RULE MAKING

1998 Rules Changes

Following are the major changes to SSA sanctioned competiton rules for the 1998 season approved by the SSA Board of Directors at Portland.

Late entry surcharge:

This was raised to $100 for nationals and $50 for regionals because of the ineffectiveness of the old rates.

Practice day tow fees covered by entry fee:

Nationals - official practice days.
Regionals - None.

Flight recorders:

Flight recorders will be the primary means of flight documentation for the Open Class. Thus the Rules committee is drafting rules for gps-controlled starts. These start rules will include a procedures to eliminate high speed dives. The committee voted to recommend that this method of flight documentation become mandatory for all three FAI classes in 1999.

Landout Bonus:

A bonus will be awarded for landing at airports or approved landing sites.

PST Scoring:

The PST scoring will be modified so that devaluation begins when landouts exceed 10%. Contestants who finish more than 15 minutes under the min time will count for this devaluation as well.

Team selection:

Team members will be able to use their placing at the Worlds for the A, B or C years in the selection formula.

World Class Rules:

The US will use the US FAI competition rules with a minimum task distance of 40 miles.

Safety:

The registration form will have a place where pilots can indicate their contest and off-field landing experience so that effective mentoring can be offered.

For the Rules Committee, Karl H Striedieck