2019 SSA handicap list

Why determine the handicaps dry? Surely in competition, most gliders are being flown pretty much maxed out with ballast. It would make more sense to use the MTOW as the reference weight and then it would take out these discussions about FES being heavier than standard.

On Friday, March 1, 2019 at 1:42:52 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Why determine the handicaps dry? Surely in competition, most gliders are being flown pretty much maxed out with ballast. It would make more sense to use the MTOW as the reference weight and then it would take out these discussions about FES being heavier than standard.

The list is specifically designed for Sports Class, thus the title.
By definition those ships are flown without disposable ballast.
UH

And no, unless you have a recognized Doctors note, 40 gallons of "drinking water" is not allowed......

Yes, decades ago I asked this (being a skinny f'r.....).
;-)

Way back when, flying a light -20 A or C, I was at a disadvantage being light (150lbs in street clothes) against -20 B's and similar on a ridge or good day.

On Friday, March 1, 2019 at 3:19:13 PM UTC-5, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
And no, unless you have a recognized Doctors note, 40 gallons of "drinking water" is not allowed......

Yes, decades ago I asked this (being a skinny f'r.....).
;-)

Way back when, flying a light -20 A or C, I was at a disadvantage being light (150lbs in street clothes) against -20 B's and similar on a ridge or good day.

I am significantly lighter than you, Charlie, and I fly a very light glider, thus am about 20% below the max gross. When I flew at the regional contest last year the weather was rather hot and I asked the CD whether the extra water bottle was OK :-) Seriously though, if they apply a correction to my handicap next time, based on my being far below the reference weight, I won't complain.

They should have adjusted your handicap based on flying weight. Some contests use provided weight, some have scales.

Could you not have sat on a shot bag?

On 3/1/2019 1:19 PM, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
And no, unless you have a recognized Doctors note, 40 gallons of "drinking water" is not allowed......

Yes, decades ago I asked this (being a skinny f'r.....).
;-)

Way back when, flying a light -20 A or C, I was at a disadvantage being light (150lbs in street clothes) against -20 B's and similar on a ridge or good day.


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Dan, 5J

Yeah, could have........;-).....in theory though, whatever I started flying at weight wise (in a handicapped class) I would always have to fly at.
"Drinking water" may vary based on expected weather for the day.........LOL.......

Drink a whole lot before the initial weigh-in... ;-)

On 3/1/2019 6:29 PM, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
Yeah, could have........;-).....in theory though, whatever I started flying at weight wise (in a handicapped class) I would always have to fly at.
"Drinking water" may vary based on expected weather for the day.........LOL.......

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Dan, 5J

Yes, fixed ballast is acceptable in sports class. But you have to fly the same weight every day of the contest.