Competition format
The British Accuracy Cup (BAC) series will consist of four rounds with separate classic and paragliding accuracy competitions taking place in parallel using separate targets and judging teams. The paragliding accuracy competitions will have FAI Cat 2 status and be run to FAI Section 7C rules. The classic accuracy competitions will be run to classic accuracy rules as published.
Pilots can enter both competitions at each round, but will have to fly a square in the classic competition and a paraglider in the paragliding competition. A paraglider will be allowed to fly in either the classic competition or the paraglider competition, but not both. Pilots entering the BAC competitions need a minimum Club Pilot (tow) rating. The maximum number of pilots in each competition category will be 60 including novices, so early registration is encouraged to ensure you secure a place in the competition.
In addition, the BAC paragliding accuracy competition in round 1 will double up as the UK leg of the European Cup, the BAC paragliding accuracy competition in round 2 will double up as the UK leg of the World Cup, the BAC paragliding accuracy competition in round 3 will double up as the UK Paragliding Accuracy National Championships and the BAC classic accuracy competition in round 4 will double up as the UK Classic Accuracy National Championships and European Grand Prix. Note that the European Grand Prix may be a three day competition starting on the second day of the BAC round 4 competition.
Paraglider pilots can enter the BAC competitions without entering the European and World Cup events. In addition paraglider pilots without FAI licences can enter the BAC competitions and national championships, but will not be able to enter the European and World Cup events or be eligible for WPRS points.
Registration
Pilots need to register on the Airtribune website to enter any of the competitions. Pilots will be allowed to register in person on the start day of a competition but will incur an additional fee.
Banking or catching up flights, as has been previously allowed at national championships, will be allowed for any of the BAC or national competitions.
Teams
The BAC competitions will have teams of three pilots chosen from a maximum pool size of four pilots, and pilots in a pool can only fly for one team throughout the series. If four pilots from a pool are all in attendance at a round then the spare pilot can only fly as individuals in that round. The BAC teams can be different to the teams competing in the European Cup, World Cup and National Championships. Substitutions will be allowed in the classic competitions only as per the classic accuracy rules.
Flying order
Pilots flying in both the classic and paragliding competitions at each round must comply with the paragliding accuracy competition flying order, but will be allowed to fly out of order in the classic accuracy competition if their flight timings clash or if they are performing essential duties to allow a competition to continue where there is no relief. The following clarifications to the classic accuracy rules will allow a flexible flying order where pilots are otherwise occupied and will require prior permission from the Launch Marshal:
- If flying in both competitions the time to take the classic accuracy flight will be limited to 30 minutes prior to a paragliding accuracy launch or 30 minutes after a paragliding landing.
- Essential duties include, but are not limited to Launch Marshall and judging.
- It is the pilots responsibility to communicate with the Duty Launch Marshal who will be the person giving permission, this will be recorded on the Launch Marshal’s flying order log sheet stating the reason and will be clearly communicated that this has been approved and recorded to the pilot. This may be done via radio to the Launch Marshal by another competition official.
- If no permission has been given and recorded and the pilot misses their slot they will be deemed not ready to fly as per the rules and will be given a maximum score.
Determination of winners
BAC competitions can have between 2 and 12 rounds. There will be trophies for the best individuals, teams, under 25 and female at each round. Winners will be determined by UK classic accuracy and UK paragliding accuracy rules, however, there will be no dropped score after five rounds for individuals in the paraglider competition. Winners of the European Cup, World Cup, National Championships and European Grand Prix will be determined by their usual rules.
The overall winners of the BAC series will be determined by a pilot or teams best scores over the series, with the number of scores counting equating to 2/3rds of the total number of scoring rounds completed over the four rounds e.g. if 30 scoring rounds are achieved over the four rounds then pilot’s / team’s best 20 scores will contribute to the overall placings. Pilots who have missed competitions and have not recorded 2/3rds of the total number of scoring rounds will have to carry maximum scores. For the team scores, it will be the best team scores and cannot be determined by different rounds being discounted by individuals in a team
10 second on finals rule
For the first three rounds of the BAC the ’10 seconds on finals rule’ will be replaced with a trial rule whereby pilots should not attempt a target approach if they have insufficient height to achieve an into wind landing while flying a straight course.
Re-run / cancellation of BAC competitions
If two scoring rounds cannot be validated due to bad weather then the BAC competition will be re-run on the back-up date. Any previous completed scores will be cancelled. If the BAC competition cannot be completed on the back-up date then the BAC round will be cancelled. Note that European Cup and World Cup events only need one round to validate the competitions.
If a national championships, that require two rounds to validate the competition, cannot be completed, then the event will be re-run at a later date with an additional entry fee. Any previous completed scores will be cancelled.
Novices
There will be separate categories for classic and paragliding novices, and novices will be allowed to fly in either the classic competition or the paraglider competition but not both.
Paragliding novices will not be allowed to fly in the paragliding competitions when the European or World Cup events are taking place, but will be able to fly in the classic competition during these rounds.
Novices are classed as pilots without a rating or Club Pilots (tow) who are entering an accuracy competition for the first time and do not have a higher hill rating or a parachuting D licence or above.
2022 Classic Nationals Rules updated June 2022 EPAC