Proposal From:
Vladimir Silhan, Czech delegate
Proposal title:
Known gates
Existing text :
S10 Annex 3, Part 2
2.2.3 KNOWN GATES
When competitors prior to take off are informed of the location of a timing gate, the approach to that gate may be between 500 and 1000 feet height and in a straight line for the final 1 km. Any deviation from this approach may incur a penalty.
New text:
S10 Annex 3, 2.2.3 - delete entire provision
2.2.3 KNOWN GATES
When competitors prior to take off are informed of the location of a timing gate, the approach to that gate may be between 500 and 1000 feet height and in a straight line for the final 1 km. Any deviation from this approach may incur a penalty.
Reason
This rule lost its sense. It was rule, which was important, when times and passing of gates was evaluated by ground marshals. If evaluation is providing due an electronic records, this rule lost any sense. Any rule which forces pilots anything to do or to do not, must have some reason. What is natural reason for this rule today?
Is the big question, what the straight line is. Strict application of this rule may bring penalty for ½ of competitors (or more). Measuring if height of flight was in limits will be a reason for lot of complaints and disputes. Our loggers aren’t designed for measuring of height and GPS height mistake is round 20 m. I have tested it several times and difference between two loggers in one time in one place exists and a difference between two measurements in two different times (30 minutes period) in one logger exists too. If this rule shall be applied, the tolerance of 50 m as minimum must be set. The scoring of navigation tasks will be more difficult and time consuming without any positive affect.