The VSC DIY Courses
Concept:
The idea is for an informal weekend contest for beginnning XC pilots. It is intended to encourage weekend pilots who may normally, without a formal goal, stay close to home. The contest is open to anyone holding no more than a Siver Distance (i.e. Gold distance or above you ain't a beginner any more). There are two courses:
Course A - Short
Course 'A' is the shorter of the two courses. It is a little over 50 miles (more than a silver) but keeps you close enough to home to build confidence. You will cross over the Airport several times while flying the course. The course makes it easy to bail at any point.
If you can fly this you can certainly fly to Blairstown for your silver.
|
| Turnpoint | True | Mag | Dist | Cumul |
|---|
RANDALL [06N]
| | 263° | 276° | 6.4 nm | 6.4 nm | LEWIS LANDING [NK79]
| | 65° | 79° | 13.3 nm | 19.7 nm | ORANGE CO [MGJ]
| | 301° | 315° | 10.2 nm | 29.9 nm | WURTSBORO SULLIVAN CO [N82]
| | 172° | 186° | 16.3 nm | 46.2 nm | BIG ISLAND [NK07]
| | 7° | 21° | 6.3 nm | 52.5 nm | RANDALL [06N]
| Finish |
|
Couse B - Long
The Course is 118.4km (or 73.6 sm) around 6 landable Hudson Valley airports. The longest leg distance is 15.4 sm (24.8 km) so off-airport landings should be rare.
This course takes you much further from home but every turnpoint is a landable airport so even if you do have to land out chances are it'll be at a known airport where we can aerotow you out. The turnpoints are:
 |
| Turnpoint | True | Mag | Dist | Cumul |
|---|
RANDALL [06N]
| | 343° | 357° | 10.4 nm | 10.4 nm | WURTSBORO SULLIVAN CO [N82]
| | 25° | 38° | 8.6 nm | 19 nm | JOSEPH Y RESNICK [N89]
| | 119° | 132° | 12.5 nm | 31.5 nm | KOBELT [N45]
| | 220° | 234° | 9.2 nm | 40.7 nm | ORANGE CO [MGJ]
| | 184° | 198° | 13.4 nm | 54.1 nm | WARWICK MUNI [N72]
| | 331° | 345° | 9.8 nm | 63.9 nm | RANDALL [06N]
| Finish |
|
The primary intent is for low time X-C pilots in all types of sailpane, scoring will be based upon FAI handicaps . Pilots may also fly different types of sailplanes on each flight if they so wish.
Rules:
You knew there had to be some, right?
- GENERAL - There are DIY flight log forms in the trailer for each course. Take one on each flight and use it to log start times, TP times and finsh times. The course may be flown in either direction. The start and finish lines are the same. Times and distances are on the honor system. Photgraphic or GPS evidence is not required but is welcome.
- The flight starts when the pilot announces a start. Announce your start on 123.5, broadcasting in the blind "[ID] starting Valley Soaring Course (A) or (B) over Randall [TIME]". The maximum start height is 4000 AGL and the mimimum is 2000 AGL (be honest). Start your watch when crossing the start line and record the time on the log sheet.
- TURNPOINT EVIDENCE- This is done on the honor system. You should turn the point on the far side of it (see diagram below). Note the time that you turn each turnpoint. Record the time you turn each TP on the log sheet.
- FINISHING - The flight ends when the pilot completes the course and announces a finish. Announce your finish on 123.5, broadcasting in the blind "[ID] finishing Valley Soaring Course (A) or (B) over Randall [TIME]". A mimimum finish line altitude of 1000 ft is required for safety (no low finishes) to permit a normal pattern. Stop your watch upon crossing the finish line then log your finish time after landing.
- SCORING - Scoring will be based upon handicapped speed and distance. Pilots will be scored on the cumulative scores of all their flights for the season (The more often you try the more likely you will win).
- Distance Points - Based upon cumulative handicapped distance flown. You get credit to the last turnpoint achieved. Therefore it is important to note the time you turn each turnpoint.
- Speed Points - Handicap speed is calculated based upon handicapped distance flown.
- Ranking - Based on cumulative handicapped distance flown. If at any time in the season more than one pilot has flown the same dcumulative distance ranking will be based upon cumulative average handicapped speed attained.
- DIY SEASON - May 1 to October 30.
- LOGGING FLIGHT- Two ladders are maintained one for each course. Upon completion of a flight place your completed DIY log form in the 'completed DIY flights' box in the trailer. We will update the ladders and post status in the trailer and on the web-site monthly.
Awards:
Lots of official Bragging Rights and we will come up with some kind of Trophy Thingy before the end of the year (probably). Oh yeah, as an added bonus you also get to adminsister the thing for the following year!
