Western Province Sport Parachute Club Bid Document to host the South African National Skydiving Championships in Formation Skydiving Artistic Events and Atmonauti 2011 22/04/2011 29/04/2011 1
Contents INTRODUCTION...4 TIMETABLE...4 OPERATIONAL STAFF...4 JUDGING STAFF...5 Judges...5 Jury and Video Panel Review...5 AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS AND GROUND CREW...6 Aircraft...6 Loadmasters...6 Radio Operators...6 Refuelling Personnel...6 COST TO COMPETITORS...6 Registration...6 Jump Rates and Altitudes...6 BUDGET...7 PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA LIAISONS...7 Public Relations Staff and Advance Publicity...8 Advertising in Media Releases and Local Town Press...8 Tourism & Local Business Involvement...8 CONDUCTING THE COMPETITION...8 Transportation on the DZ...8 Team Facilities...8 Ablution Facilities...9 Alternative Accommodation...9 Registration Dates...9 2
Briefings...9 Manifest...9 Load Management...9 Aircraft Movement and Management...9 Competition Bulletins...10 Down Time Activities / Bad Weather Days...10 Entertainment...10 EVENTS...10 NATIONAL AWARDS CEREMONY...11 EVALUATION REPORT...11 CONCLUSION...11 CONTACT DETAILS...11 3
INTRODUCTION Western Province Sport Parachute Club (WPSPC) is located just outside of Robertson in the Western Cape, approximately 150km from Cape Town on major roads. Robertson is a thriving tourist town in a wine-producing region along the famous Route 62. Accommodation, entertainment and good food are readily available both in town, which is directly adjacent to the airfield and on surrounding wine farms. Accommodation options range from luxurious wine and game farms to economical backpackers. Founded in 1972 and operating in Citrusdal for over 30 years, WPSPC is the oldest remaining Club in South Africa. Newly relocated at Roberson, the club is fortunate to have a core of dedicated members who have worked to host events and skills camps, and to focus on the retention of both experienced and junior jumpers. To our knowledge, the National Skydiving Championships have never been hosted at a Western Cape dropzone. We feel it is high time we addressed this, and that we have the energy and commitment to do so. Unfortunately, our location does mean that our costs are increased significantly. Aircraft ferry is our single biggest cost, followed by the transportation of staff to the Cape. Sponsors remain scarce. However we believe our costs to competitors are comparable with last year s event and hope that Inland competitors will not be daunted by the travel and accommodation costs that they are usually fortunate enough to avoid. TIMETABLE The proposed dates for and around the competition are as follows 1 April 2011 Registration Closes 21 April 2011 Aircraft Arrival 22-24 April 2011 Fun Jumping / Training Days 23 April Late Registration Closes for Atmo competitors 24 April 2011 Atmonauti Competition Late Registration Closes 25-28 April 2011 AE and FS Competition Days 28 April 2011 Award Ceremony and Steak Braai at DZ 29 April 2011 Weather Day 30 April to 2 May 2010 Long weekend, standard operation out of our usual aircraft The decision to host Atmonauti on the 24 th was taken because many of these competitors will wish to participate in the other events as competitors or cameramen. Should bad weather be a factor it will be decided in conjunction with the judges whether to reschedule or to cut the event short. 4
OPERATIONAL STAFF Meet Director Assistant Meet Director Safety Officer Manifest Officer Manifest Staff Erik Vliegenthart Ashley Verhulp Steven Norris Liz Cooper Katie Russell, TBA The required paramedics and vehicle will be in attendance throughout the competition as determined by the SSA. Cleaning and Maintenance staff will be in attendance throughout the competition, and security will patrol between 6pm and 6am. JUDGING STAFF Judges The Chief Judge will be appointed and judging staff formalised once the Nationals has been awarded. Judges will be provided with a small hangar remote from the main activities to perform judging. Downloading will take place in the canteen area close to the packing area. Equipment will be provided according to the judges specifications and the printing and admin costs will be covered. Transportation of the judges to Cape Town will be covered at the cost of the cheapest available flights. WPSPC will not be responsible for additional costs associated with peak flight times or late booking. Transport from Cape Town to Robertson will be arranged. Accommodation will be provided at one of two Backpackers Lodges in Robertson. Meals will be provided by the on-site caterers or as part of the accommodation package. Jury and Video Panel Review The positions will be filled one calendar month before the competition starts and will consist of experienced skydivers. 5
AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS AND GROUND CREW Aircraft PAC 750 XL - ZS-BLU Turbine, 17 seater, climb rate 20mins to 12 000ft. For the Nationals we plan to have 13 skydivers per load to ensure comfort but can accommodate up to 17 skydivers should we have bad weather days. No oxygen will be provided. Loadmasters A Loadmaster will be appointed prior to each load. Load management will be the responsibility of Manifest. Radio Operators All the pilots are holders of radio operating licenses as required by ICASA. Ground operators will be the Meet Director, Assistant Meet Director and the Manifest Personnel. The aircraft and ground will have working radios for communication between manifest, judges and pilots. Refuelling Personnel The Robertson Flying Club will be assisting us with refuelling. Jet A1 is not available at the airfield, but will be provided in drums. A pump will be available for refuelling. COST TO COMPETITORS Given the distance of the Western Cape from the major turbine dropzones in the country, hosting a National Competition is of necessity more expensive than it would be in Gauteng or surrounds. The ferry cost of the aircraft is by far our single biggest expense, and must unfortunately be recovered from competition fees. Registration Registration will be R 1,100.00 per person competing regardless of the number of events. This will include a minimal welcome pack and the Nationals Awards Ceremony and braai which will take place on the airfield. SSA membership is a requirement for participation in the National Championships. Participants not complying with this requirement will be disqualified. Jump Rates and Altitudes The slot rate for for altitudes above 8 000ft will be R240. There are no events requiring a lower exit altitude. 6
BUDGET Expenses Aircraft ferry 40 000 Judges airfare 4 000 Officials accommodation 9 000 Award braai 5 000 Officials food 6 000 Facilities Hire 3 500 Judging fees 3 100 Electronics Hire 3 000 Paramedics 21 000 Rigging 2 000 Security 6 000 Signage 1 000 DZ Staff 2 000 T-shirts 7 200 Toilet Hire 3 000 Medals 20 000 135 800 Income Registration 66 000 Slots 18 000 SSA 17 245 Bar Sales 10 000 Boogie income 8 000 119 245 Profit/(loss) -16 555 7
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA LIAISON Public Relations Staff and Advance Publicity A Public Relations Officer will be appointed prior to the event to liaise with the Media and with other drop zones during and after the event. News Bulletins will be distributed to all list serves and drop zones to inform participants of the preparation progress and other relevant information. Advertising in Media Releases and Local Town Press An advertisement will be placed in the local newspaper and posters will be made available for key access points to inform the community of the event. An in-depth article will be supplied to the local news paper to encourage spectators to come and join in the fun. Tourism & Local Business Involvement Western Province Sport Parachute Club has concluded arrangements with several backpackers and B&B s in order to interest local business owners in the event. WPSPC also has a good relationship with the Robertson Tourism Association. CONDUCTING THE COMPETITION The Venue Skydive Robertson is located on the Roberson Airfield directly adjacent to Robertson town. There is a 1.6km tar runway, and a large apron. There are several hangars and a clubhouse. Landing areas are large. There are plenty of options for out landings, although competitors should bear in mind the town is very close. The primary landing area is on the far side of the runway from the facilities. Proper runway crossing procedures must be observed. Transportation on the DZ The boarding point and landing area are in easy walking distance from the main social and packing areas. Shade will be provided at boarding point. Vehicles will be available to collect skydivers landing far from the hanger and general landing area. Team Facilities A creeping area will be available in a hangar. The club hangar will be used as a packing area. There is also ample shade under trees for packing and team areas. The video download area will be in the canteen or in the hangar. 8
Ablution Facilities We are in the process of submitting plans for additional ablution facilities. However these may not be complete by the date of the National Championships. The existing on site ablution facilities and extra portable toilets will be available. The fixed structure facilities consist of one shower, one mens and one ladies toilet. Accommodation Accommodation is available within walking distance of the drop zone and throughout the town. WPSPC has a list of recommended facilities who will give preferential rates to skydivers. These include B&Bs and Backpackers. If desired, information on more upmarket options on wine farms can be sourced from the Robertson Tourism bureau. If the ablutions have been upgraded or portable showers can be rented, then camping facilities will be available on the airfield. If not, camping facilities will be at the local campsite close to the dropzone, and shuttles will run between the site and the airfield at set times. Registration Dates All registrations must be submitted by Friday the 1st of April 2011. Late registration will be accepted until the 23 rd of April 2011 for Atmonauti and until the 24 th of April for FS and AE, with a penalty fee of R200 applying in either case. The competition will run from the 24 th of April 2011 to the 28 th of April 2011 with the 29 th of April 2011 as a bad weather day. Briefings All briefings to take place on the 1st day of competition and as and when required. Relevant staff will have a working knowledge of the Sporting Code. Manifest The following manifest ready calls will be given: a) 45 minutes b) 30 minutes b) 15 minutes (walk out to boarding point). Competitors will be expected to walk out to boarding point immediately once the previous load has taken off (approximately 15 minutes before take off). Load Management Load management will be undertaken by the Manifest Officer. Aircraft Movement and Management The aircraft coordinator will manage the aircraft and the aircraft will be stored on the apron each night. The aircraft will move around on the runway and at the fuelling station. Competitors will be asked to stay at the boarding point until the aircraft has stopped moving. 9
Competition Bulletins Daily Competition Bulletins will be produced through co-ordination between the judges and the organizing committee. Noticeboards will be available in the Canteen area. Down Time Activities / Bad Weather Days We will have a big screen TV in the canteen. In the surrounding area, there are golf courses, various bars, restaurants, quad bikes, game drives, 4/4 track drives, hot water spa s, river tours, excellent climbing, the largest maze in Africa, dozens of wine farms and various other tourist attractions. Entertainment Competitors can make their own entertainment most evenings. There will be music and braaiing on the DZ. There are several excellent restaurants in town although bookings are recommended at this time of year. EVENTS We are bidding to host the following events Rounds Altitude Slot Rate Formation Skydiving 2 way Novice 6 rounds 10000ft AGL R240 2 way Open 6 rounds 10000ft AGL R240 4 way Novice 6 rounds 10000ft AGL R240 4 way Intermediate 6 rounds 10000ft AGL R240 4 way Open 10 rounds 10000ft AGL R240 8 way Open 10 rounds 13000ft AGL R240 8 way Intermediate 6 rounds 13000ft AGL R240 Artistic Events Freestyle Open 7 rounds 13000ft AGL R240 Freefly Open 7 rounds 13000ft AGL R240 Freefly Intermediate 7 rounds 13000ft AGL R240 Atmonauti ARW 2 Intermediate 5 rounds 13000ft AGL R240 ARW 2 Advanced 5 rounds 13000ft AGL R240 ARW 2 Super Advanced 5 rounds 13000ft AGL R240 SFIDA knockout 13000ft AGL R240 10
NATIONAL AWARDS CEREMONY The medals presentation will be held at the airfield after the close of jumping for the day on 28 April 2011. There will be a catered braai for competitors. Additional tickets will be for sale for guests and non-competitors. EVALUATION REPORT An evaluation report will be submitted to the SSA Committee within 14 days of the completion of the event. CONCLUSION Western Province Sport Parachute Club would like to take this opportunity to thank the SSA for their time in considering our application to host Nationals 2011. Should our bid be accepted we look forward to working closely with the respective Committees. CONTACT DETAILS Erik Vliegenthart WPSPC Aircraft Officer / Meet Director 083 472 5448 aircraft@skydive.co.za Ashley Verhulp WPSPC Equipment Officer / Assistant Meet Director 083 375 1245 equipment@skydive.co.za Pam Russell WPSPC Chairman 083 264 0108 chairman@skydive.co.za 11