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Frank Whiteley · Guest

Nothing on 1-26 list archives. Anyone comment on whether the 1-26
championships (SSA sanctioned I presume) will require ELT's for 2006?
Though they appear to race under their own division rules, I can't
determine from what's available online whether ELT's only apply to FAI
and Sports classes at Regional and National, or whether the requirement
is broader.

TIA,

Frank Whiteley
Colorado

jphoenix · Guest

I asked this question earlier this year and somebody replied that the
1-26 Association races per their own rules (which they do) however, the
SRA proposal says "SSA sanctioned" contests and the 1-26 Nats are SSA
sanctioned, so maybe they need to apply for an exemption or whatever.

Maybe better not to ask the question, we might not like the answer ;-)

Jim

Frank Whiteley wrote:

309 · Guest

A Region 12 contest director mentioned that there have been requests
for exemption from some SSA contest rules...usually the answer is no...

Sometimes a contest will NOT be sanctioned by SSA (I think there were
facility issues somewhere once...), so the 1-26 Association could
consider having the contest outside the SSA sanction...there may be
bylaw issues calling it a "contest" or an official "Champoinships."

If the Assn wants the exemption, they ought to petition for it early.
And hold the "unsanctioned" card in the hip pocket.

My understanding of the SSA ELT requirement is that the usual
contestants were polled about "proposed rule" and the majority said
NOOOO!, but SSA charged ahead "to protect the contest sponsors." Grrr.
Other threads are out there touching on the practicality of the ELT
rule, especially with the 121 vs. 406 MHz transition, technology and
cost.

For once, I wish the SSA had moved as slowly as the FAA does...

Pete

Frank Whiteley · Guest

Some sites may find an insurance bite by running a contest without the
SSA sanction. In our case, our premises liability is not in effect
during any 'air meet'. A contest policy is something like $850 for
non-SSA sanctioned events, $550 for SSA sanctioned events. This
applies to just about every gaggling that might be an 'air meet' except
camps, which we're told are okay.

I personally think the greater impact will be on Sports class
participation when combined with the obviously higher costs of
competing next year. We have one club with 7 or 8 1-26's here in
Colorado in the club and private fleet and a few more dotted around the
state. No idea if anyone from Colorado is planning on competing in the
1-26 championships next year, but we have our state gathering coming up
next month and the question may come up. Thought an answer might be
nice to have.

Frank Whiteley

309 · Guest

Wow, the SSA "Seal of Approval" only cost $200? That would not pay for
he first ELT!!! A collection from the pilots ($10 apiece for a 20 ship
1-26 contest) would surely be worth it, and (knowing 1-26ers) I bet you
could get the contestants to pony up!

FWIW, my 1-26 DOES have an ELT. I'm just amazed that SSA forced the
issue, especially considering the impending 121/406 MHz switch. I
suspect they didn't fully consider the state of the industry...perhaps
getting a waiver/exception is in order, and (using FAA parlance) an
alternative means of compliance (AMOC) woule allow the use of Personal
Locater Beacons.

I haven't decided for sure if I'll compete at Parowan next year -- even
though the ELT issue doesn't quite impact me. I care deeply about my
bretheren.

-Pete
#309

Frank Whiteley wrote:

309 · Guest

Wow, the SSA "Seal of Approval" only cost $200? That would not pay for
he first ELT!!! A collection from the pilots ($10 apiece for a 20 ship
1-26 contest) would surely be worth it, and (knowing 1-26ers) I bet you
could get the contestants to pony up!

FWIW, my 1-26 DOES have an ELT. I'm just amazed that SSA forced the
issue, especially considering the impending 121/406 MHz switch. I
suspect they didn't fully consider the state of the industry...perhaps
getting a waiver/exception is in order, and (using FAA parlance) an
alternative means of compliance (AMOC) woule allow the use of Personal
Locater Beacons.

I haven't decided for sure if I'll compete at Parowan next year -- even
though the ELT issue doesn't quite impact me. I care deeply about my
bretheren.

-Pete
#309

Frank Whiteley wrote:

Frank Whiteley · Guest

That's $550 on top of sanctioning fees (whatever that is for the 1-26
contest), but that's moot, as the 1-26 Champs draws a plenty of
competitors. Indeed, the 'air meet' insurance may not even be required
at many sites, depending on underwriter. However, it has put the
damper on some local, friendly contests at sites like my club's
gliderport since our former Rocky Mountain Soaring Contest was never
SSA sanctioned and attendance was not very large. Now it has an $850
insurance tag for three days of flying if we ever hold our local
contest again. FWIW, my club did host the 1-26 contest in 1989 and have
been approached to do so again since.

I agree with your other points WRT PLB, the 123/406 technology, and
poor timing of the decision.

Frank

309 wrote:

dhaluza · Guest

Actually, $200 will pay for the ELT, although installation may be
additional. I don't fly contests, but for <$200, how can you justify
not having one if you fly X/C. Even with the coming 406 conversion, pay
$200 now, and wait for a few years until the price of 406 ELT's comes
down by more than that.

I got my ELT signed off with the last annual, so no additional cost to
me. Anyone flying X/C in sanctioned contests or not should get an ELT
installed before the next annual. It's just selfish to put others at
unnecessary risk for the cost of a few tows.