| Analysis Categories |
All |
| Summary of detailed data representing All respondants. |
224 |
| 1.0 |
Demographics: |
All |
| 1.1 |
What class(es) in National contests did you fly this year? |
| All |
107
48% |
| 1-26 |
3
1% |
| World |
6
3% |
| Sport |
26
12% |
| Standard |
31
14% |
| 15M |
30
13% |
| 18M |
14
6% |
| Open |
5
2% |
| MotorGlider |
7
3% |
| Senior |
15
7% |
|
| 1.2 |
What class(es) in Regional contests did you fly this year? |
| All |
172
77% |
| 1-26 |
-
- |
| World |
-
- |
| Sport |
63
28% |
| Standard |
56
25% |
| 15M |
56
25% |
| 18M |
-
- |
| Open |
11
5% |
| MotorGlider |
-
- |
| Senior |
3
1% |
|
| 2.0 |
Turn Area Task (TAT):
TAT is currently approved for use in Regionals and Sports Class Nationals (rule R10.3.2.4) and was used extensively at these contests in 2002. It is very similar to the Assigned Area Task used at many international contests. |
All |
| 2.1 |
Should TAT be added as a task option for all Nationals starting in 2003? |
|
| 2.2 |
Have you flown the TAT? |
|
| 3.0 |
Multi-cylinder Starts:
The use of multiple start cylinders within a single class is currently approved for Regionals (rule R10.8.4). The multi-cylinder start has been used (on a waiver basis) at the 15 Meter Nationals in 2001 and 2002, and is used at many large international contests. Benefits: reduced pre-start gaggle size, reduced opportunities for leeching. Drawbacks: some cylinders may be more advantageous than others, especially at mountainous racing sites. |
All |
| 3.1 |
Should the Multi-cylinder Start be added as an option for Nationals? |
|
| 3.2 |
If yes, should the use of the Multi-cylinder Start be restricted to contests with a large number of contestants in a single class? |
|
| 3.3 |
If yes, should the minimum number of contestants be: |
| 30 |
49
22% |
| 40 |
70
31% |
| 50 |
31
14% |
|
| 3.3d |
Other number of contestants: |
9
4% |
| 4.0 |
Foreign Guest Entrants
Currently, 5 entry positions at SSA contests are reserved for foreign guest pilots, one per country by date of application. This policy has caused problems for our Canadian friends, only one of whom can gain entry to an over-subscribed USA Nationals. Some foreign racing pilots are current SSA members and maintain current seeding numbers on the SSA Pilot Ranking List. |
All |
| 4.1 |
What should the SSA policy be toward foreign guest entrants? (choose one only)
Continue the present system.
Modify the present system to allow extra pilots from one country to fill any of the 5 positions left unfilled by other countries.
Allow foreign pilots with current SSA membership and ranking to obtain entry according to normal preferential entry guidelines. Reserve 5 positions for foreign pilots with no SSA ranking, one per country by date of application. |
| Continue |
49
22% |
| Modify |
94
42% |
| Allow |
74
33% |
|
| 5.0 |
Wing Numbers
Present rules require contest numbers on both sides of the vertical stabilizer and on the bottom of the right wing. The original primary reason for the wing number was to allow identification by ground personnel using the old visual start gate. Benefits of eliminating the requirement for wing numbers: avoiding the cost of painting them on new gliders. Drawbacks: it will become more difficult to identify other gliders in a gaggle. The radio message, White glider, I'm ten feet below you, conveys little meaning. |
All |
| 5.1 |
Should the requirement for wing numbers be eliminated? |
|
| 6.0 |
Standard Class 9 lb Wingloading Limit
The SSA Rules Committee has received several requests to eliminate the 9 lb wingloading limit in Standard Class.
Arguments in favor of dropping the limit: Conformity with Standard Class rules in other countries and world championships, none of which impose such a limit. It is also no longer necessary to protect the competitiveness of older generation gliders, almost all are now Discus/ASW24 or better.
Arguments in favor of keeping the limit: Safer tows, greater availability of suitable towplanes due to the lower power requirements, quicker launches, fewer relights, better maneuverability in thermals, less wasted water. |
All |
| 6.1 |
Should the current 9 psf wingloading limit for Standard Class Nationals be eliminated? |
|
| 6.2 |
Should the current 9 psf wingloading limit for Standard Class Regionals be:
Optional at the organizers discretion |
| Eliminated |
45
20% |
| Retained |
105
47% |
| Optional |
65
29% |
|
| 7.0 |
Finish Cylinder and Finish Gate
Current rules allow the use of a finish cylinder or a finish gate, at the Contest Directors discretion. One type of finish may be more suitable than the other for a particular contest site. Sports Class regionals are currently required to use a 500 foot minimum altitude finish cylinder. |
All |
| 7.1 |
Which type of finish do you prefer? |
| FinishCylinder |
96
43% |
| FinishGate |
89
40% |
| NoPreference |
39
17% |
|
| 7.2 |
Should both finish types be retained, for use at the CDs discretion? |
|
| 8.0 |
Close-in Tasks
Section A10.3 of Appendix A, Guide to the Rules, contains the following advice for task selection:
Use distant turnpoints in good weather, save the nearby ones for the tough days. Visiting a variety of turnpoints tends to add interest to a contest.
Some pilots have requested that a greater emphasis be placed on calling close-in tasks, such as bow-ties or multiple laps around a small course, even on days when the weather allows the use of distant turnpoints. Benefits: shorter retrieves for pilots who land out. Drawbacks: less variety of terrain and conditions encountered during a contest; increased crowding and gaggling due to shorter task legs and greater number of turnpoints. |
All |
| 8.1 |
Should greater emphasis be placed on calling close-in tasks? |
|
| 9.0 |
Multi-place Class:
Two-seat sailplanes currently compete in Open Class (without handicaps) and in Sports Class (with handicaps). |
All |
| 9.1 |
Should a separate, handicapped Multi-place Class be created? |
|
| 9.2 |
Would you participate? |
|
| 10.0 |
Nationals Rotation:
National Championships in each class are rotated among three zones of the country during the site selection process. |
All |
| 10.1 |
Which rotation scheme do you prefer?
ECWC = East - Central - West - Central (repeat). This is the present method.
ECW = East - Central - West (repeat). |
|
| 10.2 |
Which National Contests do you intend to fly in 2003? (check all that apply) |
| World |
8
4% |
| Sports |
71
32% |
| Standard |
36
16% |
| 15Meter |
66
29% |
| 18Meter |
38
17% |
| Open |
13
6% |
| Motorglider |
13
6% |
|
| 11.0 |
Open Nationals Rotation
Several Open Class pilots have complained that attendance does not justify staging Open Nationals in the East Zone, except perhaps Mifflin County. |
All |
| 11.1 |
Would you prefer a rotation between the Central and Western Zones only? (Please respond only if you intend to fly in the Open Nationals) |
|
| 12.0 |
Other Issues
Are there any other issues that you would like the SSA Rules Committee to address, or any questions that you would like to see included on future SRA polls? |
67
30% |
