STOL rules
Competition Description
- The STOL Competition will be held over four days
- Each pilot will be allowed a minimum of one take-off and one landing (“cycle”) in the STOL Competition. There is no maximum number of cycles. The best result will be used.
- Heats will be held on Thursday and Friday with Category Finals on Saturday and Sunday in accordance with the STOL Competition Programme
- Aircraft can compete in the heats as often as they like – subject to programme
- The Semi-Finals will be contested from the top 5 aircraft in each category.
- The top two aircraft in each category will compete in the Final.
- The Semi-final and Final will consist of two cycles for each aircraft with the best cycle to count.
Competition Technical Details
- The Aircraft reference point is the centre of the axle of the main gear (the ‘Aircraft’).
- Neither tailwheel nor nosewheel are referenced for any part of the competition.
- Take-off roll is measured either from stopped position (STOL aircraft) or after backtracking to the ARRIVAL line for aircraft that need/want the full runway take-off distance.
- Take-off distance will be measured from where the aircraft was stationary to where it leaves the ground for the last time (in case of a departure bounce or two).
- Aircraft must land on or beyond the ARRIVAL line.
- Aircraft touchdown prior to the ARRIVAL line will disqualify that cycle.
- Aircraft must come to a full stop, pointing ahead, and remain stopped until completion of measuring. A black and white chequered flag will be held until you are clear to proceed.
- Landing distance will be measured from the ARRIVAL line to the Aircraft.
- Your result will be based on the best take-off and landing cycle. (i.e. the shortest combined landing and take-off distance in one cycle)
- The first landing and last departure may not be measured.
- Distances (landing or take-off) over 150m may be estimated.
- It is a pilot competition, so the same aircraft may be used by different pilots with different decal (registration) numbers.
Competition Procedure
- All competitive cycles will start and finish from Knokke Zoute International Airport
- When ready to compete, Pilots should call Zoute Radio and request departure for ‘Cycles’.
- Radio Operator will advise when the circuit is available.
- Maximum number of aircraft in the circuit pattern is 3.
- Aircraft will complete a maximum of 3 cycles at a time – further cycles may be available
- During a cycle, downwind calls will be either, ‘Downwind Stop and Go’, or ‘Downwind Full Stop’, as appropriate.
- Aircraft completing three cycles may request to conduct further cycles if there are no other aircraft waiting to compete at that time and there is space in the circuit.
- Aircraft Arriving and Departing Zoute Airport will be given priority over circuit traffic
- Competition Aircraft may be advised to make a Full Stop landing and clear the runway to allow other aircraft to arrive and depart. The Competition circuits can be resumed once there is space in the circuit pattern.
Requirements
- Your aircraft must satisfy the competition Minimum Equipment List.
- You must have the legal minimum fuel AT ALL TIMES – random fuel tank checks may be made.
- The organisation retains all rights to accept or disqualify any pilot/aircraft at any stage from the competition for whatever reason – without right of appeal.
- Although advisory, it is expected that the Zoute Radio Operator’s advice will be respected.
- Pilots must operate their aircraft at all times in a responsible manner in accordance with the Belgium Air Navigation Order and as stated in the Knokke Zoute International Airport – Advice to Pilots.
- Pilots who fail to observe the Zoute Air Trophy Competition Rules may be excluded from the Competition at the discretion of the Zoute Air Trophy Competition Director