Latvian open XC Cup 2021, Regulation (in english)
Latvian open XC Cup 2021
Latvian paragliding competition (FAI 2)
Jekabpils - Lociki, 29 – 30 May 2021
1. Introduction
1.1 Competition objective is to promote paragliding in Latvia and to provide international competition experience to Latvian paragliding pilots.
1.2 Paragliding competition is run according to the FAI Sporting Code. It is a pilot’s responsibility to be aware of the rules in General Section and Section 7 of the FAI Sporting Code and abide them. References to Section 7 refer to the edition dated 26th April 2020.
1.3 The purpose of the competition is to provide good and satisfying contest flying in order to determine the winners in each class and to reinforce friendship amongst pilots and nations. The event is for pilots interested in competing and improving their skills at paragliding.
1.4 The competition is open to all pilots with a valid paragliding licence (category Parapro 3 or higher). FAI licence is required for FAI ranking points.
1.5 All pilots fly under their own responsibility. It is each pilot’s responsibility to take all necessary actions to maintain their own safety during the competitions and to ensure that they do not act in any way that might endanger any other pilots during the competition. It is a condition of entry to the Latvian Paragliding competitions for all pilots to accept without restriction to hold the Organisers blameless and waive all claims to compensation.
1.6 All pilots must be aware of the Local Regulations and abide them.
1.7 The organizer shall provide a safe and fair contest.
2. Organizer, Location and Schedule of Event
2.1 The competition is organized by Latvian Paragliding Federation.
2.2 The competition is held in Jekabpils - Lociki. The competition HQ: Viesu nams “Valerija” Moskvina, Preiļu pagasts, Preiļu novads (can be specified by a separate info)
2.3 The competition website is https://www.airtribune.com/ and www.paragliding.lv
2.4 The competition is held for two days – 29-30 May 2021.
2.5. Reserve dates for the competition are 12-13 June 2021.
2.6.1. Schedule for the first day is as follows:
08:00 registration begins
10:00 registration ends
08:30 morning meals
10:00 briefing at Competition HQ
11:00 briefing at launch site, task announcement
11:30 start window open
17:00 start window closed
18:30 finish window closed
19:30 deadline for the delivery of GPS results
2.6.2. Schedule for the second day is as follows:
08:30 morning meals
10:30 briefing at Competition HQ
11:00 briefing at launch site, task announcement
11:30 start window open
16:00 start window closed
17:00 finish window closed
18:30 deadline for the delivery of GPS results
19:30 award ceremony
2.7. The schedule may be adjusted due to weather conditions.
3. Competition officials
3.1 Meet Director: N.Pakulis
3.2 Launch Judge: A. Paze
3.3 Safety Director: S. Samuilovs
3.4 Chief Judge: A. Kromanis
3.5 Scoring Judge: J. Mateuss
3.6 Head of Administration Committee: N. Pakulis
3.7 Task committee nominated by the Meet Director and consist of 4 nominees. The task committee is advisory body for the Meet Director.
4. Participants, registration process, entry requirements and paragliding classes
4.1 In the competition may participate a maximum number of 40 pilots. 10 places are reserved for foreign pilots until 20 May 2021 (inclusive). After this date unfilled places will be released to the next selected pilots. Organizers keep the right to enlarge a maximum number of participants.
4.2 Early registration is available online via competition website https://www.airtribune.com/ until 25 May 2021 (inclusive).
4.3 Late registration is available at competition HQ by payment of the late entry fee.
4.4 The pilot must have a valid paragliding licence (category ParaPro 3 or higher). For FAI ranking the pilot shall have a valid FAI sporting licence.
4.5 The pilot must have a medical insurance valid in the Republic of Latvia.
4.6 It is recommended for the pilot to have a third-party liability insurance valid in the Republic of Latvia.
4.7 The competition will be held in the following categories: overall – EN/LTF A-B-C-D-CCC; sport – EN/LTF A-B-C; Standard – EN/LTF A-B; women if there are at least 3 participants in the class.
4.8 Each pilot competes individually.
4.9 The pilot MUST have airworthy flying equipment which correspond to their qualification level. The wing must be EN/LTF/DHV certified. The pilot must have a harness with back protection, a tow release device, a helmet, a reserve, a working radio equipment and GPS device.
5. Entry and tow fees
5.1 The entry fee is EUR 50.00 and it can be paid by bank transfer by 25 May 2021 (inclusive). The entry fee may be paid also later at competition HQ as a late entry fee which is EUR 70.00.
5.2 Tow fee is not included in the entry fee. The fee for a one tow is EUR 6.00.
5.3 The entry fee shall be paid to:
Receiver: Latvijas Paraplanierisma federacija
Registration No. 40008062282
Address of the receiver:
Bank: A/S SWEDBANK
Account No. (IBAN): LV77HABA0551012413176
SWIFT code: HABA22LV
Subject: LV XC FAI2
5.4 The entry fee includes: competition HQ infrastructure (outdoor WC, electricity, trash removal, etc.), a lunch packet, evening meal on the first competition day, a light breakfast (snack, water, tea, coffee, etc.), retrieves, competition t-shirts, awards and diplomas for winners. It is welcomed to arrive with personal utensils (spoon, knife, etc.) to reduce a waste footprint.
6. Flying, safety regulations and Liability
6.1 All pilots must read and abide safety rules as in Section 7 of the FAI Sporting Code.
6.2 Each pilot is required to conform to the aviation law and rules of the country in which the competition takes place.
6.3 Wind speed suitable for the competition is up to 7 m/s (measured at 2 m height).
6.4 A pilot witnessing any situation which might influence the safety of the competition must try to inform the organizer and the competing pilots.
6.5 All manoeuvres which might endanger the safety of others are strictly forbidden. Aerobatics, dangerous flying conduct, infringement of rules and unsporting behaviour will be penalised and may cause disqualification.
6.6 A pilot may not fly unless he/she is fit. Any injury, drugs or medication taken which might affect the competitor’s performance in the air, must be reported to the Meet Director before flying.
6.7 It is strictly forbidden to fly under influence of alcohol or other drugs.
6.8 At any time the organizer can stop a task in case of hazardous conditions.
6.9 The Meet Director has the right to ban all flying on a day when the task was cancelled.
6.10 If any pilot fails to report within the report deadline time, the organizer will start a rescue action.
6.11 In case a pilot fails to inform the organizer about a safe landing, he/she will have to cover the costs of the rescue action.
6.12 All pilots must pack their gliders immediately after landing: a glider lying open on the ground means “I need help!”.
6.13 Rescue action and medical costs will be covered by the pilot and their insurance.
6.14 The pilot is solely responsible for his/her personal equipment, actions on the ground and in the air. This has to be confirmed by the signature during the registration.
7. Briefings
7.1 All information concerning the competition and tasks will be announced at briefings and/or displayed on the official information board.
7.2 General briefing – held at the HQ or other appointed place. It covers general organisational and safety issues. All competitors must be present personally at the general briefing.
7.3 Task briefing – held at the take-off in the presence of all pilots, presents the details of the task, weather information and general organisational matters.
7.4 It’s the pilots responsibility to remain informed through the briefing or by consulting the task committee.
7.5 Technical data specified during the task briefing will be put on the task board.
7.6 All briefings will be conducted first in English, then in Latvian.
8. Launch method and launch order
8.1 Launch will be performed by the passive tow winches. Minimum tow altitude is set to 350 m .
8.2 Launch order method will be determined by the Chief Judge.
8.3 Live launch order queue will be managed by the Launch Judge.
8.4 The pilot can make multiple launch attempts while the start window is open.
8.5 Each individual pilot is responsible for their own decision to take off.
9. Tasks, validation of a task and the competition
9.1 The following race type will be used: elapsed time.
9.2 The task is prepared by the Task committee before the opening of the start window.
9.3 The task is valid only if all pilots had an opportunity to start (launch) and at least 60 minutes have passed since the last pilot had started and the task has been cancelled.
9.4 The competition is valid if it has at least one valid task.
10. Retrieves
10.1 Retrieves will be organized by Whatsapp. The pilot must have Whatsapp supporting equipment.
11. Scoring and results
11.1 The task results will be determined only by valid GPS data from the GPS device. Flight verification rules are set down in Section 7 of the FAI Sporting Code.
11.2 Tasks will be scored using GAP formula and FS software. All parameters will be announced before the first task and will remained unchanged until the end of the competition.
11.3 The results will be displayed on the information board as soon as possible after downloading all track-logs.
11.4 After the end of the competition the results will be sent to CIVL for inclusion in the WPRS.
12. Penalties
12.1 For infringements of or non-compliance with the Local Regulations or the FAI Sporting Code a pilot may be penalised. Each time the penalty is imposed by the Meet Director, except the penalties stated in Section 7 of the FAI Sporting Code, which will be applied accordingly.
12.2 For violation of restricted airspace, the pilot is penalised with 1% percent of pilot’s points for each violated 1 m within the restricted airspace. For example, for violation of restricted airspace within 30 m in the restricted airspace, the pilot is penalised with minus 30% percent of pilot’s points.
12.3 For the second violation of restricted airspace the pilot is disqualified.
12.4 If a task is cancelled, the penalty will be decided by the Meet Director.
12.5 If for any reason a pilot’s score, including penalties, is negative, the score for the task will be zero.
13. Complaints and protests
13.1 Complaints and protest must be made in writing and delivered to the competition HQ. They shall refer to specific rules in the Local Regulations and/or FAI Sporting Code.
13.2 The time limit of a complaint is 1 hour 30 minutes after the publication of the provisional task results, except after the last task, in which case the time limit is 30 minutes.
13.3 If the pilot is not satisfied with the outcome, he/she may make a protest. The time limit of a complaint is 2 hours after announcement of the decision regarding the complaint, except after the last task, in which case the time limit is 30 minutes.
13.4 The protest fee is EUR 50.00, which will be refunded if the protest is upheld.
13.5 Complaints are dealt with by the Meet Director and the Chief Judge.