BAFFLE RULES (J K)

Here is the first draft of the BAFFLE rules.

1

BAFFLE is open to all BAPA members with a P2 or higher rating.

2

All qualifying flights made in the USA may be entered.

3

The BAFFLE year will coincide with the BAPA year. Prize giving will take place at BAPA year-end.

4

Points from 10 best qualifying flights in any year per pilot will count toward ranking.

5

A maximum of 3 flights from any one launch site (or launch sites less than 3 miles apart) per pilot will count toward ranking in any year.

6

A maximum of 3 tow-launched flights per pilot will count toward ranking in any year.

7

The minimum total flight distance is 5 miles.

8

The ratio of total distance flown to altitude lost must be greater than 10:1

9

Flight formats and scoring

 

Flights may be submitted in one of 4 categories: Open Distance, Declared Goal, Out and Return and FAI Triangle. Open Distance flights are undeclared, Declared Goal flights must be declared either formally or informally prior to launch. Out and Return and FAI Triangles may be optionally declared prior to launch to increase the number of points scored per mile. Only one flight category per launch may be claimed.

 

Flight type

 

Points per mile

 
   

Undeclared

Informally declared

Formally declared

 

Open Distance

1

N/A

N/A

 

Declared Goal

N/A

1.5

2

 

Out and Return

2

3

4

 

FAI Triangle

3

4.5

6

10

Start and End Points

 

The start point of any flight may optionally be an air-gate. The end point of any flight except an Open Distance flight may also be an air gate. The end point of an Open Distance flight is defined to be where the pilot lands. The end point of a Declared Goal flight must be within 500 yards of the goal declared on the Take-Off Witness form ( or task board ) The end point of an Out and Return or FAI Triangle must be within 500 yards of the start point of the flight.

11

Turn Points

 

Open Distance, Declared Goal and Out and Return flights may have any number of turn points. In the following description the term "turn point" is defined to include the start point and end point of the flight:

All turn points must be at least 3 miles from any other turn point and at least one mile from any straight leg of the flight between any other two turn points. No turn point may be used more than once in one flight with the exception of the start point, which may be used once as a turn point after its use as the start point of the flight. The end point may not be used as a turn point.

12

Declared Flights

 

Declared Goal flights must be declared. Declaration for Out and Return and FAI Triangle is optional. There are two levels of declaration, Informal and Formal. The requirements are:

 

Informal

For a flight to be considered Informally Declared pilots must simply complete a Take-Off witness form and have it signed by a witness at the site prior to launch.

The Take-Off Witness forms can be handwritten but must contain the information shown in Format of Take-Off Witness form / Task Board below.

No photographs are necessary when claiming an Informally Declared flight.

 

Formal

For a flight to be considered Formally Declared the following is required when submitting flight details :

  • Clear photos (in following order) with negatives or index sheet of:
  1. Task Board or Take-Off Witness Form showing launch site in background. ( see Format of Task Board / Take-Off Witness Form )
  2. Glider in air after launch and before first turn point.
  3. All turn points from in FAI sector, in order, including start and end points if air-gate is used.
  4. If end point is not an air-gate: 2 views of landing area from ground, one to include open glider and task board (or Take-Off Witness Form)

The negatives (or index sheet) should indicate that the photos were taken in the correct order.

  • Signed Take-off witness form (if witness available)
  • Signed Landing witness form (if witness available)

13

Extending a Declared Flight

 

After completing a declared flight at an air-gate end point a pilot may continue flying to try to earn extra points. However, additional miles claimed after the declared portion will score at only half a point per mile. If the total distance flown is such that it would score more as an undeclared open distance flight than it would as a declared flight plus the half point per extra mile, then the declared portion may be discarded and the flight claimed as an undeclared open distance flight.

This rule is to discourage frivolous goal setting along easily flown routes in an attempt to boost the score for the first few miles of an open distance flight.

14

Format of Task Board / Take-Off Witness Form

 

Task Boards and Take-Off Witness forms must contain the following information:

  • Date
  • Name
  • Glider type and color
  • Flight type
  • Launch site
  • Start Point
  • End Point (same as Start for Out and Return and FAI Triangle
  • Turn points - in order (if any)
  • Total distance (approximate if not known before flight)
  • Witness name printed (Take-Off Witness Form only)
  • Witness contact info
  • Witness signature (Take-Off Witness Form only)

15

Format of Landing Witness Form

 

Landing Witness forms must contain the following information:

  • Date
  • Name
  • Glider type and color
  • Landing Location - detailed description
  • Witness name printed
  • Witness contact info
  • Witness signature