Motorgliders and gliders in US contests

The rules say you may not exchange aircraft or even major components.

I belive there is an exception that a component may be replaced with
an exact replacement if the original compenent has been damaged
through no fault of the pilot or crew.

Here are the exact rules for regional contests:

6.1 General
6.1.1 The Contest Competition Committee has the authority to
reject a sailplane that it considers unsuitable for competition or a
sailplane that does not meet the requirements of the class in which it
is entered.
6.1.2 The CD has the right to inspect equipment at any time
during the contest.
6.1.3 Exchange of components
6.1.3.1 A sailplane's major components include the
fuselage, wings (including separable wingtips), empennage, and power
unit (in the case of a motorized sailplane).
6.1.3.2 Except as provided in these Rules, the exchange
of a sailplane or major component is not allowed.
6.1.3.3 If the CD determines that a sailplane was
damaged through no fault of the pilot or crew, exchange is permitted
provided the replacement exactly matches the damaged component.
6.1.3.4 In the case of damage to separable wingtips
whose span is less than 40 inches, exchange is permitted without
considering fault and without the requirement that the replacement be
an exact match. The CD must be informed and such an exchange may not
be done more than once during a contest.
6.1.4 Official Configuration
6.1.4.1 A sailplane's official configuration is the one
used during the first competition takeoff.
6.1.4.2 Except as provided in these Rules, the official
configuration may not be altered unless such alteration may be
performed in flight.


M B wrote in message ...
Hmmm...I'm wondering. Can a competition pilot change
aircraft in the middle of a contest? Could someone
own both a motorglider and a Nimbus 3 and pick which
one to fly depending on the conditions and task? Have
pilots who have damaged their gliders been allowed
to fly in a new/different replacement glider in contests?
I'm interested in how this works...

Mark Boyd