Northern

Illinois Soaring

Championships

SPONSORED BY THE CHICAGOLANDGLIDER COUNCIL INC.

Last Updated: March 3, 2004

Summary of changes for 2004

1. We are now using a pilot-handicapped scoring system in addition to the aircraft handicap. You earn points based on whether your score beats your handicap.

Here’s how it works. Suppose 3 pilots fly, with A = 40 mph, B = 45 mph, C=50 mph. (including glider handicap, distance bonus, etc.). Their scores are A = 800, B = 900,  C = 1000. Suppose A has a 700 handicap, while B and C have 900 handicaps. We divide the score by the handicap; A=800/700=1.143, B=900/900=1.000, C=1000/900=1.111. Then, we give the best one 1000 points, and the others proportionally less. A = 1000x1.143/1.143 = 1000, B = 1000x1.000/1.143 = 875, and C = 1000x1.111/1.143 = 972.  These are the points earned for the contest. A wins the day, since he beat his handicap by the greatest amount.

Your handicap is the best of your season average score (i.e. before pilot handicaps) of all contest flights in the last two years. A table of handicaps for the 2004 season follows the rules. Pilots new to NISC and cross country soaring get a 700 handicap. Pilots new to NISC with previous SSA regional or national experience get a 850 handicap. Pilots new to NISC who have placed first or second in a regional or national contest get a 900 handicap. Pilots are encouraged to declare higher handicaps if they feel it is appropriate.

We hope this change will attract more pilots to the NISC, and recognize the achievements of newer pilots as they get better. Since your handicap depends on your average performance in all submitted flights, you now have a good reason to turn in all your flights, including those that were disappointments – they’ll lower your handicap for next year! 

2. There will now be three “mini-contests” plus an overall season winner. The spring mini-contest runs from April 1 to June 30; the summer contest runs from July 1 to September 14.  The fall mini-contest lasts from September 15 until Thanksgiving (not including Thanksgiving itself).  Each of the mini-contests will be based on the best 4 days. If fewer than 3 pilots have 4 days, it will be based on the best number of days completed by 3 pilots.

3. You can use 8 turnpoints, not just 6.

4. Radio use to help other pilots is actively encouraged, providing it is done in a spirit of good sportsmanship. (This is not allowed in SSA contests.)

5. Skydive Chicago is now a 5 mile turnpoint to keep us clear of the parachute activity.

6. Leland is no longer an airport, so it’s not an allowed turnpoint even though it’s still in the database.

7. After October 15, the minimum distance is reduced to 25 statute miles.

8. You get a 3% bonus if you declare your task, by posting it on the bulletin board at the start airport and announcing “starting declared task” by radio. You can join someone else’s declared task by a simple radio call if you’re already in the air.

9. There is no maximum start height.

Note: Many pilots seem unaware that you may not fly over the home airport, go take some more turnpoints, and then call the first passage a “finish” if the following turnpoints don’t work out well. You may fly locally or re-start, but your trace must make clear this intention. See 11.10.7.