This article was by Gary Hollands (GFA Decentalised Comps. Convenor),
when it appeared in the April 1995 edition of "Australian Gliding".
To enter the Barron Hilton Cup.
The Barron Hilton Cup is a distance gliding competition open to pilots from
Australia and New Zealand. The winner will be the pilot of the single flight
gaining the most points under the (handicap) scoring system (refer BH Rules).
The prize offered is an invitation for the pilot to participate in the flying
camp at the Flying M Ranch at the edge of the Sierra Nevada, with airfares,
provided from Honolulu to the ranch and return, and accommodation at the ranch
for pilot and accompanying person ( refer B. Tuncks article ).
If this is not for you, turn over quickly and do the crossword. (Fred Dagg
op cit.)
Here is a short check list to assist you, in no particular order.
1. Choose your companion for the invitation to the Flying M Ranch.
Ones life partner may have to run a few wings, etc, prior to selection.
2. Pack your bags.
3. The form required for a passport rivals the FAI Form B, which is to be
used for a claim, so allow a short time for the paperwork. Six weeks for your
passport.
4. Obtain a valid Australian Competia valid Australian Competitors Licence, in your name, prior to the
completion of the flight.
When you get on final glide, if it really looks good, you might try and call
Beryl Hartley on the Yuppie phone to organise one.
5. Do consider the premium placed on an FAI Triangle which has a task factor
of 2.0.
In passing:
7 A vague wander (in FAI rules [IFR ?] a free distance flight) has a
task factor of 1.0;
7 An expensive retrieve (IFR - a goal flight ) has a task factor of 1.5;
7 The more traditional get home and shout the bar (IFR - out and return
flight) has a task factor of 1.75;
7 And, as mentioned, the task for real pilots, (none of this wandering
up and down wave streets for us), an FAI triangle which has a task
factor of 2.0;
7 The question often arises: where do you put a task factor?
Well, good that you ask!
You put it before the multiplication symbol which precedes your
distance which is followed by a further multiplication symbol, which
itself, is followed by the number 100, which is to be divided by your
aircrafts performance index (derived from AG Jan 94 page 33.)
Eg. task factor X distance X 100 / performance index = points.
6. Before you blast down the first leg without deigning to stop to take a
thermal, DO photograph the departure point, from witharture point, from within 1km, looking in
the direction of the first leg.
PS: If you are over 13,000ft and/or in doubt that the resulting photograph
will prove that you were within 1km of the departure point, take a
traditional turnpoint photo of the departure point with the wing looking
down the first leg.
Turnpoint photography as per the Sporting Code.
7. Treat the declaration and subsequent flight in the same manner as a
Diamond Goal flight. An additional requirement is to photograph the
aircraft (rego) after the flight.
ie. Do it properly, get home, buy a drink for the O/O and scorer.
8. The Barron Hilton Competition period runs from 15 Sept 1994 to 31 Mar
1996, and on a two year cycle thereafter. Note that all flight
documents must be submitted within 42 days of the flight.
9. If your standard class aircrafts performance falls between an ASW19 and
a Libelle (inclusive) then you can opt, at declaration, to fly in either
standard class against LS4s , Discus, etc, or to fly in club class
against Boomerangs, Foka5s, etc. (See below.)
10. The burning question of this check list is How far do I have to fly to
win. Well, as at 1/2/95 it is 1447.7 points.(for Australia.)
For instance, for our Boomerang VH-GPN, naturally flying an FAI triangle
( over 500km, shortest leg > 20km, shortest leg > 25%, longest leg < 45% [BH Rule 3.1.7]) the
formula for distance is
dist = points / task factor X index / 100
Eg. 1447.7 / 2 X 90 / 100 = 652km
So all I have to do is fly a 652km triangle to win. (Perhaps you had
better choose standard class instead of club class after all.
[ See Above ])
For the rules, performance index (handicaps), and interesting notes about
prizes, trips, winners (3) medals, see AG Jan 94, pp 32-34.
For a discourse on hardships endured, lifes rich tapestry etc, etc, see
Bruce Tuncks, AG Nov 94, pp 9-13.
For a learned discussion on the answer to the question, Did the Earth move
for you, Darling see Beryl Hartley AG Apr 94, pp 22-23.
Read your FAI Sporting Code.
All entries to Decentralised Competition Convenor
