Air Sailing Sports Class 2024

The 2025 Air Sailing Sports Class is SSA sanctioned and scheduled for July 14-18 with a Practice Day scheduled on Sunday July 13th. You can find the links to register for the contest at the SSA members home page https://www.ssa.org/ (see the Racing section on the right side of the page).

Results for past years' contests are also available (see the results link in the racing column on the homepage) - these results can give you a sense of the contest tasks flown each day.

Summer in Reno's Great Basin area typically provides strong thermal conditions throughout the day, with light winds early in the day that typically increases into our high desert zephyr as the lift activity fades during the late afternoon. Expect 5 contest days Monday thru Friday. The week ends with an Awards Banquet and BBQ on Friday the 18th. The contest area includes some of northern Nevada's best high desert soaring terrain, with course options to the north and east as well as the more typical runs to the south.

This is a great contest for beginning/intermediate racers as well as those who want to enjoy strong competition in a more relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere.

Any pilot with cross country experience who wants to compete in an SSA sanctioned contest (2024 Rules Pending). Current SSA rules say that each entrant should meet one or more of the following experience requirements:

Have a Pilot Ranking Score (Rule 5.2.1) greater than zero.
Present evidence both of having completed a previous National soaring contest and of recent cross-country soaring experience.
Present proof of having earned the FAI Silver Badge.

We will have experienced contest pilots available to act as mentors for those pilots with no or little competition experience. Daily briefings will include topics that will enhance the knowledge of the novice contest pilot. Experienced contest pilots and instructors will be available starting Saturday, July 12, 2025 for additional help or local area checkouts if desired.

Proof of SSA membership
A valid pilot’s license with Private or Commercial Glider privileges (foreign pilots may present the equivalent license or certification from their country)
An airworthy glider that meets the rules of the class you plan to enter
All the paperwork that makes the glider legal to fly (Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness, etc.)
A parachute for each seat in the glider, repacked within current FAA guidelines
Proof that you own the glider, or written permission from the owner (on the SSA Pilot Registration Form)
If you will be a minor (under 18) on the first scheduled flying day (practice or competition), permission of your parent or guardian (on the SSA Pilot Registration Form)
Proof of liability insurance coverage for the glider (a photocopy of the first page of the policy is fine)

Terry Duncan