RULES

 

 

1.   Applications will be accepted from January 1st, 2007 thru January 25th, 2007.

Click the link for “Registration & Test Flight” and fly the test flight.  Submit the time of cruise from directly overhead KU until directly overhead ARG with your application.

2.      This is not a race.  This year the winner of each sector will be the pilot whose actual time comes closest to his estimated time for the sector. The estimated time for the sector is the sector distance divided by the pilot's reference speed plus 3 minutes allowance for climb and descent. (This estimated time will be shown for each pilot for each sector on the main GAAR 2007 Roster.)

3.      The score starts at 100 points, and is lowered a point for every percentage point difference in time (i.e.  If a sector is calculated to take 50 minutes and you take 51 your score will be 98.  Also, if a sector's estimated time is 50 minutes and you take 49 minutes, your score will be 98.  There is no difference between being early or late.)    

4.      All of the individual sector scores for a pilot will be averaged to determine a final score for that pilot.  All pilots who score 96-100 will receive the GOLD Award signifying Superior.  Pilots who score 91-95 will receive the SILVER Award signifying Expert.  Pilots who score 86-90 will receive the BRONZE Award signifying Proficient.   All other pilots will receive a STAINLESS STEEL Award signifying completion of the event but could use some improvement.

5.      This adventure is conducted by Bluegrass Virtual Airline and is intended to be a fun event for the enjoyment of persons interested in flying aircraft using a flight simulation program.

6.      Persons wishing to enter this event must make application using the form provided in the links on this site.   All applications must be fully completed.   Incomplete applications will be returned for completion.    On acceptance, each pilot will be allocated an ID number which MUST be quoted on all flight reports and in all correspondence.    Entrants will not receive confirmation of entry other than that their name will be entered onto the roster.

7.      The adventure is divided into 17 sectors spread over 24 days.   Pilots must make each flight and file a flight report 24 hours prior to the next official flight date.  In other words the report for Sector 1 scheduled to be flown on February 1st must be received on or before February 3rd.  Any pilot failing to file a report in time will be declared “Withdrawn”.  If you will not be able to submit reports according to the flight schedule, you may fly ahead and report in advance.   However your reports will not be posted until all the reports for each individual flight are posted.

8.      Pilots may fly any aircraft that was flying in the 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s.   It is the responsibility of individual pilots to ensure that their nominated aircraft is suitable for their use in this adventure.   Changing to another aircraft type once the adventure has begun is not permitted. The shortest runway is 1,722’ and the longest sector is 340 N.Miles.

9.      It is suggested that only VOR’s and NDB’s will be used for navigation.  However the navigation this year is very challenging and if you need help you may use an FS9 navigational aid such as GPS or FSNAVigator.

10.  A separate flight report must be submitted for each leg.    It is imperative that times be submitted as minutes rounded to two decimal places.  For example a flight of 1hr , 2.56 minutes would be submitted as 62.56  This years rally uses such short sectors that recording time to the 2nd decimal place adds to the precision of the scoring formula.  It is recommended that you download Tom Goodrick’s FTime from the main page.  It records time from when the aircraft reaches 30 knots on takeoff until it decelerates to below 30 knots on landing. Alternatively you may record the time using a panel clock, but convert the seconds to decimal minutes.  i.e. 30:45 on a clock would be 30.75 minutes.   (Divide the seconds by 60 to get the decimal value).  The use of external clocks, watches etc is prohibited. All timers must be internal to flight simulator.

11.  The roster will be updated shortly after the closing time for each flight.  However, the organizers do not guarantee any updates will be applied at any particular time.

12.  Pilots may submit screenshots in .jpg format.  Screenshots will be  resized to 900 pixels wide so that they do not require scrolling to view, and a file size of 70k or less to ensure fast loading for those not using broadband.    If anyone submits a file in .bmp format it will be deleted at the server due to file size limitations.  The filename should start with 7 and include the scheduled flight date and be relevant to the description of the picture.  Also include your gaar pilots ID#. For example a screenshot for leg 1 might be named 70201_taking_off_Horn_Island_gaar001.jpg.  You might also want to use “paint” to add a caption to the image.  Images deemed by the organizers to be of interest will be included on the Bluegrass Airlines “Screenshot” page if they so wish however the organizers have no obligation to post any such pictures, and will in fact choose only what they deem to be outstanding.  If your screenshot doesn’t make the “cut” you are invited to host it at one of many free sites available and put a link to the picture in the forum.  Submission of a screenshot shall be considered as you giving Bluegrass Airlines permission to use such screenshot in any maner we deem appropriate, such as on the web-site, publicity, splash panels etc.

13.  The organizers have provided a pilots forum where pilots participating in this adventure may leave comments, messages etc., for other pilots and generally discuss their progress in the race.   This facility is not provided as a means for posting messages to the organizers.  You should use email for that.  We rely entirely on the honesty and integrity of pilots entering this event to submit flight reports that are accurate.    Where a flight report appears to be in error, the organizers may return it for correction or confirmation before posting the results.

14.  This event is intended purely as a fun event for all participants.   There is no obligation legal or otherwise on the part of the organizers to conduct this event to its conclusion.    The organizers cannot be held responsible for any matter or thing which may arise from the conduct of this event.    

15.  The decision of the Rally Director or his nominee on any matter concerning this event is absolutely final and no correspondence or other communication will be entered into.

16.  A required weather file is to be used for all flights, so that each pilot will encounter the same winds and runway selection.

17.  Flight Reports are made via the “Flight Report” link.  The form asks for the following information:

                   GAAR #                   Number  (if you are GAAR-001  enter 001)

                   Flight #                   F and Number  (i.e.  F1  thru  F17)

                   Aircraft

                   Flight Time              Minutes  (Rounded to two decimal places)

                   Comments               Anything that will be of interest to the readers.

 

In the event that you make an error in entering your data, click your browsers “back” button and correct the data.  Put “Corrected entry” as the first entry in the comments field, so that we will know to look for the original and delete it.

 

Bluegrass Pilots should also report their flights on the Bluegrass Flight Report form.  Enter one flight report with your total minutes from all 17 sectors.  In the airport code section enter GAAR 2007    Other V.A. pilots should check with their airline for details on how to report your time.