Joint bid from the F3J-UK Association
and BARCS to run the BMFA F3J League in 2002
Background
The F3J UK Association and BARCS have been discussing the possibility of jointly running the F3J league during 2002. Both organisations as designated specialist bodies of the BMFA have considerable experience of running F3J competitions, and represent the vast majority of F3J fliers in the UK.
The organisations will each appoint an 'F3J League Co-ordinator' who together will act as a focus for all matters relating to the running of the league and be responsible for its operation. Each Co-ordinator, as a representative of their organisation, shall keep their colleagues in BARCS and F3J-UK informed, and will act in the best national interests of F3J flying in the UK. In the unlikely event that disagreements should occur between the League Co-ordinators which cannot be resolved through discussion and the mediation of fellow committee members of both bodies, then such matters will be referred to SFTC for decision.
The designated League Co-ordinator for F3J-UK will be Nick Evans, and for BARCS will be Kevin Beale.
The following details set out the way in which the 'joint-bid' will operate:
Bid details
The BMFA F3J League will consist of six events during 2002. Three will be organised by BARCS, and three by the F3J-UK Association. The league events may include two-day events if it is feasible to do so eg Interglide and the Nationals.
Each body may run other F3J events during the year, but these will not count towards the league. It is the intention that by designating six competitions from two larger series, that the number of flying opportunities for F3J pilots will be increased.
The League Co-ordinators will endeavour to ensure maximum entries at all events by pro-active scheduling of the event calendar when competitions are being planned, and through effective publicity.
Dates of events counting towards the BMFA league will as far as possible be at least two weeks apart and ideally four.
Pilots' placings in the BMFA league will determine the team to be selected to fly in the European Championship in 2003. It is suggested that the selection process be the same as for 2001 (top three pilots from the league, best four from six events). The decision on team selection is however a matter for the SFTC.
There will be a consistent approach applied to the running of the six BMFA league events so that from the competitors' point of view the differences are minor and associated only with the layout and size of the flying field and its surroundings. Each organisation will designate a suitably qualified CD for each league event, to be discussed by and agreed by both League Co-ordinators.
The flying fields chosen for league events shall be large enough to accommodate a competition run to F3J rules as amended by the BMFA for the UK. Only those fields deemed satisfactory by both the BARCS and F3J-UK Association League Co-ordinators shall be used for BMFA league events.
Each one-day event will be scheduled to have a minimum of four or preferably five rounds. In the event of unforeseen circumstances on the day, at least three rounds must be flown for the event to count towards the BMFA league. Each two-day event, where more than five rounds are flown, will be scored in full accordance with the current FAI rules.
Each BMFA league event shall be run in a way that familiarises flyers with the procedures at European and World Championship level. In particular preparation time, safety corridors, and application of penalties will be applied in a correct and consistent manner.
The dates of all F3J events will as far as possible be co-ordinated to try to avoid other clashing events that may impact on attendance. In particular clashes with international F3J events known to be attended by regular F3J league flyers will be avoided. The dates will be publicised as early as possible on the BARCS and F3J-UK web sites, and elsewhere.
The SFTC shall determine the financial arrangements under which each competition is arranged, including the standard competition entry fee. The League Coordinators will agree with the committee the manner in which income is handled, and expenditure incurred. Accounts will be produced for each competition or series of competitions, and any related activity, in accordance with SFTC procedures.
The three person jury for each event shall be selected on the day from a designated panel of 10 or more previously nominated experienced F3J flyers who are committed to attending several of the league events. Also a reserve jury person will be nominated who shall be used in the event that one jury member is unavailable or directly involved in the incident being discussed during a competition. The panel of jury members will be publicised on the web sites of both organisations. The League Co-ordinators will suggest panel members in the first instance, but in the event of a dispute as to eligibility or membership this will be referred to the SFTC for decision. Membership of the jury panel will be open to any experienced F3J pilot who has flown in the league for a minimum of ten competitions.
The results of each counting event will be posted on the web sites of both bodies within one week of the event taking place, and incorporated in a newsletter or results sheet to be sent to all participants and others concerned with F3J flying in the UK.
A brief written review of each event will be jointly produced by the two co-ordinators and communicated to the BMFA SFTC within two weeks of the event.
There will be no changes to the operation of the BMFA league events as set out in this proposal during the year, unless jointly agreed by both League Co-ordinators and notified to the BMFA SFTC in advance of a change being implemented. If possible such changes, should they be necessary, will also be communicated to league participants in advance. The only exception to this would be when a serious concern for safety exists, when the League Co-ordinators will take such action as they deem necessary at the time, and will advise the SFTC of that action.
The League will be run in a sporting, friendly, co-operative and transparent manner.
The proposal and details of this bid have been communicated to each bodies membership in a way that is in line with each bodies normal arrangements.
Signed (for F3J-UK Association)....Nick Evans
(For BARCS)....Chris Moynihan
Dated:- Saturday, 13th October, 2001