Deprecated: Session implements the Serializable interface, which is deprecated. Implement __serialize() and __unserialize() instead (or in addition, if support for old PHP versions is necessary) in /home3/xcdemonc/public_html/socalxcleague/lib/session.php on line 2

Warning: session_start(): Session cannot be started after headers have already been sent in /home3/xcdemonc/public_html/socalxcleague/index.php on line 41
Southern California XC League
Disclamer

All rules are up for change, rules are there to make things safe, fair and accessible for all. If you have an idea or a suggestion that would make the league better in any of these areas please let me know

Eligibility & Guidelines
  1. Must have a GPS capable of recording your track log. The GPS will also need to show or route you to turnpoints that have been uploaded to the device. Most cell phones are capable of doing this now with several apps.
  2. A serviceable 2m HAM radio required for emergencies, do not broadcast if you do not have a license (How to get a HAM license)
  3. GPS Tracker (SPOT/Delorme) not required but STRONGLY advised
  4. Helmet, a serviceable reserve... blah blah blah
  5. Must meet site requirements (most SoCal sites require P3) and fly by site rules including paying local club fees if applicable.
  6. Eligible pilots can fly and get scored in both Sprint and XC tasks.
  7. Pilots that have an incident that could be construed as dangerous (despite the outcome) will be asked to write an incident report before being allowed to fly further events. This report may be shared with the league as a teaching tool to increase safety awareness.
  8. All pilots must have completed registration and handed in a waiver.
  9. Pilots are to treat volunteers, drivers, organizers, pilots, free flyers and spectators with respect. Any disputes can be reported to the meet organizer.
General Rules
  1. Relaunches are allowed but the entire course must be restarted.
  2. Disputes and protests will be settled by the organizer and 2 other senior pilots participating in the league.
  3. All participants are encouraged to bring the data cable they need for instruments they plan to fly with.
  4. All pilots must fly with right of way rules:
    1. first in a thermal sets turn direction
    2. pilots with ridge on the right have right of way
    3. pilots approaching thermals must come in from tangent lines
    4. pilots climbing faster in thermals have the right of way
    5. no cloud flying
    6. we do not set a turn direction at league meets since there are free flyers that will not observe the direction
  5. If the weather is not taskable at the primary location we will always attempt to move the location to the closest site that is taskable or at least flyable. Generally speaking we will try not to change the dates of weekends unless there is an overwhelming majority requesting it.
  6. Dedicated retrieve drivers will be paid $100/day and vehicle owners will be reimbursed for gas used during retrieve. If no task is flown we must attempt to compensate drivers nonetheless otherwise we will not get them in the future.
  7. Pilots that land in restricted areas will receive 0 points for the day. This includes San Manuel Reservation East of Marshall but other areas may be added as needed. This also includes restricted airspaces and TFRs.
  8. While flying the task is open to all and free, we do pool money together to cover pay for our drivers and to cover gas costs. All rules listed here are for safety and fairness in scoring. Pilots wishing to be scored can make a donation to cover the costs of running the website.
General Scoring
  1. Scoring formulas may change year over year but generally we will use FTV at around 50% which means your lowest 50% of your scores will be dropped. See the article I created in the FAQ on FTV if you have any questions on how it works.
  2. Rankings are determined by summing scores from each task.
  3. Divisions will only be recognized for awards if there are 3 or more pilots regularly competing in them. Last year for example we only had 1 serial pilot (EN-D or lower) regularly flying so only the sport class (EN-C or lower) was recognized. Sport class now has an additional requirement that the aspect ratio be less than 6.5.
  4. Any joint meets with the NorCal league will count towards SoCal scores (Dunlap in June, Owens in September/October). Pilots must register with the NorCal league in advance to fly joint tasks since these are organized solely by Jug. NorCal XC rules for participation may differ from SoCal rules, for example HAM licenses and SPOTs are mandatory. NorCal pilots must compete in at least 2 dedicated SoCal events to be eligible for awards in the SoCal league.
  5. If a pilot changes wing throughout the season they will be scored based on the highest rated glider they flew.
Sprint League Rules
  1. Minimum 40 hours airtime (20 hours in the mountains)
  2. Pilots should be comfortable inducing collapses such a frontals and assymetrics. If you aren't comfortable taking a collapse in calm air then you shouldn't be flying in thermic air!
  3. EN-B glider or lower and flat aspect ratio less than 5.8. By limiting aspect ratio I aim to keep out many of the new B+ wings that are not suitable for actual EN-B pilots.
  4. There will be no points for lead or time points, only distance points with a maximum of 1000 points for goal
  5. Minimum distance points will be given to all pilots that fly but bomb out before reaching minimum distance.
  6. Scoring will be a simple calculation of (distance flown along course)/(total task distance) * 1000.
  7. Non-Sprint pilots are permitted to fly the course with participants and mark thermals or give instruction, this may allow P2 pilots to fly P3 sites provided they have an observer or instructor with them.
  8. Most Sprint tasks will have a start window with an elapsed time start gate, meaning that once the start window opens, pilots can launch and start flying the course whenever they are ready.
  9. Most tasks will be around 20km in distance which will be about an hour of flying for skilled pilots and about 1.5 hours for newer pilots.
  10. Calendar of events is separate from XC league but may overlap
  11. When Sprint tasks overlap with XC tasks both days will have Sprint tasks. When Sprint tasks are on a separate weekend they will be only 1 day. If there is an overwhelming request to always have two day Sprint tasks I will ammend this rule.
XC League Rules
  1. Tasks will be scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday if the weather permits. If only 1 day is taskable we will still have a task on that one day
  2. Should be comfortable flying well with others in gaggles
  3. 80 hours of airtime, 40 hours in the mountains
  4. P3 with turbulence and restricted LZ sign-off (or HG/International equivalent)
  5. Must have USHPA insurance for international pilots. 30 day insurance is available for $5 if requested in advance.
  6. All gliders are welcome to fly the XC league