Bulwer Airsports 2023 CHALLENGE
REGISTRATION FORM
1 NOVEMBER 2023 - 30 JUNE 2024
WELCOME TO THE Bulwer Airsports 2023 CHALLENGE
The Bulwer Airsports Club Turnpoint Challenge is our clubs inaugural Summer challenge.
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We have over 150 turnpoints dotted over the KwaZulu-Natal province with a handful of additional turnpoints in an around Clarens. The turnpoints on offer ample opportunity for pilots of all skill levels to participate and improve their flying, navigation and hopefully check out a few new launches (and landings) in the process.
Designed to encourage pilots to try new sites and even new flying styles (inland vs coastal) this is a must-do challenge for anyone that loves their flying, wants to stretch their wings further and keep on flying through the winter.
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All flights should be uploaded within 2 weeks of the flight having been completed AND they must be submitted within 7 days of the close of the challenge.
We hope to grow the challenge with more turnpoints every year so if you’d like to add future turnpoints please feel free to send your recommendations to "bulwerairsports@gmail.com".
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PILOTS
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Pilots must be current members of the South African Hangliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA) for the duration of the event
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All standard flight rules & regulations must be adhered to.
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Local site rules must be adhered to
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Pilots must comply with their respective licence restrictions
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
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Your normal airworthy flying equipment
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A GPS instrument capable of producing an IGC file, that you can upload to score
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Mobile phone​
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Flight vario
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EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
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A serviceable UHF Radio - Frequency 141.600 & 141.625
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A serviceable mobile phone
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A recently repacked reserve parachute
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A satellite (preferred) or mobile location tracker device linked to an online resource.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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Submissions are honesty based and include the self-assessment of the pilot's proficiency. The turnpoint challenge administration team reserve the right to assess and move a pilot into another class if deemed fair and reasonable.
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Pilots must be registered with the Turnpoint Challenge
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All claims must have a Turnpoint Challenge registered track log of the flight for the day.
(Tracklogs may or may not be independently checked) -
Turnpoints are considered as achieved if flown within the official radius of the given coordinates as specified by the Challenge Master File.
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Turnpoints may be "achieved" from flights from any launch identified in the challenge ie yellow turnpoints
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A turnpoint centered on a launch is scored when the pilot flies out of the cylinder. All other turnpoints are treated as entry cylinders
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IGC File submissions must be flown and uploaded between the competition start and end dates and within 14 days of the date the flight took place and 7 days of the final challenge date.
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For local short challenges, tracklogs should be submitted on the day of the flight
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The Turnpoint Challenge admin team reserve the right to assess and move a pilot into another class if deemed fair and reasonable.
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The Turnpoint Challenge admin team reserve the right to remove a submitted flight if the flight is deemed to be inaccurate, fraudulent or contravenes airspace restrictions or “nolanding” restrictions.
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY
The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) must be contacted to assist with any aviation-related accident. The ARCC will arrange and coordinate all search & rescue related activities across Southern Africa.
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You do not need medical aid or insurance to access the ARCC. Please do not waste time trying to self-rescue.
Contact ARCC Search & Rescue
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Duty: +27635054164 (24hr)
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Standby: +27635055485
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What to do
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State your emergency (Accident, Heart Attack, etc)
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State your location/address (General Area, then GPS)
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Report complications (Scene: Tree Landing, Steep Cliff, Entrapment. Fracture, Bleeding, Breathing, etc)
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Supply your NAME and CELLPHONE number
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Hang up LAST and report back to the accident scene
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Remain accessible via cellphone.
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Additional tips
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NB! Never move the patient without a medical team unless they are in immediate danger!
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Unclip the wing from the carabiners, making sure to not bump or move the patient. This ensures that a gust does not inflate and drag the patient any further. If necessary, cut the lines.
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In hot weather, keep the patient hydrated with little sips of water and cooled down with a damp cloth. You can also use the wing to provide shade.
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Spread the canopy out to attract increase visibility to rescuers. However, a helicopter will create a lot of turbulence, you should bunch up and secure the canopy before the helicopter arrives so that the canopy does not become a hazard for the helicopter.
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Do not speak to the press. Refer journalists to the SAHPA National Safety Officer, who will arrange for a brief Press Release to be published.
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After the Search & Rescue Operation is completed
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Participating in a Search & Rescue operation can be traumatic for everyone involved. There is free trauma counselling available from Mayday-SA.
CHALLENGE ENTRY FEES
ENTRY TO THIS CHALLENGE IS FREE
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It is a goal of the Turnpoint Challenge team to keep the challenges free, however, we do have costs to cover. We are wanting to raise an additional $1,500 over the year to cover running, promotional and event costs.
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If you'd like to donate as little as $5 for participating in one of our challenges we would be most appreciative!
THE CHALLENGE WAYPOINTS
WHERE ARE THE WAYPOINTS
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With over 150 waypoints in the challenge, there are plenty of opportunities for pilots to achieve really great results. Enjoy the excitement of launching from new locations and stretching your wings in unknown areas.
The turnpoint challenge helps give purpose to your flights, especially when flying an unfamiliar site.
DOWNLOADING THE WAYPOINTS
Waypoints last update v1.0 @ 9:00pm 28 October 2023
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Different flight instruments require different file formats for their waypoints.
We have attempted to be as flexible as possible by providing 3 different waypoint formats.
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If these 3 options don't suit your needs then try converting the waypoint file to one that suits your instrument using GPSDump.
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If you need help uploading the waypoint files check the FAQ & TIPS page to see if we have written any how-to manuals for your flight instrument.
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1. WPT FORMAT
This is a common file format for a lot of flight instruments.
When importing it into your flight instrument please remember to set a 400m cylinder radius for each waypoint.
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Some instruments allow you to set a standard default, others will require you to set the cylinder radius for each waypoint.
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Some of the coastal waypoints are actually in the ocean however, with the 400m radius tagging the turnpoint will not require flying over the ocean.
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REMEMBER: You do not need to hit the waypoint in order to tag the turnpoint.
See FAQ - What is the difference between a waypoint and a turnpoint.
2. CYLINDER AIRSPACE TXT FORMAT
Our resident guru Jan has created an airspace file that you may be able to use on some flight equipment. It will automatically show all of the turnpoints as 'general' airspace and will neatly draw the turnpoints at the correct 400m radius on your maps.
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You may need to check your equipment settings to see what notifications these turnpoints will produce as it may be a bit disconcerting to be constantly alerted to airspace infringements.
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Our 'cylinder' airspace file has F class airspace entries in it, so you can tailor your flight equipment to display and notify for F-type airspace accordingly.
We have called it a 'cylinder' airspace file as all of the airspace areas within it are cylinders.
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REMEMBER: You do not need to hit the waypoint in order to tag the turnpoint.
See FAQ - What is the difference between a waypoint and a turnpoint.
3. KML FORMAT
One of the best ways to familiarise yourself with the waypoints locations is to see them on Google Earth. This allows you to see the terrain that you will be flying over, landmarks etc.
If going to a site you've never flown before this is a great 'warm-up' for your flight.
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Just download this file and import it to Google Earth and take a virtual flight.
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NOTE: These are waypoints, not turnpoints so you will not see the 400m cylinder on Google Earth.
If flying coastal waypoints don't be alarmed if some of them appear to be over water. When the 400m cylinder is added you should be able to fly over land to achieve the turnpoint.
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REMEMBER: You do not need to hit the waypoint in order to tag the turnpoint.
See FAQ - What is the difference between a waypoint and a turnpoint.
REGISTERED PILOTS
Melbourne - Victoria - Australia
© 2022 Turnpoint Challenge
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