Only three months to go. We are busy with fine-tuning everything to
offer you a fun and memorable competition. You are busy with your
preparations. The last weeks will run away quickly. This Bulletin
Number 4 includes a tight package of important information. Read
everything carefully. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to
ask. We are here to help you. This Bulletin
is sent to all NACs and the Team Captains. It is their responsibility
to distribute the information to the pilots and crew members.
The deadline of the final entries passed on Jan 31. As I expected we
had some no-shows. The total number of entries is now 100, which was
our target. We can now confirm one reserve pilot per country. Also
these pilots are included on the enclosed list. The standard of the
pilots is of the highest quality. We have five former World and seven
European Champions among the participants, not to mention the other
medalists.
We are still lacking some data. Please, forward us the missing
information as soon as possible. Some of the entry forms were filled
by hand-writing. Therefore I ask everybody to check the spelling of
the names. We consider it very important to have all the names
correct.
Local Rules
One of the most important annexes of this letter is the Rules Booklet. It has two parts: the official
Rules of the EGC96 and incorporated Local
Rules. The latter part is new. It is as simple as possible. For
example, there are no fixed traffic rules at the start point. We
believe that the pilots can handle the situation safest without
complicated rules to follow.
Pay attention to some points, which have been slightly altered since
the previous Championships. In addition to closed speed tasks, we will
have distance tasks. They will be time limited prescribed area
tasks. Because GNSS black boxes are the main documentation system we
will utilize it to the fullest. We will accept GNSS outlandings. If
you cannot reach the finish line or a turn point, your outlanding spot
is the nearest GNSS fix to next turn point or finish line. Think about
this without prejudices. You will find out it is to your
advantage.
All the turn point coordinates have been
checked to match the WGS84 system. The list is included as an annex in
the rules booklet. The official finish time of the flights will come
from the GNSS trace, too. The conventional finish line still exists,
but only as a backup and for the quick preliminary results.
GNSS Flight Recorders are the primary documentation system
As mentioned before, every pilot must have an IGC approved GNSS flight
recorder on board every flight. Pilots can use cameras as back-up, but
the films will be developed only, if the GNSS trace is not
complete. The pilot cannot decide after flight, which system he wants
to use. The GNSS is the only system as long as it works without
problems.
We remind you that the competitor is fully responsible for the GNSS
Flight Recorder installation. Take care that you have enough electric
power to last even on long Finnish summer days. Previous experience
tells that the lack of electricity is the problem of the new system,
if any.
By the time of this writing the only FR to receive its approval was
Cambridge. However, the rumour says that Pesches VP8 is in the final
stages of the IGC approval process. It is not known whether any other
manufacturer will receive its approval before EGC96.
Sky Tracking may become a reality
One of our main sponsors, is the Finnish private GSM operator,
Radiolinja (Europhone). They are negotiating with the local
telecommunications authorities to get a permission to use GSM data
service to transfer automatic position reports from the gliders. If
the negotiations are successful, Radiolinja will sponsor ten complete
units to be used in competing gliders. In the best case the audience
will have a revolutionary change to follow the tracks of the gliders
almost in real time. IGC will discuss the details of using the devices
in the March Meeting.
A free Nokia GSM Mobile Phone to every Team Captain
The above mentioned Radiolinja and the local Nokia dealer Mäkitorppa will offer a free
Nokia 2110 GSM mobile phone to every Team Captain. These phones will
be the primary information feed from the Teams to the Organizers
during the competition. Outlanding pilot (if any ;) will call his Team
Captain, who in turn will deliver a written outlanding report with the
number of turnpoints passed and coordinates of the landing site to the
competition office. Simple, isn't it. The offer includes (a limited
amount of) phone calls, too.
Mäkitorppa is able to organize the leasing of extra mobile
phones, if needed. Let us know as soon as possible your needs. The
prices will be competitive.
Gliding Club Lift&Sink is the center of activities
One of the major improvements in Räyskälä is the new
Gliding Club Lift&Sink. A special annex
will tell more about the possibilities it offers on flying and
non-flying days. Don't forget to take your own instruments with you.
There will be free jam sessions for those of you who have the gift to
play any music.
In addition to food and drinks Lift&Sink will
have a small market place with souvenirs etc. for sale. The result
monitors are located there, too.
Accommodation and Transportation
Please arrange your accommodation as soon as possible. The information
published with Bulletin Number 3 is still valid. There are ample
choices for everybody. Several local glider pilots have offered their
caravans for lease. The prices and condition of the caravans vary.
Some of them are very cheap. Ask Kai Mönkkönen for more
details.
The ro-ro ferries from Lübeck are mostly full booked. To our
surprise there is no passenger ferry operating between Gdansk (Poland)
and Helsinki. Some cargo ships are sailing the route, but we have no
detailed information about them. Viking Line from Stockholm to
Helsinki and Turku still has limited capacity available. Book as early
as possible.
Gliders for rent
We have found a few more gliders for rent. For example World Champion
Markku Kuittinen offers his Discus A for rent. A few other fully
equipped standard class gliders and at least one LS-6 are still
available. Contact Kai Mönkkönen for details.
Results in Internet
Our Press Center is located next to Lift&Sink. It will be equipped
with faxes, telephones, computers, copiers etc. All the results will
be at hand without delay. The Press Ladies, Riitta Savolainen and
Katri Kiiha distribute the results with accompanying stories to
domestic and international media immediately.
In addition to normal sources we will exploit the Internet. We have
two different WWW home pages. Their addresses are:
Our original idea was not to have a Daily Bulletin in site at all. We
considered it too expensive and time-consuming. However, we changed
our minds. We have excellent copiers, enough computers, printers and
paper. The only missing factor is the editor. Even that obstacle may
disappear soon. We are currently consulting with a well-known
international person, who could take care of the work. Chances are,
that these Daily Bulletins will be available in the Net as well.
The contest area on one sheet of map
Just today I saw the first raw copy of the special edition of the
Finnish Aeronautical Chart. The Civil Aviation Authorities of Finland
have prepared and sponsored a special map of the contest area. The big
sheel contains lots of special information including all the turn
points. Every pilot will receive a free copy of the map as well as the
updated turn point catalogue upon arrival at
Räyskälä.
The third party insurance is available in Räyskälä
We told in Bulletin Number 3 that it is not possible to buy a third
party insurance in Räyskälä because of EU regulations.
Our sponsor, insurance company Pohjola has now solved the problem.
They will sell the insurance in Räyskälä before the
contest. Still we prefer your own insurance. We as organizers accept
any insurance provided the documents prove it is valid in Finland.
A complete weather station on site
The weak point of the pre-Europeans was the missing weather station in
Räyskälä. The problem does not exist anymore. We will
have a skillful met man with the best equipment on site. The computer
is connected to the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Local soundings
are made every morning with the Canadian Cu-Sonde system.
The Finnish company Vaisala will provide us with a similar automatic
weather station as last year. It gives temperature, dew point, winds,
clouds etc. in constant intervals. The same station is used to
distribute information concerning the runway in use, launch times,
briefing times and other relevant information. Anybody can listen to
the information by a normal VHF-radio or a telephone. Enclosed is a
brochure with more details about the Vaisala system.
Tapio Savolainen, Kaitalahdentie 31, FIN-00840 Helsinki, Finland
tel. +358 0 698 0245, fax +358 0 698 1255, mobile +358 500 433 059
Dr. Günther Eichhorn Travel Website
Soaring website