WHAT IS IT?
The idea is that pilots will fly a defined course at specified altitudes. The resulting PEaware flight data will be analyzed and scored with an automated scoring system. The concept is loosely based on one event of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association competitions. Note that Peter has won 4 NIFA awards so we may need to impose a handicap system on him!!!!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
- File a VFR flight plan that starts and ends at P20 - Avi Suquilla
- After departing P20, climb to 6500 and maneuver to fly the following legs (skyvector):
- LEG 1 - PKE - GFS @ 6500 MSL
- LEG 2 - GFS - TNP @ 6500 MSL
- LEG 3 - TNP - PKE @ 5500 MSL
- Return to land at P20
- Submit the URL of your PEaware flight data on this webpage: PRECISION FLYING CHALLENGE
- For this challenge, you are expected to maintain altitude within +/-100 feet and maintain course within .5 NM. At each PEaware datapoint (recorded every minute), altitude error and cross track error will be computed and penalty points assessed (if appropriate).
- Scoring begins once you exceed 4000' AND are WEST of PKE VOR
- A perfect score is 1000 points. Penalty points assessed as follows:
- .2 points per .1 NM course deviation (if deviation is over .5NM)
- .2 points per foot (if deviation is over 100 feet)
- Altitude penalty is not assessed in a "transition zone" around TSP during your descent. The radius of the "transition zone" is determined by your reported ground speed using a 500 ft/min descent (for example, at 150KT, transition should begin and end within 2.5NM of TSP)
- Tie breaker is the sum of average cross track error (measured in feet) and average altitude error
WHAT AIRCRAFT CAN I FLY?
- Aircraft and airspeed are at pilots discretion. NIFA rules stipulate a single engine aircraft up to 250 hp with a max capacity of four passengers but you are welcome to fly whatever you wish. Something in the 150-170 KT range is probably a good choice but its up to you.
- Be sure to check for existing traffic if you suspect that you might be capable of overtaking slower aircraft.
- Use of autopilots is not permitted (no one would try to cheat would they?)
- Navigation equipment is at pilot's discretion
- The course can be flown at your convenience. Obviously you must complete the flight while connected to PilotEdge and please make the appropriate CTAF reports at P20 (CTAF 122.725)
- Weather settings are at pilots discretion, however real world weather is preferred.
- You may complete the course as many times as you like. Each run will be scored individually.
- Personal pride and satisfaction
- ....the obligatory 1 free day of VATSIM membership
CREDITS
Huge Thank You to Peter for his help and to Steve, David, Reece and Milan for volunteering to fly test runs of the course. You guys are welcome to submit the URL of your test flights or fly it again now that you know the rules!! Also thanks to the work of Ed Williams (http://williams.best.vwh.net/avform.htm) for his explanations of how to compute cross track error.
Initially, Chris and I envisioned this as a one day competitive event (similar to the Poker Run), but with spring (and soon summer) now upon most of us, it is difficult to get everyone together at a specific date and time. So instead, we are opening this up as an ongoing challenge (similar to the Alphabet Challenge). If there is sufficient interest, perhaps this fall we will plot a more challenging course and plan an event around it.
