Got this email today from the eSoaring guys in the UK. I did it once this winter, but couldn't participate enough due to weather. It is a fun format, I'll likely do it again this summer.
Series E-vent rules
By popular demand (given the success of the first eSoaring Winter Postal Series) we intend to run a summer postal series but to slightly modified rules (see below for details).
At present the improvement in model performance has, when the air is good, made altitudes of around 1000’ possible (rather than 700’ originally planned) and a 10 minute max relatively easy. Landing scores then become disproportionately important. By restricting flights to evenings (when hopefully the air is more consistent and thermal activity is less), and limiting the motor run to 25 rather than 30 seconds we aim to determine whether a 30 second motor run is too generous for normal contest conditions and whether the rules need amending in future.
As well as providing an opportunity to fly and test models under competitive conditions this series will allow us to collect data as to heights achieved during the power phase. We ask therefore that those competitors who have altitude loggers send Ian details of the height achieved in the first 25 seconds and whether there was thermal activity.
General.
No entry fee is required.
Normal 200WKg power/flying rules apply with the following exceptions
a) Motor run is limited to 25 rather than 30 seconds or 83 Wmin /Kg for models fitted with a limiter
b) Landing points to be measured in paces rather than by landing tape (see below).
Flights may be made on any one day of each month, June to August (ie 4 rounds, all flights to count)
*Flights must be consecutive and be flown in a 3 hour period, starting no earlier than 6:30PM.
Only one attempt at each flight is allowed
Scoring
Each flight to be timed by a timekeeper, who can be fellow flyer/family/assistant or better still a prospective newcomer to eSoaring!
Each flight has a 10 minute maximum in the usual manner, with a landing bonus gained by measuring the distance from the “spot” to the nose, in paces (max 1 metre please!), then subtracting the number of paces from 50.(Such that a “10 pace” landing gains 40 points)
Landing beyond 50m gets no bonus but the time still counts!
Recording/submitting scores
**Your scores for each competition should be recorded at the field and must be submitted to Ian Cowe at
IACowe@aol.com asap but the latest time for submission is 10pm on the last day of each month. Please head your email Summer Postal Series Results and on at least the first email put your full name and, if you have not previously entered an eSoaring postal event, a contact phone number.
Ian will post the results on the eSoaring website on the first day of the following month, or as soon thereafter as possible.
All four rounds will count for the final Series result.
Prizes for the Summer E-vent will be presented at the first eSoaring League event in September 2008.
Notes
*Once you have started to do your 3 flights you must complete all 3, without any non-competition flights in-between. You may of course rotate your flights with other flyers during the 3 hour window.
**This is to ensure that your scores are recorded and that Ian does not have the responsibility to go searching for them on the web, especially when they arrive close to the closing time. He will confirm the arrival of your scores.
