Updated 12/21/02

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Memorandum of Understanding

Slope Racing at Torrey Pines Glider Port

December 17, 2002

To:            David Jebb                               John Davies

                 Flight Director, TP                 Slope Coordinator, TPG

From:         Nathan Woods

                 President,  ASRO

Subject:     Procedures for Conducting Slope Racing at TPG

This memorandum of understanding is to document the procedures and guidelines for conducting F3F and Man-on-Man radio controlled sailplane racing between the American Slope Racing Organization (ASRO), it’s affiliated regional clubs, and Torrey Pines Glider Port (TP), Torrey Pines Scale Soaring Society (TPSSS), Torrey Pines Gulls (TPG), and the Associated Glider Clubs of Southern California (AGCSC).

Article 1:            All pilots participating in slope racing under ASRO or affiliated clubs (such as Southern California Slope Racers – SCSR), must be current members of the AMA-Academy of Model Aeronautics.  Proof of this membership shall be furnished upon demand during competitions by the TPGP Flight Director, Safety Officer, or Contest Officials.

Article 2:            No additional memberships or dues are required for participating slope racing pilots beyond AMA membership, TP daily use fee or season pass membership, and race entry fees for each event.  All pilots must sign the TP waiver, sign-in and have their AMA cards stamped for the day
* This TPG Dues exemption will apply to ASRO flying activities confined to practice or racing on the prescribed Race Course ONLY. No casual flying outside of these general boundaries is permitted for ASRO pilots who have not met all TP certification requirements as spelled out in the 10/2002 Agreement with the FD.

Article 3:            AMA Contest Insurance will be required for each slope racing event conducted or hosted by ASRO and/or affiliate clubs.  This Contest Insurance will function as an amendment to the Standard flying site policies provided by the AMA and TPGP during the specified times and dates of the contest for which the Contest Insurance policy was retained.  Written Proof of Insurance shall be provided on the day of the Event.

Article 4:            All contest event dates must be submitted for approval to the TP Flight Director in writing.  Contest dates must be submitted a minimum of two (2) months prior to the date requested.  Modifications of this contest date must also be approved in writing by the TP Flight Director.  Modifications of dates shall not be acceptable without proof of insurance for the rescheduled dates as provided by the AMA.  The American Slope Racing Organization acknowledges that the Associated Glider Clubs of Southern California (AGCSC),  operates full-scale sailplanes during February, March and April, and contest dates and format approval shall be required during those months from AGCSC’s designated representatives and the TP Flight Director.

Article 5:            Designated slope racing events have priority of the slope and the lift band within the clearly established boundaries of the “bowl” and “climb-out” areas to the north between the launch area and the flags to the north of the northern parking area, and to the south in front of the launch apron, as determined on site by the Contest Director in coordination with the duty Flight Director, RC FD, and Safety Officer.  These boundaries shall be consistent to the needs of the competition and prevailing wind conditions and together, constitute the “race course boundaries”. It is understood that the "next race contestant" will be climbing out above the race course.  In this airspace common sense applies. Any in-flight conflicts should be resolved by the pilot/s most capable of doing so.

Article 6:            Flight Procedures.  The following represent the minimum requirements for the safe conduction of slope racing events at Torrey Pines Glider Port.  Refer to the Appendix for full descriptions of the officer’s roles.

1.            A designated Contest Director shall be provided by the sponsoring race organization.

2.             A Safety Officer(s) shall be provided by the sponsoring race organization, as selected by the CD.

3.            The competition pilots shall have, and maintain, frequency control during the entire course of competition.  Should a Sport Flyer request use of a frequency in use by a Competition Pilot, the Competition Pilot shall make that frequency available for limited, reasonable periods of time  The Competition Pilot shall provide estimates for time intervals and coordinate frequency use.  Should this man-to-man communication prove unsatisfactory, The RC FD will prevail.  Where an uncomplicated frequency change is possible it should be done.  An appropriate TP or AMA card must be posted on the frequency peg board at all times.

4.            The CD shall post the flight parameters for the competition event at the main office to inform the UL paragliders and hangliders.

5.            The Safety Officer shall coordinate the launching of paragliders, hangliders, and RC pilots during the course of competition.

6.           The Safety Officer shall provide a means of visually notifying all pilots when there are RC aircraft in the air in the process of the slope racing event.

7.            RC “Sport Flyers” will be allowed to fly concurrently, whenever possible, depending on frequency availability, and prevailing conditions.  Sport Flyers are required to observe and fly within the flight parameters determined by the RC FD,  CD and/or SO.

8.            Paragliders and Hangliders shall not launch unless cleared to do so by the Safety Officer.  Paragliders and Hangliders shall not enter into the RC flight zone as described and posted by the CD, except as required when emergency conditions are declared.

9.            Disputes or issues requiring immediate attention shall be resolved directly between the duty Flight Director, RC Flight Director, and the Contest Director.

Ratified by the undersigned,
 

Nathan Woods, President, ASRO

John Davies, Slope Coordinator, TPG - Senior RC Flight Director

David Jebb, Flight Director, TP

Gary Fogel, President, TPSC and Representative, AGCSC

Appendix A – Definitions and Abbreviation Legend

The CD will be a senior pilot recognized and approved by the AMA, or ASRO, or an ASRO affiliated club.  The CD is responsible for scheduling/confirming the events dates are approved/reserved.  The CD is responsible for obtaining Contest Insurance from the AMA.  The CD is responsible for the conduct of the event and it’s participants, and the training of contest officials.

The SO shall be present and on watch at all times during the racing event, from beginning practice rounds until the completion of the event.  The SO may be one or more persons as determined and selected by the CD.  The SO shall be clearly designated with a brightly colored vest and signal flags, or similar devices.  The SO has authority to coordinate launch windows and flight parameters of RC Gliders, Hangliders, and Paragliders.  The SO is responsible for reporting any and all unsafe activities to the FD and RC FD for resolution.