Seven pilots who are going to the 2007 Worlds in Big Spring, Texas 
met with me at the Bogong Cup to make some requests of the meet organizer, David
Glover, and the CIVL Plenary. Among other things they asked for:

Three additional contest days for a total of twelve contest flying
days. The fact that David would likely raise the towing fees to handle these
additional days was discussed.


Each participating country one team of six pilots on the team. Additional
individuals can come to the worlds and fly up to a total of 100 pilots in all
(limited to this number). These pilots would come through their country but be
invited in order of the top 150 pilots by WPRS points as determined four months
in advance of the Worlds (April 7th).

These requests were sent to David and to CIVL for their
consideration. David responded as follows:

If permitted by the CIVL Plenary, I will add three additional
contest flying days to the nine days currently proposed. The schedule would
change as follows:


Unofficial practice days: August 4th through 6th, 2007

Practice days: August 7th and 8th, 2007

Contest Flying Dates (days): August 9th through 21st

Closing Party and Dinner: August 21st, 8 PM

Closing Ceremony and Prize Giving: August 22nd, 2007, 10 AM, Airport Terminal


To accommodate additional flying days I would have to adjust the fees charged as
follows:


Currently:


The registration fee is $550 per pilot and $275 per team leader and assistant
and must be made at the time of registration using the on-line form.
Registration fees not paid by the registration deadline shall include a 25%
surcharge.


Team aerotowing fees of $450 per pilot must be made at the time of in person
registration by the team leader for all his pilots, August 7th and 8th.


Proposed:


The registration fee is $690 per pilot and $345per team leader and assistant and
must be made at the time of registration using the on-line form. Registration
fees not paid by the registration deadline shall include a 25% surcharge.


Team aerotowing fees of $550 per pilot must be made at the time of in person
registration by the team leader for all his pilots, August 7th and 8th.


I do not agree with limiting the total pilot number to 100 pilots. I would
prefer to limit it to 150 pilots. The individual entrants would not be allowed
to register until after the registration date for the teams.

There was no response from John Aldridge (chairman of the Sporting
Code Committee) or Flip Koestier (CIVL President). A few days ago I received
from John Aldridge a copy of the approved local regulations for the 2007 Worlds.
There was no change in the dates, nor any mechanism for allowing in additional
pilots.


The pilots were most concerned about the fact that the Worlds is only nine days
long. They want twelve days. CIVL seems to be unwilling to address this issue.


CIVL does not have a mechanism for addressing competition pilot concerns
directly. Competition pilots have to go through their country's CIVL
representative, and this basically doesn't work for them. There should have a
standing competition pilots committee (one for hang glider pilots and one for
paraglider pilots) that meets electronically to raise issues of concern to
competition pilots.


CIVL is viewed by the competition pilots as out of touch with their concerns. I
know that the individuals in CIVL do their best, but we need mechanism that
effectively represent the competition pilots' interests.