1998 SRA Pilot Opinion Poll Results

The results are based on 234 returns from the approximately 570 polls mailed to pilots on the SSA seeding list (pilot priority entry list).

The following survey solicits your input for the rule-making process and guide to future rules philosophy. The results will be published and provided to the SSA Contest Committee and its Rules sub-Committee.

Please mark your response to each question you feel qualified to answer. Comments are welcome and can be added to the blank side of the ballot. Since these comments are copied and sent to the committee, it makes the process easier if everything is on a blank sheet rather than in the margins of the ballot.

GPS Flight Recorders

Flight recorders were required at this year's Open nationals for starting (no visual start gate) and turn point verification and the consensus of evaluators and pilots was that this was a major improvement. FRs were not required at the Standards but only one out of 49 did not have one and at the 15M 88 % used one. To address the cost issue the SRA will publish a list of pilots willing to loan/rent their FRs.

Should GPS FRs be mandatory for 1999 Standard and 15m nationals?

Yes__67% . . . . No __33%

Same question for the 2000 regional FAI classes (not Sports or World Class).

Yes__54% . . . . No __46%

I would be willing to loan or rent my GPS flight recorder for the following 1999 national contests:

11 pilots offered their FR's for loan/rent

VALID REGIONAL CONTEST LENGTH

Because of weather some Eastern regional contests have not been able to complete the required three contest days necessary for a valid contest. (Vote for one of the following four options):

A valid regional contest should have:

1 day __2% . . . 2 days __8% . . . 3 days __33%

or

Minimum should stay at three but a unanimous vote by pilots and organizers could add a day at the end of the contest.

Yes ___57%

SPORTS CLASS SEEDING

The first world championships for Sports class ('Club' class to the rest of the world) will be held in 2001. Additionally, some pilots feel the level of competition at Sports nationals is on a par with the FAI classes and that the seeding (now 92) should also be 100. What is your opinion of what Sports class seeding should be?

Vote % for all pilots responding . . . . . 92 ___24% . . . 95 ___21% . . . 100 ___55%
Vote % for Sports Class Pilots only . . 92 ___11% . . . 95 ___21% . . . 100 ___67%

SPORTS CLASS PURPOSE

The intent of the Sports class is to encourage new racing pilots and provide a class where older ships can compete equally.

Should the Sports class rules restrict performance of gliders to a narrower range, say 1.00 (Ls-1, Stan. Cirrus) to .90 (Kestral 19, ASW-12) as is done in Europe and Australia?

Vote % for all pilots responding . . . . . Yes__31% . . . . No __69%
Vote % for Sports Class Pilots only .. .Yes__29% . . . . No __71%

Should the Sports class rules prohibit 'newer' (a model that has been produced less than five, or some number, of years) sailplanes?

Vote % for all pilots responding . . . . . Yes__23% . . . . No __77%
Vote % for Sports Class Pilots only .. .Yes__24% . . . . No __76%

'MASTER OF RACING' TITLE

To give pilots an added title to shoot for and to honor outstanding achievement in soaring competition, it has been suggested that the above title be conferred to those who have accomplished one or more of the following:

5 times competition director at US Nationals
10 times competition director at US regionals
A top three finish at a world championships
A US nationals win with 100 seeding points
3 top three finishes at US Nationals with 100 seeding points
5 Regional wins at contests with 92 seeding points
5 Contest finishes as category one (If and when the category system is reestablished.)
10 contest finishes as category 2

Should such a title be established? Yes ____62% . . . No _____38%

SRA SCALE MANAGEMENT COSTS

A reliable set of scales is a necessity at competitions. Over the years we've relied on the two Charlies to transport, use and maintain our scales, but with inadequate or no compensation for their expenses. The alternative is to ship them from contest to contest and hope they survive the rigors that come to orphaned mechanical devices. It is proposed to offer the scale custodian $1000/season toward their expenses. This would be about $5.00/pilot and would supplant the present pleading for voluntary contributions.

Should the SRA pay a scale custodian $1,000/ year? Yes ____83% . . . No _____17%