Open letter to SW Classic CASL all CD's and pilots.
Guy Russo CD AMA Leader Member
Several posts have been made about the SW event. Hopefully you can
read between the lines and CASL will discuss the event and consider
the input. I plan to attend again as there is much to be gained by
renewing old friendships and making new ones. Coming from Nth Idaho
27 degrees and flying in 80 degree weather in February has it's own
reward. THANK YOU ALL FOR PUTTING ON THE EVENT!
At the pilots meeting the CD announced that there would be no pop
offs and no reflights for broken lines. Challenged on this he
indicated that they always did this and then said something about
they would judge the launch and decide. I am still learning to not be
bothered by things beyond my control like poor field lay out, poor
winch positions, short lines ( less than 660 feet by my paces) and
odd landing tasks. I understand that contests are for fun and I had a
good time! I also go to these events to measure my soaring progress
against some of the top pilots in the world on a given weekend. There
were three World Champions, several regional champions and many
excellent flyers.
I welcome those who fly for fun and those who want to compete. This
is a competition and as an AMA sanctioned event AMA rules and
regulations apply. This post is for all CD's at any event.
AMA 2002-2004 Competition Regulations - Rules Governing Model
Aviation Competition in the United States; 7.2 relaunches. A relaunch
is permitted at the DISCRETION OF THE CONTESTANT when in the judgment
of the CD; 7.2b. The CD supplied launching system malfunctions.
Please see General Information Contest Directors; "entrants naturally
assume that AMA regulations apply-and deviations must therefore be
clearly spelled out in advance, particularly in advertising, to
attract out-of-towners." "Any deviation from the standard rules as
printed in the AMA Rule Book must be detailed in writing as part of
the sanction request."
No, I did not pop or break a line. I did however feel very sad for
the other pilots who did! If you popped and looped you were in big
trouble due the proximity to trees directly behind the winches. In
the trying wind conditions I feel that pops and breaks should have
been considered. It appeared that later in the day there were some
reflights given for line breaks. Was this left to subjective
judgment? Let me say in advance that we have all seen Larry Leadfoot
break stuff. Larry can de dealt with by an observant CD. If there
was ever an event where a good tow was needed this was it. Short
lines, 10 minute task, obstacle course walk to the landings and down
wind launches or landings and sometime both!
Please read the book and please at any event designate a SAFETY LINE
for the fun fly!
Also, please advertise the landing task and other things in advance
of the event as called for in "guidelines"
I met pilots from all over the country and many travel at great
expense to attend, please consider these folks next time.
Thank you,
"out-of towner"
Guy
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