Flip Koetsier CIVL President and CIVL Steward at the 2009 HG World Championship writes:

The CIVL Plenary has in February 2009 adopted a motion that has resulted in the Local Regulations addendum: “Sprog Measuring Proposal” .

The mandate from the plenary for the Pitch Stability Working Group and the Organizer of the Hang Gliding World Championship was that a recommendation about the procedures, rules and penalties had to be made and the pilots had to be informed of additional rules at least one month before the opening of the championship.

The addendum to the Local Rules was published on June 8th and that is less than one month before the opening of the championship.

Because the CIVL has not been able to have the sprog measuring ruling finished and published in time, the only possible conclusion is that the published addendum is not valid and will not be used in this championship.

This does not mean that the sprogs will not be measured and that sanctions for non-compliance will not be carried out. The current rules in the Sporting Code enable us to comply with the motion adopted in the plenary by implementing the following procedures:

The new rules are in blue, the previous rules (http://ozreport.com/13.115#3) in black, changes are highlighted in italic:

1. The sprogs of all competing pilots' gliders will be measured before the end of registration. This measurement will normally take place in the landing areas, but may be taken on launch in special situations. Selected gliders will be measured multiple times in order to gather data as to the repeatability of measurements.

1. The sprogs of all competing certified gliders will be measured before the end of registration. This measurement will normally take place in the landing areas, but may be taken on launch in special situations. Selected gliders will be measured multiple times in order to gather data as to the repeatability of measurements.

2. All measurements will be published with the pilots' name and glider particulars as well as the certified setting. Measurements will be made of sprog systems, but may also include other dimensional measurements.

2. All measurements will be published with the pilots' names and glider particulars as well as the certified setting.

3. All gliders must have their sprogs set to the certified settings of a recognized testing body (DHV, HGMA or BHPA) or to a manufacturer's declared safe setting. Any glider with sprog settings which exceed either the certified settings by + or - 2 degrees or the manufacturer's declared safe settings by 0.5 degree will be reported to the Safety Director.

3. (not changed)

4. A glider with a tail will have to have the certified tail dimensions and angle setting published. It is the responsibility of the pilot to supply these values to the CIVL officials.

(removed)

5. Prototypes will be allowed in the competition as long as the pilot supplies a letter of approval from the manufacturer and documentation from the manufacturer that the glider has passed a pitch test. The settings of the pitch devices (sprogs, tail, etc.) must be provided and measurements will be taken according to these numbers. The tolerances specified in paragraph 3 will also apply to these measurements.

4. For flying prototypes the rules in the Sporting Code, S7A, paragraph 12.3.3 apply.

6. Gliders will also be measured randomly during the competition. All subsequent measurements will be published. If a pilot is found to have flown with non-compliant settings when measured after a task, the Meet Director and Steward will be notified. The penalty for deliberate non-compliance will be 5% of the maximum available score for that task. In addition, the glider will be measured again the next day. If the sprogs are again found to be non-compliant, the pilot will not be allowed to fly the task (i.e. will receive no score).

5. Gliders will also be measured randomly during the competition. All subsequent measurements will be published. If a pilot is found to have flown with lower settings when measured after a task, the Meet Director and Steward will be notified and a penalty imposed. In addition, the glider will be measured again the next day. If the sprogs are again found to be non-compliant, the pilot will not be allowed to fly the task (i.e. will receive no score).

7. Measurements will be performed by leveling the glider in longitudinal and horizontal axes with full stock VG setting applied. Angle measurements of the individual sprogs with respect to the keel will be taken to be the sprog settings.

6. (not changed)

8. All pilots must attend a safety discussion relating to pitch stability to be held as part of the Mandatory Safety Briefing in Laragne, before flying in the championship.

7. All pilots must attend the Mandatory Safety Briefing in Laragne, before flying in the championship and this will include a discussion relating to pitch stability.

9. Section 7 provides the facility to adjust these rules during this competition if clear safety issues arise.

8. Section 7 provides the facility to adjust rules during this competition if clear safety issues arise.