2000 SRA Pilot Opinion Poll Results

 

The following results are from the 177 polls received by October 21, 2000. The results are listed by actual votes cast, followed by the corresponding percentage.

The SSA Rules Committee will use your input at the November 2000 committee meeting and for future rule-making philosophy. Thank you to all pilots that responded and to the many that submitted detailed suggestions.Richard Walters - SSA Rules Committee Member

 

1. CONTESTANT RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AT REGIONALS

It has been suggested that allowing pilot-to-pilot radio communications at Regionals would make the competitions more fun and would allow newcomers to receive coaching throughout the flights.

1.1 Should Sports Class contestants be allowed to talk to each other on the radio at Regionals?

62 (37%) Yes

106 (63%) No

1.2 Should FAI Class contestants be allowed to talk to each other on the radio at Regionals?

25 (15%) Yes

137 (85%) No

1.3 Should only selected contestants (newcomers and their designated "buddy"/mentor) be allowed to talk to each other on the radio at Regionals?

63 (39%)Yes

99 (61%) No

2. 2-SEATER CLASS

2.1 Should we add a 2-seater class?

53 (35%) Yes

99 (65%) No

2.2 Handicapped?

67 (51%)Yes

65 (49%) No

2.3 Would you participate?

35 (25%) Yes

105 (75%) No

 

3. FLIGHT RECORDERS
GPS flight recorders (FRs) which record both position and altitude can be used for turnpoint verification, start times, and finish times. Flight recorders are currently required in the Open, 18 Meter, 15 Meter and Standard class nationals. They are tentatively proposed to become mandatory for FAI class Regionals in 2001. There is no schedule for requiring FRs in the Sports Class Regionals. The present GPS start and
finish procedures are described in the current rules.

3.1 Do you presently use a flight recorder?

139 (83%) Yes

29 (17%)No

3.2 When should flight recorders become mandatory for FAI Regionals?

(Please answer only if you plan to fly same)

96 (64%) - 200129(19%) - 2002 7 (5%) - Other

19 (13%) - Never

3.3 When should flight recorders become mandatory for Sports Class Regionals?

(Please answer only if you plan to fly same)

46 (37%) - 200127 (22%) - 200211 (9%) - Other

41 (33%) - Never

3.4 If FR starts are used, should the pilot's call back of start times be:

58 (37%) Mandatory44 (28%) Voluntary

54 (35%) Not required

3.5 If you have flown a traditional start gate and a GPS start cylinder, which do you prefer?

20 (20%) Gate

81 (80%) GPS

 
4. CAMERA BACKUP FOR GPS-START CONTESTS

4.1 Did you use film backup at a Nationals this year?

14 (13%) Yes

94 (87%) No

If you used film backup at a Nationals this year, which Nationals was it? All nationals had pilots using camera backup - typically 2 pilots per contest ( that responded)

4.2 Did you use film backup at a Regionals this year?

16 (12%) Yes

121(81%) No

 

5. 2001 SPORTS NATIONALS

5.1 Do you intend to compete at the 2001 Sports Class Nationals? (June 17-28, Minden)

39 (25%) Yes

115 (75%) No

5.2 Do you intend to use a GPS flight recorder for primary flight documentation?

71 (89%) Yes

9 (11%) No

5.3 Should GPS flight recorders be mandatory at the Sports Class Nationals in 2001?

65 (64%) Yes

37 (36%) No

6. FOREIGN ENTRANTS AT REGIONALS

6.1 Should foreign entrants be allowed to win Regionals?

72 (44%) Yes

90 (56%) No

7. RULES SIMPLIFICATION

7.1 We've received comments that the rules have become too complicated. What simplifications would you suggest?

19 None

26 had detailed suggestions

8. INTERNET

8.1 Do you use the Internet to access the SSA and other soaring related web pages and/or the Rec.Aviation.Soaring newsgroup?

153 (92%) Yes

13(8%)No

9. AIRPORT LANDING BONUS

9.1 Should the airport landing bonus be changed from a fixed 25 points to 0.025 times the winner's score (i.e. devalue the bonus as the day is devalued)? Compared to the present fixed point method, this would have the effect of reducing the impact of the bonus on mass-landout days.

58 (35%)Yes

106 (65%)No