Club Class

There has been a lot of interest lately in the need for an IGC regulated Club Class in the US. I for one feel that it is a good idea and have expressed my thoughts in recent emails. The first thing that I would like to make clear is my feeling that establishing an IGC Club Class in no way requires that we should do away with the Sports Class. These two classes can co-exists and thrive because I believe they have different purposes and goals.

Several years ago in Littlefield Texas I was flying a contest with Dick Johnson and we had a lengthy discussion concerning the Sports Class. I think that Dick summed it up very well. He felt that the Sports Class was for the entry level and exit level pilots.An Entry Level Pilot: A low time pilot who has just bought his first glider and is starting his X country experience. Usually a lower performance glider. Typically a first generation fiberglass model, such as an LS1, Cirrus, ASW-15, ASW-19, PIK, etc. A pilot who is wanting to learn what competition is all about.Exit level pilots: Pilots that don’t really want to push as hard, fly long task, and maybe spend a little less time in the air but still enjoy competition. Handicapping allowed. Perfect!

Since that time we have seen the Sports Class evolve into the most popular class in the US. The Sports Class Nationals has been the largest attended nationals for sometime. Along with the popularity has come change. There are many top ranked pilots that have joined the Sports Class. Karl Stredideck has flown his duo in many regional Sports Class contest. Last year Doug Jacobs flew a duo at Perry. Hank Nixon, past 15M champion, flew his ASW-28 in the Sports Class Nationals. The most popular contest in the US is the Sports Class (Senior’s) Nationals in Florida. This year it was won by many time National Champion Dick Butler flying an ASH-26E. There were no less than 4 Team Members in that contest. How can an entry-level pilot compete in such environments? The more experienced pilots have also brought more expensive and higher performance gliders. How can handicapping be fair to all when the performance range is between a 1-26 and an ASW-22BL. No way. No how.

The point is that the Sports Class is no longer for the entry level and exit level pilot. It is no longer for the lower performance glider. It has become as competitive as any other class.

So where does that leave the low time and old time pilot? In my opinion the Sports Class has out lived it’s original intent. We need to move on.

The Sports Class should be a class that is regulated by experience and desire. If you are a low time pilot you belong in the Sports Class. If you want to fly two hours instead of four hours you have a class that is designed for you. Let’s get back to the original idea! The idea that the Sports Class is for entry and exit level pilots with low performance or high performance gliders. Not for Team Members with the latest equipment.

We still have one category that we have not addressed. The Club Class. The US should join the rest of the world and adopt a Club Class. IGC regulated. This class will give the high time and low time pilots with Club Class performance gliders a place to compete. The IGC has a specific list of gliders with a handicap for each glider. Any level pilot can participate if he wishes. Handicapping is not as big a issue because the performance of the gliders is much closer. The US has adopted other IGC classes such as the Standard Class, 15M Class, 18M Class, Open Class, World Class etc. Why not the Club Class?

All comments are welcomed.