Operational procedures
Operational Procedures
Please review and carefully read the operational procedures provided below:
Pilot requirements
Registration
All pilots must register and pay camp-fee before being allowed to fly at the Wave Camp. Upon registration the pilot will be issued a pilot card with a pilots number. This card and number must be used when registering in the aero-towing queue. Pilots without a card/number will be denied aero-tows. The registration form may be found in appendix A, and will also be available in the meeting room at the hotel.
Pilot qualification requirements and check flights
Flying at Vågå can be dangerous, unless the wave camp rules are followed. The landscape and weather are extreme compared to regular summer flying, and most pilots are starting their season on Vågå. Because of this we have to impose some rules on pilot skills:
- Valid glider pilot license and a minimum of 75 hours of flying, with at least 50 hours on gliders. Valid aero-tow rating and at least 75 aero-tows.
- Mountain soaring experience from Vågå or similar sites.
- All new pilots must do a check flight with an instructor before being allowed first solo flight at Vågå Wave Camp.
- Check flights can be done with a Wave Camp approved instructor. In general all instructors that have flown at Vågå one of the last 3 years are approved as check flight instructors.
- Check flights may be done using own two-seat gliders, or be rented from Drammen Aeroclub.
- Check flights before the first main briefing may only be done using Drammen Aeroclub gliders and instructors, or by special permission.
- A check flight shall familiarize the pilot with important elements in the area. (Appendix B)
Pilots not meeting the requirements are required to fly as a student with a Wave Camp approved instructor. The instructor may approve solo-flights if he finds the student and the conditions suitable. Flying solo above 3500 m must only take place if the student meets the requirement in bullet point #1 above, and has adequate training and experience from using oxygen equipment.
Personal Equipment
Clothes
First a given one, bring warm clothes and warm shoes. Options for multiple layers, and options for both sunny days and cold windy ones. Clothes with built in heaters have also proven a good option.
- Spikes
- It will probably be slippery on the ice, we recommend having spikes to wear under your shoes for better grip.
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Goggles (in case of canopy failure).
- Flares.
- Good map over the area.
- Handheld compass.
- Handheld GPS with fresh batteries.
- Cell Phone with fresh batteries.
- NOTE: There are large areas in the mountains that do not have GSM coverage. Do not depend on being able to use the cell phone. Keep the phone warm to improve battery capacity. A power bank could be a good supplement.
- Handheld air band transceiver fully charged.
- Flashlight.
- Personal tracker. Spot or similar. Make sure to keep the tracker on the body, not stored in the glider. If Spot is not available a tracker app on a cell phone is a good alternative. Use a power bank to ensure good battery capacity
Glider requirements
Colour Marking
All gliders must have marking on the nose, the leading edge of the wings, the undercarriage doors and other suitable spots. When putting the marking on, have in mind that as much as possible of the markings on the wings are on the leading edge, not over and under the wings. See picture on the right for some well marked gliders.
The markings we provide is MACtac 8054 by MACtac Scandinavia AB in Malmö (phone +46 40 680 31 30, http://www.mactac.com). Local dealer in Oslo is Basberg Papir.
The reason for putting on the markings is of course to be seen. There will be many white gliders, lots of white clouds and white mountains as far as you can see.
Flarm
All gliders flying at Vågå during the Wave Camp must be equipped with a Flarm device. Gliders without a Flarm device will be denied aero-tow during operation. Owner/operation of a glider is responsible for correct installation, software update and operation of the Flarm device. The Flarm device must be fixed in the glider, i.e. no “handheld” solution will be accepted. The Flarm device must be activated before lining up for takeoff, and not turned off until the glider is clear of landing area, free area and takeoff runway. The preferred solution is that Flarm is on when master switch is on.
Stealth mode in the Flarm device shall not be activated. Gliders with Flarm devices that are suspected to not be working properly may be denied aero-tow until correct function is demonstrated. If the Flarm device fails while airborne, inform ground station and land without undue delay.
Required equipment for flights above FL135
Transponder
Transponder Mode C or Mode S is mandatory for flights above FL135 in the Vågå Danger Area(s). The transponder shall be registered in the gliders approved instruments list.
Position data logging device
IGC approved logging device is mandatory for flights above FL 135 in the Vågå Danger area(s) This logging device shall be calibrated at least during the previous 24 months according to competition rules. The logging device need not be fixed in the glider. Owner/pilot of this glider is responsible for correct operation and antenna position for good reception of GPS signals.
Airfield
Grid and Take-off runway
Takeoff runway is 1000×60 meters, marked by branches every 100 meters.
Normal operation is to start the grid at the center of the takeoff runway. Gliders line up in two rows if sufficient space:
Make sure the wings are not overlapping in the grid area.
Gliders should be lined up so that tugs may pass on the south side of the gliders.
The grid area will be filled up from the downwind side until the ground control decides it is time to move the gliders to the forward position. When the gliders are moving no aero-towing operation will take place. If wind changes direction the gliders already lined up will just be turned around, and aerotowing will continue from the new front of the grid. Ground chief may order a glider out of the grid if the pilot is not ready, or if deemed necessary for any other reason. If a glider is ordered out of the line it must re-enter at the back end when ready.
The runway is at about 370m QNH. Position is 61.51.500N 009.01.000E.
Take-off and Aerotow
All handsignals (tighten rope etc.) must follow Norwegian standard, this will be presented during the main briefing. On release the glider must turn left, the tug will turn right. Aerotows will occur with minimum noise exposure in mind. Consider the avian fauna by the Blåhø mast, skiers in hills and mountains and populated areas. Aerotows over the ridge will be avoided due to the collision risk. The towplanes will descend where the glider density is the lowest.
Landing
The landing circuit is to be flown south of the landing field. Make sure all landings and traffic on the ice occur parallel to the runway headings. If it is possible to land outside the marked runway, make sure that the ice surface is efficiently utilized. If the runway has to be cleared of snow, only the marked runway will be available. In that case active participation of the ground crew is required. If there is a mismatch between the number of gliders in use and available ground crew, limitations will be imposed on the gliding activity.
Ground Station
Vågå Ground station frequency: 122.175
The ground control station will be manned by experienced Wave Camp personnel. During normal operations the ground control station is responsible for:
- Keeping track of all traffic: airborne, landed, towing queue, in/out of boxes etc.
- Give information about changing weather conditions.
- Keep a day logg of all activities.
During operations, a ground chief will at all times man the ground station. During periods of heavy traffic an assistant may work along the ground chief. If an assistant is on duty all questions, towing queue etc should be addressed to him instead of the ground chief. Ground staff will at all times wear yellow vests. The chief vest is marked “CHIEF” , the assistant’s vest is marked “ASSIST”. Do not disturb the ground station personnel unnecessarily.
Trailer/glider parking
Gliders and trailers must be parked at the assigned areas. Contact organizers to be assigned a trailer parking spot
Tie-Down
Trailers must be tied down using at least 3 tie-down points secured in the ice. Gliders that are parked overnight must be tied down with at least 3 tie-down points secured in the ice. Make sure ropes used to tie down trailers and gliders are sufficiently strong to hold the equipment even with the strong winds that may occur at Vågå. Contact organizers when in doubt. Severe aircraft damage has occurred to drifting trailers. A glider must NEVER be left unattended unless it is tied down. This is valid for glider parking area, lineup area, free area, and landing area. Owners are responsible for any damage to other equipment caused by their gliders/trailers regardless of why the damage happened.
Airspace
Radio frequencies:
- Vågå event Ground: 122.175 Mhz
- Vågo event Air-to-air: 123.35 MHz
- Class G airspace: 123.50 MHz
- ATC: Polaris CTA 124.775 MHz (above FL135)
Below FL135
Airspace in the Vågå area below FL 135 is Class G.
Flights below 3500 meters do not require oxygen. But flights over hours in altitude 2000 meter to 3500-meter oxygen supplementation are recommended.
Above FL 135
Flights above FL 135 (Flight level 13500 ft) will require opening of the Danger Areas. During Vågå Wavecamp we can request use of the four danger areas Vaagaa, Jotunheimen, Dovre and Lesja. These danger areas must be requested to the Ground station before entering. The ground station will coordinate with ATC and report the approved danger areas, with a given max altitude. For all danger areas the max altitude is FL225, but ATC may give a lower max altitude
In the Vågå Danger Areas the airspace is Class C, which is transponder mandatory. Within the entire airsports area, VFR flight is permissible. (Outside the area, VFR is not allowed above FL195, without special permission).
All gliders in the danger area MUST remain on 122.175. If contact with ground is lost (poor battery, radio failure, etc.), aircraft must immediately descend below FL135. After landing, pilot must report to ground station and an incident report will be filled out afterwards.
Entering Vågå Danger Area
Every glider that intend to enter this area (climbing) must in due time:
- Report intention to Vågå ground station and have this confirmed.
- Enter designated transponder code (squawk) with altitude reporting (Mode C or S).
- Make sure the ICG data logger is operating.
- All radio communication shall remain on the primary frequency 122.175 Mhz
Leaving Vågå Danger Area
Every glider that leaves this area (descending) must (i.e. is below FL 135):
- Report intention to Vågå ground station and have this confirmed.
Individual flight above FL135
According to Norwegian regulations a glider with transponder may ask for clearance from ATC to enter airspace outside Vågå Airsports Area or inside Vågå Airsports Area at time when Vågå ground station is not present. Note that VFR flight outside Danger area above FL195 requires special permission. Glider, which has entered Vågå Airsports Area and wish to leave this area at FL 135 or above must before leaving airsports area:
- Contact Vågå ground station and report intention and have this confirmed.
- Contact authoritative ATC on proper VHF frequency for clearance before entering non airsports area.
- If contact with ATC is not established, return to wavecamp frequency, report and do not enter non danger area above FL135.
Oxygen
Flying between 3500 meter and 7000 meter
In this altitude area oxygen equipment is mandatory. Oxygen supplementation should be used from the ground level and not later at 3000 meters when climbing. If the flight is no longer than one hour of duration above 3500-meter personal equipment or glider installed equipment is accepted. The equipment shall be checked before every flight. No other periodic maintenance is required.
Flying above 7000 meter
Flights above 7000 meters require equipment approved for such operation from appropriate suppliers. The oxygen mask shall be adapted and tested for leaks for individual pilots. Backup equipment shall also be available. The pilot shall do appropriate actions for avoiding hypoxia. That might include breathing 100% oxygen before the flight starts and during the whole flight. The pilot shall have completed training in a low-pressure chamber to know his/her individual reaction on low-level oxygen. The pilot shall also have studied the knowledge of hypoxia and know the danger of physiological limits in these altitudes. Planning shall be conducted to ensure the presence of sufficient oxygen supply.