Hayward Air Rally

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2006 Scoring Rules

NOTE: THESE RULES HAVE BEEN SUPERSEDED

Begining to 2006, the race recognizes three different classes of entries: Basic, Traditional and Glass. In 2006, the bonus checkpoints have been eliminated.

All entrants in all classes compete for the same set of prizes and trophies.  There are some scoring differences between the classes which are noted below by class name.

The Rally Committee has carefully reviewed and discussed the feedback provided by past participants from the December 2005 questionnaire. After much analysis and debate, we have implemented scoring changes for the 2006 race as follows:

Bonus Check Points:

An analysis of the race safety concerns disclosed that the Bonus Checkpoints were introducing undesired hazards (because these points were typically more difficult).  So, we have eliminated the bonus check points.  Using Bonus points, up to 40 bonus points could be accumulated, resulting in a "perfect" score of -40.  Now, a "perfect" race (no time or fuel errors) will score 0 (zero) points. 

2006 Racer Classes:

The Glass Class, introduced in 2005, allowed the use of GPS or other digital navigation aids.  An entrant in that category was scored separately from the other racers.  For the 2006 race, we will introduce an additional class and change the scoring rules to combine all racers - everyone will be competing for the same set of trophies.

The race classes will be determined by the pilot's choice of equipment s/he will use during the race as follows:

Basic Class - Analog instrumentation only, no electronic navigation aids allowed (not even VORs or ADF). No electronic fuel flow or totalizers are allowed.
Traditional Class - Basic Class plus VORs and ADFs for navigation. No electronic fuel flow or totalizers are allowed. This has been the standard equipment allowance in the race for more than a decade.
Glass Class - Traditional plus the GPS, LORAN and/or DME navigation. No electronic fuel flow or totalizers.



Scoring

To allow all entrants to compete for the same awards and trophies, regardless of entry class, the committee conducted a detailed analysis of prior race scores to determine an appropriate scoring offset for each class.  For each class there is an offset (starting or base number of points) and scoring scale for time and fuel.  The premise is that that the more (electronic) help the pilot has, the bigger the offset.  We want to reward pilot skills more than the pilot's ability to punch numbers into the equipment.  We believe that each of these classes can place in the 1st - 4th positions.  But, as you add equipment (and offset points) it is more difficult to do so.

The fundamental time and fuel scoring rules are unchanged from recent races. The difference in this race will be the Offset Points which are established according to the Race Class in which you choose to participate and additional time points for the Glass Class as follows:

Basic: Offset: 0 points
Time: 1 point per second error from estimate
  Fuel: 3 points per 0.1% error from estimate
A perfectly flown race (with no time or fuel errors) would get a score of 0.
Traditional: Offset: 20 points
Time: 1 point per second error from estimate
Fuel: 3 points per 0.1% error from estimate
A perfectly flown race would get a score of 20.
Glass: Offset:  75 Points
Time: 3 points per second error from estimate
Fuel: 3 points per 0.1% error from estimate
A perfectly flown race would get a score of 75


Each race team will be required to specify their race class at aircraft impound, prior to receiving the race book containing the course information.

For 2007, we are considering the addition of an Unlimited (or Open) class that would also allow digital fuel instrumentation.  Your feedback on this idea is welcome.

This is a summary of the changes being implemented.  The official rules governing the race have been updated with these changes.

The scoring system has changed a bit over the many years this race has been flown.  A brief summary of those changes may be found here.

The winning aircraft will be determined by the following formula:

1. Time errors will accumulate at the rate of:

Basic and Traditional:    one point for each second off estimate

Glass:    three points for each second off estimate

2. Fuel errors will accumulate at the rate of three points for each 1/10th of a percent off estimate.

3. Penalty points will be assessed for failure to pass and identify any and all checkpoints designated by the committee.

4. Penalty points may be assessed at the discretion of the committee for offenses such as: violation of TCA (Class B Airspace), illegible race numbers or flight practices resulting in hazards to other aircraft.

5. Traditional Class entrants will have 20 points added to their score.

6. Glass Class entrants will have 75 points added to their score.

7. Time, fuel, and penalty error points will be added, with the lowest total points being considered the winner.

Time will be calculated from take-off signal (to be explained in the pilots handbook) at Hayward to the airborne timing point near Bakersfield and from the take-off signal at Bakersfield to the airborne timing point near Laughlin/Bullhead City.

No "time-off" will be given by the tower. Every pilot is responsible for their own time off. Pilots are advised to consider taxi time to all points, plus fuel consumed between passing the airborne timing point and landing.

Scoring Example - An entrant declares the following pre-flight estimates for each flight leg: 
  • Estimates:
    • Leg 1- 2hr 00min 00sec and 18.0 gallons fuel.
    • Leg 2- 2hr 15min 00sec and 20.0 gallons fuel.
  • Actual Performance:
    • The actual enroute times and fuel burn for this hypothetical example were:
      • Leg 1 - 01:59:30 with 17.5 gallons, and 
      • Leg 2 - 02:16:00 with 20.5 gallons.
    • One mandatory checkpoint was missed on the second leg.
  • Time Scoring:
    • Basic and Traditional Classes:
      • Leg 1 is 30 seconds early for 30 points 
      • Leg 2 is 60 seconds late for 60 points
    • Glass Class:
      • Leg 1 is 30 seconds early 90 points
      • Leg 2 is 60 seconds late for 180 points
  • Fuel Scoring:
    • Leg 1 is 0.5 gallons (2.8%) over-estimate error, worth 83 points.
    • Leg 2 is 0.5 gallons (2.5%) under-estimate error, worth 75 points.
  • Checkpoints:
    • One mandatory checkpoint missed on second leg is 250 points
  • Leg Scores:
    • Basic and Traditional Classes:
      • Total Leg 1 (30 for time) + (83 for fuel) ) = 113 points
      • Total Leg 2 (60 for time) + (75 for fuel) + (250 for missed mandatory checkpoint)  = 385 points
    • Glass Class:
      • Total Leg 1 (90 for time) + (83 for fuel) ) = 173 points
      • Total Leg 2 (180 for time) + (75 for fuel) + (250 for missed mandatory checkpoint)  = 505 points
  • Final Score:
    • Total Cumulative Score for a Basic Class (113+385+0) entrant: 498 points
    • Total Cumulative Score for a Traditional Class (113+385+20) entrant: 518 points
    • Total Cumulative Score for a Glass Class (173+505+75) entrant: 753 points

All aircraft scores are then ranked in order of penalty points accumulated.