2009-may-mins 740 - 759

MINUTES OF A HANG GLIDING COMPETITIONS PANEL MEETING HELD ON 4th MAY 2009 740. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE VICE CHAIRMAN The meeting commenced at 13:00 with the following present: Trevor Birkbeck (Vice Chair), Pete Coad (new Meethead), Dave Bluett, Graham Phipps, Bruce Kavanagh, Craig Dolwin, Gary Wirdnam, Grant Crossingham. Apologies: Steve Penfold, Nigel Bray, Carl Wallbank, Mike Stephens. Trevor Birkbeck congratulated Pete Coad on his excellent work as the new Meethead. 741. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Bruce went through the previous minutes and items were incorporated into the agenda for this meeting. 742. POSTS OF CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY Gary volunteered for the post of Chairman and this unanimously agreed by those present. Gary then took over Chairing the meeting from Trevor. Gordon had previously volunteered for both Chairman and Secretary posts and it was unanimously agreed that he would take on the post of Secretary, which would include dealing with entries for the future comps. Trevor would communicate with Gordon over his new role and also with Rich Lovelace on outcomes of this meeting. Action: GW, GR, TJB 742. WORLD TEAM FUNDING 3 members are funded and 2 members are unfunded. There is a funding of £1200 / pilot for those funded. Nick’s expenses (which will include accommodation, travel and food – his entry fee has already been paid) will be covered by a share from the 3 funded pilots and a share from the 2 unfunded pilots (this will be covered by central funds). There is a plan to use Nick’s vehicle for retrieve with Carl’s and Grant’s vehicles as a backup. Total cost of accommodation will be £4000 split 8 ways ie £500 each. Nick’s van travel costs will be £300. Nick’s fund will be £1000 out of comp funds. Future funding criteria will be discussed at the November meeting. Action: MS, BK 743. BLERIOT CUP Team selection comprises Brett Wright, Ron Richardson, Martin Colclough, Nick Pain, Pat Buxton, Jimbo Seward and Dave Shields. Comp is at Manosque not long after the British Nationals. The French team has not yet been picked. Over the history of the Bleriot Cup, the French and the Brits have won 17 times each – there is a suggestion from the French that this year will be the last giving an overall winner to the series. Sheds is to sort out with Raymond Caux the basis of the team which could be 2 top, 2 middle and 2 newbie pilots. At the briefing tomorrow (5th May) pilots would be asked to commit to Brit team membership. The team will be picked in Yorkshire in 2 weeks time. Funding will be based on £200 per pilot ie total of £1200 as the French are providing the accommodation, but it will be described as overall comp funding. There is a possibility of increasing this funding in extenuating circumstances. Action: Shedsy 744. SPORTS CLASS As this has been a resounding success, it will be run at both the Dales and the Long Mynd comps. TJB will organise the necessary trophies. It was decided that retrieve funding for the Sports Class would be continued throughout 2009. There was a bit of a problem with the driver not having all the phone numbers of pilots but it was decided to continue with the same driver, if poss. A promo is required in Skywings / newsgroups / clubs for the Long Mynd comp for the Sports Class. TJB to brief Steve Penfold. Ethos for 2010 is to continue to use the Sports Class to attract new pilots – therefore it will not be just kingposted gliders – ie any gliders. TJB to brief Mark Stewart, Jeff Thornton and Tony Moore for the Dales and Long Mynd comps to see if they are interested in being in the Sports Class. Pilots should be persuaded to move up to the Main Class of the BOS if they win the year – of course, more SC entrants may anyway wish to move up. Action: SP, TJB 745. SAFETY COMMITTEE A pool of 5 is normally required – this will now include Gary and Grant. Action: GW, GC 746. CHECKING AIRSPACE VIA TRACK LOGS. This can be done using “Seeyou” and “GPSDump” or “FS Comp”. Craig will look into this. This could be dealt with by Steve Penfold, Clive Belbin and possibly Phil Chettleburgh. We should ask Phil Chet to come to the Dales and LM comps to assist with scoring. Dave will ask Phil tonight. The 2nd computer is with John Aldridge. Gary is to distribute airspace files for Compeo+ to Bruce and Grant. Action: DB, CD, GW 747. AWARD FOR JOHN ALDRIDGE After a fantastic performance as MD for 14 years, John is to be presented with an award This could include a photo of the whole League which is then signed by all pilots. An attractive glass trophy is needed – TJB will organise. This should be presented at the LM comp – accommodation will be provided for John and Shelia for one night. Action: All, TJB 748. PANEL DECISION MAKING All decisions must go round all members of the Comps Panel with a deadline for replies. All must reply to requests for decisions. Bruce to take over the role of administrator for CP email rota and will arrange for the new CP members to be included. Action: BK 749. LOCAL ORGANISER FOR AGER Craig will be the local organiser for Ager, taking over from Rich Lovelace who has already done a lot of work in this role, even though he is not on the Comps Panel. Craig is to take the kit from the Dales Comp to Ager. TJB is to organise the trophies to get to Ager. Action: CD, TJB 750. TEE SHIRTS FOR AGER TJB is to organise this with Hilary Sharp Stephens. Post meeting – I see that Hils has now resigned from this task – I will organise the Tee shirts. Personal note – Hils has done a great deal of work for the Competition Scene and a thank you award should be organised. Action: All, TJB 751. JA JOBS ALLOCATION Gordon will be asked to take over the role of Secretary which will involve dealing with entries for Ager and rules changes. The website will continue to be run by Phil Chet – DB to check with PC. The web site needs to be more user friendly – Graham will look into this. Action: GR, DB, GP 752. LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR LONG MYND COMP The rooms are booked but they need to be paid for DJB has paid a deposit. The scoring room is free. The food is to be organised - this will be preferably on Sunday night but could be Saturday night. Mark has been asked to arrange the food. Dave is to ask Mark to check out the access situation for Llandinum and The Lawley as we cannot use the Long Mynd on Saturday, Sunday or Monday (Bank Holiday) . Dave has asked Mark to check out Llandinam only. If there is a problem with this site, he will need to check out the Lawley. Action: DB, BK 753. SCORING NORMALISATION Phil Chet is to be asked to cover this. Post meeting – accommodation has been organised for Phil Chet in the Dales – he will be there Friday night to Tuesday. Action: DB 754. RULES NB One sec early can cost 14 minutes 59 seconds penalty. All agreed that our rules for the BOS and the Nationals should be the same as Cat 1 rules, where applicable, from the Dales Comp onward. Gordon is to be asked to change these. Action: GR 755. TASK ETHOS Currently we aim for 20% in goal – this should be changed to aiming for 30% in goal. It was agreed that on good days we would aim for long tasks. Action: PC 756. JOBS FOR THE BOYS Mike Armstrong has agreed to deal with the NOTAMS for 2009. It was suggested that Bill Bell be asked to do the NOTAMS – he will be asked by Graham. Checking that entries are BHPA members and also Advanced Pilots or Pilots will be dealt with by Gordon. Pete Coad will take on being the “point of contact” as Meethead in Skywings. Trophies and presentation at the BHPA AGM – this will be discussed at the Dales Comp. Arranging for FAI sanctioning for Cat 2 comps has been carried out for 2009. Will need to be done for 2010 – GR? Bruce is also to be the Administrator for the HG Comps list. Action: GP, GR, PC, BK 757. DRUGS TESTING This will be dealt with in the future. 758. FUNDING OF ENTRIES FOR WILL/KATH Steve Penfold will take Will’s place. Bruce to ask Nicky Moss to refund the money and state that Steve has taken over Will’s place. We need to check that Kath has paid Nicky Moss. GR? Action: BK, GR 759. FUNDING FOR ENTERING CAT 2 COMPS Nick’s claim for £400 for attending a Cat 2 comp (on another continent) was discussed and it was felt that a qualification of this rule may be enacted in November. However, at the moment – Rules is Rules! Cat 1 funding should apply to all team members. Cat 2 comp funding will be discussed in the Dales. Action: All The meeting closed at 1650 hrs. 1