Proposal from
Wojtek DOMAŃSKI - POL.
Proposal title
Timing gates has to replace sticks in all presision tasks for parators.
Existing text
1.12.4 GATES, TURNPOINTS AND MARKERS
[...]
Control points may be: A geographical point, a ground marker, a landing marker or a kicking stick.
3.2.1 TIMINGS
[...]
Timings may also be taken when the pilot kicks a stick or flies overhead an observer as briefed for the task in question.
3.2.4 FLIGHT ACCURACY MEASUREMENT
[...]
Kick sticks
- Some tasks may involve the use of "Kicking sticks". A valid strike on a stick is one where the pilot or any part of the aircraft has been clearly observed to touch it OR when electronic ‘kick stick’ sensors which have been shown to meet the standard tests are used, a valid strike is one which is recorded by the device.
- The stick should be approx. 2m in height, visible from a range of at least 250 meters, and of a construction such that it is unlikely to enter a propeller once struck.
- One or more sticks may be used in a task for the purposes of separating elements of that task (e.g. to take a time) and a bonus score may be available for successfully kicking a sequence of sticks in a given order and/or time.
New text
1.12.4 GATES, TURNPOINTS AND MARKERS
[...]
Control points may be: A geographical point, a ground marker, a landing marker or a kicking stick timing gate.
3.2.1 TIMINGS
[...]
Timings may also be taken when the pilot kicks a stick passes through a timing gate or flies overhead an observer as briefed for the task in question.
3.2.4 FLIGHT ACCURACY MEASUREMENT
[...]
Timing gates.
- Some tasks may involve timing gates.
Kick sticks
- Previously used sticks nowadays are considered dangerous due to high speed achieved by pilots in precision tasks in which sticks used to be used. Timing gates has to be used in place of sticks wherever task description considers using sticks.
- Some tasks may involve the use of "Kicking sticks". A valid strike on a stick is one where the pilot or any part of the aircraft has been clearly observed to touch it OR when electronic ‘kick stick’ sensors which have been shown to meet the standard tests are used, a valid strike is one which is recorded by the device.
- The stick should be approx. 2m in height, visible from a range of at least 250 meters, and of a construction such that it is unlikely to enter a propeller once struck.
- One or more sticks may be used in a task for the purposes of separating elements of that task (e.g. to take a time) and a bonus score may be available for successfully kicking a sequence of sticks in a given order and/or time.
Reason
A recent evolution in paramotor gliders allows pilot to achieve much higher speed then it used to be before. During precision tasks pilots frequently exceed the speed of 60km/h. Hitting a stick with a leg(s), or cage with such a speed brings a risk to either injure pilot or to break his/her paramotor/trike. For these reason kicking stick shall be declared forbidden, and timing gates should be used instead.