STACK Sanction form

Event information

• COMPETITION FIELD

  Competition fields should be of the right size (according to Rules) and be square, flat, horizontal, dry, with a surface that does not catch lines, save and without -too much- wind hindrance ( see drawing for details)

  All demands seem rather strict and also a bit 'bureaucratic' , but they only describe a "standard flying field". It is STACK's objective to ensure that it is not the field that limits the performance!

  Usualy all these demands are met if a field is selected with a bit of "common sense"

  • the right size

    • Flying field (inside "disqualification boundary") minimum size:

      • for pairs and teams : 110x110 m (approx. 365x365 ft)
      • for individuals : 85x85 m (approx. 285x285 ft)
      • for individual quad line this can be reduced to 75x75 m

    • Spacing between boudaries

      • between "warning boundary" (yellow flag line) and "disqualification boudary" (red flag line) 5 m (approx. 17 ft)
      • between "disqualification boudary" (red flag line) and "public boudary" (fence) preferrably 5 m

  • square
    • no more than a 5 m difference in the lenght of the diagonals
    • sides of equal length

  • flat, horizontal
    • no height difference of more than 0.20 m (2/3 ft) on 1 m² (approx. 11 square ft)
    • no part of the field should have a slope of more than 1 : 5
    • slope overall no more than 1 : 30

  • surface
    • surface material is not of great importance, as long as lines and kite edges are not "trapped" (but most flyers would prefer firm sand)
    • the field should be 'dry ' ; a maximum of 5% of the surface can be water, as long as it is not deeper than 0.10 m (1/3 ft)

  • safety
    • no obstacles on the field
    • no holes
    • no ridges between two different surface materials

      In short nothing that can make a backward walking flyer stumble!

    • The fencing material of the "public boundary" should keep the public of the field. This can be anything, depending on the public. It should be clearly visible, about 0.70 high (or if tape is used at a height of about 0.70 m) If, during competition, the fencing and/or the way the organiser "handles" the public proves inadequate, competition shall be postponed until the problem is solved
    • flying field or "disqualification"boundary (if not the same as the public boundary) should be clearly and continuously marked, and visible from any place on the field
    • "warning boundary" shall be marked clearly (and preferably continuously). Markings visible from any place on the field

  • wind hindrance
    • obstacles near the field will have an influence on the wind (turbulence) which stretches as least as far as 10 times their height (so there will be a noticable wind disturbance from a building of 30 m high -10 stories- as far as 300 m away)
    • If a 'solid' obstacle (either a large building, woods, a line of trees) is closer to the field than 5 times it's height, then the resulting turbulence will in general make the flying field unsuited for competition!

• SITE EQUIPMENT
  • Shelter
    • the organiser shall provide a suitable, sheltered place for pilot's meeting(s) and debriefing(s). It should be sheltered against heat (sun) or cold, and against rain and wind. It should be big enough to house about twice the total number of competitors (and so be big enough to house the judges, field crew etc. too)
    • A p.a. system will simplify and shorten the meeting(s); with more than about 30 competitors it is necessary

  • Field equipment

    all of the folowing items should be available for each competition field:

    • 4 red and 4 yellow flags
    • 5 whistles
    • a -handheld- windmeter (giving readings in km/h and/or m/s)

      if a fixed windmeter is used, it shall be readable from every place on the field. The place of the windmeter shall be approved by the chief judge

    • enough standard (STACK) scoresheets and controlsheets for 5 judges
    • 6 binders (or clipboards) for judges and Field Director (and, if possible, judging material for at least 2 shadow judges)

  • Sound system
    • an adequat sound system, suited to play standard tape cassettes (and preferably also c.d.'s) is needed for Ballet competition and Innovative (freestyle) competition.
    • a sound engineer. If there is no visual contact possible during competition, between sound engineer and field director, then radio-handsets should be used. The field director will instruct the sound engineer about the appropriate signaling

  • Scoring
    • the organiser shall provide adequate means and personel to calculate the scores and results. The chief judge will check and approve the calculations and results, and check the programm if a computer is used. Any announcement of scores and results is provisional, until approved by the chief judge.
    • to announce scores and results a "white board" (covered against rain) should be available
    • the organiser shall provide the STACK event coordinator, the chief judge, the national director and preferably all competitors with copies of the results, as approved by the chief judge. The chief judge also with (copies of) the "raw" scores. Each judge will take back their scoresheets before the debriefing.