The 25th annual SouthWest Classic Soaring event will include a class for ALES which will be flown concurrently with the 'string launch" event, but will be scored as a seperate event.
Go to the CASL.net website or register here, http://www.rcsoaring.com/

Thanks

Iain

The entries are coming in. Don't leave it too late.

Iain

There are currently 19 entries in ALES alone, the second largest class; and I hav'n't entered myself yet! oops!!

Get those entries in.

One note here: This event is not MOM so it will NOT qualify for the national ALES list that Randy Brust keeps. There will however be TROPHIES!!

Iain

Ian,
What altitude will the cutoffs be set for... Thanks LJ

The Cut Off altitude will be 150M (492'). Get those limiters set!
The winchmaster will check the setting as you approach to launch point. If you are using a non-audiable system, you will be required to provide verification that the cut off is set correctly.

Iain

OK Iain, if you are going to the flight line, you guys are going to want to check the unit then and not earlier? Have not been to a contest where before you flew you had to verify the settings. LAunch master just watched where all ended up and was anyone out of place.

Marc

Ian,
It should be pretty easy for the contest mangement to visually see the difference between a 150m launch and a 200m launch. Can you explain how you intend to integrate the launchs. Will you allow the ALES contestants to launch in the direction of their choice or will you expect them to launch them in the same direction and manner as the conventional gliders? I am hoping that you will let the ALES guys utilise the different strategies unique to this event. LJ

Each entrant will be required to demonstrate the height setting audiably or visually during the 1st round. After that it will be by observation by the winchmaster.
The launch will be from a designated place in the area of the winches, in the direction of the winch launch until a "safe height" (100' or so) is reached, and then the pilot will be allowed to go in any direction as long as it avoids "no fly" areas such as the pits or parking area.

Launches will be mixed in with the string launch as dictated by pilots flying in different classes and timer availability. Flight order will be posted each day.

Iain

Hi Ian,
Glad to see an electric class added to the main event!

Will landings be on the same spots as the string launchers, or a separate landing zone?
Will landing skegs be allowed?

Thanks,
Lenny

The same landing task for all classes. ALES will be scored seperately of course.

NO LANDING SKEGS.

Iain

Iain,

How does one demonstrate to the CD the height setting? The height limiter that I have (RC electronic #2 BASIC) has no method for displaying the set-point on the flight line. The set point is defined via interface with a computer. Should I be planning on bringing a laptop to the flight-line?

Just food for thought, but if landing skegs are allowed in the contest on sailplanes how come they aren't allowed on an electric launched sailplane? Just because someone back east decided they didn't want landing skegs on an electric sailplane, we all have to be sheep and follow along? What about some experimentation and trying something other than the so called "ALES" strict rules? Or how about go ahead and let a guy stuff his electric model and destroy his $300 or more motor/gearbox? And Joe W has a valid point, just because he doesn't have the "proper" limiter, he is SOL?

Originally Posted by s2000

Just food for thought, but if landing skegs are allowed in the contest on sailplanes how come they aren't allowed on an electric launched sailplane? Just because someone back east decided they didn't want landing skegs on an electric sailplane, we all have to be sheep and follow along? What about some experimentation and trying something other than the so called "ALES" strict rules? Or how about go ahead and let a guy stuff his electric model and destroy his $300 or more motor/gearbox? And Joe W has a valid point, just because he doesn't have the "proper" limiter, he is SOL?

your kidding right?

Charlie

No I'm not kidding, but maybe I am missing something, is there no skegs allowed the whole weekend on any glider? I just don't see what the difference is just because an electric motor replaces the winch.

i think at this point the only difference is that after getting used to landing with no skeg, now I will have to mount a skeg and learn to land with it for this one contest. Either way I am at a disadvantage because you would like to change the rules. Have you not been flying ALES already?

Charlie