Soaring Development Update

Craig Vinall, Aug 2024

Competition Marks

There have been some changes to MOSP 3 in relation to Glider Markings and in particular Competition Marks. No changes are envisaged to how Competition Marks are governed, but changes to MOSP 3 means that a refreshing of the rules will be required. There will likely be an addition to MOSP 4 to cover competition marks as used in National events.

Competition mark registration and use is covered in the following Gliding Australia document.

This document also refers to AN84. Both documents need a refresh, but I stress that no changes will be made that differ from the current requirements that would require any changes to currently acceptable markings.

Competition Marks, and in particular Australian registered gliders became an issue at the recent Narromine Worlds. Several competition marks on Australian gliders did not meet current IGC requirements. These requirements are more restrictive than the current Australian requirements and it is the case that the way in which some marks are applied to gliders meet Australian requirements but not IGC requirements.

The IGC requirements are more restrictive in two respects. Firstly, they need to be in a plain block style with a single colour and secondly need to contrast strongly with the sailplane’s background colour.

I don’t think we need to change the current requirements in Australia. This would disadvantage owners who have currently compliant aircraft. However, owners need to be aware of the stricter IGC requirements if the aircraft were ever to be used in a Worlds competition.

Nor should the rules prevent the use of “tail art”. Given that all aircraft need to carry their registration markings, what pilots put on the tail is of no consequence provided the identification used in a competition is the registration. It might be that the tail art alludes to the aircraft registration while not meeting the current Australian competition mark requirements. This would be ok provided it is not used as a competition mark or a primary means of identifying the aircraft. However, if the registration used on the tail is the primary means of identifying the aircraft in a competition, then it needs to meet the current Australian requirements.

We are interested in pilots feedback as to the current competition mark rules and registration system before any updates are made. Please respond to csdp@glidingaustralia.org with any comments or suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Australian Team selection for 2025

We have made a one-off interim change to the Australian team selection process for both the 39th FAI World Gliding Championships and the 13th FAI Women’s World Gliding Championship. Both are in the Czech Republic next year.

Normally, we would use two year’s competition results to select a team. However, we are still behind due to Covid which would mean final selection would not occur until February next year leaving only a few months for the teams to prepare their campaigns. By taking this action now, we can get back to selecting teams well in advance across two seasons with a buffer of at least 18 months between selection and the Worlds.

Expressions of interest were sought from top ranked Australian pilots, and apart from James Nugent and Daniel Summers who will defend James’ World Title, we received just sufficient commitments to fill available spots. I am pleased to announce the following team:

Club Class – James Nugent and Daniel Summers

15 Meter – Mathew Scutter and David Jansen

Standard – Adam Wooley and Alan Barnes

For the Women’s Worlds, Sophie Curio has committed to going. We have further available spots if any other women would like to take up the offer of representing Australia at a World Championships. Please let me know if you are interested.

Coach Ratings

A reminder that all coach ratings were due for renewal by the end of August. If you have not yet done so, please contact your Regional Soaring Development Manager to arrange renewal for the next two years.

2024 Mulitclass Nationals at Lake Keepit and FAI Qualifying Sailplane Grand Prix

A website is now available for entering the 2024 Multiclass Nationals at Lake Keepit. Please see https://keepitsoaring.com/product/2024-nationals-entry-fees/ to enter. Also a reminder that entries are open for the Australian qualifying Grand Prix for January 2025 at Gawler, South Australia. Please see https://stadium.crosscountry.aero/eventregistration/85.