The Cleveland Air Race Revival is an event of the Sport Air Racing League, LLC. It is a timed speed event open to all propeller driven fixed wing aircraft.
Competition in the Sport Air Racing League sanctioned performance classes is set over a route of approximately 150 statute miles. A Short Course is available for aircraft with a top speed of less than 100kts and limited fuel range.
PILOT QUALIFICATIONS
Be a member (or provisional member) of the Sport Air Racing League
Private Pilot Certificate or higher
Hold a current medical (or drivers license for Light Sport)
Meet the requirements of FAR 61:56 and 61:57
AIRCRAFT ELIGIBILITY
Aircraft must be propeller driven, piston or turbine powered, fixed wing
Possess a valid airworthiness certificate
Have evidence of a current annual inspection
Be two-way radio equipped
Must have Mode C transponder (6R3 is inside Houston's Mode C veil)
Have a range to fly race route with reserve at full power
Have insurance coverage
ADDITIONAL CREW/PASSENGERS
Additional crew/passengers may be carried; only one licensed pilot is required.
BEFORE THE RACE
Pilots must be familiar with and ready to fly the race route prior to arriving at the start. All information and procedures are available here on the race web site.
A complete and thorough mandatory briefing will be given at the start of the event. At registration racers will receive briefing cards with frequencies, headings, leg distances, and GPS coordinates for turn points. Any last-minute changes will be covered in the briefing.
Aircraft should have a race number affixed but it is not mandatory in order to participate. If you have one, the race number should be on both sides of the aircraft if possible. Numbers should be 18” high by 12” wide with the number segments 3” wide. Color should stand out from aircraft color and be outlined as necessary as to be visible. Variations are accepted. Permanently affixed numbers and the usage of two or three digit N# numerals if they are of the required size are acceptable. Numbers on the fuselage and/or under the wings are acceptable.
Check in as soon as practical on arrival at start. At this time you must provide all required documentation and sign “Release of Liability” and pay fees. Fuel and park in designated spot and have your aircraft ready for race start prior to briefing.
All pilot briefings are MANDATORY. If you are not briefed you will not participate.
PILOT RESPONSIBILTIES
Register as soon as possible
You must be a member of the Sport Air Racing League
Join on line at http://www.sportairrace.org/
Register as one of the following: Full one year membership $50.00 Paid to League directly
Provisional Membership $10.00 One race only, paid at event registration
Pilots must comply with all Federal Aviation Regulations and Sport Air Racing League rules
Pilots must ensure sufficient fuel is carried for flying the event and a safe reserve
All occupants of aircraft must sign a “Release of Liability”
FLYING THE RACE
Race VFR is defined as no less than 1000’ ceiling and 3 miles or greater visibility.
En route flying will be at a minimum altitude of 500’AGL or in compliance with the FAR’s, whichever is higher.
Engines may not be started until directed by Race Official.
Taxi and take off as directed by Race Official.
Take off will be in speed order, fastest first. If unable to start as directed, you may go to the back of the line.
If you must land during the race or do not complete the course, notify a Race Official as soon as possible that you have aborted.
PENALTIES AND DISQUIFACATIONS
15 seconds for not following briefing or procedure instructions, specifically cutting inside a turn point.
Disqualification if Federal Aviation Regulations are violated.
Disqualification if the timing line is not flown.
Safety maneuvers will not be penalized
RACE RULES AND SAFETY INFORMATION
1. This is a fun outlet for those who like to go fast and the intent is not to win at all costs. Compete in the nature of good sportsmanship. Any actions or attitudes in opposition to this will result in disqualification.
2. All aircraft will be started according to the maximum speed stated on their entry forms with the fastest registered speeds launched first to minimize passing on the course.
3. Cleveland UNICOM is 123.0 and it will be used for the start and finish. The race frequency for all turns will be 123.45. Aircraft should transmit in the blind when at each turn point.
4. You will be racing against the clock, not another aircraft.
5. It is the pilot’s responsibility to operate his/her aircraft at a speed that is safe and will not cause structural failure or loss of control.
6. Race officials will signal engine start and direct aircraft to the runway in fastest to slowest speed order. Be fueled and ready for engine start prior to mandatory briefing.
1. This is a fun outlet for those who like to go fast and the intent is not to win at all costs. Compete in the nature of good sportsmanship. Any actions or attitudes in opposition to this will result in disqualification.
2. All aircraft will be started according to the maximum speed stated on their entry forms with the fastest registered speeds launched first to minimize passing on the course.
3. Cleveland UNICOM is 123.0 and it will be used for the start and finish. The race frequency for all turns will be 123.45. Aircraft should transmit in the blind when at each turn point.
4. You will be racing against the clock, not another aircraft.
5. It is the pilot’s responsibility to operate his/her aircraft at a speed that is safe and will not cause structural failure or loss of control.
6. Race officials will signal engine start and direct aircraft to the runway in fastest to slowest speed order. Be fueled and ready for engine start prior to mandatory briefing.
7. Have fun during the race but BE SAFE!
8. All pilots: Check your maps to find the closest airports and dirt fields closest to the race course. Know them for your safety.
9. Keep your radio tuned to race frequency 123.45 during the race. If you have a problem, climb and communicate! 123.45 is the frequency for all turn points, so listen up for traffic as you approach the area of a turn.
10. When you get to a turn point announce the turn, e.g. “Race Three, Turn One”. The finish call is particularly important to give the timers a heads up that you are approaching and who you are, e.g. “Race Three, 2 miles, Finish” - and then as you cross the finish line, "Race Three, Finish!"
11. Make your calls crisp, clear and short, to keep radio traffic to a minimum.
12. As you approach the Cleveland traffic area remain West of the runway centerline. After crossing the finish line climb and continue on runway heading until clear of the pattern. If cool down is necessary, orbit Southeast of the airport above the pattern altitude.
13. After finish and cool down rejoin the Cleveland pattern on downwind at 1,200 ft MSL. Runway and traffic pattern will be briefed on race day according to winds. This will be a busy time - Watch out and make standard uncontrolled field pattern radio calls but keep them brief as the timers will be listening for other racers to finish.
14. The race runs counter-clockwise from start to finish.
15. If any event occurs so that a racer needs to pass the aircraft in front of them, they must pass on the outside of any turn. Do not try to pass in a turn unless you have sufficient overtake speed. The passing aircraft MUST maintain visual contact at all times! Remember, the FARs state that the aircraft being passed has the right of way.
16. All FARs must be observed during the race. In particular, the minimum safe altitude FAR:
91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
17. HAVE FUN RUNNING THE RACE BUT KEEP IT SAFE! Any changes or additional details will be briefed before the race.
Emergency Procedures:
Precautionary Landing
Fly the aircraft!
Radio Call: Announce “Race xx Aborting Race, Landing at xxx Airport”
Follow up phone call to _________________________ (announced at briefing)
Racing to continue on course for the rest of the field.
Off Airport Landing
Fly the aircraft until it stops!
Radio Call if possible: Announce “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY! Race xx, location, status”
Race is over if we have a MAYDAY. Remember who is ahead of you. If they call MAYDAY it is your responsibility to locate the aircraft, orbit overhead and provide communication on 123.45 and/or 123.0 if close enough to Cleveland. Stay with the downed aircraft if possible.
Orbiter Radio call: Announce “KNOCK IT OFF”
All other racers maintain radio silence and return to Cleveland.
