Armenian Paragliding Accuracy Cup 2023

 

 

Local Regulations

 

1.            
Objective

The objective of the competition is to determine best
individuals and teams in PGA landing.

 

1.1 The Winner

The Winner of each category will be the individual or
team with the lowest aggregate score, where appropriate. The winners will be awarded with diplomas, medals and cash prize:

Overall:

1st place –  500USD

2nd place  – 300USD

3rd place – 200USD

The overall winner will get the Сup.

 

Woman: (cash prizes are drawn from 5 participants)

1st place – 300USD

2nd place  –  200USD

3rd place – 100USD

 

1.2 Competition Site

Lake Sevan, Armenia

 

1.3. Date

August 18-20, 2023. Training flights
will be organized on August 18

 

 

1.4 Organizers

“Paragliding Federation of Armenia”

Event/Meet Director: Armen Sarkisyan +374 93 328322

Head of Office: Artem Kiva +7 921 3646484
(Messengers only)

                                              
+374 77 225247 local number

www.skyclub.am

 

1.5 Event Schedule

 

17-18  August, 2023

Arrival, accommodation day

 

18  August, 2023

12.00 – 18.00 Training flights depending on weather
conditions.

12.00 – 20.00 registration, start numbers
draw at HQ

 

 

19  August, 2023

06:00 – 8:30 registration, start
numbers draw at HQ

6:30-8:30 Transfer to Competition Site

09:30 – 10:00 Opening Ceremony, mandatory Pilots
General and Safety Briefing on Competition Site

10:00 – 18.00 Competition Flights

14:00 – Lunch

18:30 – Transfer to Erevan or HQ

20:00 – First Day Results or Total results

20.30 – 23.00 Evening event

 

20  August, 2023 (Reserve Date)

6:30-8:30 Transfer to Competition Site

08:00 – 09:00 – Mandatory Safety Briefing on
Competition Site.

9:00 – 18:00 Competition Flights.

18:00 – 19:00 Total results.

19:00 – Award Ceremony, Closing Ceremony in HQ,
Departure.

 

 

1.6 Registration

www.skyclub.am/sport/ 

Deadline for online registration – 16 
August, 17:00 local time.

Registration on the spot:

All pilots must register personally (by signing) at
competition office on the first competition day during the registration time.

Maximum number of pilots – 100

 

1.7 Entry fee

50 USD – 19 of Jule 2023 (inclusive),

60 USD – 01 of August 2023 (inclusive).

80 USD – from 02 August until the day of
registration

5 USD – a fine for not registered on the site www.skyclub.am

– Payment details will be sent to participants after their registration
for the competition by e-mail or via WhatsApp or Telegram messengers.

VISA   4318 2700 0048 1364

MIR     2200 7007 3320 3888

Entry fee includes take-offs on competition days, 1-2 lunches,
souvenir, medals, diplomas.

 

1.8 Accommodation

The Competition Main Camp
will be organized in the Wishup Shore 40.50419, 45.24968

 

1.9 Catering             

On competition days lunch will be organized at the competition venue.

 

1.10 Classes

* Overall

* Female

* Teams (team
– 5 pilots max)

1.11 Requirements for
pilots

* Valid national PG license.

* IPPI card with ParaPro3 or higher category, if national license is
incompatible with IPPI categories.

Pilots should be
prepared to demonstrate they have ground handling experience and skills.

 

1.12 Insurance

Each foreign competitor must provide certificate of medical expenses
insurance valid in Armenia. Minimum coverage for this insurance shall be not less
than 30000 USD and repatriation.

It is prohibited to participate in the competition without health insurance.

 

1.13 Requirements for
equipment

At any time during the championships, the organizers and officials have
the right to inspect any competing glider and other equipment including, but
not limited to, harness, emergency parachute, helmet, tow release equipment,
footwear etc. and, if necessary, ground it for safety or non-compliance
reasons.

The organizers shall apply any other penalties listed in S7C and the
Local Regulations for non-compliance with class or airworthiness standards. All
competing pilots are to cooperate with the organizers and officials.

* Only EN-Certified paragliders are permitted to fly.

* All pilots must fly with a harness and back protector combination in
the configuration that has been tested to LTF09.

* All pilots must wear a helmet, certified to either EN966 (HPG),
EN1077-A and –B (Snow Sports), ASTM 2040 (Snow Sports) or Snell RS-98, at all
times while flying.

* Pilots must carry a serviceable reserve (emergency or rescue)
parachute. Tow release system.

* Pilots shall make sure that they are within the maximum certified
weight of the reserve parachute.

* Footwear must be suitable for a safe landing in all valid wind
conditions. Heel and tip of competitors footwear must not be modified such that
it can damage the automatic measuring device. Any footwear addition must be
made from soft  rubber.

 

In accordance with S7C, effective from 1 may 2022 chapter 8.3.4
Footwear.

 

*The organization should require pilots to carry a radio which is able
to receive and transmit on the defined safety frequency. The safety frequency
shall be set and used during the flying. Radio frequencies shall be specified
in the Local Regulations and /or at Mandatory Briefing.

 

 Voice activated microphones (VOX
operated) are strictly forbidden.

The use of radios, mobile phones or any other means of communication to
coach competitors to the target (other than for safety reasons) is strictly
forbidden.

 

1.14 Precautions

Alcohol during competition is prohibited. Launch Marshal, Meet Director
and Chief Judge have the rights to perform alcohol control before launch.
Allowed alcohol concentration in blood – 0,0. Ppm.

In order to avoid damages to the target surface and automatic distance
meter, use of sharp targeting things, attached to shoes outsoles are strictly prohibited.
Launch Marshal has the right to check pilot’s shoes before launch and any time. Chief/Event
Judge has the right to check pilot’s shoes after launch and any time.

 

1.15 Safety Director
rights

Do not allow pilots to participate in competition with an inappropriate
equipment.

Dismiss pilot from competition if his qualification does not comply with
provided documents.

Dismiss pilot from round if pilot’s qualification is insufficient for
current flying conditions, which do not exceed the limits specified in this
document.

 

1.16 Pilots obligations

Comply with competition rules,
morale and ethics.

Attend briefings.

Execute instructions of the
organizers.

 

1.17 Risk

Flight equipment and other property is everyone’s personal responsibility
during the competition. By registering, participant refuses of any claims to
the organizers in connection with injuries and property damage.

All pilots must sign a Waiver declaration.

 

2 Site and Equipment

 

2.1 Target

The target radius is 5.00 meter. Falls will be scored to 10.00 meter.
Location of the target must allow landing from any direction. Positioning of the
target will be at the discretion of the Chief Judge and Meet Director after
advice from the Safety Committee.  The
target may be relocated during the event (though, not during the same round).

The target shall be a flat practically horizontal area represented by a
clearly delineated circle with the automatic measuring device located in the center.
Clearly marked circles must be set at 1 m, 2 m and 5 m radius, measured from
the edge of the dead center disc to mark the area where competitor’s scores are
determined. The marking of circles is indicative and not intended for scoring.

An additional clearly marked circle shall be set at 10 m radius,
measured from the edge of the dead centre disc to signify the area within which
a fall is not allowed.

Target must be of non-slippery material, even if the weather is humid or
there is frost or ice.

The target and target area should be flat and free from long grass,
vegetation and flora that may interfere with marking a landing point. Grass
should be mown to a low level (nominally 50 mm).

The Chief Judge shall approve the target surface and set up.

Take-off from hill. Launch height approximately 100m.

 

2.2 Target area

The area surrounding and including the target. It will
be clearly delineated with defined access restriction. Within the target area
will be wind indicators, judging table, video tripod(s), spectator area, first-aid
etc. The target area shall be flat and practically horizontal for a minimum
distance of 30 m from the AMD.

 

 

2.3 Measuring field

Measuring field is a flat area where competitor’s scores are measured.
It is represented by clearly  marked
circle. Radius of measuring field is 5 meters. The target should be of such
material (grass, sand, carpet etc.) that allows judges to define a pilot’s
landing point. The target must be at the same height as the landing field where
it is situated i.e. not elevated or sunken. The Chief Judge and Event Judge
shall determine the area around the measuring field that will be restricted to
Duty  competition Officials only (minimum
20 m radius from the target).

A pilot confirms his result by signing next to his score in the results
list.

 

2.4 Indication of
Wind Direction

A high visibility windsock and wind direction indicator will be located
in the target area and at a minimum of 5 m above ground level. The windsock
shall be a minimum of 2.5 m in length and designed to fly horizontally in winds
of 6 m/s. It shall be able to free to fly and not obstructed by guy lines. It
shall be bi-coloured in bright colours, in contrast to the target area so that
it is clearly visible from the air, and such that a dark colour is at the
tapered end and a light colour is closest to the pole.

There shall be at least four light wind direction indicators (i.e.
streamers) to indicate wind direction in winds of less than 1 m/s. They should
be located within each quadrant of the target area approximately 15 m from the
AMD. They shall be a minimum of 2 m long and mounted so that the trailing end
is clear of the ground. They should be of a bright colour(s) in contrast to the
target area and clearly visible from the air.

 

2.4 Wind Speed
Recorder

The wind shall be recorded within 50 m of the target with the measuring
sensor positioned between5 m and 7 m above ground level. Wind sensor must not
prevent a pilot to land in the target.

 

3 Competition

 

3.1 Number of Rounds

Minimum rounds – 1 maximum – 7. The results obtained in any round shall
count towards individual and team scores, only when a round has been completed
(i.e. all of the competitors have received a score or a penalty). In the event
of a break in the competition in the middle of a round, the competition shall
be resumed from where it left off.

Meet Director are encouraged to maximise the number of flights per day
and may decide to start a new round even though it will not be possible to
complete the round that day.

 

3.2 Contest Numbers

Pilots shall be drawn to random flying order. Random order shall be
determined personally during registration and shall be valid during all
competition day. Each pilot must display his contest number on his leg. Last
round order should be set according to current results of previous rounds,
starting with pilots who have accumulated maximum scores.

 

3.3 Take-off

Competitors must follow the determined order. Competitors not ready to
start in the established flying order when called forward by the Launch Marshal
or those who launched without the Launch Marshal’s permission, will be liable
to maximum 500 score penalty in lieu of their score for that round. Take off
time – min 1,5 minutes, but may be adjusted as appropriate by the Launch Marshal.

If a Pilot has failed to take-off three times by his/her own fault, the
Pilot will be liable to a

maximum score penalty in for that round.

 

 

 

3.4 Pilots separation

Pilots flying shall separate themselves by height to ensure safe and
unobscured landing at the target. Overtaking at low altitude above the target
(AGL) is not allowed and may lead to maximum score penalty; it may be regarded
as dangerous flying.

 

3.5 Signaling
Reference

The official signal for pilots in the air to fly away from the target
(for safety reasons) is person or persons at the Measuring field waving a red
signal flag.

 

3.6 Re-launches

A competitor may only request a re-launch following a disputed flight by
applying to the Chief Judge / Event Judge at the target before signing for his
score. The competitor must register his request for re-launch with the Recorder
before communicating with any other person (with the exception of the Chief and
Event Judges). The Chief Judge /Event Judge may postpone a decision on a
re-launch request for up to 15 minutes to be able to consult the judging team
and (if Chief Judge decides so) for video evidence. At the time a re-launch is
awarded the competitor’s score for the disputed flight will be cancelled.

 

Re-launches shall take place as soon as possible during the current
round or the subsequent round. If a re-launch is not awarded and the pilot
refuses to sign for the score this will be deemed to be a complaint and the
time at which the complaint arose will be recorded and notified to the pilot.
Refer to Complaints and Protests in S7C

Any complaint or protest with the scores must be lodged within the time
specified. After the scores are posted, any score that has not been signed for
is deemed to be a resolved complaint, unless a protest is lodged. At the end of
this time the scores for the round will be declared as Official.

 

A re-launch may be granted only for the following reasons:

 

● Wind Speed – The wind speed exceeds the specified limit during
the time of 30 seconds before the competitor lands. The competitor will be
automatically offered a re-launch. The competitor may choose to accept the
score achieved or accept a re-launch. The competitor must make a decision
immediately.

● Target Obscured – The target is obscured during a competitor’s
final approach. The pilot must then make a clear signal that he is flying away
and must not attempt to land on the target.

● Judges Disagree – The judges are unable to agree an accurate
score for any reason, including non-operation of the AMD.

● Safety Reasons – The competitor changes his flight plans for
safety. The pilot must then make a clear signal that he is flying away and must
not attempt to land on the target.

● Distraction – There is any significant external distraction
which demonstrably affects the competitor’s target approach. The pilot must
then make a clear signal that he is flying away and must not attempt to land on
the target. 

● Judges’ Discretion – At the Judges’ discretion on the grounds
of a technical problem or abnormal conditions. This may be a failure with
equipment, or massive sink such that a pilot is unable to reach the target or
arrives with insufficient height to make a considered final approach. A
re-launch may be authorized provided that the pilot does not attempt to fly to
the target.

 

4. Limitations

 

4.1 Wind Speed

The maximum permitted wind speed for the competition scoring is 7.0 m/s.
If it is deemed likely that the wind speed exceeds 7.0 m/s during a competition
flight, the competition will be halted until the wind reaches sufficient speed.
The upper winds, which are not measurable, are not taken into consideration. The wind
speed shall be visible at the landing area.

 

 

5 Scoring

 

5.1 Method

Competitors
shall be scored on the distance in centimeters between the landing point (first
point of ground contact) and the edge of the dead center disc. The score shall
be 0 if the landing point is at the dead centre disc. In case a pilot hits the
ground at several points simultaneously (e.g. with both feet or full foot), then
the furthest point shall be measured. If competitor lands outside the measuring
field he scores a maximum score, which is the measuring field radius. Landing
has to be made on feet. If competitor falls at landing, he scores a maximum
score. Falls will be scored to 10.00 metre. A fall means if any part of the
pilot’s body (other than his feet) or equipment (excluding the speed system,
stirrup or tow yoke) touches the ground before the wing or before the
competitor has exited 10 m from the target.

 

5.2 Individual Scores

The score of
an individual shall be the aggregate of all the scores achieved by that
competitor. When five or more valid rounds are completed, the worst one
individual score is dropped. Every officially registered competitor should fly
at least once during the competition to remain a valid, scoring competitor.

 

5.3 Team Scores

The team
score for each round shall be calculated as the aggregate score of the best 3
scores achieved by members of the team. In case a team has less than 3
competitors, a maximum 500 penalty scores will be awarded to the each missing
team member (e.g. if there are only 3 competitors in a team, the team’s score
for that round will be the aggregate of the score achieved by two competitors
plus one maximum score).

 

5.4 Tied Scores

If, due to
weather conditions or time constraints, tie breaker flights cannot be flown,
the pilot with the highest number of 0cm scores will be declared the winner of
the tie break. If they are the same, the highest number of 1 cm scores will be
considered, then 2 cm scores, etc.

 

5.5 Validation of Scores

As soon as
possible, when the round ends the recorder will post the
scores from the round (with the posting date and time clearly identified) on
the main briefing board labeled PROVISIONAL. Any complaint or protest with the
scores must be lodged within 1 hour of the scores being posted. At the end of
the 1-hour from posting the scores the round shall be declared as OFFICIAL. Any
protest with the scores after the final round must be submitted within 0.5 hour
of the scores being posted. At the end of
this time the scores for the round will be declared as Official.

 

6. Complaints and Protests

 

Complaints
and protests shall be solved according to the Section 7 and General Section.
Competition participant may give his protest to the Chief Judge or Event
Director. Protests shall be given in written form pointing reasons, violated
rules and demands. Giving the protest shall be paid by 50 USD deposit. If a protest is satisfied the deposit is given back. Protest
is given in 1 hour after official results are declared. After the protests are
considered or in case of no protests in 1 hour the results are declared as
FINAL. After the
final round protest must be submitted within 0.5 hour.

 

7. Penalties

 

The Meet
Director or Chief Judge shall impose penalties for infringement of, or
non-compliance with, any rule in the Sporting Code or Local Regulations.

 

The penalties imposed by the Meet Director /Chief Judge shall be at his
discretion and may be one of the
following:

 

Dangerous or aggressive flying

1st offence: warning.

2nd offence: maximum score for the
round.

3rd offence: disqualification

 

Radio coaching

1st offence: maximum score for the
round.

2nd offence: disqualification.

 

Abuse of officials or bringing the
sport into disrepute

1st offence: warning.

2nd offence: disqualification.

 

*1st offence:
warning could be imposed by Event Judge.

 

Pilot may be
disqualified from current competition because of any contravention of these competition
rules. Any person participating in the current competition may be eliminated in
case his behaviour harms the reputation of the competition. Pilot might be eliminated
from the current competition in case he raises any threat for his or any other person
safety. The pilot can not exert any pressure or insult on the staff and the judges,for
which pilot will be disqualified from current competition immediately
without  receiving first penalty as
warning.