h3. Proposal from
Andy Phillips, GBR
h3. Proposal title
Task Cancellation System
h3. Existing text
*S10*
*4.30.5*
After take-offs have started the organisers may suspend flying if to continue is dangerous. If the period of suspension is sufficiently long to give an unfair chance to any competitor the director shall cancel the task. Once all competitors in a class have taken off, or had the opportunity to take off, the task may not be cancelled other than for reasons of force majeure.
*S10*
*4.34.17*
In Paramotors, if less than 50% of pilots in class start a task then after all penalties have been applied each pilot score for the task will be reduced on a pro-rata basis according to the following formula:
Pilot final task score = Ps*(MIN(1,(Ts/Tc)*2))
_Where_
Ps = Pilot task score after all penalties Etc. are applied.
Ts = Total started; total number of pilots in class who started the task _(ie properly, beyond 5 minute rule)._
Tc = Total class; total number of pilots in class.
h3. New text
{panel}
*S10*
*4.30.5*
-After take-offs have started the organisers may suspend flying if to continue is dangerous. If the period of suspension is sufficiently long to give an unfair chance to any competitor the director shall cancel the task. Once all competitors in a class have taken off, or had the opportunity to take off, the task may not be cancelled other than for reasons of force majeure.-
{color:#ff0000}If the competition director feels there is a possibility of a task being cancelled due to deteriorating weather, he will not use an ordered launch. After take-offs have started the competition director may suspend flying if to continue is dangerous or if he regrets starting the task. If the period of suspension is sufficiently long to give an unfair chance to any competitor, or it is clear that weather conditions are deteriorating, the director may cancel the task, regardless of how many competitors have already taken off. In the event of a task cancellation, this shall be communicated to competitors who are in the air by the use of at least a clear and agreed visual signal displayed on the landing deck(s). {color}
*S10*
*4.34.17*
-In Paramotors, if less than 50% of pilots in class start a task then after all penalties have been applied each pilot score for the task will be reduced on a pro-rata basis according to the following formula:-
-Pilot final task score = Ps*(MIN(1,(Ts/Tc)*2))-
_{-}Where{-}_
-Ps = Pilot task score after all penalties Etc. are applied.-
-Ts = Total started; total number of pilots in class who started the task -{_}-(ie properly, beyond 5 minute rule).-_
-Tc = Total class; total number of pilots in class.-
{panel}
h3. Reason
The rule 4.34.17 is a legacy from paragliding competitions in which free launch is standard. In the current most commonly used Paramotor system of ordered launch there is undue pressure on pilots to make a fast decision whether to fly or not, or risk losing 20% of their points from missing their position in the launch order.
The existing rules allow Competition Directors to launch a task in potentially unsafe conditions, falling back onto the arguments that it is up to the pilots to fly if they wish, and let a formula devalue the points.
There are always a few pilots desperate for points who would be prepared to fly in dangerous conditions.
The UK Squad prefer the idea of a Competition Director who has to make a judgement on the suitability of a task in the prevailing and forecast weather conditions, and cancel the task, whether some pilots have launched or not, in the interest of safety.
In the UK, we have successfully used an SMS-based task cancellation system for the last three years in addition to the use of visual signals on the deck.
Andy Phillips, GBR
h3. Proposal title
Task Cancellation System
h3. Existing text
*S10*
*4.30.5*
After take-offs have started the organisers may suspend flying if to continue is dangerous. If the period of suspension is sufficiently long to give an unfair chance to any competitor the director shall cancel the task. Once all competitors in a class have taken off, or had the opportunity to take off, the task may not be cancelled other than for reasons of force majeure.
*S10*
*4.34.17*
In Paramotors, if less than 50% of pilots in class start a task then after all penalties have been applied each pilot score for the task will be reduced on a pro-rata basis according to the following formula:
Pilot final task score = Ps*(MIN(1,(Ts/Tc)*2))
_Where_
Ps = Pilot task score after all penalties Etc. are applied.
Ts = Total started; total number of pilots in class who started the task _(ie properly, beyond 5 minute rule)._
Tc = Total class; total number of pilots in class.
h3. New text
{panel}
*S10*
*4.30.5*
-After take-offs have started the organisers may suspend flying if to continue is dangerous. If the period of suspension is sufficiently long to give an unfair chance to any competitor the director shall cancel the task. Once all competitors in a class have taken off, or had the opportunity to take off, the task may not be cancelled other than for reasons of force majeure.-
{color:#ff0000}If the competition director feels there is a possibility of a task being cancelled due to deteriorating weather, he will not use an ordered launch. After take-offs have started the competition director may suspend flying if to continue is dangerous or if he regrets starting the task. If the period of suspension is sufficiently long to give an unfair chance to any competitor, or it is clear that weather conditions are deteriorating, the director may cancel the task, regardless of how many competitors have already taken off. In the event of a task cancellation, this shall be communicated to competitors who are in the air by the use of at least a clear and agreed visual signal displayed on the landing deck(s). {color}
*S10*
*4.34.17*
-In Paramotors, if less than 50% of pilots in class start a task then after all penalties have been applied each pilot score for the task will be reduced on a pro-rata basis according to the following formula:-
-Pilot final task score = Ps*(MIN(1,(Ts/Tc)*2))-
_{-}Where{-}_
-Ps = Pilot task score after all penalties Etc. are applied.-
-Ts = Total started; total number of pilots in class who started the task -{_}-(ie properly, beyond 5 minute rule).-_
-Tc = Total class; total number of pilots in class.-
{panel}
h3. Reason
The rule 4.34.17 is a legacy from paragliding competitions in which free launch is standard. In the current most commonly used Paramotor system of ordered launch there is undue pressure on pilots to make a fast decision whether to fly or not, or risk losing 20% of their points from missing their position in the launch order.
The existing rules allow Competition Directors to launch a task in potentially unsafe conditions, falling back onto the arguments that it is up to the pilots to fly if they wish, and let a formula devalue the points.
There are always a few pilots desperate for points who would be prepared to fly in dangerous conditions.
The UK Squad prefer the idea of a Competition Director who has to make a judgement on the suitability of a task in the prevailing and forecast weather conditions, and cancel the task, whether some pilots have launched or not, in the interest of safety.
In the UK, we have successfully used an SMS-based task cancellation system for the last three years in addition to the use of visual signals on the deck.