Info about the Expedition

The Expedition from Williams to Montague is a casual expedition - open to everyone. Only a few things are formally arranged. If you are planning to rent any of the equipment owned by Williams Soaring Center, then coordinate as necessary with Rex, Noelle, and Kenny, to check on what may be available.

You will enjoy this casual flying environment. We talk about what we think the soaring will be like each morning. In past years we would plan an informal race, agree on a few simple rules, reminding each other of safety considerations, set the proposed task for the day, and launch as soon as we all think it is time. A version of past rules are shown below, but if there area only a few pilots flying will prabably be "over-organized".

The Mount Shasta Soaring Club has improved the glider facilities, and is authorized by the county to asses fees for daily use at Siskiyou. They are nominal, and you will learn about them when you arrive. Tow planes, tiedowns, and oxygen are all available, if proper coordination is accomplished.

The second annual expedition was held in 2004 - you can read about it at http://www.valleysoaring.net/mont-04/

The third annual was held in 2005. See photos of Montague 2005...
See photos by Peter in 2005.
See photos by Rich Parker in 2005.

In 2003 - our first annual, there was a similar expedition.

This year we may or may not have daily races, it just depends on what you want to do.

 

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Here are some old 'rules' - illustrating that too much time was used to dream up a contest format....

Montague Expedition Fun Races, as detailed in 2004

Everyone is welcome to participate, but you need to either commit to race, or remain clear of those racing - it may get crowded at the start gate and some turnpoints. You don't need to be a part of the races, but it's a lot of fun.

Overview: All participating pilots meet before flight, agree on rules, course, etc. launch when you want. Race starts at a certain time. Finish is not at the airport, but at some place we expect to have lift. It is a short course, so after the race, those who want to fly several more hours can do so.

Each pilot should have a GPS recorder, and should be prepared to turn in the flight log to the CD after each flight.

Race activity begins with the pilot meeting. Pilots will discuss the soaring conditions, elect a contest director, establish a primary race course for the day, minimum finish altitude, and agree on the approximate launch time, and approximate start time (CD confirms all before launch and when in flight).

The concept of the races, which worked well last year, is to have a "shotgun start". We all start at about the same time. Actually, we should all finish at about the same time - those with more experience are told to start later - all that is worked out in advance of the flight - at the 10 am pilot meeting.

The start and finish gates will each be a one mile cylinder. All turnpoints will have a quarter mile cylinder. Turnpoint will be the official turnpoints listed on the Turnpoint Exchange. But we plan to add a few points. We'll post that ammended file onthe Williams Forum. We'll have them available at Siskiyou. Each pilot must have the turnpoints loaded in their GPS units prior to the race.

Once the primary race course is established, we (the pilots at the meeting) will estimate the length of time it will take to complete the course, and we will agree on the seeding. Every pilot gets a seeding number. Those at the bottom of the seeding start first. Those near the top, start last. CD calls the start for each group (as agreed in the pilot meeting). One pilot will agree to be The Pacer. The Pacer starts two minutes before everyone else.

The maximum speed allowed in the area of the start gate cylinder is 90 kts indicated airspeed - no exceptions.

The novice pilots will start (or will be considered to have started) at their initial start time (not before, and not after, but at the designated time). The CD will watch the start and will decide the max allowed start altitude for those remaining. Pilots don't need to announce their starts. The CD will tell everyone when they started. It's done by your wrist watch. You will be considered to have started at your designated time.

Pilots should announce when one mile before each turnpoint, and state their altitude - this is mostly to avoid mid-air collisions but it also keeps everyone informed on how things are going.

Pilots should coordinate with each other, especially when approaching the finish, so as to avoid conflicts.

After the race is completed, pilots may continue to fly. There is no time limit for scoring. However, each pilot should turn in their flight log to the CD that afternoon or the next morning at the latest.

 

Summary of the Preliminary Rules

1. Final Rules for the day are agreed upon at the 10 AM pilot meeting on the ramp.

2. All pilots are seeded.

3. Race starts at a specified time on the clock.

4. Novice Pilots start first, those top seeded start last.

5. CD calls the max start altitude for those remaining after the novice group starts.

6. The Pacer starts two minutes early, and only moves forward when another pilot passes him or enters the same or a nearby thermal. Pacer will announce if and when he gives up trying to be the pacer (because he can't stay ahead).

7. It's OK to try to pass The Pacer, just announce it, if and when you do pass The Pacer.

7. Announce one mile before crossing each TP, and say your altitude.

8. Announce five miles before crossing the finish, and say your altitude.

Important Reminders

Pre-program the course before flight - so you won't have your head in the cockpit inflight.

Use the same database as everyone else - so we can reference our positions from each other more accurately.

Turn in your flight log so we can watch each other in real time on the computer reruns that night or the next morning.

Fly safely. Enjoy the day.

Do Not's

Do not start before your designated time - you are started at your scheduled time! There is no such thing as a late start!

Do not make any long radio calls.

Do not start above the max start altitude.

Do not attempt tp finish below the minimum altitude - it won't count!

Do not fly with your head in the cockpit - keep watching for others!

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