NWSS
Contest Directors Guidelines
(Originally written by Jim Pugh, May 1993)
Revised 2/24/2008
(Background: Back
in the early 1990’s the NWSS Board of Directors thought that it would be a
good idea to publish information/data on the care and feeding of RC Soaring
Contests. I volunteered to undertake
the task and put together the CD Guidelines with the help of a number of active
CD’s in the NWSS. Since the write-up
was put together using a Mac and since my PC won’t read the old floppy, here
is the new version of the CD Guide as copied from a hard copy of the original,
now in Word for the PC’s of the world. I believe that most of the original write-up is still applicable
to the running of a RC Soaring Contest and it is copied here with a few updates.
Inputs for revisions are welcome.
Jim Pugh January 10, 2003.)
Revised 2/24/2008 to include RES in some places and the
Hunski Landing Option.
The
following is a set of general guidelines that cover a CD’s responsibilities
and his/her tasks before, during and after a contest.
The source of this information comes from the AMA Contest Director
Guide, AMA Competition Regulations, NWSS Contest Rules and Procedures and
inputs from the NWSS Board of Directors, and CD’s throughout the NWSS.
BEFORE
THE CONTEST
a.
Establish the type of contest it will be and
the tasks to be run. If you are including
tasks that are not in the AMA/MAAC Rules of Competition, describe the specifics
of these tasks and how they will be scored in the contest flyer ad.
Also list what the “Normal” tasks are.
If the tasks to be run are at the CD’s discretion, then a “shopping
list” of tasks to be expected should be included.
The contest flyer should be sent to the NWSS Newsletter Editor for
publication at least two months before the contest.
Also the flyer should be sent to the NWSS Scorekeeper and NWSS Contest
Schedule Coordinator at the same time.
b.
Establish the number of rounds to be flown. For NWSS contests three rounds/day must be
flown to qualify for season point championship. Generally five or more rounds are flown to eliminate the “Luck Factor”.
(The number of rounds flown beyond three is at the CD’s discretion.)
Also a round of flying must be completed on the same day; no carry
over.
c.
Establish the type of landing to be used.
In NWSS contests there are three types
of landings that are more or less the standard. Spot landings, Hunski and landing line.
d.
List the contest entry fee and the number of awards to
be presented for each category (Expert, Competitor, RES, Two Meter, etc.).
e.
List the type of equipment toe be used.
For example, 12 volt winches, retrievers and landing line or circle. Also request that additional batteries, winches and any other equipment
be brought.
f.
List the flying site and the availability of
nearby hotels and motels. Provide
a map in the flyer showing location of the flying field. Obtaining a flying site early in the season
is a top priority job. The flying
site should be as unobstructed as possible with plenty of space to insure
that there is adequate spacing between the landing area, spectators and the
winch area. It should have enough
space so that the winches can be laid out with the regulation length of winch
line. Maximum line length is 984 feet per AMA rules.
Shorter lengths due to field or equipment limitations should be listed
in the contest flyer.
g.
List any frequencies that are unsafe at the contest site
in the contest flyer.
h.
List the classes that the contest will cover. For example, expert, competitor and novice.
i.
If the contest is AMA/MAAC sanctioned refer
to the Contest Directors Guide to determine specific requirements.
The CD should apply for an AMA sanction five months or more before
the contest.
j.
For insurance purposes it’s a good idea to
specify that AMA/MAAC membership is required to participate in the contest.
k.
List the model size and classes.
Usually 2 meter (2 metre for the Canadians), standard class, RES and
unlimited class will be specified. AMA
and MACC rules of competition define the above classes.
BEFORE THE CONTEST (Continued)
2.
As early as possible the CD should be making
plans for winches, retrievers, batteries, scoring, trophies and
any other ground support equipment that may be needed.
3.
If you plan on flying flight groups or windows
at the contest, this should be covered in the contest flyer.
4.
Have a score board or computer printout available
to post the scores as the contest rounds progress.
5.
A PA system is nice to have when possible.
6.
Have a frequency control system and frequency
pins.
7.
Have 50 foot landing lines and 100 inch measuring
sticks, graduated in inches of zero to 100 if landing lines are being used,
or have 25 foot landing tapes graduated in inches of zero to 100 if landing
circles are being used with every 3 inches counting as one point.
Have the equipment to setup
the Hunski Landing Zone. (See the NWSS rules of competition for details on the Hunski setup.)
8.
Have your contest help lined up before the
contest.
PRE-CONTEST
1.
Arrive early so that you can supervise winch,
retriever, landing line/landing circle setup registration.
2.
Setup a flight order or flight groups for the
ensuing rounds.
3.
Have a prepared list of items that you want
to cover at the pilot’s meeting.
4.
Designate a spectator’s area so that they will
be away from the flight line.
PILOTS MEETING
Cover the following
items.
1.
Define the flight line and where no flying
is allowed.
2.
Explain the right of way rule from the AMA
Competition Rules.
3.
Cover timers and timing.
Consult the AMA Competition Rules and NWSS Rules for specifics.
Specify that timers put their names on the score card and that their
names are legible.
4.
Define the spectator area location, the pit
area and where the potty is located.
5.
Generally define what constitutes an unflyable
glider (after sustaining damage during the contest). However, the CD has the final say on flyablity
after inspecting the glider.
In addition to the above, the CD should cover whether
he will allow the substitution of gliders during the contest. For example, will the contestant be allowed
to fly one glider on the first day of the contest and then fly another on
the second even though the glider is not damaged?
(Presently, AMA and MACC rules are different covering
the substitution of gliders)
1.
Cover the tasks to be flown and the type of
landing. In covering the landings,
point out what constitutes in the loss of all landing points.
E.g. loss of parts, landing upside down, etc.
2.
Define what constitutes an out-of-bounds landing.
E.g. no flight or landing points given if the landing is off the field. Define the field boundaries.
3.
Define the number of pop-offs allowed.
4.
Indicated where the score cards are to be turned
in.
5.
Cover what will be done with the winches if
the wind shifts. Note:
If the wind has shifted to the point where it appears that it will
be blowing consistently from the new direction, you can terminate the round
that is in progress and turn the winches around.
However, if there is any problem with SAFTY, don’t hesitate.
NWSS rules allow the pilot that has already flown in the round in which
the winches were turned around to keep his/her score or he/she may take a
re-flight.
6.
Cover what constitutes a re-flight.
E.g., a mid air collision, a Zoom Kaboom launch, caught on the retriever
line, stop watch malfunction, launch equipment malfunction, etc.
7.
Specify to all participants that the consumption
of alcoholic beverages is not allowed at sanctioned contests. Also alcoholic beverages should not be consumed
when flying any model aircraft!
8.
Appoint or establish a winch boss and teams
to operate the winches and retrievers.
9.
Clearly define what constitutes and in or out
landing.
DURING THE
CONTEST
1.
Keep things going: in short, keep the winches
full of people waiting launch. Appoint reliable people to help expedite the
contest and someone to act as CD while you fly.
2.
Announce the start of a new round and what
the task will be.
3.
Indicate what or when the last round of the
day will be.
END OF THE
CONTEST
1.
Review the scores with the scorekeeper and
present awards.
2.
Extend thanks to the various helpers and assistant
CD.
3.
Make announcements for forthcoming contests
at your site or ones coming up in the near future on the NWSS contest schedule.
4.
Ask yourself if you were really sane to do
this and would do it again.
AFTER THE
CONTEST
1.
Clean up the flying site and put away all of
the equipment.
2.
Fill out the contest forms and send to AMA.
3.
Fill out the contest forms and send to the
NWSS Scorekeeper.
4.
Send in your contest fees to the NWSS Treasurer.
5.
Prepare a write-up of the contest results and send to the NWSS Newsletter
Editor.