in 2011 and not 2010. Â*Did any contest implement the
limited ballast rule in 2011?

Andy

We looked at using the provision at Logan region 9 contest in 2011.
We decided not to try it for a couple of reasons

1) For a given class when a flat weight number is used some gliders
will be at a disadvantage. Say you choose 800 pounds, and have a
ASH26 125.72 sq ft, ASG29 113 sq ft and V2CX 104.39 sq ft in the class
you can do the simple math and see that the V2CX has the highest wing
loading thus the advantage.

2) We combined the standard, and FAI classes into one class and there
is no provision for taking this into consideration when choosing a
weight. You cannot have a separate weight for each sub-class and in
this case the standard or 15 meter ships would have a big advantage.

3) It introduces more work to weigh the gliders and certified scales
will be needed.

I meant to document this and submit to the rules committee and suggest
a fix but did not get around to it. Plus I hate rule creep.

Ron Gleason