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Ouachita Mountains Hang Gliding Series
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News Flash!
Towed launches are now a part of the Series as well as motor assisted launches!
See Rules Below!
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Pilots flying the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma will be able to collect Points throughout the year for year end awards. This little challenge is open to all pilots who fly the Ouachita Mountains. The Series will run from January 1st of each year and runs through December 31st. We have amassed some great swag to give away for final awards. Please remember, this is just for fun and bragging rights... Do not take any risks just for lousy points.
Contact me if you would like to participate or if you have a question.
If you have made any flights in 2012 that you feel have achieved any one of the tasks, contact me and let me know. Mike Kelsey- The Task Master...
E-mail Phone: 479-394-2010
Click Here for Current Standings
Series Archives
and 2012 Awards Ceremony Group Photo
Tasks and Rules For the Hang Gliding Series
Who Can Participate
You must hold a current USHPA License as well as be a fully paid member of either the Buffalo Mountain Flyers (B.M.F.) or of the Central Arkansas Mountain Flyers, (C.A.M.P.)
How to Qualify for Points
If you wish to participate in the Ouachita Moutains Hang Gliding Series, please contact me by e-mail and provide your Name, Hang Rating and type of glider or gliders you will be flying. Fly your hang glider or Paraglider from any of the designated sites in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas or Oklahoma, and that flight may be eligible for points. Flight must have followed all FAA Regulations. No flying through restricted airspace illegally, and no IFR flights, no flights after dark. There is no entry fee, no waiver, no hassle. Take a look at THE TASKS below.
The Flying Sites
The Following Hang Gliding Sites can gain you points for your flight if that flight fulfills any of the specific tasks listed below. We now allow for tow launches and motor-assist launches to participate in the Series. Below you will see that we have two official tow locations participating. (Parkin and Victoria in Eastern Arkansas). Maximum altitude for tow release is 2500 agl, and the same for motor assisted launches. For example a light trike or mosquito type motorized launch must motor off at 2500 agl. Any restart of the motor during the flight will void the flight for consideration for points.
- Mt. Magazine
- Mt. Nebo
- Panorama Vista
- Heavener
- Buffalo Mountain
- Petit Jean Mountain.
- Jasper
- Short Mountain – (currently closed due to landowner issues)
- Little Yancey
- Pipeline
- Parkin-tow
- Victoria-tow
Some Tasks are awarded weighted points for handicapping according to Hang Rating or according to Wing Type.
On Your Honor
All flight reports are on the honor system and do not require GPS confirmation except for original or custom FAI Triangle efforts. I encourage you to make every effort to be precise with your timing and distance calculations and altitude determinations, as well as assuring completion of any waypoints in triangle efforts. If in doubt, ask for assistance in determining your flight mileage, and always round down... not up.
The Tasks
First Flight Task
Be the first to fly a site for that year. Points available to only the first pilot to fly a particular site for that year. Any pilot that joins in on that day, at that site also gets First Flight Task Points. A pilot may gain multiple First Flight Task points by being the first to fly at other launches as well.
Personal Duration Task
The Flight Duration task awards points for your personal best duration in the Ouachita Mountains. This means that you will be awarded points based on your longest duration through the whole season. This can be from any of the listed launch sites in the Ouachita Mountains. Points are weighted for handicapping according to Hang Rating and are awarded at 1 hour achievement intervals. All pilots having a flight longer than 1 hour will be awarded points based on the Handicapping. Report your best duration and I will do the math. If you beat your duration at a later date, simply report that flight and I will update your score. For tow and motor assist launches, the flight-timing begins at two release or at engine shut-off.
Mile High Club
Points will be awarded for an altitude of 1 mile above sea level, 1 1/2 mile above sea level or 2 miles above sea level.
1 Mile- 5280 feet asl
1 1/2 Mile- 7920 feet asl
2 Miles- 10560 asl
Achieve an altitude of over 5280 ft above sea level, from any of the list launch sites and you will be awarded points that are handicapped according to Hang Rating. Simply report your altitude and I will do the math. If you become a member of the “Mile High Club” and later, achieve the 1 1/2 mile, let me know and I will update your score. The score are not accumulative. The higher score will replace the lower score.
Open Distance Flight
Personal Longest Distance Flights will be awarded points weighted for handicapping according to wing type. (Rigid, Topless, Double Surface, Single Surface, and Paraglider). (Points can be awarded to every pilot that completes any of these Tasks) Your best three longest flights will count for scoring and can be achieved from any of the Series sites.
Out and Return XC
Personal Longest Out and Return Flights Points will be awarded points weighted for handicapping according to wing type. (Points can be awarded to every pilot that completes any of these Tasks) Flight will be measured as the shorter of the distance from Turnpoint to Launch, or Turnpoint to Landing (at a normal LZ for the site). Times two of course, since the distance was covered twice. Your best 3 out and return flights will be scored and can be achieved from any of the Series sites.
Triangles
Available are some Pre-defined triangles that can be flown (view them here), or you can create your own custom triangle route. The Pre-defined can be flown without GPS confirmation, scored per mile with handicap adjustment, while any other original or custom FAI triangles can be flown with GPS verification. FAI requires closing the course around 3 FAI waypoints. You don't have to start at one of the triangle waypoints, you can start at a point midway between two triangle waypoints, make each of the three triangle waypoints, then return to your starting point that was midway. Basically, if you cross any point on your track that was made prior to the first waypoint, then you've "closed the loop".
H3 Triangles. There are a few Pre-defined triangles that are less than 10 miles, that are exclusively for H3 or less rating. These are available for points only for H3 or less and will be scored as though they are 10 mile triangles.
Hang 1 and 2 Only Points
- First Flight of 15 minutes or more (Available only once in a lifetime).
These flights can occur anywhere on planet earth by foot launch or tow.
Number of Sites Flown
The more Sites you fly, the more points you will score at the end of the season. So even if it is a sled run, it will boost your score at the end of the season.
Reporting your Flight
- Report flights that are eligible in a timely manner. It is only fair that the other pilots see current info as to the efforts of their fellow pilots.
- Please report any flight that may be eligible for points to me by E-mail or by phone (479-394-2010) or by way of the Region 6 Forum.
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