Join us for a unique Christmas – South African style – and bring all your family. The people of Mafikeng and the Soaring Society of South Africa (SSSA) invite pilots from the member countries of the I.G.C. to compete at Gyps Africanus 2000 to be held at Mafikeng International Airport, N.W. Province, South Africa in December 2000 as preparation for the 27^th World Gliding Championships to be held at the same venue in 2001.

This event will provide the opportunity for pilots to become familiar with the conditions and facilities at Mafikeng.

PARTICPANTS:

• All pilots of FAI member countries are eligible.
• Each National Aero Club (NAC) should submit the number of pilots that wish to participate.
• Pilots may share one glider.

LOCATION:

• Gyps Africanus 2000 will take place at the International Airport, Mafikeng, North West Province, South Africa.
• Co-ordinates of the airfield: Lat. 25:48:030S Long: 025:32:500E
• Altitude of the airfield: 1277 m. amsl
• Runway: 4+ km. Tar runway

CLASSES:

• Standard Class 30 gliders maximum
• FAI 15m. Class 30 gliders maximum
• Open Class 20 gliders maximum

DATES:

• DEADLINES

• DATES OF CONTEST:

DOCUMENTATION:

Flight documentation shall be with IGC approved flight data recorders. Before the first competition day, each participant must bring his flight recorder/s together with a calibration certificate.

REGISTRATION & ENTRY FEES:

• The Preliminary Entry Form must be submitted by the National Aero Club no later than:

• The Official Entry Form together with Flyer No. 2 will be mailed ONLY to those NAC’s from whom the Organisers have received the Preliminary Entry Form.

• The Official Entry Form and the Entry Fee for each pilot, US$400.00, shall be submitted and paid no later than:

BANK DETAILS:

• Entry Fee for Glider/1 Pilot US$400.00
• Additional Pilot/s US$50.00 per pilot

COMPETITION DIRECTOR & OFFICIALS:

Contest Director: Dick Bradley

Deputy Directors

• Operations: Brian Spreckley
• Administration: Carol Clifford
• Scoring: Paul Armstrong
• Met: Helmuth Fischer

COMMUNICATIONS:

• C. Clifford, 1 Leicester Road, Kensington, 2094 Johannesburg, Rep. of S. Africa
• Fax: (27) 11.622.5363
• Email: bobcar@global.co.za
• Web Site: www.sssa.org.za

GLIDERS & EQUIPMENT:

• Glider’s Certificate of Airworthiness or Permit to Fly, not excluding competitions
• Proof of 3^rd Party Insurance to the amount of SA Rand 2,500,000
• Personal medical insurance is required for all team members, covering accidents & sickness, including any local hospital costs, as well as the costs of transport back to the team member’s home country.
• Glider Pilot’s Licence or equivalent documents, with aerotow rating
• Glider Log Book

• Parachute
• GNSS flight recorder/s
• Radio communication equipment
• Contest number in accordance with the Sporting Code
• Oxygen
• A minimum of 2 litres’ container/s of drinking water
• Suggested survival equipment – torch, space blanket, cellular phone (not for use in flight, but to assist with communications when outanded)

CLOUD FLYING INSTRUMENTS & NAVIGATIONAL AIDS:

No instruments permitting pilots to fly without visual reference to the ground may be carried on board, even if made unserviceable. Navigational aids for visual flight are permitted.

TURN POINTS:

The list of turn points will be included with Flyer # 2 as well as on the SSSA web site.
They will also be available for uploading from the Scorers upon registration.

FREIGHT:

We have secured a waiver on any importation charges and we have an assurance from Port Authorities that providing containers are shipped out of S.Africa within 3 months of their arrival that wharfage charges will be refunded. This would save R8000 on shipping costs. Containers would have to be consigned to a specific Clearing Agent and the next Flyer will have the full procedure for the importation of containers to qualify for these savings.

HIRE OF GLIDERS:

It is hoped that a limited number of gliders will be available for hire. A list will be published in due course both on the web site and with Flyer # 2.

HIRE OF VEHICLES:

Participants who require vehicles with/without tow hooks may contact Carol Clifford initially.

VISAS:

Information re visa requirements will be given in Flyer # 2.

TRAINING:

It will be possible to train at Mafikeng prior to the contest, but this must be requested to the Organisation before 30^th September 2000 latest.

INTERNATIONAL CAMP:

There will be no International Village arranged for 2000 but there will be a full range of services at the airfield.

ACCOMMODATION:

A variety of accommodation is available. School dormitory rooms (2 beds per room) but can be used as single rooms with dinner, bed & breakfast included, a variety of bed & breakfast establishments as well as hotel accommodation. Enquiries and bookings may be done through the local Mafikeng Tourism Board – web site: www.tourismnorthwest.co.za

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Self-launching gliders in any class will be permissible.
• Electricity power is 240v. round pin plugs. 2 pin adaptors can be purchased.
• Laundry facilities will be possible at all accommodation types.
• Various tourism activities other than gliding can be arranged.
• Cellphone reception is good in the whole of the task area and arrangements will be made for hire of cellphones as well as purchase of local SIM cards.

DICK BRADLEY
CONTEST DIRECTOR

March 2000