SSA State & Nat Records Rules Conflict

Hi Noel,

I'm the state record keeper for Minnesota. I recall that there was a change
to the rules which allowed only one record claim per category, but that rule
was only in effect for about 1 year before it was done away with. It is no
longer in effect as of October of 2008 or 2009 (I don't recall). I'm
certain it was not in effect for 2010.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

"noel.wade" wrote in message
...
All -

OK so I've submitted some State Records and there is confusion amongst
the people processing the claims... Basically it boils down to a
question on how many Records can be claimed in a single flight.

Some people are saying that you can only submit 1 Distance and 1 Speed
record claimed per Category & Class, per flight. They are pointing to
this file: http://www.ssa.org/files/member/NatSTrules.pdf which is
shown as a link on the webpage whenever you view a table of State
Records. Looks like those records were effective starting in 2005?

HOWEVER, the "National & State Rules" PDF on the SSA website (http://
www.ssa.org/files/member/USN&StateRules2010.pdf) seems to permit
multiple simultaneous distance records (see section 6.3 and the
reference to 6.2).

The SSA "Summary of the Sporting Code" (http://www.ssa.org/files/
member/SCsummary09c.pdf) lists NO limitations on claims (see 1.4.1a I
think)

The SSA Badge & Record Guide () seems to indicate that you can have
multiple concurrent distance claims (1.4.5, 1.4.6, 1.4.8, and 1.4.7b

[Those last three documents are all on the "Forms" page, under the
"Soaring Achievement" area.]

And I'll say this: There ARE state records listed where a single
pilot's name shows up under multiple distance records on the same
date... And I have a hard time believing they all set them by flying
multiple times on a single day!

So, what's the correct answer - anyone know for sure?

Thanks,

--Noel

As a state record keeper, I've never understood the need to knock out as
many existing records as possible with one good flight.

Why not set one goal, achieve it, and be satisfied with what you
accomplished? Or, is it all about getting ones name in as many tiny little
boxes because on one lucky day the pilot happened to be blessed with super
soaring conditions.

J4

On Sep 29, 10:00*am, "John Bojack" wrote:
As a state record keeper, I've never understood the need to knock out as
many existing records as possible with one good flight.

Why not set one goal, achieve it, and be satisfied with what you
accomplished? * Or, is it all about getting ones name in as many tiny little
boxes because on one lucky day the pilot happened to be blessed with super
soaring conditions.

J4

obviously the rules people have been back and forth on this too. in
the same line of thinking, why allow more than one badge leg claim per
flight? Personally I feel that if the flight qualifies for multiple
records you should be able to claim multiple records.

On Sep 29, 8:00*am, "John Bojack" wrote:
As a state record keeper, I've never understood the need to knock out as
many existing records as possible with one good flight.

Why not set one goal, achieve it, and be satisfied with what you
accomplished? * Or, is it all about getting ones name in as many tiny little
boxes because on one lucky day the pilot happened to be blessed with super
soaring conditions.

J4

John -

Some pilots may just want to see their "name in lights" in as many
places as possible - I can't speak to that. In my case, it was a
matter of three things:

1) Many records in my state have never been claimed. If I don't claim
them, someone else will, with a single flight like I did. So why not
go ahead and do it, if I'm already submitting all the paperwork for
one or two records anyways? If I could, I'd buy the record-keeper a
beer for the extra work on their end; but people might thing I was
bribing an official! ;-)

2) Its a challenge to fly and set a single record. Its another
challenge to devise an elegant/efficient flight that qualifies for
multiple records. I _like_ challenges. Lots of planning went into my
particular flight, and I didn't fly the record on a "super soaring
conditions" day. I earned that flight, just as anyone else flying
that day earned theirs. I met all the requirements for each of the
record types, as they are laid-out in the Badge & Record Guide (and
per the FAI/SSA rules - as far as I can tell). If I meet the
requirements, why should I not get credit for achieving them?

3) Some of my fellow pilots (including ones whose records I'm
challenging) encouraged me to file for as many records as I qualify
for. They pointed to the records that have been unchallenged for many
years, and they pointed to the many blank spaces in the state record
book, and essentially said "go for it". I figure that if they're
supportive of it, why not do it?

Take care,

--Noel
P.S. The distances that I set are imminently beatable; my hope is
that after the records are confirmed I can publish an article in the
local soaring newsletters and encourage others to try record-flying.
In terms of process & rules, I found it easier than a Silver Badge
flight (although there's a little more paperwork on the back-end, its
not bad). The OLC is a fine tool for "fun competition", but everyone
can fly a different path. The record flights are a little more
restrictive in how/where you fly, so I think it can make for exciting
and fun "one-up-manship" if multiple people try for a record over the
course of a season. As for myself, I would be thrilled to see some
people pick up the gauntlet and whomp my flights!

To answer Noel's question, you can claim all that apply. This was
address a few years ago and made retro for the year preceding.
To take the opposing view of JBojack, I feel that the whole purpose of
the Record business is to break records and keep raising the bar of
achievement in all categories. If someone conducted a flight that was
better than what is allowed to be recorded, then why bother with
everyone (Record Keepers) putting in the effort.
JBojack inserted God as the reason why flights are successful,
forgetting the prep. work and research that may go into some flights.
Or the fact that a nervous crew had to drive a motorhome 600 miles
pulling a trailer on I-75 thru narrow construction zones.
You want to break a record, get your ass in your glider and do the
flight. I challenge you and everyone else to put ones name in those
tiny little boxes. After you do, I'll raise my glass and salute you to
a job well done and await the next "Blessed" flight.
I did mine, broke 7 records. Planning now to break those...in 8
months,God willing.
R

On 9/29/2010 8:00 AM, John Bojack wrote:
As a state record keeper, I've never understood the need to knock out as
many existing records as possible with one good flight.

Why not set one goal, achieve it, and be satisfied with what you
accomplished? Or, is it all about getting ones name in as many tiny little
boxes because on one lucky day the pilot happened to be blessed with super
soaring conditions.


How is soaring promoted by restricting the number of records a pilot
applies for on one flight? In fact, having multiple records available
for a flight encourages pilots to try for state records, and that's a
good thing.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm http://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl
- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz

On 9/29/2010 1:25 PM, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 9/29/2010 8:00 AM, John Bojack wrote:
As a state record keeper, I've never understood the need to knock out as
many existing records as possible with one good flight.

Why not set one goal, achieve it, and be satisfied with what you
accomplished? Or, is it all about getting ones name in as many tiny
little
boxes because on one lucky day the pilot happened to be blessed with
super
soaring conditions.

How is soaring promoted by restricting the number of records a pilot
applies for on one flight? In fact, having multiple records available
for a flight encourages pilots to try for state records, and that's a
good thing.



I would think the purpose of records is to showcase what can be achieved
on super soaring days -- to list the best flights ever. It wouldn't be
much of a record book if it omits the best flights because some of them
happened to be achieved on the same day.