2019 SSA Contest Rules Pilot Opinion Poll Now Open

Great question.

We made the change on finish penalty for 2019 but backed off the smaller AT cylinder because of concerns that it might have created conflict or confusion to make it a different size from MAT 1-mile cylinders (also concern that not all flight computers could accept 0.5 miles). In addition, we weren’t comfortable making MAT cylinders that small because, unlike ATs where everyone is approaching all the turns from the same direction, pilots can approach MATs from any direction once you get to the pilot option portion of the task. we have no reports of problems with the finish penalty but we are still collecting data.

For 2020 we are on track to meet the commitment to have multiple contests run with FAI task types and scoring. We need to decide which contests and what scoring formula. It is my understanding that use of legacy FAI scoring would require adjustments in calculating PRL scores because the points spread for speed is different so a straight average would make the 2020 contests count twice as much asvprior years - roughly. If we use the US alternate scoring that is now in the FAI rulebook this would not be necessary as the speed point spread (if I read the rule correctly) is the same as US rules. It would also be helpful to the FAI who is encouraging use of the new scoring formula, plus the formula is designed to reduce the incentive to gaggle. It’s sort of a “money where our mouth is� approach to use it since we proposed it. We aren’t polling on it this year so if you have a view please let us know. The downside of using it is we’d might have to change formula at some point in the future if the FAI doesn’t adopt it as the default. I don’t see this as a big deal as it’s not a giant change from what US pilots are used to already, but others may have different views. The link to the rule was posted in a separate thread. No final decision has been made.

Thanks to the efforts of Guy Byars, Rick Sheppe and John Godfrey (among others) FAI tasks and scoring are available in WinScore so we can run and score the contest trials described in the plan. This has been tested by re-scoring multiple WGC contest days and at the 2019 Uvalde Invitational contest. On that front we are good to go.

We have not decided yet how to collect feedback. Needless to say the annual poll is available but it has been suggested and we may elect to do something more real-time and discussion-oriented. I think it would also be useful to have discussion groups at as many contests as possible next year regardless of which rules they are flying under to get input as the poll captures less than half of eligible pilots even in a high response year. We particularly lack input from occasional Regional pilots. We don’t want to surprise people So it’s as much a communication exercise as a feedback one.

We are open to suggestions how to make sure this is done in the most controlled and constructive way with minimum potential for mistakes or misunderstandings. That applies to pilots as well as organizers.

All the best,

Andy Blackburn
Chair, SSA Contest Rules Committee
9B

Minor correction. When I say adjustment in calculating PRL score I’m referring to the multi-year score calculation that is part of the UST process. Looking in to how scoring changes might affect UST calculations is part of the fall agenda so we can minimize creating problems for UST Committee.

Andy