Aloft 2013
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Southeast Regional Scores
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BFA Ranking Scores from Aloft
These scores are correctly labeled, however when you click on them to look at the scores a few of the score sheets will be incorrectly numbered within the document. We appreciate the Aloft Festival getting the scores to the BFA so quickly and allowing us to see the scores immediately!
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Saturday PM - Task 5
Saturday Afternoon allowed for another task to be flown by competitors at the Southeast Regional Championship! A HWZ task was called and the competitors had three goals to pick from. The winds seemed variable and almost 8kts at the field but they steadied out as the flight progressed and there were scores at too of the targets picked for the evening.
Scores should be up soon and we will continually update pictures and videos as we get them! Thanks for reading! |
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Photo by John Petrehn.
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Saturday AM - Tasks 1-4
Saturday Morning's flight got the compeitive flying underway at the 2013 Aloft festival in Simpsonville, SC. The tasks this morning were a Fly-In, Gordon Bennett Memorial, Hesitation Waltz, and Fly-On task. The Gordon Bennett Memorial was of sepcial significance as the Event team put together a tribute to Cindy Petrehn in the form of a camera shaped scoring area (left).
A few of the earliest competitors battled with lingering balloons choosing to fly from the competition area, but once they cleared it made way for most of the comeptitive field to get close enough to the target areas to score.
Winds were brisk in a low level jet but on the surface and above the jet winds were relatively light. Steerage changed throughout the flight and it often depended on a pilot's approach as to how much steerage each had at a given target. After tossing two baggies at the field pilots then chose one of two Hesitation Waltz targets for their third task - and final declaration point for their Fly-On task.
It should be noted that Aloft is the first event to utilize the BFA HACD's new texting declaration process (rules posted below) and it seemed to go very smoothly. We'll get all the reaction from pilots at the field this evening, but at first glance the oft debated topic seemed to go very well.
Another competition flight is scheduled for this evening and we'll be back with plenty more video, pictures, recaps, and of course the scores. Stay tuned.
A few of the earliest competitors battled with lingering balloons choosing to fly from the competition area, but once they cleared it made way for most of the comeptitive field to get close enough to the target areas to score.
Winds were brisk in a low level jet but on the surface and above the jet winds were relatively light. Steerage changed throughout the flight and it often depended on a pilot's approach as to how much steerage each had at a given target. After tossing two baggies at the field pilots then chose one of two Hesitation Waltz targets for their third task - and final declaration point for their Fly-On task.
It should be noted that Aloft is the first event to utilize the BFA HACD's new texting declaration process (rules posted below) and it seemed to go very smoothly. We'll get all the reaction from pilots at the field this evening, but at first glance the oft debated topic seemed to go very well.
Another competition flight is scheduled for this evening and we'll be back with plenty more video, pictures, recaps, and of course the scores. Stay tuned.
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Friday May 24
Gary with his Christmas present from Diane!
Pilots had a windy yet flyable media flight this morning as more than 20 balloons were able to take off from the field or attempt a Fly-in to the field for the three local media markets. One pilot, Gary Heavin, got to see his new Lindstrand racer balloon for the very first time! It is picture to the left.
All the evening flying was cancelled due to very high winds in the area as the cold front was passing through but forecasts are looking for very favorable for Saturday morning as pilots head to bed. Winds on the surface should be about 5 kts to the south turning southwest as they climb.
Below is the information on texting the pilots will use for the weekend in this first attempt. We look forward to the feedback and the possible use of actual pilot selected targets throughout the weekend.
All the evening flying was cancelled due to very high winds in the area as the cold front was passing through but forecasts are looking for very favorable for Saturday morning as pilots head to bed. Winds on the surface should be about 5 kts to the south turning southwest as they climb.
Below is the information on texting the pilots will use for the weekend in this first attempt. We look forward to the feedback and the possible use of actual pilot selected targets throughout the weekend.
Texting FON & PDG goals
Competitor Declared Goals in GPS-Logger only Events (no observers)
Additional rules, policies and procedures for Pilot Declared goals and Fly-on Goals
The 2013 Aloft will be utilizing the following policies regarding competitor declaration for PDG’s and FON’s.
PDG:
· Pilots are permitted to a make a written declaration to an Aloft Flying Events Official before departing the briefing location. Declaration form must be signed by the Pilot.
· If indicated on the task data sheet, text, (SMS) declarations may be made by the competitor before launch. Texting and flying or driving WILL NOT be tolerated. The phone number to receive the text message will be listed on the TDS.
FON:
· Pilots are permitted to make a written declaration to an Aloft Flying Events Official before departing the briefing location. Declaration form must be signed by the pilot.
· Declarations may be made on the tail of the marker used on the task preceding the FON. This declaration method is only available for markers falling inside the respective MMA (scoring area) or recovered by Aloft Officials in the immediate area of the MMA. It is not necessary for the pilot to record the predetermined goal number on the tail of the marker if they are satisfied with the previously submitted written declarations made in accordance with the rules.
· Text, (SMS) declarations will be allowed under the following conditions:
a. Pilot will not be allowed to send text after launch
b. Text shall come from chase crew once pilot has launched
c. No Texting while driving, if crewing solo you must pull over to send text.
d. Pilot will be responsible for text sent by crew
e. Texting by Pilot will ONLY be allowed prior to launch
f. Text declarations, once sent should not be deleted until results for the respective text become final.
g. Text declaration for a FON task must be sent before pilot achieves their best mark in the task preceding the FON task
Additional Text declaration policies
· Text Declaration shall contain the following information:
a. Pilot number
b. Task number
c. Goal number
d. example: Pilot #16 Task #4 Goal #68
· Timing of text declarations will be authenticated by the text time stamp
· Text declarations will only be accepted from pilot and crew phone numbers registered as part of the OneCall recall system
· Texting and driving is not permitted. Crews and Pilots are expected to pull off the road to make any text declaration.
· Additional texts will be allowed if pilot wants to change their original declaration. If additional declarations are sent the last text message received will be the pilot’s official declaration.
· Any subsequent text must be received before pilot receives their closet mark in the preceding task. If the last text sent is after the pilot receives their closet mark in the preceding task, the text received before Pilot’s closet mark will become the official goal. The text time stamp will be used to determine the correct order and to confirm any distance requirement between tasks.
· If no valid goal is declared, the pilot will not receive a result. If more goals are declared than are permitted, the pilot will be scored to the least advantageous valid goal.
· Pilots could be penalized if found to be texting and flying or if their chase crews are found to be driving and texting.
Additional rules, policies and procedures for Pilot Declared goals and Fly-on Goals
The 2013 Aloft will be utilizing the following policies regarding competitor declaration for PDG’s and FON’s.
PDG:
· Pilots are permitted to a make a written declaration to an Aloft Flying Events Official before departing the briefing location. Declaration form must be signed by the Pilot.
· If indicated on the task data sheet, text, (SMS) declarations may be made by the competitor before launch. Texting and flying or driving WILL NOT be tolerated. The phone number to receive the text message will be listed on the TDS.
FON:
· Pilots are permitted to make a written declaration to an Aloft Flying Events Official before departing the briefing location. Declaration form must be signed by the pilot.
· Declarations may be made on the tail of the marker used on the task preceding the FON. This declaration method is only available for markers falling inside the respective MMA (scoring area) or recovered by Aloft Officials in the immediate area of the MMA. It is not necessary for the pilot to record the predetermined goal number on the tail of the marker if they are satisfied with the previously submitted written declarations made in accordance with the rules.
· Text, (SMS) declarations will be allowed under the following conditions:
a. Pilot will not be allowed to send text after launch
b. Text shall come from chase crew once pilot has launched
c. No Texting while driving, if crewing solo you must pull over to send text.
d. Pilot will be responsible for text sent by crew
e. Texting by Pilot will ONLY be allowed prior to launch
f. Text declarations, once sent should not be deleted until results for the respective text become final.
g. Text declaration for a FON task must be sent before pilot achieves their best mark in the task preceding the FON task
Additional Text declaration policies
· Text Declaration shall contain the following information:
a. Pilot number
b. Task number
c. Goal number
d. example: Pilot #16 Task #4 Goal #68
· Timing of text declarations will be authenticated by the text time stamp
· Text declarations will only be accepted from pilot and crew phone numbers registered as part of the OneCall recall system
· Texting and driving is not permitted. Crews and Pilots are expected to pull off the road to make any text declaration.
· Additional texts will be allowed if pilot wants to change their original declaration. If additional declarations are sent the last text message received will be the pilot’s official declaration.
· Any subsequent text must be received before pilot receives their closet mark in the preceding task. If the last text sent is after the pilot receives their closet mark in the preceding task, the text received before Pilot’s closet mark will become the official goal. The text time stamp will be used to determine the correct order and to confirm any distance requirement between tasks.
· If no valid goal is declared, the pilot will not receive a result. If more goals are declared than are permitted, the pilot will be scored to the least advantageous valid goal.
· Pilots could be penalized if found to be texting and flying or if their chase crews are found to be driving and texting.
Aloft!
Friday marks the unofficial start to the 2013 competition season as balloon events all of the country gear up for one of the busiest competition weekends of the year. This year the most competitive event will be in Simpsonville, SC and the Aloft Festival which will be hosting the Southeast Regional Championship. The event will host 67 pilots from all over the United States coming as far as California and for the first time this will be a true international event with Mike Howard coming from the UAE to hone his competition skills. There will be 12 national championships among four pilots including the most recent two National Champions and World Champions!
Sam Parks will again be directing the Aloft Festival and with the weather looking to be near perfect he will be able to call a vast assortment of tasks to include PDG and FON tasks. Sam intends to have pilots text their PDG goal declarations before they take off and then have crew members (not driving) text the goal declarations for the FON tasks. Of course the traditional way of getting a baggie in the scoring area will work as well for declaring a goal for the FON. To score these tasks pilots will have the Dakota GPS's on board and measuring their distance to the goals. There will also be one FAI logger on hand to compare and simulate declaring goals on it.
As far as the competitors go last years winner Joe Heartsill will be on the prowl to defend his title and start 2013 off just as strong as 2012. Johnny Petrehn and Nick Donner come in to Simpsonville after top three finishes in the final event of the year in Tochigi, Japan. Chase Donner (the people's pilot) plans on making noise as the most recent National Champion and out perform his brother. The rest of the usual Texas contingent will be there as the Heavin's look to practice for nationals later this summer to secure their spots in Brazil in 2014 and Rhett plans to place higher than any other Texan! Locally Roy Smith will try and get another top 10 finish and Drew Egerton attempts to get his rookie of the year style flying back and heart throb the event after a bit of a sophomore slump in 2012.
All-in-all the weather looks great, the event director & staff are great and the pilots are great which should make for one heckuva weekend from the Southeast. Stay tuned for video, pictures and up to the minute scores!
Please visit the Aloft Festival Website here!
Sam Parks will again be directing the Aloft Festival and with the weather looking to be near perfect he will be able to call a vast assortment of tasks to include PDG and FON tasks. Sam intends to have pilots text their PDG goal declarations before they take off and then have crew members (not driving) text the goal declarations for the FON tasks. Of course the traditional way of getting a baggie in the scoring area will work as well for declaring a goal for the FON. To score these tasks pilots will have the Dakota GPS's on board and measuring their distance to the goals. There will also be one FAI logger on hand to compare and simulate declaring goals on it.
As far as the competitors go last years winner Joe Heartsill will be on the prowl to defend his title and start 2013 off just as strong as 2012. Johnny Petrehn and Nick Donner come in to Simpsonville after top three finishes in the final event of the year in Tochigi, Japan. Chase Donner (the people's pilot) plans on making noise as the most recent National Champion and out perform his brother. The rest of the usual Texas contingent will be there as the Heavin's look to practice for nationals later this summer to secure their spots in Brazil in 2014 and Rhett plans to place higher than any other Texan! Locally Roy Smith will try and get another top 10 finish and Drew Egerton attempts to get his rookie of the year style flying back and heart throb the event after a bit of a sophomore slump in 2012.
All-in-all the weather looks great, the event director & staff are great and the pilots are great which should make for one heckuva weekend from the Southeast. Stay tuned for video, pictures and up to the minute scores!
Please visit the Aloft Festival Website here!
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Aloft Map, Waypoint File and Ops Manual
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Schedule of Events
Friday, May 24, 2013
5:30 am Media flight briefing
6:20 am Sunrise
7:00 am Media flight/balloon activities
8:00 am Refueling for media pilots
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Pilot registration, Hampton Inn Simpsonville
5:00 pm Pilot and crew general briefing, Heritage Park
5:45 pm Late pilot registration, Heritage Park
6:00 pm Sponsor flight briefing
6:00 pm Sponsor flight
8:00 pm Propane refueling, Launch Field
8:31 pm Sunset
Saturday, May 25, 2013
4:30 am Continental breakfast, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express
6:00 am Championship flight #1 briefing
6:20 am Sunrise
6:30 am Championship flight #1
8:00 am Propane refueling
6:00 pm Championship flight #2 briefing
6:00 pm Championship flight #2
8:32 pm Sunset
8:00 pm Propane refueling
8:30 pm Pilot and crew after flight party –Pilot tent
Sunday, May 26, 2013
4:30 am Continental breakfast, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express
6:00 am Championship flight #3 briefing
6:19 am Sunrise
6:30 am Championship flight #3
8:00 am Propane refueling
6:00 pm Championship flight briefing #4
6:00 pm Championship flight #4
8:33 pm Sunset
8:00 pm Propane refueling
Monday, May 27, 2013
Memorial Day
4:30 am Continental breakfast, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express
6:00 am Championship flight #5 briefing
6:19 am Sunrise
6:30 am Championship flight #5
8:00 am Propane refueling
10:30 am Farewell/Awards brunch, VIP area Amphitheater – Stage side
6:00 pm Post-Championship flight briefing
6:00 pm Afternoon flight
8:33 pm Sunset
8:00 pm Propane refueling
Opening Letter from Sam Parks
Greetings from wet and cold North Carolina,
I hope this finds you all happy and healthy.
A lot of preparations are underway in Simpsonville for the start of Aloft, which is about two weeks away. I wanted to go over just a few details to help prepare everyone for the start of the event.
Since the terrorist bombing in Boston security for events with large crowds has tightened; be prepared for a more noticeable presence of law enforcement on site. You may even see a few hanging out at the edge of the tree line on the north side of the field and on bike patrols around the back side of the park.
I know that none of us are big fans of the wrist bands that FWA has used in the past, but this year the wrist bands that you receive in your pilot pack will be even more important. All Pilots will be given enough wrist bands for their respective crews and they WILL be required inside the park. Security will not be happy if they find someone in the park without one.
Remember to double check your aircraft registration expiration date before you leave home... if yours has expired the FAA will not allow you to fly, period!
For several of you this will be the first balloon rally of the year, getting in some practice flights before the event goes a long way to knock the rust off. Check your equipment, fan and radios, etc. make sure everything works as it should. We want everyone to have fun at Aloft, but we must also be safe.
We will be using the One-Call cell phone alert system again this year, if you or your crew chief has switched cell numbers since you submitted your pilot application we will need to make that change at pilot registration.
For those of you that requested volunteer crew, you will be notified this week with their contact information. Please follow up with them ASAP.
We are working on a waypoint file that will be sent out soon; the file will be for the intersection goals only. The hard target coordinates will be given out as needed.
Pilot Registration will be from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm at the Hampton Inn Simpsonville. Please try to arrive on time, but if you are going to be late you MUST contact Nicki Wise at 704-880-8422 so she can make arrangements with Security to get you without a pass.
Remember it is required that you have on board an operable aircraft radio.
I will send out the pilot/crew handbook in the next communication, meanwhile feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
I look forward to seeing you all very soon.
Safe Travels
Sam Parks
Director
Aloft 2013
May 14 Update
Good Morning Everyone,
Upon further analysis Ken found four very small errors with the map we sent out, the corrected information is contained in the attachment. Coordinates for four different waypoints will need to be changed so they line up on the map. If you have any questions contact Ken and his e-mail address is posted in the attachment.
For Clarification, these waypoints mentioned are the intersection goals that will be used for the BFA competition. The typical hard target coordinates will be provided as needed. If you do not intend to compete in the Regional Championship or for BFA points, you will not need these intersection goals.
A couple more things.......
By now everyone should have all of their hotel accommodations in order, if you have any problems or concerns just contact Cindy or Jennifer at the Aloft office.
If your insurance policy has renewed since your application was sent in please make sure we have your updated certificate.
The FAA will be at pilot check-in and they will want to see your original documents (no copies), so be prepared.
Anyone wishing to compete in the Southeast Regional Championship or for BFA points will need to be a current member of the BFA and the HACD. Please make sure your membership is correct before arriving in Simpsonville, we will confirm membership with the BFA office.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Safe travels and I will see you soon
Sam Parks
Director
Aloft 2013
Upon further analysis Ken found four very small errors with the map we sent out, the corrected information is contained in the attachment. Coordinates for four different waypoints will need to be changed so they line up on the map. If you have any questions contact Ken and his e-mail address is posted in the attachment.
For Clarification, these waypoints mentioned are the intersection goals that will be used for the BFA competition. The typical hard target coordinates will be provided as needed. If you do not intend to compete in the Regional Championship or for BFA points, you will not need these intersection goals.
A couple more things.......
By now everyone should have all of their hotel accommodations in order, if you have any problems or concerns just contact Cindy or Jennifer at the Aloft office.
If your insurance policy has renewed since your application was sent in please make sure we have your updated certificate.
The FAA will be at pilot check-in and they will want to see your original documents (no copies), so be prepared.
Anyone wishing to compete in the Southeast Regional Championship or for BFA points will need to be a current member of the BFA and the HACD. Please make sure your membership is correct before arriving in Simpsonville, we will confirm membership with the BFA office.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Safe travels and I will see you soon
Sam Parks
Director
Aloft 2013
