Operational Procedure:
Radio:
(A) Operations Manager will make an announcement on 123.0 to all traffic in the
area 15 minutes before and at time of moving gliders onto the runway.
(B) Operations Manager will announce on 123.0 fifteen minutes before grid time
and will warn all traffic when grid procedure is in effect (gliders are now
lining up on the runway from the numbers to the line closing off the launch
area on the runway). All traffic will be then requested to land long and
over the gliders or from the other end of the runway and turning into the
parking area mid field. Operations Manager will announce the launch window
start and completion.
(C) The Operations Manager and one other assigned person will monitor 123.0 at
all times during the launch and landing operations, including fifteen minutes
before moving any aircraft on the runway, until all sailplanes have landed or
accounted for.
(D) An assigned person will monitor 123.0 and 123.3 (or other assigned pilot to
pilot frequency) and will notify all aircraft landing at Siskiyou County
Airport, or flying within the nearby area and communicating on 123.0 that a
contest is beginning or in process, and that sailplanes are present.
(E) All sailplanes will monitor 123.0 during the launch procedure of their
specific class, and once released from the tow plane they will switch to an
assigned frequency as determined by the Operations Manager. The Operations
Manager or CD will communicate on the assigned frequency to all pilots
regarding last plane in the class launched, start gate open, and so on. Pilots
will monitor that assigned frequency until they have decided to land, and will
then switch to 123.0. During final approach to this airport, all pilots will
switch to 123.0 at or before 10 miles from the airport when on final glideand
will announce arrival time and approach direction. Upon entering the downwind
leg, all pilots will announce such unless there is an assigned Finish Gate
person who will be coordinating the finishing and landing process of the
planes. When using a straight in approach, will announce such when 2 minutes
out and when in the normal landing pattern final area.
(F) During the launch and landing process of the contest, the Operations Manager
will inform all non contest planes of the NOTAM in effect and all data
regarding availability of runway space, planes in tow, or in nearby flight,
traffic conditions, and so on. The non-contest pilots will be asked to make a
determination as to what they intend to do, thus informing contest pilots or
impending traffic.
Set-Up and Grid
(A) Only cars or golf carts will be allowed to tow vehicles onto the runway, and
will only be allowed to do so during the pre-grid window. Once the grid
window is open, only golf carts or people will be allowed to pull or push a
sailplane onto the runway.
(B) All tow vehicles will be removed before grid time, and all contest planes
will be pushed to one side, awaiting the grid time.
(C) Once all planes have been launched and the tow planes have landed, and Ops
has confirmed there is no other traffic nearby, a few vehicles may be allowed
on the runway to retrieve wing wheels and other gear.
Tow Plane Operations
(A) All tow planes will wait in the nearby tie down areas or in front of the
pre-grid area when the sailplanes have been moved on and to the side of the
runway.
(B) The Chief Tow Pilot and the Operations Manager will discuss the best landing
pattern for the day, and the best landing area (to the side or behind or to
the front of the grid line), and all tow planes will follow that procedure.
All contest members will be notified of that decision so as to grid
appropriately.
(C) To minimize radio communication or in case of a radio failure, the
Operations Manager will inform all non-contest pilots of the procedures should
they communicate on 123.0.
Launch Procedures
(A) Grid time will be announced by the Operations Manager for a certain number
of planes along the runway, which may include part or all of the planes. At
that time those planes will push their planes onto the runway as directed by
the Operations Manager, leaving room for the tow planes to pass by if need
be. This may mean that some planes will have to launch somewhat to the side
of center. All vehicles, non-launch people, and equipment will be cleared or
moved to safety from nearby or in front of the plane to be launched.
(B) The Operations Manager and assigned launch people will announce the start
of launching, and will signal to the appropriate tow plane to move into tow
position in front of the contest plane. The launch crew will hook up the tow
rope and will if need be run the wing for the contest plane, although crew
members will be allowed to do both the hood up and wing if they so choose.
(C) The Operations Manager or assigned person will signal launch, and once the
planes are clear of the runway, the next tow plane will be moved into position,
and so on.
(D) All pilots are to be in their plane, hooked in, safety inspected by crew or
others, and have completed their pre-launch check list, before the plane in
front of them has launched (except of course for the first contest plane).
The pilot of each plane has the final responsibility for his or her safety and
at any time may cancel the launch by releasing the tow rope. Each pilot must
determine if all conditions for a save launch are present and signal a thumbs up
and if possible radio to the tow plane that he or she is ready to go.
(E) At the time of grid, and at the start of launching, Ops will notify all
pilots on 123.0 that the NOTAM is in effect and will be so for an estimated
amount of time (as determined by the (
(D). Once all launching has been completed (which should last one to two
hours), Ops or CD will notify all pilots that the launching has been completed
for each class of planes, and will notify pilots when all launches have been
completed.
Landing Procedures
(A) As described in Radio Procedures, each contest pilot will notify on 123.0
the Operations Manager (or assigned landing person) 10 miles or more from the
finish line the ETA and direction of approach.
(B) All pilots must complete the race over the assigned finish line, from the
assigned direction, and must be 50 feet or more above the air field at all
times, unless making a rolling stop finish (which must be announced by 4 miles
out).
(C) Patterns will be decided upon before the race day, and announced in the
pilot briefing being held each morning. The pilot will announce entering the
downwind leg of the pattern, and is responsible to monitor 123. The pilot who
is in the landing pattern, has the right of way over all planes entering the
finish line area and must communicate with all pilots their intent to either
land ahead of or behind other pilots in the pattern (if low for example) or
pilots finishing.
(D) Once a plane has landed, he or she and any crew available will help move the
glider to t the side and off the runway until the landing pattern is clear.
Only golf carts will be allowed on the runway (to the side) during the landing
procedure, and must have an appropriate flag visible to the pilots landing.
(E) Pilots will notify others in the landing pattern if they intend to land long
or short on the runway, over or behind another, and so on.
Procedure for North End Launch
(A) All launch procedures will be the same, except for pre-grid moving of the
sailplanes onto the field and to the side of the grid area. Non open class
gliders will tow their planes down the S/N taxiway on the west side of the
runway, entering the runway at the middle or at the North end, depending on
grid position and instructions by the OD. Open class gliders may tow their
gliders down the center of the main runway if they believe the extra width is
needed for safety to the wings.
Taxiway/Old Runway Use
Aircraft and support vehicle setup
(A) Each pilot will have permission to take sufficient space along the cable
tie downs areas at both the west and east sides of the South end of the main
runway. The East side is to be filled first, and is the primary sail plane
tie down area. Only cable tie downs are permitted and no one is to use or
place rebar or metal pins in the ground for additional tie downs. Each pilot
is allowed room for a trailer, assembled plane, and one support vehicle. If
additional vehicles can be parked behind the wings of the assembled glider as
long as they do not extend beyond the rudder and/or block the traffic flow
down the center of the runway.
(B) If space is limited due to a large number of contestants, trailers (unless
the pilot is putting
his/her plane away each night, will be moved and stored to a designated area
(far east side of the bridge crew, in front of the sailplane, and so
on).
(C) During a contest, those pilots in the contest will be given preference for
tie downs over non contest pilots.
(D) There will at all times be a clear passage way through the middle of the
closed runway, or sufficient width to allow all sailplanes to be pushed to the
water area or the main runway.
(E) Camping will be permitted by your plane at night, or in designated areas
(the east side of the bridge crew), as long as during the day, the above rules
are maintained for clearance on the runway, and space is sufficient to allow
all pilots a place to tie down planes. There will be other designate camping
areas once permission is granted, such as the lawn for tents at the CCC
building, the East side of the bridge crew, and so on.
(F) Do not under any circumstances put cars, RV's, trailers, sail planes, or
throw objects of any kind into the agricultural area surrounding the
airfield. There may be one marked area where the club has a lease, that we
may use for parking, but it will be clearly marked.
Closed Areas
(A) As noted above, the agricultural fields are closed areas.
(B) The area west of the cross road (that permits traffic to enter the west end
of the closed runway from the perimeter road) is off limits to everyone who
does not lease or rent or own the hangers or hanger spaces. All of the pilots
and owners of these hangers and spaces have been kind enough to agree to taxi
around the other side of the old taxiway, and thus not disturb us or risk
damage and frustration by trying to get through when we are preparing to set
up. We in turn have agreed during the contest to drive around this area.
(C) If for some reason a power plane must use the old taxiway, please remember
they have that right, and at all times we are to provide a clear and safe
taxiway for them to maneuver through us. Not everyone will know all the
agreements, and someone may simply need to taxi through. This is always their
right to do so, and only the Operations Manager or Contest Director may
determine otherwise (safety issue).
(D) Do not cross the main runway at the center area and then drive on the
closed runway to get to the East side of the bridge crew area. This is not
permitted except in an emergency.
(E) The main runway is closed to vehicle traffic (except clearly flagged tow
carts), except under certain conditions, such as when towing the sail planes
for set up, or retrieving gear after the launch process has been completed.
No RV'S on the runway.
(F) We request that you do not drive across the main runway (except with golf
carts), especially during contests. There is a procedure to do so on non
contest days, but again only in limited situations. You may only do so at the
south end, and you must drive on the overrun area, south of the numbers and
the closed mark. This will cause you to drive near the lights, so be
careful. Also, before crossing you must radio to all traffic on 123.0 that
you are intending to cross, and wait for a reply. You must then get out of
your car while radioing or after, and look for traffic in the pattern. Then
and only then are you allowed to cross the main runway with a vehicle. And
this is even asked to be only when absolutely necessary.
Speed Limits and Signs
(A) The speed limit on the airport, anywhere except the perimeter road is 25
miles per hour. Of course one may drive slower and it is requested that you
do so when near the tie down areas, as planes, cars, people, and pets will be
freely moving in and out of the traffic areas.
(B) The speed limit for the perimeter road is undefined, but clearly limited by
the roughness of the road and a very sharp corner at the east end. 40 miles
per hour would seem r reasonable. Remember that the perimeter road is two way
traffic and narrow, and that people bicycle and walk on this road with their
children and pets.
(C) The perimeter road speed limit starts at the junction of the crossroad, not
before. Thus the 211 hanger, the county shops, and the CCC area, is designated
as a 25mph zone. Again, there will be much activity in these areas, be careful
and pay attention for people to be crossing the roads anywhere.
(D) There will be signs directing all traffic to the crossroad to enter the
west side of the old taxiway, and signs directing traffic to the perimeter
road. There will be temporary barricades on the roads leading to the 211 and
commercial hanger areas.
Children, Pets, and Animals
(A) The county has a rule that pets will be leashed when on the airport. If
for some reason your pet is not leashed, you are responsible for the safety of
your pet, and are to be sure to keep your pet from interfering with glider
movement or safety.
(B) Children and pets are to be with their parents and owners when near or on
the main runway. It is requested that all adults work together to ensure the
safety of children and pets, assisting them to a safer area, and remembering
they too are an important part of any flying area or contest.
(C) There are wild animals all around the airport. Please enjoy them and treat
them kindly. Drive carefully on the perimeter road, especially at night.
Fees
(A) The county has set numerous fees for parking/tie-downs at the airport.
These fees will be collected from each person at the end of his or her stay.
(B) Fees: RV's $5 per night, limited to 30 days maximum stay.
Cars free for 30 days
Planes and plane trailers (one unit) $3 per night,
or $10 per week, or $30 month.
(C) All members who are current on the yearly dues will have free parking on
the east side for the year, and in contests, when there is overflow, this will
extend to the west side tie down area as well. Contest pilots will be given
priority and choice of spaces over non contest pilots.
(E) Fees will be collected by the Contest Manager and will be paid to the
county for use of the airport facilities. All dues are being used to upgrade
the club facilities and areas, and all pilots are encouraged to become
members.
Support Activities
Sanitation and Garbage
(A) Their will be a number of porta potties available along the old
taxiway. There is a public restroom at the weather station
complex in the middle of the airport.
(B) There will be a number of garbage barrels and dumpsters. Please put all
garbage in these.
(C) There are two free RV dumping sites in Yreka. These are located at the
South end car wash, the Quick Lube just to the South of the main part of town.
Water is available at these area also.
Contacts
(A) There will be a contest retrieval number for pilots landing out. This will
be posted and provided for all pilots.
