Competitor’s Sub Committee

1. Competitor’s Sub Committee 2009 Pilot’s Survey Results

2. Number of Responses • 63 People responded to the survey • Most (but not all) people answered every question • Geographic Distribution • Not all IP addresses could be checked, but there seemed to be a reasonable distribution around the World • [If we can approve the ($200) budget to buy a subscription to the survey we can collect geographic information in future.]

3. (1) Should there be Women’s Championships?

4. (1) Women's Championships Comments (1) • Independent on the fact I am male, results should be compared in total. Create sub-Championship category in the regular Championship for any kind of competitor - Ladies, Seniors etc... • It is up to the women to decide but I understand that most are not in favour. • Ballooning is one of the few sports where men and women can compete on a 'level playing field'. Women are not of a lesser standard and there is no reason to separate them • I am favorable although think it is a great oportunity for our sport to have male and female competing at same level. No discrimination at all and has always worked. • Ballooning is one of the few sports where physical abilities are not a factor - especially at CAT 1 events where gravity marker drops are used the majority (or all) of the time. However, if it was felt that such an event would serve to increase female participation in a way that would not otherwise be possible, then I would favor it. • Sexual equality! • Insult to capabilities of women - or are men afraid that there would be a female champion. • Of course like in other airsports. • I think an event like this would be well attended and a positive experience. However, a lot of the female pilots I talk to would rather not have a seperate championship. Saying that they would rather compete in a championship that invited the best men and women of the sport

5. (1) Women's Championships Comments (2) • I think this might create for more interest in the sport and ultimately get more people involved. • the more competition the better • Think they are capabl of competing at the regular level with everyone else. • Ballooning is one of the very few sports where men and women compete equally. I flew in all the first few women's world championships and while it was great to have won 4 of them, it felt much better to have come in the top 10 in the open world championship than 1st in the Womens. However, a women's world championship has the potential of encouraging more women into the sport (but I doubt it). • This is a sport where we're all on a level playing field. The creation of this event should only be done if the female gender population is asking for it and not for another organizer to profit from its participants and title. I've not heard of any desire to have such an event from the female pilots I know. • I feel that there are a number of sports in which women can compete on equal terms. Ballooning is one of them and so, to hold a separate event, dilutes the effectiveness of the inclusive nature of the sport. • I see no sense in a women's world championship, because in ballooning it doesn't matter if you are male or female. I see only "political" reasons to have such a new category.

6. (1) Women's Championships Comments (3) • It would be great if enough women are interested to have competitions. It raises an interesting point, however. Women do regularly compete with men, and it is conceivable a woman could win a World Championship. Could a man compete in a 'woman's hot air balloon world championship'? • The decision by CIA was merely to allow women only events. Women only championships should be held only if women competitors want them. • In my opinion, the only difference (in ballooning competition !!) between males and females is the fact that females are less numerous than males. Because they are much less, their general level is lower. In a world championship, we use to have 2 or 3 females. This means that the others are not in the top 100 of the pilots. Then, we would organise a championship low level to let those who are not good enough to be in the top 100 a chance to win a title.. So, the winner of a world female championship will get a "low level" gold medal. In some other sports like equestrian sports, women are competing against men. Also, competing in a World Championship with only 10 or 15 balloons is not interesting and it's much more valuable to be the 30th amongst 100 pilots than 1st amongst 15. If some female pilots need some recognition, why don't we give a special reward to the first (or top 3) woman of a world championship ? And, if we think about the organiser, hosting a world championship for only 10 or 15 balloons will not bring them a lot of sponsorship. Then.. Next step could be a Veteran championship ?! (like women, they are less physically strong than the younger...)

7. (1) Women's Championships Comments (4) • Degrades women as they can compete at the same level as men. • There is actually a world cup for women organised each year in France (Mainfonds) and there only few participants (around 10), and the majority of them are french. • My observation is that a person's sex has nothing to do with their ability to fly a hot air balloon!!!

8. (2a) Would you like there to be CAT1 TEAM Championships?

9. (2b) What Type of CAT1 TEAM Championship?

10. (2) CAT 1 TEAM Championships Comments (1) • We need a well sponsored open event to start with to attract pilots to this type of event to see if it is usccessful. • Having flown in many team events, it's my opinion that the factors involved are significantly different enough to warrant such an event. • We need cost cut now. • I am not against but the ones I have competed in were not extremely exiting. Also there has been a very serious attempt be the Australians some 10 years ago to kick one off. But the attempt failed due to lack of interest. • I think the team event is an exciting form of competition that challenges the pilots skill in ways a indivitual event can not. • The expense and time required for the participants would be too great, particullarly a World Championship. • The only problem I foresee is that many pilots would have difficulty making more time (and money) available to attend additional events. • personally I feel it is a big anachronism to compete for a nation. Better would be to have regions with separate ranking lists; the Americas, Europe/Africa and Asia/Australia/pacifics. And each region the same no. of pilots at Worlds. • Not quite sure how it would work

11. (2) CAT 1 TEAM Championships Comments (2) • Paul Petrehn (paulp@cameronballoons.com): Team event participants and qualifying will differ on the Team World Championship scene. A current National Champion should be able to choose their teammates from a list of other qualified pilots (i.e. other top 10 pilots from the current National Championship and perhaps the previous National Championship). On the Continental/Regional scene, each team should consist of one entry level pilot to mentor and bring along into the sport. • rfrusher@curves.com • Philippe De Cock -phdecock@cocks.be like the former Honda World Grand Prix, this kind of competition is very good to increase the level of the pilots • adikohl@gmx.de -- No opinion, because I don't know what is meant by TEAM-Event. • Tom Roush, mtntom2@aol.com • dkballooning@aol.com • Can't agree to a new event without knowing the rules/format. The US conducts A form of team competition, not neccesarily the only format. • Brad Craig brcraig75@hotmail.com • Richard@Parry.cc • Maury Sullivan, tequilatom@aol.com; not sure I understand what is meant by my concept of mentoring. If the reference is to team composition providing for mentoring of less experienced pilots then I would establish some sort of ranking system based on a number of factors including: national ranking system, Cat 1 finishes, etc.

12. (2) CAT 1 TEAM Championships Comments (3) • Angel Aguirre angel@globuskontiki.com • guyg@balloonrepair.com • marcus.999@btinternet.com mentoring teaching and training with more junior team members including flying with them as well as preflight planning and post flight debrief.

13. (3a) Do you think that the use of turning vents should be allowed in CAT1 events?

14. (3b) Do turning vents have an effect on the direction of the balloon?

15. (3) Turning Vents Comments (1) This question is not meant to reopen a discussion about whether turning vents have directional effect, but you may comment if you choose. And, if you believe that they can change direction, please explain how you believe this works. • If there is a majority who feel that turning vents do affect direction then there should be no harm in allowing one vent in competitions. • I have experienced flight with turning vents and found it was really effective to change the direction. I could change the direction about 90 degree. The use of turning vents must not be allowed in any competition event. Balloons with turning vents should not be quolified in CAT1 events. • Much like the early days of LORAN/GPS, the inability to enforce restrictions on using them (regardless of their affection on flight) almost requires that they be allowed. • I work in the doldrums Is unfair because it has the power • If you have a turning vents, you should seal up a turning line so that it cannot be used. • The only profiteers would be the manufacturers. When allowed, balloons will be made to fly instead of drift. It would be like allowing the use of engines on a sailboat. The impact of allowing vents in competition will be far greater then the impact of the 'racers'. You may need to buy a the latest type of ballon every year. If there is no intention to 'reopen the discussion' then why is the question put?

16. (3) Turning Vents Comments (2) • Turning vents offer no competitive advantage to the flight path of a balloon. I say that as a pilot who owns and flys a balloon without turning vents. • I have observed balloons with turning events, superheat their balloons to force air out of the vent to alter their direction. I would have no objections to the use of turning events if it was not on the approach to a target. • I think the problem is policing whether the vents can be opened in such a way as to propel the balloon laterally (e.g. with both vents opened together). I expect the advantage gained simply by rotating the balloon is virtually impossible to measure/prove. The easiest way is to leave the rule as it is. • any side vent has a potential effect on direction. if you burn and hold it open it does have a significant effect in no-wind condidtions • I can pull hard left/right ifi climb quickly with a turn vent open • Air is released on the side of the balloon it will have an affect in light winds. • It's more of a safety issue. Baskets are becoming more and more like cockpits. I cant imagine telling an airplane pilot they have to make a low level approach with their avionics facing the wrong direction. The minor use of turning vents during competition will provide for more organized approaches to targets, therfore safer approaches.

17. (3) Turning Vents Comments (3) • I am not an expert in this area but...  "To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."  Newton's third law of motion.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_laws_of_motion  So given that turning vents are normally on opposite sides of the envelope, when they are both opperated at the same time, instead of rotating the balloon about it's axis, it will propell the balloon in a direction away from the two open vents. (provided that the pilot also keeps the balloon in the air - usually by turning on the burners.) • If they change direction or not I don't know. If they do then this would be an additional skill for pilots to exploit an as such be an additional test of skill. My objection is more from the point of view of the use to which they would be put. With the destruction of the sport by the increased use of computers Turning Vents would be used in flight to keep the balloon orientated in the direction of flight for the more effective use of computers. • Turning vents are absolutely unnecessary in competitions. So they should not be allowed to be used in any case. • Having watched balloons move cross track, particularly when climbing or descending I am convinced that rotation vents give horizontal motion. Even the pilots who claim that they do not believe that they give horizontal motion want to fit them to give it a try! Come on guys this has been a proven argument for at least 20 years. Lets move on. • I think two vents can move a balloon; I don't think one can.

18. (3) Turning Vents Comments (4) • I've heard the experts on this subject (Don Cameron and Carl Stefan) and their opinion that vents can not effectively cause a balloon to change direction is good enough for me. Time to get rid of this rule forces by one outspoken person. • I don't believe the use of truning vents materially affects direction of travel but there use could be considered an enhancement to safety. Let's see use of turning vents vs. 1500-1800 fpm ascents and descents -- let's get serious here and solve the sports REAL problems. • Allowing them may lead to turning vents being designed that do affect direction (left and right on at same time == jet power) • It would not take much for someone to modify a turning vent to allow directional change. • you have only to check the track record when you open and close the vents. You can see a change of direction.

19. (4) What Is The Best (Approximate) Number of Competitors To Be Invited To A World Championship?

20. (4) Minimum Number of Competitors – Comments • Maximum 50. It is small enough to organize and you dont waste too much time getting in and out of the launch site. Also, for the fly ins there are not too many mad dogs running around. • not less than 75 and not more than 100 • If you have too many than the quality of the pilots attending falls. Too few and pilots that should be there are left out. • 100 balloons has proved to be manageable at most locations in the recent past. Inevitably, crowded goals which increase the risk of collision are becoming more of an issue, but the astute director can usually take this into account. • for safety reasons. 20 per region • Austria was about right, maybe a little too many • Every country should be able to participate. • Given the flight mannorisms of these pilots the field needs to be restricted for safety reasons. • don't know • Pilots are now so good that we get serious and potentially dengerous crowding on some of the popular goals.

21. (5) If there were a MINIMUM scoring area (only markers in this area would be measured and valid) how large should the radius be?

22. (5) Minimum Scoring Area – Comments (1) • This variable is dependent on the conditions like unpredictable weather changes, competition director experience. Set no minimum rather than evaluate different but real results with same points. • Depends on conditions. • It is noot easy at all to find so many places with a radius of 50 m. For the WAG here in Mondovì to find scoring areas of 30 m radius is difficult. • Depends on geography of course! • The idea behind a competitive flight is to determine which pilot does the best job of flying the entire series of tasks - not who does the best job of gathering points. Having no minimum forces all competitors to fly the flight as the intended series of tasks - not determine which ones are "worth it". Even if one misses the MSA, no minimum scoring area means that he/she must still account for the task in deciding the overall flight profile. Particularly at CAT 1 events, the pilot that misses by 300m should get more points than the one at 3000m because he/she did a better job of accomplishing that task in the context of the entire flight. • Depending on how the marker without scoring area is measured, the scores of middle ranked pilots are not different in case the valid radius is small such as 50m. Nowadays, measuring far away marker become easy using GPS measuring. Consequently, I believe the radius of scoring area should not be written in the COH. Event director should set on task by task.

23. (5) Minimum Scoring Area – Comments (2) • I think 100m is just fine. Less should be used only as an exception if nothing else in the vacinity is available. More doesn't make sense. • I don't think the scoring area should be limited to a perfect circle. I think everything should be done to get a pilot a score within reason. By limiting the scoring area to a perfect circle you may be uneccesarily discounting a marker that is easily measurable. If there are no confines of the field a distance of 100 meters is easily measured by a scoring team. • always up to the task setters - geography etc - square play grounds and so on. This question is difficultly worded (minumum/large?) the answer option 'no min' is not an answer to the question etc • The director should establish this based on the geographic limitations, weather conditions and competitive standard. The concept is appropraite to facilitate event management, however, this need not be presciptive to the point of actual size. • Given the standard, everyone should be inside this unless the weather was such that the winds went the other way in which case 100 or 200 is irrellevant • We already have tasks with scoring areas. There should be NO minimum scoring area. If everyone outside of a scoring area receives "no result" it is a complete waste of the task and does not reflect the skill of the pilot who only dropped just outside the area compared to those who were kilometres away.

24. (5) Minimum Scoring Area – Comments (3) • It should be the same as the distance used for tape measurement (no GPS). This is also valid for measuring teams. During the Worlds 2006 pilots where within 200 meters, but outside the MT area. They were not granted access to the cross to do their own measurements... • A reccommended scoring area is OK, but the event may have a limited number of scoring officials and need to keep certain scoring areas at a minimum. Leave the final say in the hands of the director so they can consider all variables. • I think 100 meters are reasonable for nearly every task and also for all thinkable meteorological conditions, in which we are flying. If the scoring area is too small, there is too much luck involved, whether you can achieve a result or not. • It is difficult to be too specific because many competions have fly in tasks with a target in a field and it is not always possible to have this minimum scoring area all around the target. I am thinking specificly of Saga and other places where to fly in field is long and thin. • Without Obsevers, it becomes a matter of practicality. • I don't think a minimum is required as that may limit were scorng areas and targets may be placed, but I do think we have to get away from very small areas and that markers near scoring areas should be measured, if they can be seen and easily measured.

25. (5) Minimum Scoring Area – Comments (4) • Its up to the competition management to decide this. It depends also on available fields within the relevant part of the competition area. • It's OK to give a recommendation but sometimes a 100m X 100m area just is not available. Event officials need flexibility to create 'hard' targets and get away from intersections. Who ever heard of an intersection with no obstacles within a 50m radius? • outside the Area scoring with GPS

26. Task Questions Pilots were asked to rank their most favorite and least favorite tasks. They were also asked which tasks required the most skill. In order to compare results, each answer was given a score where 1st place = 10 points, 2nd place = 9 points, 3rd place = 8 points…until 10th place = 1 point. These scores were then added to given an overall result.

27. (6) MOST Favorite Tasks Pilots were asked to rank their most favorite 10 tasks

28. Most Popular Taskshigh score = very popular

29. Most Popular Tasks (sorted)high score = very popular

30. MOST popular tasks • The Most popular 3 tasks are: • JDG (Judge Declared Goal) • PDG (Pilot Declared Goal) • FON (Fly On Task)

31. 7. LEAST Favorite Tasks Pilots were asked to rank their LEAST favorite 10 tasks

32. Least Popular Taskshigh score = less popular

33. Least Popular Tasks (sorted)high score = less popular

34. LEAST popular tasks • The LEAST popular 3 tasks are: • 3DT (3-D Task) • SFL (Shortest Flight) • RTA (Race to a Line)

35. 8. Pilot Skill Pilots were asked to rank all tasks based on: (a) the flying skill required (b) the ‘thinking’ skill required

36. 8. Pilot Skill Again, each answer was given a score. This time a 1st place= 4 points, 2nd place = 3 points, 3rd place = 2 points, 4th place = 1 point and all others received zero points. The same process was used for flying skill and thinking skill. The results were then added and graphed.

37. Flying Skillhigh score = most skill required

38. Thinking Skillhigh score = most skill required

39. Flying and Thinking Skillhigh score = most skill required

40. Flying and Thinking Skill (sorted)high score = most skill required

41. Most Skill Required Overall • The 3 tasks believed to require the most skill are: • CRT (Controlled Rate of Approach) • ELB (Elbow) • PDG (Pilot Declared Goal)

42. 9 Tasks To Be Eliminated • Pilots were asked to name tasks which they feel should be eliminated from CAT1 events.

43. Tasks Which Should Be Eliminated

44. Tasks To Be Removed From CAT1 Events • The Following 3 received the most votes to be removed from CAT1 events: • 3DT (3-D Task) • HNH (Hare and Hound) • RTA (Race To An Area)

45. 10 CAT1 Event Locations Do you know of a location / city that would be interested in hosting a CAT1 event? Please give the location and country and a contact person (with email address & telephone number). • Mondovì, Italy Giovanni Aimo john@aimoballoons.com 0039-335-6061927 • It is SAGA in Japna. http://www.sibf.jp/index.php • Andaalucia Spain • Do be honest, I'm not real sure what a CAT1 event actually is, or what qualifies an event to be CAT1. But I know there are several over seas, and very few or none at all in the states. That is something that needs addressed. • MIYAZAKI JAPAN HIGASHIKOKUBARU MR. MIYAKONOJOSHI JAPAN • I have been looking at trying to get interested sponsorship for sime time here in the UK. fly@balloon.tv Andrew Holly • Waco, Texas balloons@curves.com 254-644-2421 • Derrick J. Jones Battle Creek, MI derrickjjones@comcast.net 269.209.1792 • Cotswolds - C/T Andrew Holly Exclusive Ballooning [marketing@exclusiveballooning.co.uk] +44 7773300372 • I would be most interested in getting involved in any Cat 1 or other regional or national team event. Maury Sullivan, 330.323.4455, tequilatom@aol.com • Lleida (Spain) Ricardo Aracil info@mallorcaballoons.com