The contest rules changes proposed by the Rules Sub-Committee were adopted as proposed.
The most significant change is that GPS flight recorders are mandatory at the 15-Meter and Standard Nationals starting this season.

The Board voted to support a process it hopes will reduce the chance of a mishap due to improper assembly. It recommended that each sailplane have a "Critical Assembly Check" (CAC) before launch. A CAC includes the wing pins, tail attachment, and control circuits (or any other item important to flight safety) so it is more than a Positive Control Check. Each pilot is asked to develop a list of the critical safety of flight items that a second person uses to check these items before takeoff. After the check is complete, a mark with either a marker or colored tape is placed on the tape at the left wing root so the line person or tow provider can verify a CAC has been made. Contest managers and tow providers are asked to adopt this process.

The board changed the Soaring Hall of Fame process using a model of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Anyone may make a nomination to the Board. The Board will select the five best nominations. Every SSA member who has been a member for at least 15 continuous years will get to vote for three of the candidates. The top two candidates with over 75% of the vote will be selected. (Because of the 75% threshold, zero, one or two persons may be elected each year.)

John Good is the new editor of Soaring. As an employee of SSA, he is resigning from the Board and from his position as Contest Board Chairman.

The 2001 convention will be in Indianapolis, 2002 in Southern CA (Ontario), and 2003 in Dayton, OH.

The 2005 Worlds have been moved to 2006 to de-conflict with the World Air Games. The bids for 2006 will be taken in 2003. An 18-meter World Championships will be held at the next World Air Games.

From Arleen's report, in 1999 she processed 27 World and National Record claims (some by foreign pilots for flights in the US) with no denials. She processed 683 badge legs, up 34% from 1997. 26 badge legs were denied-- almost all due to not reading and understanding the rules. Mike Koerner won the Barringer Trophy. Bob Semans was SSA Distance Award Gold Medallist, Jim Hard second, and Jim Payne third.

Other convention notes:

We had the usual crowd of great speakers and a busy exhibit hall with a large display of sailplanes, hang gliders, and ultra-lights.

On Friday night, George Applebay and Octave Chanute were inducted into the US Soaring Hall of Fame.