Try Slope Cross Country
This used to be very popular in the days that the traditional thermal soarer was in main use. Not sure now whether this would still be a ‘goer’ using DS’ing techniques.
I would be keen to hear from anyone with any ideas. Meantime, I’ll leave this page here… Note added JAN 26TH 2009.
I have been asked a lot about slope cross country flying and yes, it is a long
time since the rules and guide lines were first written. The following
describes the system in general use though there may be regional variations.
Pre comp briefing is the time to listen and then ask questions if you are not
sure. Well yes, the term 'Cross Country' is a misnomer implying a lot of
physical effort but we have not yet come up with a better title. The essence of
the event is that the pilot covers ground performing tasks set by the clerk of
the course on the way. The flyer will have an assistant whose main functions
are to steer him over rough ground, watch the model, monitor the tasks, time
keep and navigate around the course.
The
main task is to fly back downwind over each numbered gate which is marked by
two flags, turn back into wind and then execute a full circle before heading
back over and forward of the flags to complete the task. That is shown in fig 1
and is known as a 'cross country' turn. One point is gained when the model
over-flies pilot and helper who have reached the gate.
The second point is gained when the model has flown forward over the gate and
completed the task. Easy um? Right, though you will find that the course gets
harder as you progress. From the launch flag, gain height and start to walk to
the first gate. This is usually on the front of the hill in lift and will prove
easy.
Perform the turn as described above, the helper marks your card and off you go to the next gate. Generally, it might be expected to take around five minutes to walk to the next gate but since you may be seeking to regain height - possibly whilst walking backwards - it could be longer. As you may be asked to complete the course in say forty five minutes or so, dawdling is not to be encouraged -though it should not be essential to run.
You
will appreciate that XC turns in lift are easy enough. That is why the course
setter will site the gates progressively further back out of the lift area and
into sink at the back of the slope. (See fig. 2)
Thus it becomes essential to head back with as much height as is
comfortable, particularly as you may be asked to complete more than one turn as
the event proceeds. Here we come to the second phase of the XC challenge since
one good thermal could put the model high enough to complete the course in one
go. That is why you may be asked to perform a low pass at (say) the third and
fifth gates following which it will be essential to scoot back to the front of
the slope to regain height and hook the next thermal.
The
low pass task may be flown one or both directions below line of sight or a full
circle below the horizon. (See fig. 3) The latter is very effective in killing
speed and losing height. So, following the course and completing every task has
you back over the finishing flag with time to spare.
Well it might but should there be problems of any description, you are allowed
to re-launch as many times as you like - providing that such re-launches are
made from the start flag. All scoring begins again and the next attempt must be
done within the original time allotted. Thus it may be prudent to declare
rather than restart with no chance of improving on your first attempt score.
Note incidentally that the tasks are easy to assess and since there will be other eyes watching at all times, do them properly so that there will be no accusations of cheating - not that you would of course… I should also mention that at the end of the allotted period, all scoring stops and your model must be landed without delay and not after you have completed the next gate. Your helper will be responsible for telling you the elapsed time which means precisely that. Please land and get your transmitter back without delay as the event will be stopped until your peg is returned.
The foregoing is what you have to do but since there will be other competitors too, you will find that at the very least, the entrants will be split into two groups so that yourself and your buddy can help each other. There may be more groups and ideally, a matrix is used such that everyone gets to fly against everyone else. Ideally, the number of points gained in each round is percentaged and the top scorers will progress to a final fly-off to decide the winners. It is also accepted that total points scored in all the rounds can be used though the consistent pilots tend to succeed either way.
Models? As usual, 'Gardiner's first law of soaring' applies - i.e. 'If it's in lift it will go up, if not it will come down'. Essentially, that means that any reasonably efficient soarer will do. Three to three and a half metres span is a good size, ailerons make low passes and XC turns easier but rudder/elevator is quite handleable. Air brakes are a fantastic help for landing and shedding that surplus height though I am currently sold on the idea of using 'both ailerons up' via a transmitter mixer. Ideally, a soarer with a wide speed range that can be circled in lift and with penetration to come back from down wind is best and in practice, many people take a lightweight and a robust ballastable model to cater for all flyable conditions. However, regardless of how light the model, if there is no lift at all, then it might as well be at home - unless that is you can heave it into a passing thermal.
Since we originally put this page up on the web site, there has been much consideration of dynamic soaring. Although we do know sites where this can take place, at the moment, there seems no reason to suppose that the ability to hurtle round in the air at the back of the slope would have much influence on the final results. Especially so when the cross-country turns required could be carried out at height and using lift gained upwind of the slope. We could place a gate where such a technique would be suitable, but we know better than that…
Model preparation is all-important for if anything can go wrong, then be assured that it will. Personal readiness involves good 'grippy' shoes, sunglasses and an empty bladder before you start. The helper can carry stopwatch, spares, tape, cyano and a few tools, He can be ready to recover the model for a re-launch or nip back to the paddock for the other. He must not fly the model at any time though or scoring stops. Now experience will tell you what you can or cannot do and winners usually do it right first time. It is the only type of event where almost any kind of soarer well flown stands a good chance of winning.
There are no demands for tow men or winches, you can get up to three hours of challenging soaring in the day but not under direct scrutiny. There is no hanging around since you will also be helping your colleague and since it is not a race, there is no demand for super fitness. Slope cross country has its adherents and has proved itself to be an excellent sport where slope lift is present. The site does not need to be vast, in fact a challenging course can be set out using no more than three gates by progressively increasing the number of XC turns required. Neither does the course need to have a high ridge since if the lift is too good, it can be just as frustrating as having no lift at all. May I suggest that you try slope cross country? Practice where you can, then try an open event following which hopefully you will be inspired to organise your own competition.
This message is particularly aimed at soarers overseas where I think that the sport of slope cross country is almost unknown. It would be a move in the right direction to link up with interested soarers and possibly at some future date, set this up as a new World Championship class. If you want to know more, e-mail Chas Gardiner on chasg(at)rdiner(dot)net