Home

Training Aids

Weather

Do It Yourself

My First CC flight

Somerset Do It Yourself Contest Rules

Start/Finish:
See the picture below for the Start line. Start on course by crossing over the line in the direction of the first turn point. Finish the course by flying to the IP from the final turn point. When you fly over the IP this is the finish.

You may start on course at any altitude above 2000' but below 4000' AGL. Upon crossing the start line start your stopwatch.

When crossing the finish line you must be above 1000' AGL. Stop your stopwatch. The 1000' floor is for safety reasons so you can enter a safe landing pattern.

Turn points:
A course will have 3 or more turn points. To round a turn point imagine it is a pylon on the road and you have to drive around it heading towards the next turn point or finish. When rounding a turn point, bank your wing to point towards the pylon. The closer you are to it the steeper the bank you need. See the drawing below.

Scoring:
Scoring is based on the distance you make around the course and the time it takes you. That establishes your average speed. The winner is determined by the flight that achieves the greatest distance with the fastest time. If several pilots finish the course, the pilot with the fastest time will be the winner. 

If you can not finish the course, note the point over the ground where you leave the course and start heading to the landing pattern. At this time, also stop your stopwatch. Calculate your distance and average speed.  If no flight finishes the course the flight that achieves the greatest distance will be the winner, regardless of speed.

You can fly the course as many times as you like. Your best score will be counted.

Distance:
No course will be longer than a Silver distance flight, 50km, 30.07 miles. The course will be designed to keep you near the airport. You might cross over the airport several times while heading to the next turn point. 

 

Training and fun are the primary reasons for competing in the DIY contest. Scoring is done on the honor system. If you cheat, you are only cheating yourself out of a good time. Although the course is designed to keep you close to the airport, there is no guarantee that with lack of attention, you might find yourself in a difficult situation. Always maintain situational awareness and plan ahead. Maintain vigilance for other aircraft and know when to quit. Do not fly outside your personal abilities.

Sample Contest

All Turn Points that can be used for a contest