Careful about the midair part. Check the AMA rulebook, I believe it does
allow for a reflight. Many CDs have a local rule against it.
Jim McCarthy
----- Original Message -----
From: "FRED SAGE" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2001 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: [RCSE] CD's Ruling
Perry;
Although I agree with everything Larry said in his response to your
question, official timers aren't typically provided in thermal duration
(TD) contests. I make the assumption you're talking about TD contests
because you mention Phoenix, Visalia, Davis and Pasadena. I can assure
you that official timers won't be provided at any of those contests. In
lieu of CD provided timers and in accordance with AMA rules (I'm assuming
the contest in question is an officially sanctioned AMA contest as are the
above contests), an attempt for flight becomes official as soon as the
glider leaves the pilots hands during launch. Other than winch or
retriever malfunction, whatever flight time is recorded counts for the
round and a contestant isn't allowed another flight attempt. There is a
provision for a reattempt if a frequency conflict occurs, but CD's will
usually rule against that exclusion unless a legitimate conflict can be
proven. Furthermore, there's no relaunch allowed in case of mid air. If a
mid air occurs, the two or more pilots involved are expected to fly out the
remainder of their flight time. The only provision whereby a relaunch is
allowed for a mid air is if contact occurs during approach to landing. In
that case, a relaunch is allowed for landing points only and the flight
time recorded during the initial flight stands.
Let me relate an interesting story which reinforces these interpretations.
About seven years ago and before I was a CD, I was competing at a Southern
California Soaring Club (SC2) contest with about 70 contestants. In the
first round, I had a good control wipeout prior to launch, but absolutely
no control after the ping. My timer correctly started his watch as I came
off tow and stopped it 12 seconds later after my glider completed a
parabolic arc from about 500 feet to a dramatic crash. With only 12 seconds
of recorded flight time and with my total inability to control the glider
after launch, I reasoned that I should be allowed a relaunch. I explained
the situation to the CD, and he concurred with my assessment. After
borrowing someone else's glider, I relaunched for the first round, and
after completing four rounds, went on to win the entire contest. After
the trophies had been presented and I was enroute my car with the first
place Masters trophy, someone mentioned that they wanted me back at impound
because a protest had been filed. After a meeting of the assembled jury of
CD's, the protest stood and I had to relinquish the trophy. Of course,
their interpretation of the rules was correct and I should never have
attempted a relaunch during the first round. However, to this day I don't
think anyone would have objected if I hadn't gone on to win the contest.
The improper relaunch would have just been one of those circumstances
that's lost in the background noise during intense competition.
I know by posting to RCSE in response to a request for CD rulings, I'm
opening myself up to a ration of second guessing and contra interpretation.
However, my intent is merely to establish how the AMA rules are applied
during official AMA TD contests. If you're flying in non sanctioned
contests or other than TD, you can probably get away with whatever you can
talk the CD into.
Fred
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