America's Best Hang Gliding Club

TTT Team Challenge 2012 (September 30 thru Oct 6) 

Mark your calendars!

TTT Team Challenge 2012 pilot registration is available to any current TTT member with an expiration date later than October 6, 2012. Other new or renewing members write "TC12" on your application and we will add you to the list at the time of processing.

The competition fee of $160 will  be due by August 15, 2012. A limited number of scholarships are avalable thanks to The Foundation For Free Flight . Contact Ollie Gregory if you are planning to attend Team Challenge 2012 as preparation for sponsoring a Team Challenge in your region or area. Foundation For Free Flight is supporting the Team Challenge concept. Please remember to support them as well!

Team Challenge Mission Statement

This event is focused on providing Hang 3 and 4 pilots a fun learning experience in safe cross country flying and beginning competition skills. Teams will be led by experienced “A” pilots who will guide, coach, and mentor their less experienced “B” and “C” pilots in the discipline of cross country flying. The primary purpose of this event is to encourage and expose Hang 3 pilots to the challenge of flying hang gliders cross country in the Sequatchie Valley, one of the best XC sites in the world. Additional opportunities for learning will be provided with nightly presentations by local and national XC HG experts.

Rules

The rules reflect the focus on encouraging Hang 3 pilots and aim to discourage “stacked” teams of “A” pilots or teams with multiple rigid wings.  Teams of 5 or 6 will be allowed but only 5 may fly each day.  Each team will choose one ‘A’ team leader to serve as “Meet Representative” on a rotating daily basis.

1.  All competitors must be current USHPA and TTT members.

2.  Pilots will be scored by a multiplier formula for their skill level and glider type.  GPS is recommended, but we still plan to have pilots without GPS pin their flights on the clubhouse task map or on Google Earth, so your flights will be scored even without GPS.  Pilots will report their distances by the honor system. 

3.  Pilot and glider handicap rankings:

  Handicap multiplier for glider type:

   Modern Rigid              1.0

   Topless                       1.5

   Double surface           2.0

   Single surface            3.0

   Handicapping for pilot skill:

   Competition Pilot            A+

   Hang 4/5                           A

   Hang 3 XC'er                    B

   Hang 3 non XC'er            C

Jeff Nibler’s unique scoring system will normalize the scores to a standard score of  100 when a pilot makes his goal.  The tasks will be handicapped based on pilot skill level by giving relatively easy tasks to the C pilots and quite difficult tasks to the A pilots. 

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These rules are designed to give new Hang 3 XC pilots all the advantages and encourage their participation. Ideally, the winning team should be comprised mostly of “C” and “B” pilots flying intermediate king-posted flex wings, with only one or two “A” pilots per team. Competition prizes will be awarded, in a ceremony at the closing party, to the top three teams based on overall team points. Other prizes generously donated by various sponsors will also be presented.

Each pilot is responsible for his/her own safety.  Each pilot must fly only with appropriate and safe equipment, pre-flight their equipment, complete a proper hang check, choose safe launch and flying conditions, select safe landing areas, and setup good approaches for landing.  The TTT will assist as much as possible, but the ultimate decision to fly and the responsibility for your safety is your own.

Team Challenge Paid Pilot Registration List:

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