Team Challenge Mission Statement

This event is focused on providing Hang 3 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 are 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.

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

 

2.  Pilots will be scored by a multiplier formula for their skill level, glider type and distance flown.  GPS is recommended, but we still plan to have pilots pin in their flights on the clubhouse task map, 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

Handicap multiplier for pilot skill.
Comp Pilot 1.0 'A+'
Hang 4 n 5 1.5 'A'
Hang 3 XCer 2.5 'B'
Hang 3 non XCer 3.0 'C'

Goal Bonus:

All pilots get 10% bonus for landing in their goal field.  Hopefully their victory landing will be recorded by our roving landing clinic
videographers.  

To spell it out exactly: 

A+ on Atos points = (1 + 1) X distance flown

A on Atos points = (1.5+1) X distance flown

B on Atos points =(2.5+1) X distance flown

C on Atos points =(3 + 1) X distance flown

A+ on Topless = (1 + 1.5) X distance flown

A on Topless = (1.5 + 1.5) X distance flown

B on Topless = (2.5 + 1.5) X distance flown

C on Topless = (3 +1.5) X distance flown

A+ on double surface = (1 + 2) X distance

A on double surface = (1.5 + 2) X distance

B on double surface = (2.5 + 2) X distance

C on double surface = (3 + 2) X distance

A+ on single surface = (1 + 3) X distance

A on single surface = (1.5 + 3) X distance

B on single surface = (2.5 + 3) X distance

C on single surface = (3 + 3) X distance 

All pilots that make goal get 10% of their score for bonus points.   

The A+ pilot on an ATOS makes it to Marion Co and gets (1 +1) X 24.5 = 49.0 points + (0.10 X 49) = 53.90 points. 

The C pilot on a Falcon makes it to Dr. Dales's and gets (3 + 3) x 8.3 = 49.8 points + (0.10 X 49.8) = 54.78 points 

If the A+ pilot lands 0.5 miles short of his goal at Marion Co Airport his score is (1 +1) X 24 = 48.0 points 

If it becomes clear that we have missed the pilot's rating we'll bump them up from a 'C' to a 'B' in a heartbeat! No 'sandbagging' this
year! 

4. 'A' pilot bonus. 

 A pilots will get a 25% bonus of their score for each 'C' pilot they escort to the C goal and 10% for each 'B' pilot they escort to the B goal.  Escort to goal means to ACCOMPANY to goal.  'A' pilots who run off and leave their 'C' pilots will not be awarded bonus points even if their 'C' pilots make it to the C goal.  This will also be scored by the honor system. 


a. No more than 3 “A” pilots per team

“Teams” will be comprised of 5 pilots. H3 is required to fly at the TTT Whitwell site. There are no NTSS points available for this competition.

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. The Tree Toppers will even sponsor selected up-and-coming Hang 3 pilots with free entry. To apply for a sponsorship, email Ollie Gregory at olliettt1955@yahoo.com . Describe yourself, your hang-gliding experience, and why you think you should be here.  Competition prizes will be awarded, in a ceremony at the closing party, to the top five teams based on overall team points. Other prizes generously donated by various manufacturers will also be presented.

Competition headquarters will be the TTT Henson's Gap launch near Dunlap, Tennessee. The first pilots meeting will be there at 6:00 PM CT on Saturday, September 27. The club site features a clubhouse, pavilion, great camping, electrical hookups, and showers available on-site. Join us over the beautiful Sequatchie Valley for some great gaggles and downwind sprints in The Hang Gliding Capital of the East, home of the Tennessee Tree Toppers.