Staffordshire Gliding Club

Cross Country Ladder Rules (Updated w.e.f. 1st March 2023)

The aim of the Ladder System is to encourage adventurous flying from Seighford*. In view of the range of experience and ambitions of our members, there are two ladders – BGA and Club. For both ladders, the best 5 scores within the calendar year determine the final places.

Please submit all appropriate flights to the BGA ladder, not simply as a personal claim but also because it adds evidence for our use of airspace.

For all flights, please check carefully and do not submit any flight which incurs an airspace infringement including ATZ penetration without prior contact with the ATC.

Electronic flight logs are required normally for all claims. (In exceptional circumstances a claim may be accepted without a flight log by agreement with the ladder steward.)

* To qualify as a flight from Seighford, you must take off from the airfield and make a start from a BGA turn-point within 5km. SE2 (our hangar), STA (Stafford J14 M6) and SDW (the new TP at Ranton Abbey.) qualify. The FAI/IGC start line rule applies so you must cross a 1Km line which is at 90 degrees to the first leg and centred on the chosen start point. (ie Fly on track passing within 0.5km of the start point.)

The BGA ladder (Post your claims via the BGA Ladder.)

  • This for cross-country flights flown by Club Members from Seighford.
  • Flights must be submitted via the BGA National Ladder.
  • BGA ladder rules and scoring apply.

    The Club (Local) Ladder (Post your claims via the Club website)

  • This is open to any Club Member for flights starting at Seighford.
  • There are two classes using the same rules. The first is for any pilot who hasn't flown a 100km flight before the start of the year. The second is for everyone else.
  • No declarations are needed.
  • For an aerotow or self-launch, you must make a valid start. (See * above).
  • For a winch launch, the flight may start from the point of release and count from SE2.
  • You may use up to four BGA or Club (lakes) turn points located within 60km of SE2. An exception applies to Silver Distance flights when the turn-point/finish may be any distance from SE2. (If you go further than 60km to any turn-point, then submit the flight to the BGA Ladder and give the rest of us a chance!)
  • The finish may be at a turn-point or landing at Seighford which will count as SE2. Land-outs score for the distance flown with no additional penalty.
  • Scoring is distance x 1000 / glider handicap.

    Height Claims for flights from Seighford

  • Height gains greater than 1000m may be entered for either ladder.
  • Height scoring for the Club Ladder is height gain in metres / 2
  • Height scoring for the BGA Ladder is via the BGA National Ladder.
  • Cross-country flights which include height gains greater than 1000m may be entered on the Club Ladder as two separate claims - one for the distance and one for the height gain.

    Back to the ladder

    Last updated 13th March 2023

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