Power Off Landing Event Rules
[As of - 07/01/05]

II. Flying Event Rules

A. Power Off Landing

1. Each contestant will make three landings, provided sufficient time is available. This will be determined by the Chief Judge prior to starting the event; otherwise, only two landings will be made.

2. Each airplane will make a normal take-off and climb at least 400 feet AGL before turning crosswind. The first turn should be delayed until proper spacing between airplanes can be obtained in the pattern. The second and third take-offs, if safety permits, will be from a touch and go.

3. A rectangular pattern shall be flown with the downwind leg parallel to the active runway and as close as practical. Power shall be reduced to idle opposite the spot of intended landing, at an altitude not less than 800 feet AGL. From this point on, a rectangular pattern shall be flown at normal gliding speed for the airplane in use. The engine may be "cleared" in a normal manner once, while on base leg. At completion of the final turn, the contestant must be at an altitude of not less than 200 feet AGL.

4. Proper spacing in the pattern shall be maintained by each contestant. If proper spacing cannot be maintained, the overtaking airplane shall make a go-around and the contestant shall be disqualified unless the judges rule that the failure to maintain spacing was beyond the contestant's control (such as a non-contestant aircraft improperly entering the pattern or the previous contestant flying an unusually elongated traffic pattern). No 360 degree turns or large "S" turns shall be permitted on any leg  of the pattern unless directed by ATC.  Approved methods of attaining proper spacing are:

(a) extension of the take-off leg, or

(b) reduced speed on the downwind leg.

5. Flaps may be used in a normal manner on an airplane so equipped. They may be extended until the aircraft is 100 feet AGL on final approach and not retracted until after landing.

6. Scoring

(a) All aircraft shall be judged on the basis of a constant angle of approach, that is, one in which no rapid or radical change in attitude of the aircraft is made.

(b) A target line will be marked on the runway, a safe distance from the approach end. A white foul line will be placed 100 feet short of the target tine and another white foul line 200 feet beyond the target line.

(c) All landings within the white foul lines will be scored at their actual distance in feet from the target line where both main landing gear touch down and remain firmly on the ground, except for a crosswind landing which shall be scored where the upwind wheel first touches down and remains firmly on the ground.   The downwind wheel
need NOT remain firmly on the ground and will NOT be scored.

d) Touching short of the first white foul line or landing beyond the second white foul line shall result in a penalty of 400 points for that landing. The actual distance shall not be measured.

(e) If an airplane bounces short of the target line and touches down and stays at a point closer to the target line, the measurement will be made to the point of touchdown farthest from the target line.

(f) Tail wheel equipped airplanes must touchdown in a three-point attitude. Tricycle gear airplanes must touchdown in a normal attitude, on the main wheels. Improper traffic pattern, approach, flare or touchdown shall result in a penalty. The exact amount shall be determined by the judges.

(g) In the event that sufficient time is available for three landings, the best flying technique and lowest total distance, in feet, for the best two landings shall determine the winner.

(h) Addition of power after reduction to idle opposite the landing point (other than a clearing burst on base leg) shall result in a penalty of  200  points. Failure to add power when obviously necessary to execute a safe landing will result in disqualification.

(I) The following maneuvers may result in disqualification or a penalty of up to 400 points:

(1) The use of slips other than necessary for crosswind correction.

(2) Irregular pattern, "S" turns, fishtailing, etc.

(3) Excessively slow, fast, or long approach.

(4) Go-around due to poor planning or spacing by the contestant.

(5) Completion of final turn below 200 feet AGL.

(6) Floating in excess of five (5) seconds from point at which the airplane is no longer in a descending flight path on final approach until touch down.

(7) Any action deemed by the judges to be careless or reckless, including excessive "jamming" of the airplane onto the ground or allowing the airplane to become dangerously low while on base leg or final approach.

(j) The landing event will not be conducted when the crosswind component exceeds 10 knots.

05/21/00 - Date of last change to this section