Rule 15.10 Race to an Area (RTA)

15.10 RACE TO AN AREA (RTA)

15.10.1 Competitors will attempt to achieve a mark or valid track point, as specified in the task data, in the shortest time within a scoring area(s) or airspace(s).

15.10.2 Task data:

a. arrangements of timing

b. description of scoring area(s)

15.10.3 The result is the elapsed time from the take off to the mark or first valid track point. Smallest result is best.

15.10.4 The timing ends at the moment the marker is on the ground as seen by the officials, the electronic mark is dropped or at the moment of the first valid track point in the scoring area, if track points only was set.

Breakdown

The Race to an Area is what people think of when they hear the words "Balloon Race". It involves pilots competing to close a distance in as little time as possible.

If this is a physical target, the result is the elapsed time from the first condition to when the marker hits the ground. Otherwise, it is based on the time of the marker drop (as recorded by the BLS) or the time of the track points which satisfy the conditions of the task.

In the sample shown, the pilots must place a marker to the left of the left-most line and to the right of the right-most line. This task can be interesting because of wind variations. Sometimes, the fastest wind layer is not at the shortest 2-dimensional path, meaning the pilots must determine whether low speed low distance or high speed high distance will be more advantageous.

Task Data Description

Task data:
- - arrangements of timing
    - - This tells the pilots what points determine their results or timings. For example, it could call out logger marks, grid line or airspace crossings, or physical markers.
  - description of scoring area(s)
    - - This tells pilots what airspace they must cross to have valid timings. For example, in the above image it would tell the pilots what the line locations are. It may describe where targets are, or virtual airspace descriptions.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse