GUERNSEY AIR RALLY
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NAVIGATION
COMPETITION ROUTE -
DESCRIPTION and HINTS
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THINGS YOU NEED TO BRING:
1:500,000 Aeronautical chart
Protractor and Ruler with 1:250,000 scale
Accurate watch /clock (preferably with digital display)
Digital camera with common removable memory card eg: (CompactFlash, Memory Stick, SD, and xD)
Please make sure the batteries are charged and you have space on the card for 20 photos
THINGS YOU DONT NEED - WE WILL PROVIDE
1:250,000 map
GPS logger - new this year every crew will be given a 'black box' recorder
On arrival please 'book in' with a member of the Guernsey Aeroclub who will ask you to confirm the following information:
· Your declared airspeed for the rally (HINT: fly slowly to give yourself the best chance of taking photos and allows you to catch up if you get behind your time schedule). Crews staying overnight will be transported to the hotel by car and on Friday morning a coach will bring you back to the airport
· Complete a flight plan form - the flight plans will then be filed for you. You should plan your fuel requirements and state your endurance based on a route of approximately 170 nautical miles to Guernsey. It would be a good idea to take fuel if required on arrival on Thursday
· Your French landing fees at will be paid for you.
Briefing. Briefings will take place at 10:30 local(=08:30 UTC) for those staying overnight, and 12:30 for others, upstairs in the terminal and weather information will be on display. Refreshments are available in the airport terminal.
There will be a master clock on display at the briefing set to UTC.
Please decide if you want to enter the Open or Sportsman's class. The open class is for experienced pilots and previous winners and anyone intending to use GPS on the route. The open class has a more stringent scoring system. Any unsportsmanlike conduct will automatically put you in the Open class !
One hour fifteen minutes before your take-off time you will be given an envelope containing
Map 1:250,000 scale. (no aeronautical information)
Plotting information and photo descriptions
Time schedule to over-fly all turning points (as elapsed time from the Start)
En-route photos - only 4 this year! (to identify position on map)
GPS logger -
(HINT: Transfer the time schedule and headings to the map. It helps to use a 1 minute vs. ground speed nomogram - ask for help if required. Then your only reference in the air is the map). Note that the time schedule is based on the forecast wind and your designated airspeed and is given as elapsed times from the start.. You will have to make allowances for the actual wind on the day in order to maintain the given time schedule. Allow plenty of time to pre-flight your aircraft and to allow for ATC delays and note that your take-off time is not timed.. Try to pass the start and all subsequent turning points on time and within 400m horizontally at 1000’agl to be sure of being recorded by the ground teams. Not all turning points will be manned and there can be ‘secret’ timing control points in between. If you get lost or miss a turn point, try to regain the route and get back on your time schedule. If you are early, you may weave up to 90o off the track-line but, for safety, no orbiting is allowed. At each of the turning points and at various points along the route your task is to take a photograph of a 'target'. The secret to finding the 'targets' is to use the time schedule on the map to know when you are approaching another photo and then use the description to identify it. The 'target' should be in the middle of the frame and the photos will be judged as to whether you have correctly identified the 'target' and also the distance you are estimated to be from the track line when the photo was taken. See the separate 'Notes on the use of the fun camera'. Recommended height to fly is 1000’agl for speed 70-110 knots (Note highest ground en-route is about 1100’ with a mast to nearly 2000'. Faster aircraft should fly at 1500’-2000’ agl. In the case of bad weather, think safety first and divert if necessary.
Also, you will be given 4 en route photos - your task is to identify the position of photographs. They are not in sequence. All the photos are within 0.5nm of the track line. When you see a photo, mark the position on the map (HINT: use time marks). Transfer to the answer sheet on arrival
The spot landing task and scoring system are described in the Air Rally News leaflet.
(HINT: Try not to land short of the line- the penalties are much higher !)
Debrief with your GPS Logger, camera, map and answer sheet on arrival at the club before going for well-earned lunch! Hand in your camera memory card - the photos will be copied immediately.
The results of the competition will be announced with the prizes at the hangar ball on Saturday night.
A master copy of the map showing the location of all photos will be displayed at the Ball and in the club on Sunday.
Keep a good lookout and fly safely
Mark Dravers 3/07
