Spoke briefly with Scott Barrett, the winner of day 2, on the launch situation.
Seems that he got let off down wind in zero sink, when we were pretty clear that
the tug pilots were required to tow everyone to 2,000' (maximum), upwind (north)
of the launch area within 2 KM of the launch area. He landed, went to the back
of the line, and then had to struggle with other pilots moving in front of him
claiming weak link breaks, when perhaps that was not the full truth.
Scott was towed up again to over a dust devil and the line went slack at 300'.
He was able to climb out from there, but now was late and started the race after
3 PM (the last start time), at 1000' AGL. He still made goal.
The issue of weak link breaks was discussed in a small committee today. The
point is that pilots who have weak link breaks are slotted in behind the first
four pilots (those on the dollies). If you just land for other reasons, you go
to the end of the line. As there is not a good way for the launch crew to know
who actually had a real weak link break, a new system will proposed tomorrow.
If you get off below 1,000' AGL for any reason you will be slotted in behind the
sixth pilot after you land. Above that, you'll go to the end of the line. If you
say that you got off at less than 1,000' AGL, get slotted in, and then when your
track log is examined and it is found that you were above 1,000' AGL, you will
receive a 30% penalty. Or perhaps another penalty like having to launch last (or is it first?).
